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GE Side-By-Side Refrigerator Freezer Thermistor Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the freezer thermistor on your GE side-by-side refrigerator.

The thermistor enables the refrigerator control to monitor air temperature inside the freezer compartment.

If the freezer thermistor fails, the refrigerator will not maintain a proper temperature in the freezer compartment. It may also affect the fresh food compartment temperature.

This guide was created using a GE model GSH25KGMB BB side-by-side refrigerator. Other GE side-by-side units should be similar.

What you need

  1. GE Side-By-Side Refrigerator Freezer Thermistor Replacement, Unplug your refrigerator: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Unplug your refrigerator before you begin your repair.

    • If you are testing or repairing the following items, you may also need to shut off and disconnect the water supply:

    • Condenser fan motor

    • Compressor motor and thermal overload device

    • Water supply valve assembly

    Edit

  2. GE Side-By-Side Refrigerator Freezer Thermistor Replacement, Remove shelves: step 2, image 1 of 2 GE Side-By-Side Refrigerator Freezer Thermistor Replacement, Remove shelves: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Lift the right edge of the shelf to free it from the clips which secure it.

    • This may take a bit of force as the clips hold firmly

    • Once the shelf is lifted, move it to the right and free the tabs on the left edge.

    • Remove the shelf.

    • Repeat this for each of the freezer shelves.

    Edit

  4. GE Side-By-Side Refrigerator Freezer Thermistor Replacement, Remove the light bulb: step 3, image 1 of 2 GE Side-By-Side Refrigerator Freezer Thermistor Replacement, Remove the light bulb: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Unscrew the light bulb and set it aside.

    Edit

  5. GE Side-By-Side Refrigerator Freezer Thermistor Replacement, Remove the lower evaporator cover: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Use a #2 Phillips screwdriver to remove the retaining screws securing the lower evaporator cover.

    Edit

  6. GE Side-By-Side Refrigerator Freezer Thermistor Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 3 GE Side-By-Side Refrigerator Freezer Thermistor Replacement: step 5, image 2 of 3 GE Side-By-Side Refrigerator Freezer Thermistor Replacement: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Remove the lower evaporator cover by pulling it toward you and then rotating it so it will get past the shelf brackets.

    Edit

  7. GE Side-By-Side Refrigerator Freezer Thermistor Replacement, Remove the thermistor from the holder: step 6, image 1 of 3 GE Side-By-Side Refrigerator Freezer Thermistor Replacement, Remove the thermistor from the holder: step 6, image 2 of 3 GE Side-By-Side Refrigerator Freezer Thermistor Replacement, Remove the thermistor from the holder: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Thermistor holder location.

    • With your fingers, pull to slide the thermistor out of its holder.

    • To replace the thermistor you will need to cut the leads to the old one and then splice a new one in, with waterproof splices.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Try some basic troubleshooting, or ask our  Answers community for help.

Author

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Bill Gilbert

Member since: 06/30/22

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2 Guide Comments

In step 6 how do you test the thermistor ?

Where do the wires go ?

Thanks in advance

ajbklyn196 - Reply

There is no easy way to test the thermistor except to find the wires leading to it at the control board. You can disconnect it there and then test it. The best value I can find is a value of 10,000Ω (10kΩ) at room temperature (77°F, 20°C). You might be able to use piercing probes on the wires at the thermistor, but you would be safer disconnecting it and testing at the control board.

Bill Gilbert -

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