XPARTCO 242046001 Refrigerator Defrost Thermostat
The XPARTCO 242046001 is an aftermarket replacement defrost termination thermostat compatible with a wide range of Frigidaire, Electrolux, Crosley, Gibson, Kelvinator, Tappan, Westinghouse, White-Westinghouse, and Kenmore refrigerators — including French door, side-by-side, and bottom-freezer models across the CFD, DGHF, E23BC, and EI23BC series. The defrost thermostat is a bi-metal safety device clipped to the evaporator coil or defrost heater tube in the freezer compartment. During the defrost cycle, it monitors the coil temperature and opens its circuit once the coil warms to roughly 50–60°F (10–15°C), which cuts power to the defrost heater. This confirms all the ice has melted and prevents the heater from continuing to run and overheating the freezer.
When the thermostat fails, one of two things happens: it can fail open (the defrost heater never runs, so ice builds up on the coils until airflow is blocked and cooling fails), or it can fail closed (the heater runs too long, overheating the compartment and often producing water pooling at the bottom of the freezer or leaking onto the floor). Features a cylindrical metallic body with two blue wires and white electrical connectors. Specification code L47-22F. Wire leads approximately 7.9". It directly replaces 242046001, 240386402, 240386403, AP4508400, 1564839, AH2378768, EA2378768, PS2378768, and L47-22F. Tip: the defrost thermostat, defrost heater, and defrost timer/control board form the defrost system and often fail together — replacing them as a set while the panel is off saves a repeat repair. Installs in 30–45 minutes with basic hand tools.
Quick Answer
The XPARTCO 242046001 Refrigerator Defrost Thermostat fixes Frigidaire, Electrolux, Crosley, Gibson, Kelvinator, Kenmore, Tappan, and Westinghouse refrigerators with excessive frost or ice buildup on the evaporator coils, fridge or freezer too warm (or too cold), the defrost cycle not activating, the refrigerator running continuously, or water pooling/leaking in the freezer. Bi-metal defrost termination thermostat — opens around 50–60°F to shut off the defrost heater. Cylindrical metal body, 2 blue wires, white connectors. Replaces 240386402, 240386403, AP4508400, 1564839, AH2378768, EA2378768, PS2378768, L47-22F. Often replaced together with the defrost heater and defrost timer.
Common Problems This Part Fixes
- Excessive frost or ice buildup on the evaporator coils — defrost heater never running because the thermostat failed open
- Freezer section too warm — iced-over coils blocking airflow
- Refrigerator section too warm — cold air not circulating past frosted coils
- Freezer or fridge section too cold — erratic defrost cycling
- Defrost cycle not activating at all
- Refrigerator running continuously without cycling off
- Water pooling at the bottom of the freezer or leaking onto the floor — defrost heater running too long because the thermostat failed closed
- Reduced cooling efficiency and food spoiling faster than normal
- Multimeter continuity test on the thermostat shows an open circuit when cold (it should show continuity when cold)
- Top of the thermostat visibly popped up or bulged — a sign of failure
Cross Reference Information
Part numbers can change over a product's lifecycle as manufacturers update designs or release new appliance models. For your convenience, we've included any known superseded, alternate, or cross-reference part numbers that match this item.
Replaces Part Numbers
This defrost thermostat directly replaces the following OEM and cross-reference part numbers:
242046001, 1564839, AFR15304, AH2378768, AP4508400, EA2378768, EAP2378768, PD00005910, PS2378768, 240386402, 1258898, 240386403, AFR1311401, AH1525990, AP3970214, EA1525990, EAP1525990, PD00029401, PS1525990, L47-22F
If your part number is not listed above, contact our support team before ordering and we will verify compatibility. Note: to replace a 240386402, you may need to remove the wire plugs from this thermostat. Also known as a defrost bi-metal thermostat, defrost bimetal thermostat, or defrost termination thermostat.
Compatibility
This defrost thermostat is compatible with select refrigerators from the following brands:
- Frigidaire refrigerators — CFD26 series (CFD26SDS0, CFD26WIS0/S1/S3/S4/S5/S6), CFD27 series (CFD27SDPS0, CFD27WIPB2/PB3, CFD27WIPS2/PS3, CFD27WIPW2/PW3)
- Frigidaire refrigerators — CFD28 series (CFD28SDS1/SDS6/SDS9, CFD28WIB5–WIBC, CFD28WIS0–WISC, CFD28WIW5–WIWC and related revisions)
- Frigidaire refrigerators — DGHF2360PF0, DGHF2360PF1 series
- Electrolux refrigerators — E23BC68 series (E23BC68JPS0–JPSAA, E23BC68JSS0/SS1/SS2), E23BC78 series (E23BC78IPS8–IPSJA, E23BC78ISS7)
- Electrolux refrigerators — EI23BC30 series (EI23BC30KB1/KB2/KB3, EI23BC30KS1/KS2/KS3, EI23BC30KW1/KW2/KW3), EI23BC35 series (EI23BC35KB3–KB8, EI23BC35KS3–KS7)
- Crosley refrigerators (select Frigidaire-built models)
- Gibson refrigerators (select models)
- Kelvinator refrigerators (select models)
- Tappan refrigerators (select models)
- Westinghouse and White-Westinghouse refrigerators (select models)
- Kenmore / Sears refrigerators (select Frigidaire/Electrolux-built models)
Note: The defrost thermostat, defrost heater, and defrost timer/control board work together as a system — when one fails, the others have typically experienced the same age and stress. Since the rear freezer access panel must already be off and all three components are right next to each other, replacing them together in one session prevents a repeat repair. Always verify your appliance model number before ordering.
Key Features
- Defrost termination thermostat (bi-metal) — monitors the evaporator coil temperature during the defrost cycle and cuts power to the defrost heater once the ice has melted
- Opens its circuit at approximately 50–60°F (10–15°C) — preventing the defrost heater from overheating the freezer compartment and saving energy
- Protects the evaporator from overheating during the defrost cycle
- Resolves "frost buildup," "too warm," "too cold," "defrost not activating," "runs continuously," and "water leaking in freezer" symptoms when caused by thermostat failure
- Cylindrical metallic body with two blue wires and white electrical connectors
- Sealed component — clips onto the evaporator coil or defrost heater tube
- Specification code L47-22F — opens at approximately 47°F
- Wire leads approximately 7.9" — connect inline with the defrost heater
- Tube-mount clip-on design — latches onto the evaporator tubing
- Replaces 240386402, 240386403, AP4508400, 1564839, AH2378768, EA2378768, PS2378768, and L47-22F
- Compatible with Frigidaire CFD26/CFD27/CFD28/DGHF series, Electrolux E23BC/EI23BC series, plus Crosley, Gibson, Kelvinator, Tappan, Westinghouse, White-Westinghouse, and Kenmore Frigidaire-built refrigerators
- Often replaced together with the defrost heater and defrost timer/control board as a paired defrost-system repair
- Aftermarket replacement built to OEM-equivalent quality standards
- DIY repair — installs in 30–45 minutes with basic hand tools
Product Specifications
| Part Number |
XP242046001 |
| Part Type |
Refrigerator Defrost Termination Thermostat (Bi-Metal) |
| Condition |
Aftermarket Replacement |
| Application |
Refrigerators (Frigidaire/Electrolux platform) |
| Specification Code |
L47-22F |
| Opening Temperature |
Approximately 47°F (L47-22F rating) |
| Function |
Cuts power to the defrost heater once ice has melted |
| Body |
Cylindrical metallic |
| Wiring |
Two blue wires (approx. 7.9") with white electrical connectors |
| Mounting |
Tube mount — clips onto evaporator coil or defrost heater tube |
| Location |
Freezer compartment, behind rear evaporator panel |
| Also Known As |
Defrost bi-metal thermostat, defrost termination thermostat |
| Often Paired With |
Defrost Heater, Defrost Timer / Control Board |
| Compatible Brands |
Frigidaire, Electrolux, Crosley, Gibson, Kelvinator, Tappan, Westinghouse, White-Westinghouse, Kenmore |
Installation Notes
⚠️ Unplug Refrigerator and Move Perishable Food Before Starting — Wear Work Gloves Unplug the refrigerator from the electrical outlet and safely store any food that could spoil while the power is off. Wear work gloves to protect your hands. The defrost thermostat is located in the freezer compartment behind the rear evaporator access panel. Remove all freezer shelves, drawers, and the ice maker (if equipped) to clear access to the back wall. If there's heavy ice buildup covering the coils, allow the freezer to thaw completely before continuing — never chip or pry ice off the evaporator coils, as the aluminum fins damage easily and a damaged coil is a far more expensive repair. Remove the screws securing the rear evaporator access panel and carefully detach it to expose the evaporator coils, defrost heater, and defrost thermostat. Locate the thermostat — it's the small cylindrical metal component clipped onto the evaporator coil or the defrost heater tube, with two blue wires. Photograph the wiring connections and mounting position before disconnecting. Carefully disconnect the electrical connectors from the old thermostat, noting their orientation. Release the mounting clip and remove the old thermostat. Clip the new 242046001 thermostat onto the coil or heater tube in the exact same position — good thermal contact with the coil is essential for the thermostat to sense the temperature correctly. Reconnect the electrical connectors. While the panel is open, inspect the defrost heater and defrost timer/control board — if either is damaged or you're chasing a defrost problem, this is the ideal time to replace them too. Reinstall the rear access panel, shelves, drawers, and ice maker. Plug the refrigerator back in and allow several hours for the unit to return to its set temperature. Tools needed: Phillips screwdriver, 1/4" nut driver, work gloves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a defrost thermostat actually do?
It's the "off switch" for your refrigerator's defrost heater. Frost naturally accumulates on the evaporator coils during normal cooling. Periodically, the defrost timer/control board turns on the defrost heater to melt that frost. The defrost thermostat — a bi-metal switch clipped right to the coil — monitors the coil's temperature during this cycle. When the coil warms to approximately 47°F (its L47-22F rating — indicating all the ice has melted), the thermostat opens its circuit and cuts power to the heater. This stops the heater before it overheats the freezer compartment, and saves energy. Without a working thermostat, the defrost cycle either never runs (ice builds up) or runs too long (overheating and water pooling).
I found water pooling in my freezer — is the defrost thermostat the cause?
Quite possibly. A defrost thermostat that fails closed (stuck in the "on" position) lets the defrost heater run far longer than it should. The excess heat melts more than just the frost on the coils, producing more water than the drain can handle — which pools at the bottom of the freezer and can leak onto the floor. This is a commonly misdiagnosed symptom: many people assume they have a water line leak when the actual culprit is a failed defrost thermostat. If you're seeing unexplained water in the freezer or on the floor and there's no obvious water line issue, check the defrost thermostat. Also verify the defrost drain isn't clogged, which produces similar symptoms.
How do I test the defrost thermostat?
With the refrigerator unplugged, disconnect the thermostat's wire connectors and set your multimeter to continuity mode. A working defrost thermostat should show continuity when it's cold (below its opening temperature — which it will be if it's been in the freezer). If it reads open (no continuity) while cold, the thermostat has failed and needs replacement. For a more thorough test, place the thermostat in ice water (should show continuity), then warm it above its ~47°F opening point (should open — no continuity). If it doesn't switch at the correct temperatures, replace it. Another visual check: if the top of the thermostat has popped up or bulged, that's a sign it has failed.
Should I replace the defrost heater and timer at the same time?
Yes, it's strongly recommended. The defrost thermostat, defrost heater, and defrost timer/control board work together as a system — the timer initiates the defrost cycle, the heater melts the frost, and the thermostat terminates the cycle when the coil is clear. When one component fails, the others have typically experienced the same age and thermal stress, and a near-term failure of another defrost component is common. Since the rear access panel is already off and all three components are right there next to each other, replacing them together in a single session prevents a repeat repair down the road.
Is this an OEM or aftermarket part?
This is an aftermarket replacement part built to OEM-equivalent quality standards. It is not a genuine Frigidaire/Electrolux OEM part, but is manufactured to match the L47-22F specification (opening at approximately 47°F), bi-metal switching function, cylindrical body, two-blue-wire connector configuration, and tube-mount clip of the original 242046001 defrost termination thermostat used in compatible Frigidaire, Electrolux, Crosley, Gibson, Kelvinator, Tappan, Westinghouse, and Kenmore refrigerators.
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