Refrigerator Temperature Control Thermostat (replaces 216807801) 5304497345

Wrong part (second edition)

This is a continuation of an earlier review, but now after the final conclusion of the process. Before I noted that the third replacement controller was shown as being on back order with the manufacturer. I actually did receive it 5 days after it was ordered, on Christmas eve. Not surprisingly, it came in the identical same bag as the first two had been in. Also not surprisingly, it had another different part number on the controller, A03407505. I could find only a couple of references to this part number on the web and no cross listing to my actual refrigerator model. I again online chatted with another SearsPartsDirect service agent, who obviously could not find any reference to this part number in her resources either. She assured me that only the correct part would be sent to me and to install it (where did I hear that before). I placed the controller in my freezer and was pleasantly surprised to find that the contacts did open at temperatures below freezing. I installed the unit and it seems to work fine, maintaining temps between about 42F and 32F over the full range of temp settings. My review comments will likely never reach the Electrolux folks who package these parts, nor will it affect the proliferation of part numbers for what are supposed to be interchangeable or equivalent components. I hope my documentation of my experiences will help prepare others who may go through the same frustration of receiving multiple incorrect parts.

Ease of Installation

Moderate

Duration of Installation

30 minutes - 1 hour

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Wrong part

My 10 year old Kenmore freezerless refrigerator started to run continously, freezing the contents. Pretty obvious it was the temperature controller at fault. Went to the parts list I found online and the original part number was superseded by another part number. SearsPartsDirect estimated 3 weeks for shipping, so I ordered the part from a company through Amazon and got it in 4 days. The part number on the bag was what I ordered, but the number on the controller was different. When I installed the unit, it ran continuously just like before. Put it in my freezer and the contacts never opened, so it must have been a controller for a freezer, not a freezerless refrigerator. Arranged to send it back through Amazon and verified with a Sears chat guy online that it was for a freezer. He ordered me the correct controller and it actually arrived in about 5 days. Guess what? It came in an identical bag with the correct part number on it, but again with a different number on the controller inside. Different than the first one, but cross listed with it, so I presumed another freezer controller. I chatted with another guy at SearsPartsDirect and he confirmed it was a freezer controller and that I should not even try installing it. He immediately arranged for a UPS return label and re-ordered the correct part number. Now 4 days later it is still on backorder and who knows when I will ever get the right one. This is not rocket science. There seems to be literally thousands of different part numbers for refrigerator temperature controllers when likely there are no more than a dozen or so different and unique functions required. My unit has three terminals; one for power in, one to the compressor, and one to a defrost timer switch. The contacts should open when the temperature approaches 32F. All the units are probably made by about three manufacturers somewhere in Asia or Mexico. I can't understand why such a simple part gets so complicated with hundreds or thousands of different part numbers and nobody who sells them can tell you anything about any of them except that this one is specified for model XXVVCC27T and is cross listed with 13 other part numbers and can be used in 42 other refrigerators. Sorry to vent my frustrations, but just glad it was for a spare refrigerator in my basement and not in my kitchen since I likely won't have the correct part for at least 2 months after it first failed. If I had paid a service guy to fix this, I am sure I would be yelling at him/her every other day, when he/she would be the one dealing with these incorrect part numbers and waiting for backordered parts. This is not unique to Sears and both guys that I online chatted with tried to be helpful. I might note that when I go to the SearsPartsDirect web site and pull up the temperature controller part number that I need, the photo that is displayed actually shows the part number that I received, which is for a freezer, not a freezerless refrigerator. This proliferation of part numbers reminds me of a truck I once owned that required three different types of screwdrivers to change the headlight. Design engineers are no longer being taught the KISS principle.

Ease of Installation

Easy

Duration of Installation

30 minutes - 1 hour

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Very easy to install

Install took less than 30 minutes. Fridge is now functioning properly. Install directions have you cut the two lead connector in half but no instruction on which lead goes where. Finally made an educated guess and looks like I was correct. Needs clearer install instructions.

Ease of Installation

Very Easy

Duration of Installation

Less than 30 minutes

Simple to install

It was simple once I got the diagram that showed me exactly where the part was located.

Ease of Installation

Difficult

Duration of Installation

30 minutes - 1 hour