[bigjim4839]

the defrost cycle was not working. I saw on a website to bypass the thermastat by plugging the heater in with out the thermastat. When I did this and turned the timer to defrost it kicked the gfi outlett off. Now when I turn the timer to defrost the outlett kickes off. If I unplug the heating element the compressor and fan turn off and it does not kick off the outlett. The heating element tests 25 ohms and on short between the lead and outside or the element. Is there a test to see if I shorted out the timer?

[bigjim4839]

sorry heater element shows no short between connector and outside of tube.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by bigjim4839

...I saw on a website to bypass the thermastat by plugging the heater in with out the thermastat...

How did you do it? Step by step, please.

Gene.

[bigjim4839]

I unhooked the 2 leads from the thermastate and plugged the heater lead into the wire coming out of the back wall, bypassing the thermastate. I turned the timer to defrost mode and it immediately kicked gfi off. now with thermastate and heater plugged in, in frigde mode it works fine. but when in defrost mode it kickes the gfi off.The fridg is plugged into the same recreceptacle as allways and it never kicked the gfi off before.

[Gene]

It's not recommended by all manufacturers to use a GFI outlets for any large appliances unless it's specified in the installation instructions. You can find more information on how GFI works in one of our previous threads: dryer blowing gfi outlet

Plug the refrigerator in a regular 15 Amp circuit and, if there are no shortages in the defrost circuit, everything should be fine.

Gene.

[bigjim4839]

I just replaced the heater and for good measure I replaced the thermastat. so for so good. Ill give it a few days to see if it works right. Thank you for all your inputs.

[Gene]

You are welcome. Keep us posted.

Gene.