The Defrost Thermostat is an OEM part for GE refrigerators. This component monitors the evaporator temperature. It activates warming to defrost the evaporator once the temperature reaches a certain point. Over time, the defrost thermostat can fail due to electrical issues, exposure to fluctuating temperatures, or general wear and tear. A malfunctioning thermostat can lead to excessive frost buildup, affecting the refrigerator’s cooling efficiency. Symptoms of a bad defrost thermostat include: Excessive frost buildup in the freezer The refrigerator or freezer not maintaining the correct temperature Water leaks inside the refrigerator The defrost heater not activating during the defrost cycle This GE replacement part is also compatible with Hotpoint, RCA, and some Kenmore models.WR50X10073 (AP3884320) replaces 1170028, AH1015943, EA1015943, PS1015943, WR50X10078.