GE Refrigerator WG03A00273, Replaces WR51X10132, 239D1360G002

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✅ Cross Reference Information

Common Symptoms

• Excessive frost or ice accumulation on evaporator coil
• Refrigerator not defrosting properly
• Refrigerator not cooling adequately
• Frost or ice visible in fresh food section
• Freezer section becoming warmer than normal
• Water leaking inside refrigerator from ice melt
• Defrost cycle not activating
• Error codes displayed on control panel (defrost error codes)
• Refrigerator cycling on and off frequently
• Compressor running constantly
• Ice buildup on freezer shelves
• Freezer temperature fluctuating

Pro Tip

Part Details

Installation Notes

• Turn off power
• to the refrigerator at the circuit breaker to ensure complete power disconnection.
• Unplug the refrigerator
• from the wall outlet for additional safety.
• Verify power is off
• by attempting to turn on the refrigerator light. The light should not illuminate.
• Allow the refrigerator to warm up
• for 15-20 minutes before opening to prevent thermal shock.
• Open the refrigerator and freezer doors
• fully to access the interior.
• Remove any food items
• from the freezer section to provide working space and prevent food spoilage.
• Take multiple photos
• of the defrost heater assembly location, mounting, and wire connections before disassembly. Document from multiple angles. This is absolutely critical for proper reassembly.
• Locate the defrost heater assembly
• mounted horizontally across the bottom of the evaporator coil in the freezer section (typically mounted with 2-4 screws or clips).
• Take a photo of the wire connections
• to the heater assembly before disconnecting. Note the wire colors and terminal orientation.
• Disconnect the wire harness connector
• from the heater assembly by pressing the locking tab and pulling the connector straight off. Do not pull on the wires—grasp the connector body.
• If the heater is hardwired
• (no connector), note the wire colors and terminal positions before disconnecting. Label each wire with masking tape.
• Carefully disconnect the wires
• from the heater terminals. Use masking tape to label each wire indicating its original terminal position.
• Remove the mounting screws or clips
• that secure the defrost heater assembly to the evaporator coil or mounting bracket (typically 2-4 fasteners).
• Carefully remove the old defrost heater assembly
• from the evaporator coil area.
• Place the old heater assembly on a clean work surface
• with adequate space for inspection.
• CAUTION: The heater may still be hot—allow it to cool completely before handling.
• Inspect the old heater assembly
• for visible damage such as burned elements, cracked housing, corrosion, or discoloration. This confirms the diagnosis.
• Inspect the evaporator coil
• for excessive frost or ice buildup. Heavy frost indicates the defrost heater was not functioning properly.
• Inspect the mounting location
• on the evaporator coil for damage, corrosion, or debris. Clean the mounting area if necessary using a dry cloth.
• Unpack the new WG03A00273 defrost heater assembly
• from its packaging. Handle carefully to avoid damaging the heating element or terminals.
• Verify the heater assembly specifications
• match the old assembly: heating element wattage (typically 400-600W), mounting bracket design, wire terminal positions, overall dimensions.
• Compare the new heater assembly to the old one
• to verify the dimensions, heating element design, mounting holes, and overall appearance match. Ensure you have the correct replacement part.
• Inspect the new heater assembly
• for any damage or defects before installation. The heating element should be intact with no cracks or damage, and the terminals should be clean and undamaged.
• Position the new defrost heater assembly
• on the evaporator coil, aligning the mounting holes with the screw holes or clip positions. The heater should be positioned horizontally across the bottom of the coil.
• Install the mounting screws or clips
• to secure the heater assembly to the evaporator coil or mounting bracket. Tighten gently but firmly—do not overtighten, which can crack the heating element.
• Verify the heater assembly is securely mounted
• and does not wobble or shift when gently pressed.
• Verify the heater assembly is in direct contact
• with the evaporator coil surface for efficient heat transfer. Poor contact will result in inefficient defrosting.
• Reconnect the wire harness connector
• to the new heater assembly by pushing the connector straight onto the terminals until it clicks into place (if the original heater had a connector).
• , reconnect the wires to the correct terminals using your labeled wires. Match each wire to its original terminal position.
• Verify all wire connections are secure
• by gently tugging on each wire or connector. Wires should not pull off—they should be firmly seated.
• Restore power
• at the circuit breaker and plug in the refrigerator.
• Allow the refrigerator to cool
• for 15-20 minutes before opening the doors.
• Test the new defrost heater assembly
• by monitoring the refrigerator operation over the next 24 hours.
• Verify the refrigerator maintains proper temperature
• (around 37-40°F in the fresh food section and 0°F in the freezer).
• Verify the defrost cycle operates normally
• by listening for the defrost heater activation (typically occurs every 8-12 hours for 15-20 minutes). You may hear a faint humming or buzzing sound.
• Monitor the evaporator coil
• for frost or ice buildup. The coil should have minimal frost after a complete defrost cycle.
• Verify no water is leaking
• inside the refrigerator from the defrost cycle. Small amounts of water during defrost are normal.
• Feel the heater area after a defrost cycle
• to verify the heater is generating heat. The area should be warm to hot to the touch.
• CAUTION: The heater becomes very hot during operation—do not touch it directly.
• Reinstall any food items
• that were removed from the freezer.
• Monitor the refrigerator for 3-5 defrost cycles
• (typically 24-60 hours) to ensure the defrost heater assembly operates properly without issues.
• Safety Notes:
• Always turn off power at the circuit breaker and unplug the refrigerator before working on it to prevent electrical shock. The defrost heater operates at extremely high temperature (400-600°F)—allow it to cool completely before handling and never touch it during operation. Ensure all wire connections are correct and secure before restoring power. Incorrect wiring can damage the new heater or control board. This repair requires basic tools (screwdriver) and moderate mechanical skill—most homeowners can complete this repair successfully with proper precautions.

Verified Compatible Models

CFE28TP2MBS1, CFE28TP2MCS1, CFE28TP2MDS1, CFE28TP2MES1, CFE28TP3MBD1, CFE28TP3MBW2, CFE28TP3MCD1, CFE28TP3MDD1, CFE28TP3MED1, CFE28TP4MBW2, CFE28TP4MCW2, CFE28TP4MDW2, CFE28TP4MEW2, CFE28TSHBSS, CFE28TSHCSS, CFE28TSHDSS, CFE28TSHESS, CFE28TSHFSS, CFE28TSHGSS, CFE28TSHISS, CFE28TSHJSS, CFE28TSHKSS, CFE28TSHLSS, CFE28TSHMSS, CFE28TSHNSS, CFE28TSHOSS, CFE28TSHPSS, CFE28TSHQSS, CFE28TSHRSS, CFE28UELBDS, CFE28UELCDS, CFE28UELDDS, CFE28UELEDS, CFE28UP2MBS1, CFE28UP2MCS1, CFE28UP2MDS1, CFE28UP2MES1, CFE28UP3MBD1, CFE28UP3MCD1, CFE28UP3MDD1, CFE28USHBSS, CFE28USHCSS, CFE28USHESS, CFE28USHFSS, CFE28USHGSS, CFE28USHHSS, CFE28USHISS, CFE28USHJSS, CFE28USHKSS, CFE28USHLSS, CFE28USHMSS, CFE28USHNSS, CFE29TSDASS, CFE29TSDBSS, CFE29TSDCSS, CFE29TSDDSS, CFE29TSDESS, CFE29TSDFSS, CWE23SP2MBS1, CWE23SP2MCS1, CWE23SP2MDS1, CWE23SP2MES1, CWE23SP3MBD1, CWE23SP3MBW2, CWE23SP3MCD1, CWE23SP3MDD1, CWE23SP3MED1, CWE23SP4MBW2, CWE23SP4MCW2, CWE23SP4MDW2, CWE23SP4MEW2, CWE23SSHBSS, CWE23SSHCSS, CWE23SSHDSS, CWE23SSHESS, CWE23SSHFSS, CWE23SSHHSS, CWE23SSHISS, CWE23SSHJSS, CWE23SSHKSS, CWE23SSHLSS, CWE23SSHMSS, CWE23SSHNSS, CWE23SSHOSS, CWE23SSHPSS, CWE23SSHQSS, CYE22TP2MBS1, CYE22TP2MCS1, CYE22TP2MDS1, CYE22TP2MES1, CYE22TP3MBD1, CYE22TP3MBW2, CYE22TP3MCD1, CYE22TP3MDD1, CYE22TP3MED1, CYE22TP4MBW2, CYE22TP4MCW2, CYE22TP4MDW2, CYE22TP4MEW2, CYE22TSHBSS, CYE22TSHCSS, CYE22TSHDSS, CYE22TSHESS, CYE22TSHFSS, CYE22TSHGSS, CYE22TSHHSS, CYE22TSHJSS, CYE22TSHKSS, CYE22TSHLSS, CYE22TSHMSS, CYE22TSHNSS, CYE22TSHOSS, CYE22TSHPSS, CYE22TSHQSS, CYE22TSHRSS, CYE22TSHSSS, CYE22UELBDS, CYE22UELCDS, CYE22UELDDS, CYE22UELEDS, CYE22UP2MBS1, CYE22UP2MCS1, CYE22UP2MDS1, CYE22UP2MES1, CYE22UP3MBD1, CYE22UP3MCD1, CYE22UP3MDD1, CYE22USHBSS, CYE22USHCSS, CYE22USHESS, CYE22USHFSS, CYE22USHGSS, CYE22USHHSS, CYE22USHISS, CYE22USHJSS, CYE22USHKSS, CYE22USHLSS, CYE22USHMSS, CYE22USHNSS, CYE22USHOSS, CYE23TSDASS, CYE23TSDBSS, CYE23TSDCSS, CYE23TSDDSS, CYE23TSDESS, CYE23TSDFSS, DFE28JBLBTS, DFE28JBLCTS, DFE28JBLDTS, DFE28JBLETS, DFE28JBLFTS, DFE28JBLGTS, DFE28JELBDS, DFE28JELCDS, DFE28JELDDS, DFE28JELEDS, DFE28JELFDS, DFE28JELGDS, DFE28JELHDS, DFE28JGHBBB, DFE28JGHBWW, DFE28JGHCBB, DFE28JGHCWW, DFE28JGHDBB, DFE28JGHDWW, DFE28JGHEBB, DFE28JGHEWW, DFE28JGHFBB, DFE28JMHBES, DFE28JMHCES, DFE28JMHDES, DFE28JMHEES, DFE28JMHFES, DFE28JMKBES, DFE28JMKCES, DFE28JMKDES, DFE28JMKEES, DFE28JMKFES, DFE28JMKGES, DFE28JMKHES, DFE28JMKIES, DFE28JMKJES, DFE28JMKKES, DFE28JMKLES, DFE28JMKMES, DFE28JSHBSS, DFE28JSHCSS, DFE28JSHDSS, DFE28JSHESS, DFE28JSHFSS, DFE28JSKBSS, DFE28JSKCSS, DFE28JSKDSS, DFE28JSKESS, DFE28JSKFSS, DFE28JSKGSS, DFE28JSKHSS, DFE28JSKISS, DFE28JSKJSS, DFE28JSKKSS, GFE26GMHBES, GFE26GMHFES, GFE26GMKEES, GFE26GSHBSS, GFE26GSHFSS, GFE26GSKBSS, GFE26GSKHSS, GFE28HSHBSS, GNE29GGHEWW, GNE29GSHBSS, GNE29GSHDSS, GNE29GSHESS, GNE29GSKHSS, PFE28PMKBES, PFE28PSKBSS, PFE28PYNBFS, PFE28RSHBSS, PFE28RSHFSS, PFE29PSDASS, PFE29PSDBSS, PFE29PSDCSS, PFE29PSDDSS, PFE29PSDESS, PFE29PSDSS, PWE23KMDEES, PWE23KMKEES, PWE23KMKFES, PWE23KSDCSS, PWE23KSDFSS, PWE23KSKNSS, PWE23KYNCFS, PYD22KBLFTS, PYD22KYNBFS, PYD22KYNCFS, PYE22KSKOSS, PYE22PMKBES, PYE22PSHBSS, PYE22PSHHSS, PYE22PSHISS, PYE22PSHJSS, PYE22PSKBSS, PYE22PSKLSS, PYE22PSKNSS, PYE22PYNCFS, ZWE23ESHRSS, ZWE23ESNBSS, ZWE23ESNCSS, ZWE23PSHRSS, ZWE23PSNBSS, ZWE23PSNCSS

Fitment reminder: Match the complete appliance model number, including suffix or revision where applicable, before ordering.