Refrigerator thermostat ?

[Jim Almquist]

So our frig has been acting up so I put in a new thermostat. The freezer will be cold and the frig will start getting warmer. The panel behind the freezer will be nothing but frost. Well the new thermostat did not fix the problem. It never tries defrost or as the paper work stated that it should warm up to 55 degrees so it can defrost. Is there another part that could cause the problem or did I get a bad thermostat?

[3pronghook]

could be the defrost timer is bad. i had same problem with a side x side frigidaire a couple years ago. i called service guy and think i got it fixed for about 100 bucks. google it, sounds like a common problem.

[bearslayer]

Definite defrost problem. If you can find the timer , you can manually put it in defrost and see if it comes on. Just turn little gear like piece on front of timer until fridge shuts off, then its in defrost. If you post make and model, Can probably tell you what the common problem is with that type of fridge.

[Jim Almquist]

The make is a Amana 20 cu. foot but not sure of the model. I will have to take a look at the schematic and see were the timer is located.

[Jim Almquist]

Did not see a timer but did notice that it has a heater. That may be my problem right there.

[mikemac]

I had the very same problem with a Kitchenaid side by side. The entire evaporator in the freezer compartment was full of ice. This was making the unit run all the time to try to cool. First unplug the unit. Remove all the products from the freezer. If you remove the panel in front of the evaporator in the freezer and it is solid ice you will have to defrost. I left the door open and ran a floor fan nearby to blow warm air into the freezer.Now you should see the evaporator, heater element and a sensor on the evaporator. If you unplug the heater and using a ohm meter, ohm out the heater element. If it has continunity, it is good. I think mine had 4.0 or 8.0 ohms of resistance. The problem with mine was the sensor on the evaporator was bad. The new part is updated so I suppose they had problems with it. Good luck!!!

[Jim Almquist]

Thanks for the tip. Next time I have to defrost I will take a reading and see if the heater is good. I have defrosting it down to a science. 2 hairdryers on medium and close the door part way. Takes about 1/2 hour and it is free of ice. Bad part is I have to do this about every 2 weeks and it is getting real old.

[mikemac]

Let us know how things turn out.

[bearslayer]

Many of the newer models use a computer board to control the defrost. It is very rare that the heaters go bad in the Amanas. Its usually the defrost thermostat (which sounds like you have already replaced) or the defrost control (timer or board). Alot of the Amanas have timer behind grille on bottom of fridge. If you can get model, should be able to tell you. Model tag in top part of ref.

[Jim Almquist]

The model is a TZ19QW

I was looking at a parts HSOforum and went through 64 pages of parts but did not see a timer listed but I may have to take a second look.

[bearslayer]

the timer is part number R0168027 and is located in back by the compresser on this unit.

[Jim Almquist]

the timer is part number R0168027 and is located in back by the compresser on this unit.

Thanks for the info!

Some how I missed seeing it when I went back to look for it. Have one on the way.

[Jim Almquist]

Got the new timer so I was ready to get it installed. Could not find the timer Looked at the schematic about 5 times and decided to pull off the front grill. That's were it was located. Defrosted the frig and we will see if that fixes my problem. So far so good and there is no frost on the back of the frig. Thank for your help with that part # bearslayer. On the schematic I was looking at they call it a dryer for some reason

[Cicada]

Defrost thermostat is part number 10442411 and should run about $42.65. To confirm this, you will need the model number and the "P" number. It will be listed on the inside of the refrigerator on either side, or maybe on the ceiling, on a sticker. If it the defrost heater, the part number is D7549705 and is no longer being manufactured and has no substitutes, but some parts supplier may still have one in stock. Just in case you still have a problem. For every thing that goes wrong with an appliance, there is usually three or four things that can cause it.

[Jim Almquist]

Thanks for the info Cicada. I replaced the thermostat first and when that did not fix the problem I replaced the timer.

[Sonicrunch]

I screwed around with a bad fridge for a year and a half. Finally bought a new one. That was the best move I made through the whole ordeal. It's just not worth it to fix those things.