WRF736SDAM13 Whirlpool French Door Refrigerator Tripping Breaker

[Paul253]

Model Number

WRF736SDAM13

Brand

Whirlpool

Age

6-10 years

I have a Whirlpool French Door Fridge WRF736SDAM13 that has started tripping the breaker. Sometimes it’s every few hours, sometimes after 12 hours. Much googling led me to believe it had to do with the defroster and threads here for the same model (answered by Jake) provided the service manual. Using that I went through the different tests and when I got to service test 6 for the defrost heater/bi-metal it first said 01 for closed and then the breaker tripped. I reset the breaker, immediately went to test 6 and the breaker immediately tripped.

This definitely tells me it has to do with the defrost heater but I’m not sure if this means I need the defrost thermostat that only comes as part as the evaporator fan motor or if it’s just the heating element? Thoughts?

 

[Jake]

I'd ohm test your defrost heating element. Disconnect power to the refrigerator first.

Here's the defrost heating element for your model:
Defrost Heater Assembly WP12729128


Watch this video to ohm test it:

Fridge Not Defrosting? Defrost Heater Testing, Repair | Repair Clinic

Refrigerator not defrosting? Freezing food? This video provides information on how to test a defrost heater on a refrigerator. Learn more from the experts at Repair Clinic.

www.anrdoezrs.net

If it ohms good, then ohm test it to ground.

Also, you may have a short in one of the wires to the defrost heater causing the breaker to trip, check all the wires to it for a short.