How to Replace a Refrigerator's Defrost Timer

The Defrost Timer

Your defrost timer works in conjunction with the bi-metal defrost thermostat and the defrost heater in order to prevent frost build up.  It runs all day, shutting off the cooling cycle every 6 to 8 hours to give the defrost thermostat a chance to operate if there is enough frost build up.

Locating the defrost timer is an easy task.  It generally resides in the control panel, behind the toe kick panel, or behind your refrigerator on the back wall.  It is white, black or silver, with four wires coming out of the back.  The wires connect to components that tell it how long to run and shut off.  

A Quick Fix

The ease with which you can find the defrost timer is fortunate, since it allows for a real money-saving do-it-yourself opportunity.  Prices are around $30, and with the proper tools assembled, you shouldn't spend more than 30 minutes installing your new part.  

The interior of this piece is well protected by a solid plastic casing, so it is less likely that your defrost problem is with the timer than with the defrost thermostat, for example.  And since the defrost clock is about twice the price of the thermostat, it is recommended to replace the thermostat first unless you know with certainty that your problem is the timer.

Get to Know Your Refrigerator

Locating parts online is easy if you know the model number of your refrigerator.  There are even aftermarket components that may save you some money.  However, the real cost of doing this work is in the labor, and, resourceful like you are, there's no need to worry about that.