How to Replace a Fridge Freezer Thermostat: A Step-by-Step DIY Diagnostic Guide

How to Replace a Fridge Freezer Thermostat: A Step-by-Step DIY Guide

Is your fridge freezing your milk, or has it stopped cooling entirely? The culprit is often a failing thermostat. Before you call an expensive engineer, follow this diagnostic guide to see if you can fix it yourself.

Symptoms of a Faulty Thermostat:

• Constant Running: The compressor never turns off, and food is freezing in the fridge.

• No Cooling: The light is on, but the fridge is silent and warm.

• Inconsistent Temps: The temperature fluctuates wildly regardless of the setting.

Tools You’ll Need:

• Cross-head or Flat-head screwdriver

• Needle-nose pliers

• A replacement thermostat (specific to your model)

• A Multimeter (for a continuity test)

The Step-by-Step Replacement:

1. Locate the Housing: The thermostat is usually behind the control knob inside the fridge.

2. Remove the Dial: Gently pull the plastic knob off to reveal the mounting nut or screws.

3. Unclip the Capillary Tube: Carefully pull the long thin wire (the sensor) out from its position against the evaporator plate. Note its exact path.

4. Swap the Wires: Take a photo of the wiring first. Transfer the wires one by one to the new thermostat to ensure they go to the correct terminals.

5. Reassemble: Feed the new capillary tube back into position, ensuring it doesn't kink. Secure the housing and replace the knob.

The "Scuttlebutt" Pro-Tip: Before buying a new part, use your multimeter to check for continuity. If the thermostat is turned "ON" but shows "Open Loop" (no continuity), it is definitely dead. If it shows continuity, your problem might actually be the start relay or compressor—which we cover in our

This require only a few tools a Ph2 screwdriver and a set of pliers to open the screw that secures the thermostat to the fridge freezer. First remove the temperature control knob this might need a small screwdriver but on this model fridge freezer you cannot get entry for a screwdriver so you need to pull off, when knob has been removed you will see the retaining nut remove this it should not be very tight.

Then undo the 2 retaining screws yours may one have one or it may have more it depends on manufacturer, now remove the light cover to prevent damage to it ad pull the unit away from fridge freezer wall.

You can now take note of the electrical connection by either photographing them and or writing down connections, once terminals are removed the thermostat can easily be removed by pulling from its tube location , fitting is just this in reverse see the photos below for move details.

Buy fridge and freezer parts here on Ebay UK 

Buy multimeter on Ebay UK here ensure you safety and to test components

here you can see the knob and one of the screws for mounting 

Knob pulls free to expose the thermostat retaining nut

Undo both the mounting screws one each side of unit 

Now you can photo wiring and take note of the connections 

Pull the thermostat capillary tube free from its pipe location 

Its quite long so do not worry about it 

Now thread the new thermostat into the pipe and push it in slowly until you think its about 

correct

Now attach all the connection terminals 

refit the thermostat and screw the nut in place to hold firm 

On this model you need to make sure the wire is tight inside its run

otherwise it will not fit this refitting can be a bit tight but make sure you 

tuck all wires and cables in tightly and give your self enough room

Now srew the unit to the wall of the fridge freezer to finish 

and replace the fridge temperature control know too 

                               See video of this process below