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I have a Kitchenaid Refrigerator and this fix seems like it will work well for me but my drip tray is plastic. How hot does that wire get coming off the heating coil? Will it melt the plastic tray/Drain tube?
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Ok thanks, duh the defrost heater has to be in the top to defrost it right. I'll look for it. I was hoping I could run the wire all the way down though
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There is a video on YouTube that shows how to do this. I usually make the wire longer and actually give it one wrap around the defrost heater and then cut it so it only goes down the drain hole about an inch and a half. Use solid copper wire 12 gauge works best. The same kind as most houses are wired with. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FqJxMdAi8U
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Originally Posted by: richappy  You can put in a drain heater by taking a piece of 12 gauge wire, wrap it around the defrost heater and shove the other end down the drain, this will solve your problem. where is the defrost heater? its located on the 04-unit diagram isnt that on the bottom? so shove the wire up?and is this really the price for one wire tie 
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OK I found a piece of paper in the back (service and wiring sheet)
but its for For Models: ET8MHKXMQ02,ET8MHKXMT02, ET8MHKXMB02
not my model numbers
but this sheet really looks like my fridge parts.
the drain pan is empty, the drain tube is not frozen at the bottom
but its freezing in the back with water leaking inside
I just vacuumed out alot of fuzz from the bottom coils
but theirs more in the middle of them I cant reach
I'm waiting for my friend to come over to air blow them out better.
I'm hoping once I clean there, and shut off the fridge for the day to defrost it, that all will be well
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Sometimes the Styrofoam near the drain will get saturated with water, then freeze and freeze the drain. Wire trick works, I use copper wire. There is also available a universal drain heater for cases where the heater is far away from the drain.
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Whirlpool Model ER2CHMXPL00
I have the same problem.
I'm going to try the wire trick. how far up the tube does the wire have to go?
The real question is why does it do this, It didn't do it for years?
Isn't there a part I can Change out? ;)
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Did you ever get your problem fixed. I have the same problem still. Whirlpool Model ER2CHMXPL00, Serial ER4718109. My thought is I add a same wattage heater in the bottom of the pan.
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Make sure your condenser coils are clean and measure the freezer temperature, if lower than 5 degrees raise it a bit with the freezer control.
You can put in a drain heater by taking a piece of 12 gauge wire, wrap it around the defrost heater and shove the other end down the drain, this will solve your problem.
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Dennis, Remove the rear panel in the freezer and locate the drain hole under the evaporator coil. Defrost it using a hair dryer then take a cup of really hot water and make sure it goes through. Here are the break down diagrams for the Whirlpool refrigerator Model ET18PKXGW01Gene.
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