How to Replace the Frigidaire FFHT2126LW Adaptive Defrost Board

The Frigidaire FFHT2126LW is a top-mount refrigerator, which is an appliance with the freezer compartment above the fresh food compartment. The refrigerator's evaporator coils are behind the rear panel of the freezer compartment. Because the evaporator operates at extremely low temperatures, a defrost heater is installed below the coils, which melts the ice and frost on the evaporator as it forms. The heater is controlled by an adaptive defrost board, or defrost timer, which is in the control panel of the fresh food compartment. The timer ensures that the heater turns on periodically and is not constantly running. If the timer fails, the heater will not turn on, causing ice to form on the evaporator coils. This makes the temperature inside the entire refrigerator rise. To restore functionality to the defrost system, replace the defrost timer.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Unplug the refrigerator from the wall outlet.

   • 2

     Open the fresh food compartment door and then remove the screws securing the control panel housing to the roof of the refrigerator.

   • 3

     Lower the control panel housing from the top of the compartment.

   • 4

     Release the tabs securing the old defrost timer to the housing and remove the timer. On the FFHT2126LW, the timer is in the front-left portion of the control panel.

   • 5

     Pull the wire connector off the terminals on the old timer and connect it to the terminals on the new timer.

   • 6

     Snap the new timer into the control panel housing.

   • 7

     Align the control panel housing with the roof of the fresh food compartment and reinstall the screws to secure it in position.

   • 8

     Close the refrigerator door and restore the refrigerator's power by plugging it back into the wall outlet.