What Is the Sign of a Bad Thermostat in a Side-by-Side Refrigerator?

Ice Build Up and Leaking

• The defrost timer tells the compressor when to shut off, keeping the temperature regulated. When the compressor doesn't shut off, the refrigerator will run too cold. When the thermostat does not shut off the compressor, ice begins to build up on the walls of the freezer. Eventually, the ice covers the freezer vents, exacerbating the problem. Turn down the freezer temperature before checking the thermostat. A leaking fridge may also indicate a faulty thermostat.

Faulty Timer

• The defrost timer controls the cycles of the thermostat, helping to regulate when the compressor turns on and off. It is located at the base of the fridge. Pull out the kick plate of the refrigerator. Remove the screws from the timer and pull it out. Set a multimeter to the X1 setting and touch the probes to different pairs of connectors on the timer. You should get a zero setting. If not, it is faulty. If the timer is good, there is likely something wrong with the thermostat.

Locating the Thermostat

• The thermostat is located inside the freezer below the defrost heater or underneath the freezer floor. Remove everything from the freezer and unplug the unit. Allow the ice to melt. Remove the screws from the freezer floor and pull it up. The thermostat is circular in shape with wires coming out of it.

Testing the Thermostat

• Pull on the connectors connecting the wires to the thermostat using a pair of pliers. Set a multimeter to the X1 setting and touch the probes to the exposed terminals on the thermostat. The multimeter should read zero if the thermostat is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. If above 40, the multimeter will read infinity. If not, the unit needs to be replaced.