De Dietrich
Defrost System Failure
Excessive frost or ice buildup on the back wall of the freezer or refrigerator.
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Safety Warning
This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.
If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.
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Possible Causes
Failed defrost heater, Open defrost thermostat or thermal fuse, Faulty defrost sensor (evaporator NTC), Defective defrost control on main PCB
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety first: Unplug the appliance. Be careful of sharp evaporator fins and electrical connections.
Steps:
- 1. Manually defrost: Turn off the refrigerator and leave doors open for 12–24 hours to melt all ice. Place towels to absorb water.
- 2. Access the evaporator: Remove the rear interior panel and inspect the evaporator coil. If it was completely encased in ice, the defrost system is suspect.
- 3. Test defrost heater and thermostat: Use a multimeter to check continuity of the heater and the defrost thermostat/thermal fuse. Replace any open components.
- 4. Check the evaporator sensor: Measure resistance of the evaporator NTC and compare to specifications. Replace if faulty.
- 5. If all components test good: The main PCB may not be initiating defrost cycles and should be replaced by a technician.
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Repair Difficulty
Hard
4/5
Required Part
Defrost Heater Assembly
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