Detaching defrost timer housing - Kenmore refigerator model 363.50237000

Refrigerator & Freezer Repair
1

Hi all, I am trying to remove the defrost timer from my Kenmore GE fridge (model 36350237000) to test if the defrost timer is faulty. I took off the screws on the metal housing of the defrost timer (shown with 2 stickers on the right side next to the water filter in the photo below). However I am still not able to detach the metal housing from the rest of the unit. I have tried nuding and sliding the metal housing in multiple directions - it will budge a little but it will not easily come off and still feels tightly coupled to the styrofoam ducts. I also felt alongside the fridge wall for any slot that the housing might be clipped into - but I could not find anything like that.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Other Kenmore models I have seen videos on have a much more simple metal housing for the defrost timer. It seems like this model has some sort of interlocking connection with the rest of the styrofoam ducts that is making it hard to remove.

Screenshot_20260711_171832_Google
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2

Hi kenmorefridgehelp,

I found a video on the exact same refrigerator that should help guide you through the repair. Hopefully it makes the process a little easier!

https://youtu.be/ntV7xAhzrio

3

Hi there, that was actually the first video I initially followed. The styrofoam duct on the left side of my fridge is not budging easily and I was not able to locate any slot or tab that the metal housing for the defrost timer could be locked into

4

When I try moving and pulling the metal housing towards me, it almost feels like I am about to rip the styrofoam duct. While in the video that you linked, the entire unit is able to be detached from the wall effortlessly