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Thread: Whirlpool freezer cold, fridge warm

  1. #1

    Whirlpool freezer cold, fridge warm

    Model Number: GX5FHDXVBO1
    Brand: Whirlpool
    Age: 1-5 years

    Like many other posts, my freezer is cold with lots of ice on the back wall and in the coils, blocking the cold air flow to the fridge. I want to try replacing the defrost thermostat first, but can't find what the part is.

    The part for the control board is: 12868513.

    Thanks
    Joe

  2. #2
    Admin/Technician Doc Ryan's Avatar
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    Joe,

    It looks like Whirlpool forgot to include the defrost thermostat in the parts breakdown diagram for your model. If you look at the old thermostat, you should see a temperature stamped into the side of it... it will look something like this L42-30F in very small letters. This means the thermostat shuts off at 42 degrees and kicks back in after it cools down 30 degrees. If yours is a different temperature than that please let me know, but most of these style refrigerators use the same style thermostat.

    Defrost Thermostat (L42-30F) - W10165425
    Ryan

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  3. #3
    Thanks for the quick reply. I may just go ahead and order this one and hope it works. It's such a pain to get to the back panel, I'd rather have the part on hand when I get everything taken apart so I don't have to do it twice.


    Quote Originally Posted by Doc Ryan View Post
    Joe,

    It looks like Whirlpool forgot to include the defrost thermostat in the parts breakdown diagram for your model. If you look at the old thermostat, you should see a temperature stamped into the side of it... it will look something like this L42-30F in very small letters. This means the thermostat shuts off at 42 degrees and kicks back in after it cools down 30 degrees. If yours is a different temperature than that please let me know, but most of these style refrigerators use the same style thermostat.

    Defrost Thermostat (L42-30F) - W10165425

  4. #4
    Thanks for the quick reply.

    I contacted Whirlpool and they referred me to this parts diagram. https://www.whirlpool.com/digitalass...0W10292159.pdf

    They said that this fridge does not have a defrost thermostat, but that it's handled by the control board. Does that seem plausible? I'm considering purchasing the defrost heater, hoping that will solve it.

    They also mentioned the thermistor. Could that be related?

  5. #5
    Admin/Technician Doc Ryan's Avatar
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    Joe,

    I think Whirlpool is wrong about this, but I guess you won't know for sure until you pull the pack panel back off. I have seen it before on these models where Whirlpool forgot to put the defrost thermostat in the parts diagram. The thermistor is only used to control the temperature of the refrigerator/freezer on these models. There are three defrost components, the defrost thermostat, control board, and defrost heater. The defrost heater rarely fails on these. I am 99% sure that you will find a defrost thermostat when you pull it apart. Let me know what you find.
    Ryan

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  6. #6
    Okay, thanks. I will check. Can you advise on how to test the defrost thermostat for continuity?

  7. #7
    Admin/Technician Doc Ryan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Joe Fish View Post
    Okay, thanks. I will check. Can you advise on how to test the defrost thermostat for continuity?
    Joe,

    To check the defrost thermostat for continuity, you will first need to unplug the refrigerator and then unplug or cut the wires to the defrost thermostat. While the thermostat is still cold (covered in frost), use a multimeter on the two wires to check the thermostat for continuity. If you do not have any continuity, then you should replace the defrost thermostat. We recommend replacing the defrost thermostat anytime that you are having a defrost problem because they are common to go bad and they can sometimes act up intermittently. So even though it is showing continuity, the thermostat might still be bad.
    Ryan

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