DSS25KSRCSS GE Fridge/Freezer not working after defrost thermostat replacement

[JMS123]

Model Number

DSS25KSRCSS

Brand

GE

Age

6-10 years

I have a side by side GE refrigerator/freezer that started cooling poorly. I replaced the defrost heater and manually melted the ice buildup. I noticed that the defrost thermostat was all bulged up so I replaced it with the new defrost thermostat that came with the new heater. After plugging the fridge back in, the interior lights did not come back on, and the two temperature settings (0-9) flashed 0. adjusting the temperatures did nothing, and I could not get the unit to turn back on (no lights, compressor, or fans; only the display). I reinstalled the old defrost thermostat and plugged the unit back in. Everything turned on and worked as it should, EXCEPT, a couple days later, the unit iced up again.

My questions are, did I receive a faulty defrost thermostat? Is the control board defective? Could the old defrost thermostat and control board both fail at the same time? What other troubleshooting steps can I take before buying more parts?

Thanks for any input!

 

[Jake]

That defrost thermostat on your model is a runaway style one, only to shut the defrost heater OFF in case the evaporator thermistor fails or the motherboard fails.

The part that controls the defrost cycle on yours is the evaporator thermistor.

I'd first ohm test the evaporator thermistor.

You can ohm test it per Shawn's Video below, to see if it is within spec. Pull the refrigerator out from the wall, then you will see a cover on the back exterior wall and under that cover is the motherboard.

Unplug the refrigerator first!

Here's the evaporator thermistor for your model:
Thermistor WR55X10025


Watch this video, Shawn explains how to test/replace the evaporator thermistor:



If the evaporator thermistor ohms good, and you already replaced the defrost heater, the only part left that would this issue is the motherboard.

Here's the motherboard for your model:

GE WR55X10942C Board Asm Main Control (AP7188100) - AppliancePartsPros.com

Board asm main control WR55X10942C / AP7188100 made by GE

click.linksynergy.com

Let us know what you find.

Jake