How to replace defrost timer

SOURCE: Amana French Door Refrigerator "on" but no cooling; freezer still works

There are 2 possible problems. One is the defrost cycle is not working properly this is usually indicated by a large amount of frost on the back freezer panel. If so, the circuit will have to be repaired and the evaperator thawed to remove the ice build up. The other is the fresh food damper is not working properly this is behind the "lump" in the back of the fridge compartment above the top shelf, remove the louver panel to see if it is open or closed. closed will be warm open should be cold. The water dispenser reservoir is probably frozen due to poor air circulation.

SOURCE: refrigerator compartment not cooling

If you are sure the fan in the freezer is running and you don't feel any air flow out of the top middle vent inside the fridge section, then the damper motor must be bad. The damper motor is behind that vent cover inside the fridge section.

Len West

• 150 Answers
• Posted on Feb 27, 2009

SOURCE: refrigerator will not get cold, but freezer works

Make sure your fan is working ,its located behind the freezers back wall. If it is working the vent from the freezer down to the refrigerator may be blocked (usually with ice).With out a fan you have no circulation but your freezer may look likes its working,it may last 3 days.Also if you can move everything out unplug it turn it off w/ doors open untill all traces of ice are gone this will free up any clogged tubes. Good luck.
Len West

SOURCE: freezer defrosting at will; refrigerator side uneven temperatures

Sound like it's going into showroom mode that the same problem we had, by unplugging it for awhile and then plugging it back in usually works if not this what we were told.
Sounds like you have bad thermistors ( # 4 and/or # 5 ) .To access these parts , you will have to remove the inside rear wall of the freezer . The # 4 thermistor , tells the main control board , the temp of the coils , if they need defrosted , when they are thru defrosting . This thermistor is the 1 " long , torpedo looking piece , clipped on the top left of the coils , with 2 white wires going to it . Part number WR55X10025 . It would be advisable to also replace the # 5 thermistor , located at the bottom of the freezer , slightly in front of the drain , also with 2 white wires going to it , slid into a housing . This thermistor , is the freezer thermistor , which tells the control board , the freezer temp , when to cycle off , associated with the fan speed also

SOURCE: water dripping from freezer onto top shelf of fridge with ice buildup back of freezer

the defroster isn't close enough to the drain to be effective. remove the back wall of the inside of the freezer, remove the excess ice. clear out the ice from the drain using hot water and a turkey baster. there is a kit from whirlpool that uses a piece of metal and a screw around the defrost rod, but I found out that a piece of 14 gauge solid core wire with the insulation stripped off works great too. stick the stripped wire into the drain, 2 to 3 inches, and wrap the rest around the defrost rod.