I need a heater element for the defrost system for my fridge part no W10123653.Can you give me a supplier thanks Marty Tait

yes all modern fridges are frost free.They introduced the heater element automatic defrost system.which is controlled by the defroster timer motor,in anyones lingo more things to go wrong,hope this helps.

Auto defrost mechanism is not working . Check defrost heater element, defrost timer, defrost thermostat for operation.

In meantime defrost unit completely and it will work fine for a few days till it freezes up again. Probable open heater element.

Sounds like the defrost timer is not functioning, or a defrost element is burnt out.
#1. After an accumulative "run time", typically the timer will initiate a defrost cycle. At that point the defrost heaters are energized and the compressor is turned off for the duration of the cycle. The defrost time cycle varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and can be as low as 15 minutes to as much as a half hour. If it is defective, it could be stuck in the cooling position not initiating a defrost function.

#2. If the defrost heater element is burnt out, the timer functions normally and will cycle the defective heater on, but there will be no heat generated to defrost the ice.

#3. A more remote possibility is a defective "defrost termination thermostat" which is wired in series with the defrost element. If defective, it will keep the element from energizing on a call for defrost.

At any rate, unless you are extremely handy AND have access to a supplier of repair parts, it sounds like a service tech needs to be called.

Better to change both parts=>2188174 Defrost Heater Assembly and the 2188824 Defrost Thermostat
Thanks John Tripp Appliance 911

The problem you describe is very frequent. The fridge is getting the coldness from the freezer through a chant and the force of a motor fan Motor evaporator

Number: 173301 Substitution: 5300158289 part no. 26. So the build up of ice in the freezer is blocking the air pass thought and get the fridge cold. Also it may block the fan motor blades from rotating.

So the first you need to check is the heating element on the evaporator in the freezer department. This element might have burn out (and now is open circuit) and even f the defrost timer give instruction for start heating up the element is bad so the defrost is not performed. You just need to replace the heating element. Heater

Number: 178425-01Substitution:5317842502

Is the part no 1 in the diagram in this link.

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Kenmore-Parts/All-Products-Parts/Model-2538648024/0582/0160000/00040500/00003?blt=06&prst=&shdMod=

If the heating element then the defrost timer is bad and does not give any instruction to the heater so you need to replace the defrost timer Defrost timer

Number: 174820 Substitution: 215846602 part no 40 in the following link

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Kenmore-Parts/All-Products-Parts/Model-2538648024/0582/0160000/00040500/00002?blt=06&prst=&shdMod=

As you can see in above links and the one below you can find all the parts of your fridge which the diagrams can help you find them.

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Kenmore-Parts/All-Products-Parts/Model-2538648024/0582/0160000?searchedModel=64802&blt=

its not defrosting. check heater operations. bimetal near heater. check defrost timer

Good day,
If the heater and defrost thermostat are new, then you have replaced 2 out of the three components of the defrost system. Your model number didn't work, so check with your supplier.

Here's a good tutorial.
http://www.appliance411.com/faq/howdefrostworks.shtml

You will need to unplug the refrigerator and remove the back panel inside the freezer. Check for ice or a frozen over evaporator coil. If frozen defrost and we will need to examine the defrost heater at the bottom of the evaporator. It may have a glass tube covering the heater element inside. I want you to check to see if it is burned out. The part number for the defrost heater is WR51X10042
You please let me know what you find. If the element is burned out I recommend you replace it and the defrost thermostat part number WR50X10068
You and order the parts by clicking the link below and entering the part number into the part number search feature and click FIND IT. Let me know what you find, Sea Breeze
PART NUMBER AND MODEL SEARCH FEATURE
Here is a photo of the defrost heater.

WR51X10055 Defrost Heater



WR55X10656 Mother Control Board


It is possible that there problems with you mother control board. Need to unplug and examine both sides for burn marks.


If you need help feel free to let me know, Thanks Sea Breeze
[email protected]

I have a similar situation before in your case if your heating element is working then you are lucky I had a samsung fridge and the defrost heating element was bad and i was forced to install a different one because i would have to change the hole evaporator in order to replace the heating element so what dit was to use a mechanical 10 hour defrost timer and install a generic heating element and a defrost thermostat on serial so it want work on less the evaporator has froze over i drill a hole to the back of the fridge and i wren the cables to the back of the fridge cover then whit foil tape an take power directly from the power cord i install the timer next to the control board so every 10 hours will give power to the heating element but will not come on unless the evaporator has froze up. on my case i had to do it like that because the heating element i use was to strong for the control board and would just burn it up. but will work even better using the original heating element. NOTE: find the diagram of a old fridge that will help you to figure out how to install the timer and the defrost thermostat no need for the timer to cut off the compressor keep in mind than the defrost thermostat only close the circuit when is chill below freezing so i recommend to use a new one I hope this help you

yes probably the a.d.c. but make sure all ice is defrosted from evap. coil. remove the freezer panel and use heat gun or hair dryer.