Hi,

I am having a problem with my Kenmore side by side refrigerator. It is model # 106.57919700. Everything works fine except the defrost cycle. Had to defrost it twice now.
It has a control board not a mechanical timer. I would like to know more about how it works before I just replace it. There is also a temperature sensor on the coil. Is there a way to jumper the board to test it? Could the sensor be the problem and not the board? Any help would be appreciated.

Jerry

There are only 3 components in a refrigerator that cause the self defrosting cycle to fail:

1. Defrost heater faulty.
2. Defrost limit switch faulty.
3. Defrost timer faulty.

If you have a multitester you can test each component to see which one failed.

Since you have a control board and not the traditional timer, if you test the other 2 components and they are fine, then you'll have to replace the entire board.

It turns out it was the timer. After sending back two incorrect parts from sears, I was finally able to get the right part. The listed board in the parts diagram is not correct. The correct part number is W10135901 not 4388932 as listed. Just a note for anyone trying to order this part from sears.
Jerry