Video & Articles: Appliance & Equipment RepairWhirlpool Refrigerator Freezer Replace Defrost Heater 12729123

Whirlpool Refrigerator Freezer Replace Defrost Heater 12729123

08:22
This video provides step-by-step instructions for replacing the defrost heater assembly on Whirlpool refrigerators. The most common reason for replacing the defrost heater assembly is if the refrigerator is not defrosting the freezer evaporator coils.

All of the information in this defrost heater assembly replacement video is applicable to the following brands: Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn Air, Kenmore, Amana, Dacor

Tools used: large flat-head screwdriver, 1/4” socket or nut driver, flat-head screwdriver, pliers

Step By Step Instructions

1
Before you replace the defrost heater in your refrigerator, unplug the power cord.
2
Now, open the freezer drawer and lift out the bin.
3
Use a large flat-head screwdriver to depress the retaining tabs securing both drawer rail assemblies.
4
Then, pull the entire drawer assembly out.
5
Next, use a quarter inch socket or nut driver to unthread the screws securing the left and right side rack support rails.
6
Now, use a flathead screwdriver to depress the retaining tabs to release the left and right gear support brackets.
7
Lift the rails up and you can remove the rack from the freezer compartment.
8
Using the quarter inch socket or nut driver, unthread the screws securing the interior access panel.
9
Use a flathead screwdriver to depress the retaining tab to release the sensor cover.
10
Then, detach the sensor from the cover.
11
Next, depress the retaining tabs to release the fan cover.
12
You can now pull the access panel out and remove it from the freezer compartment.
13
Remove the mounting screws securing the evaporator assembly to the rear panel.
14
Pull the evaporator away from the rear panel, being careful not to damage the refrigeration lines.
15
Then, disconnect the defrost heater wire connectors.
16
Detach both wire retaining clips.
17
Remove the grommets and wires from the evaporator bracket.
18
Next, use pliers to unhook the two retaining wires.
19
You can now pull the old defrost heater free.
20
Install the new defrost heater by positioning it on the evaporator.
21
Secure the retaining wires.
22
Insert the defrost heater wires through the holes in the evaporator bracket.
23
Reposition the grommets.
24
Connect the new defrost heater wire connectors and snap the wire retaining clips into place.
25
Fully reposition the evaporator assembly.
26
Replace the mounting screws to secure the assembly.
27
Realign the access panel, making sure the sensor wire extends through the panel.
28
Replace the screws to secure.
29
Snap the fan cover into place.
30
Reattach the sensor to its cover and snap the cover into position on the panel.
31
Realign the freezer rack on the support rails.
32
Push the support rails down and snap the gear support brackets into place.
33
Rethread and tighten the screws to secure the support rails.
34
Reinstall the drawer assembly by aligning the slides on the rails.
35
Then, push the drawer forward.
36
Now, snap both slides into place to secure the drawer assembly.
37
Replace the bin.
38
With the repair completed, plug the power cord back in and your refrigerator should be ready for use.
Description
This video provides step-by-step instructions for replacing the defrost heater assembly on Whirlpool refrigerators. The most common reason for replacing the defrost heater assembly is if the refrigerator is not defrosting the freezer evaporator coils.

All of the information in this defrost heater assembly replacement video is applicable to the following brands: Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn Air, Kenmore, Amana, Dacor

Tools used: large flat-head screwdriver, 1/4” socket or nut driver, flat-head screwdriver, pliers
Step-By-Step Instructions
1
Before you replace the defrost heater in your refrigerator, unplug the power cord.
2
Now, open the freezer drawer and lift out the bin.
3
Use a large flat-head screwdriver to depress the retaining tabs securing both drawer rail assemblies.
4
Then, pull the entire drawer assembly out.
5
Next, use a quarter inch socket or nut driver to unthread the screws securing the left and right side rack support rails.
6
Now, use a flathead screwdriver to depress the retaining tabs to release the left and right gear support brackets.
7
Lift the rails up and you can remove the rack from the freezer compartment.
8
Using the quarter inch socket or nut driver, unthread the screws securing the interior access panel.
9
Use a flathead screwdriver to depress the retaining tab to release the sensor cover.
10
Then, detach the sensor from the cover.
11
Next, depress the retaining tabs to release the fan cover.
12
You can now pull the access panel out and remove it from the freezer compartment.
13
Remove the mounting screws securing the evaporator assembly to the rear panel.
14
Pull the evaporator away from the rear panel, being careful not to damage the refrigeration lines.
15
Then, disconnect the defrost heater wire connectors.
16
Detach both wire retaining clips.
17
Remove the grommets and wires from the evaporator bracket.
18
Next, use pliers to unhook the two retaining wires.
19
You can now pull the old defrost heater free.
20
Install the new defrost heater by positioning it on the evaporator.
21
Secure the retaining wires.
22
Insert the defrost heater wires through the holes in the evaporator bracket.
23
Reposition the grommets.
24
Connect the new defrost heater wire connectors and snap the wire retaining clips into place.
25
Fully reposition the evaporator assembly.
26
Replace the mounting screws to secure the assembly.
27
Realign the access panel, making sure the sensor wire extends through the panel.
28
Replace the screws to secure.
29
Snap the fan cover into place.
30
Reattach the sensor to its cover and snap the cover into position on the panel.
31
Realign the freezer rack on the support rails.
32
Push the support rails down and snap the gear support brackets into place.
33
Rethread and tighten the screws to secure the support rails.
34
Reinstall the drawer assembly by aligning the slides on the rails.
35
Then, push the drawer forward.
36
Now, snap both slides into place to secure the drawer assembly.
37
Replace the bin.
38
With the repair completed, plug the power cord back in and your refrigerator should be ready for use.

Applicable Product Model

Refrigerator
Brand
Product Type
Model
Subtype
Cooling System
Icemaking System
Dispensing System
Product Diagram & Manuals
Parts Needed
Total$0.00

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