Hello,

I have an 8 year old Amana bottom freezer (BX21VE). It had frost build up in the bottom freezer and after removing the freezer back panel, and running the "defrost timer" test I realized that the defrost heater was not coming on. I did the hair dryer trick to melt away the ice build up.

Then I went to my local parts store and purchased and replaced the defrost timer and the defrost thermostat. I also ran an OHM test on the heater and the reading came in at 35ohms which I believe suggests that it's not broken.

After installing the new parts, I powered up the fridge and set the new defrost timer to "defrost" and observed the defrost heater (the freezer back panel was still off at this point). Nothing no heat.

Now by this time, my freezer and the cooling coils were at room tempurature. Do I need to wait for them to cool down before the heater actually comes on?

Essentially I've replaced two of the three parts to the defrost system and checked the part (heater) that I didn't replace.

Any suggestions?

Yes, as that defrost thermostat has to be cold/frosty to make the defrost heater come on.

Give it 24 hours and see if your defrost heater comes on when you put the defrost timer in defrost.

Jake

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Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

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I also have an Amana (ARB 8057CC), about 6 years old doing the same thing. I just ordered the defrost timer and thermostat. Now, my problem is that I can find the thermostat but where is the timer hiding???

The defrost timer is located inside your control console assembly in your refrigerator section, its #12 here:


Page #30 & #31 here:
http://www.servicematters.com/maytag...16021484R1.pdf
Explains how to get access to it.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

Look-Up & Order Parts

Shop Home Appliances

Thanks a bunch! As you can see, I am new to this forum but I think it is a great one. You are all a bunch of great people and I appreciate the help.


Okay, just figured out how to "thank" so there it is too.

Glad to help.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

Look-Up & Order Parts

Shop Home Appliances

Just checking for future reference, Did the advice above work out for you?

__________________

Yup, sure did. You are all great and I appreciate the help!