Brand: Estate By Whirlpool
Model Number: TS25CGXTD03
Main Symptom: Not cooling
What happens & when:
Error Code (if any):
Parts or tests already tried: Stuck in defrost mode so I advanced defrost timer and started working. Would work for about 2-3 hours then stop again. Bought a new timer part# W10822278 and it did the exact same thing. Now tried to advance it and it will not kick on.
Photos / video link:
The fact that the new W10822278 timer behaved exactly like the old one makes me suspicious that the timer itself was not the original problem. W10822278 is listed as the correct defrost timer for TS25CGXTD03.
The first thing I’d check now is whether the refrigerator is actually stuck in defrost, or whether the cold-control thermostat isn’t sending power to the compressor circuit.
Turn the refrigerator temperature control to its coldest setting. Listen for a click and see whether the compressor and condenser fan start.
If nothing happens, give the temperature-control/thermostat area a firm tap with your hand. If the compressor suddenly starts, that strongly points toward a failing cold-control thermostat rather than another defrost timer. There are documented cases where replacing W10822278 didn’t solve this type of symptom and the thermostat ultimately did.
There is one important detail with W10822278: it’s a replacement-style timer used on several different refrigerators, and the timer motor lead has to be connected correctly. Published installation information specifies that the black lead goes to terminal #2 for the applicable configuration.
I would double-check that connection before doing anything else.
With the refrigerator plugged in and calling for cooling:
Live Power Warning: These are energized 120 VAC tests. If you’re not comfortable testing live voltage, unplug the refrigerator and use continuity testing instead.
At the compressor, check whether you’re getting approximately 120 VAC to the compressor/start-device circuit.
Also listen for a click every few minutes from the compressor area. A compressor trying to start and kicking out on its overload can look like the refrigerator has simply stopped cooling.
One other clue: when a mechanical timer is manually advanced into defrost, the compressor should shut off; advancing it out of defrost should restore the cooling circuit. Since yours will no longer restart even when you manually advance the timer, I’d stop replacing timers and check the cold-control thermostat and voltage reaching the compressor next.
If tapping or cycling the temperature control makes it start again, I’d put the cold-control thermostat at the top of the suspect list.
I plugged the old timer in and by-passed the thermostat with a wire. It immediately kicked on. With the thermo by-passed will the timer still go into defrost mode? Since I by-passed and it started working does that mean the thermostat is bad?
That would be my suspicion