Whirlpool Refrigerator Thermostat (WP2198202)

The Whirlpool Refrigerator Thermostat controls cooling by sensing the temperature inside the refrigerator and cycling the compressor on and off to maintain the set temperature. It responds to changes in cabinet air temperature and helps keep food in a stable range based on the dial or control setting.

Common failures come from wear in the internal contacts, a drifting or inaccurate sensing mechanism, or damage to the sensing tube/capillary line. Electrical arcing over time can cause the switch to stick open or closed. Physical kinks, breaks, or poor mounting of the sensing line can also lead to incorrect temperature control.

These symptoms can help you decide if the thermostat is the source of the problem:

• Refrigerator is too warm even though the control is set colder
• Refrigerator runs constantly and food starts to freeze in the fresh food section
• Compressor does not start even though power is present and the control is turned on
• Cooling cycles are erratic, with wide temperature swings
• Changing the temperature setting has little or no effect on cooling
• Unit starts or stops only when the control is tapped or moved