GRT17G4BW0 Gibson Refrigerator - Instructions

Googled it on Youtube - unplugged the fridge, used a paint scraper to loosen the old light switch, unplugged it from the electrical source, connected the new switch, replaced the whole unit into the proper location and pushed it firmly into place.

I watched the instructional video and did what it said.

inside the freezer compartment, remove four hex head screws from rear panel,lift panel forward and unplug wire assembly from panel. find old defrost thermostat attached to copper tube by clip on back of thermostat, unclip, snip two wires to thermostat, take new thermostat, strip 1/4"of wire from wires in freezer (thermostat is prestripped),insert light blue wire from thermostat and light blue wire from freezer into opposite ends of crimp connector and crimp securely. repeat with dark blue wires. set panel back in freezer,connect plug to back of panel, refasten screws and you are go to go! save yourself the price of a new refrigerator or $300 repair by repairman!

The parts were easily replaceable. No special instructions needed. Just identify and remove and replace. I didn't know which specific part needed to be replaced (both reported to fix my problem) but neither part was very expensive so I replaced both. No special tools needed. 1/4" nutdriver and phillips head screwdriver. Repair took about 30 minutes. I did have to make an adjustment on the defrost timer (a small dial on the unit) I just set it how the old part was set. I immediately knew it was going to work when I plugged the refrigerator back in and the fan motor inside the freezer kicked on. Easy peesy...

I watched the video on how to change the defrost thermostat. I removed the back cover inside the freezer then I pulled off the old defrost thermostat and then using a pair of wire cutters I cut it off and then bared a little of both of the wires and then slid the heat sherink and wire connectors on the existing wires and then slid the other ends of the wires into the wire connectors then crimped the ends of the connectors and then tried using heat on the heat shrinks but still used rubber electric tape over it. I clipped the new thermostat were the old one was and then reattached the freezer wall cover and plugged the refrigerator back in. 24 hours later I checked the temperature in the refrigerator and freezer and both are running a lot colder.

After unplugging the fridge, I took a small flat headed screwdriver and carefully pried off the light switch from the inside, right side of the refrigerator. I disconnected the 2 wires from the switch and replaced it with the new switch and pushed it back into the frame of the fridge. Done !! Very very easy !! Thank you

Assembled the bar and ends, then slide into slots on door. Cross bars have tabs to lock in place. These tabs may need a little effort to get started.

REMOVED STUFF FROM SHELVE AND THEN REMOVED SHELVE AND TURN UPSIDE DOWN REMOVED SCREWW AND REPLACED RAIL AND DRAWERIN TRACKS REINSTALLED SCEW AND RETURNEED TO REFRIGERATOR

REPLACED BACK SCREW AND SCREWED THE NEW ONE INTO PLACE,REPLACED BOTH SIDES,RIGHT AND LEFT...SUPER EASY.

I initially replaced the defrost timer, and later replaced it and the defrost thermostat. The defrost thermostat was the faulty component

1. I took out one screw on the ice maker and loosened the other two screws and unplugged and removed the ice maker.
2. Next I took out 2 screws from the bottom of the auger drive box and unplugged the wiring harness and removed the box. The wiring harness was a little tricky. The lock on the plug pushes in to unlock even though it looks like it pulls out,.
3.next you must remove 2 screws from the left side bracket that holds the auger box and remove the bracket.
4.Now take out 8 screws that hold the back panel in place and remove the back panel.
5. now your looking at the evaporator fan blade and motor. The simple way to replace the fan blade is to unplug the motor and remove it from the freezer. It just sits in with nothing holding it. The fan requires a little pressure but should pull right off. Install new fan blade and put everything back in the same order it was removed.

Turned off fridge circuit breaker
Removed all food from freezer and put in cooler.
Removed shelves from freezer
Removed ice maker
Removed 2 hex head screws
Tilted back evaporator cover and tried to unplug connection.
Found connection was iced over with a huge block of ice coming from water inlet to ice maker
Spent several hours trying to melt and chip away ice without damaging fridge.
Finally was able to break up ice with long flat head screwdriver and hammer.
Unplugged connector and was able to remove evaporator cover.
Cut wires near thermostat and removed
Stripped wire as needed and crimped new thermostat in place.
Used heat gun and lighter to melt heat shrink. This took a long time and required a lot more heat than expected.
Reconnected evaporator cover connection and reattached cover.
Reinstalled ice maker
Reinstalled shelves.
Put food back in
Turned circuit breaker back on.

The bulb has a plastic clear cover. That cover can just be carefully removed using a screwdriver. It's held in by a metal bracket. After you remove the cover. You'll just need to replace the bulb and then re-install the cover and bracket.

Unplug, remove 2 screws off back panel inside the freezer. Cut wires on old one and crimped in new one. Light to melt the shrink wrap that came with it. Pretty easy.

From most posts I've read, the defrost timer was the culprit so I blindly ordered one. Easy install but did not fix the problem so I broke out the ohm meter. The only other 2 items it could be all tested good with my meter so I bypassed the defrost thermostat (per forum help...actually quite easy)and it defrosted fine, which told me I needed a new defrost thermostat. Installed fairly easy and problem gone.