If you want to check your fridge defrost thermostat, this article is for you. This part provides power to the heating element in a fridge and ensures that it remains efficient and doesn’t defrost when it’s not needed. So how to check it and make sure it’s working properly? Jacob Dillard, an experienced engineer at Appliance Repair Expert, will tell us how to do this correctly.
All you need is a multimeter and compressed air that is usually used for keyboard cleaning. First remove the thermostat from the fridge, it’s usually located right on coils and looks like a round-shaped cylinder with two wires entering it.
At room temperature, the thermostat should not have any continuity. If there is then the thermostat is faulty but if not we still have to do another step to make sure it also activates when it gets cold enough.
Take your compressed air spray can and flip it so the nozzle where air is supposed to come out looks down while the bottom of the sprayer is up. When you spray it under pressure, the compressed air will come out super cold, so you can freeze your thermostat and make sure it’s in excellent working condition.
Remember, some thermostats only activate continuity at the temperature of -30 to -45, and it might take a couple of tries. Usually, as soon as the thermostat is covered with ice, it should pass the continuity through its wires and be able to provide power to the heating element. If the thermostat passes this test, be sure that it’s working correctly.
Typically, refrigerator defrost thermostats, if working correctly, show an open circuit at room temperature, indicating a very high resistance in the megohm range. When the fridge becomes cold enough to activate, the resistance drops dramatically, usually to less than 100 ohms, allowing current to flow to the defrost heater. But you will need to refer to the manual of the specific refrigerator model to find out the correct resistance values for the thermostat.
If the defrost thermostat has a higher ohm reading than you receive then either it has moisture inside of it or the electrical contacts are bad. Either way, you should replace the defrost thermostat.
Knowing how to do basic refrigerator troubleshooting and parts testing allows you to fix issues yourself. If you are unable to check it or encounter other problems, contact Appliance Repair Expert and we will install the thermostat of any brand, including GE, Kenmore, Whirlpool, etc.
Home refrigerator repair service perfomed by our highly qualified masters who have considerable experience in servicing, diagnostics and repairing freezers of various degrees of complexity, is your best choice when something went wrong. We have experience in repairing all brands and models of these devices.
Book online
Other Articles
Avoid the hassle of a malfunctioning fridge and read this guide, which will tell you how to extend the life of your refrigerator.
Learn what temperatures are ideal for your cooling appliances.
Discover how to replace your Samsung fridge filter in just a few steps. Get your fridge running like new in no time!
Read the best tips from professional technicians on how to fix a thermal fuse quickly and efficiently.
