7EL87TRRRV00 Whirlpool Refrigerator

Unplugged unit. Removed the shelves and the 4 screws holding the cover for the evaporator coil. Straightened out the capillary tube. Removed the screws holding the thermostat to the inside wall ot the cabinet. Disconnect the three wires after noting their location and gently pull the capillary tube up through the casing that is perman ... Read more ently installed through the insulation. I rethreaded the new thermostat's capillary tube back through the casing. Once it was far enough that I could grab the end with my fingers I pushed and pulled it simultaneously, hooked up the wires finished putting the switch in position screwing it in place. Now finish routing the lower end of the capillary tube to it's previously noted location. Replace the cover and shelves. To keep momma happy the well trained do DIY'er washes the shelves prior to installiation, just sayin'.

Disconnect power / Remove shelves / remove sheet metal panel in rear of freezer / disconnect fan wires / remove fan unit using nut driver. / reassemble.

After observing defrost timer go into (and out of), defrost cycle, I checked continuity of heating element. Since heater coil was intact (79 Ohms of resistance), I figured the defrost thermostat (aka bi-metal therm.), had to be at fault. The new part ($17.00), proved my suspicions correct. As I sought to determine if everything worked, I ... Read more had to wait for the temp. to drop below the defrost therm. set point before I would see the heater coil get hot.
To avoid the costly failure in future, I bought a Chaney wireless therometer with two remote sensors. Sensors require lithium batteries. $30.00 for both are a cheap insurance system.