How to Replace Refrigerator Thermostat ? A fridge that will not get or stay cold can allow food to spoil. If you have cleaned and vacuumed the coils behind or beneath the refrigerator and it still won’t maintain the right temperature, and adjusting the temperature dial to a colder setting yielded no improvement, you may have a defective thermostat. You can replace a fridge thermostat in a few minutes with some basic hand tools, and the cost is minimal when compared to a service call to a technician or a new refrigerator.
Refrigerator Thermostat Replacement
How to Replace Refrigerator Thermostat ? The thermostat on the fridge plays an important role in keeping the fridge running to its full potential. If you’re experiencing temperature control issues with your fridge, the problem is likely to be due to a faulty thermostat. If you need to replace the thermostat but are unsure where to start, there’s no need to panic. We’ll talk you through how to successfully replace the thermostat without pulling out your hair.
Prepare to Replace Thermostat
The first thing you should do before undertaking this work is to turn off the appliance from the mains. This is something that should be done with all appliances of an electrical nature for safety reasons. If you find that the plug is hidden away behind cupboards or panels then you should turn off the circuit breaker assigned to that outlet.
Locate the Thermostat
Next, you need to find the thermostat and where it is positioned inside the refrigerator. For the majority of refrigerators where they have a freezer on the top level, the thermostat will be right at the back of the fridge or on the roof of the fridge underneath the freezer panel. If you have a refrigerator that is next to the freezer then the thermostat should be found at the back of the freezer.
Remove Shelving
Ensure that you take out all frozen food and shelves that may limit your mobility within the workspace. In order to take out shelves on the inside, you may have to loosen a few screws and take out clips holding them in place.
Remove Wires
There will be some wires that are attached to the thermostat and these need to be pulled away gently using the pliers. You should make sure that you are extremely careful doing this as if you pull too hard or grip the wires in the middle then they could break under the pressure.
Take Out the Broken Thermostat
Once you’ve removed any remaining screws or clips holding it in place, you are now in a position to take the old faulty thermostat out of the refrigerator. If the thermostat is around an evaporator tube then you should take care when removing as this may cause damage.
Install the New Thermostat
Once you have gone through all the steps, install the new replacement thermostat into the refrigerator in the same place as the old one. Ensure that you screw it into place and reconnect all the wires. Put the panel back over the thermostat securely. Next put back any shelving you took out before replacing the thermostat.
Test the Refrigerator
Finally, turn the power to the refrigerator back on and wait for the refrigerator to cool down again to a lower temperature. If the new thermostat is working correctly it will kick in and maintain a steady temperature within your refrigerator.