By Steel City Appliance Repair
If your Whirlpool refrigerator isn’t cooling well but the freezer still seems okay — and especially if you’re seeing water leaking out of the ice dispenser into the fridge — open your freezer and look at the back wall. If it’s covered in a thick layer of ice, you have a defrost problem, and this guide will walk you through exactly how to diagnose and fix it.
This repair covers the Whirlpool French Door refrigerator (model WRX735SDHZ00) but applies to many other Whirlpool French Door models with the same symptoms.
What’s Actually Happening — The Full Diagnosis
Here’s the chain of events: the defrost bi-metal fails and tests open when it should be closed. Without a working bi-metal, the defrost heater can’t activate. The evaporator coils freeze over completely. With the evaporator frozen solid, the evaporator fan can’t circulate cold air into the refrigerator compartment. The fridge warms up while the freezer stays cold. The ice in the ice bin starts to melt and leaks out through the front of the ice dispenser.
Every one of those symptoms traces back to one small failed part: the defrost bi-metal.
Understanding the Defrost Bi-Metal
The defrost bi-metal is a temperature-sensitive switch that controls the defrost heater. When it fails in the open position, the defrost heater never activates and the evaporator freezes over.
Important: On this Whirlpool model, the defrost bi-metal is bundled with the evaporator fan motor. You can’t buy the bi-metal by itself — you need to order the fan motor assembly, which includes the bi-metal.
What You’ll Need
- Whirlpool evaporator fan motor (includes defrost bi-metal): order on Amazon here (affiliate link)
- Digital multimeter: Amazon link (affiliate link)
- Replacement water filter: Amazon link (affiliate link)
- Steamer (to safely defrost the frozen evaporator coils): Amazon link (affiliate link)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps support the channel and keeps these tutorials free.
Step 1: Run Diagnostics Mode
Run the fridge through its built-in diagnostics mode to confirm the bi-metal is the problem. If the bi-metal tests open while the evaporator is clearly frozen, it has failed and needs to be replaced.
Step 2: Remove the Freezer Drawer
Pull the drawer out to the fully open position, lift the front slightly and pull forward to disengage the slides, then lift the entire drawer assembly out. Watch the video below for the exact technique.
Step 3: Defrost the Frozen Evaporator Coils
Use a steamer to carefully melt the ice — this is faster and safer than a hair dryer and won’t risk damaging plastic components. Have towels on hand to absorb the meltwater. Don’t use anything sharp to chip the ice — you can easily puncture a refrigerant line. This step takes 15–20 minutes.
Step 4: Replace the Bi-Metal and Fan Motor
Remove the freezer back panel screws and pull it forward to expose the evaporator coils and fan motor. Disconnect the bi-metal and test it with your multimeter on continuity setting — it should show continuity when cold. If not, it has failed. Remove the old fan motor assembly and install the new one. Reinstall the freezer back panel and drawer, restore power, and give the fridge 4–6 hours to return to normal temperature.
Watch the Full Repair Video
👉 Whirlpool Refrigerator Not Cooling + Leaking Water — Full Fix
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Evaporator fan motor + bi-metal assembly | ~$40–$60 |
| Professional repair call-out | $200–$350 |
| Your savings | $140–$310 |
FAQ
Can I just defrost the evaporator without replacing the bi-metal? You can, but the evaporator will freeze over again within a few weeks because the root cause hasn’t been fixed. Always replace the bi-metal when you defrost.
How often should the defrost cycle run on a Whirlpool refrigerator? Most Whirlpool refrigerators run a defrost cycle every 8–12 hours. If the bi-metal is working correctly you should never see ice buildup on the evaporator.
Still Having Issues?
Drop your Whirlpool model number in the comments on the video — I respond to every comment as quickly as possible. Subscribe to Steel City Appliance Repair for weekly DIY appliance repair tutorials.