Where is the defrost heater - Kenmore Elite 22.4 cu. ft. Bottom Freezer Refrigerator with Adjusta Cube Ice Maker

If the thermostat is replaced, but still its not defrosting, then two possibilities, either weak defrost heater,Heater is the part which heats and it defrosts, if the heater gets weak, then unit will not defrost properly.And it will take more time to defrost, and till that time, again frost gets collected.---------- But if defrost heater is ok, then problem is defrost board.The defrost board is the part, which controls both thermostat and defrost heater.-----------
This problem is called defrost problem.-------------

So first thing you try is , perform, manual defrost reset procedure.---------

The manual defrost reset procedure is as follows : ----
First unplug the unit from main power outlet. Then empty whole unit completely. Then keep both the doors open. Wait for 24 hours. All the ice collected on the coils and in the freezer section will get melted. Clean the water from the sections. Then Connect the power cord of the unit to main power outlet after 24 hours/.Then set the temperature to normal in both fridge and freezer section. Then check,if same frost is getting collected, then its defrost problem,. If it's again building up ice that means the unit is not defrosting. It's starting the cooling procedure, and then while defrosting, it's not working. The defrost assembly consists of three main parts. The defrost thermostat, the defrost heater and defrost board. Any of the one is not functioning. When thermostat sense the maximum cooling, it triggers the defrost heater to start heating and this defrosts the ice collected on the coils and the system works. Both thermostat and heater are controlled by defrost board. First the thermostat and defrost heater to be checked, if both check ok by meter and visually, then its defrost board causing the problem. IN YOUR case, defrost thermostat is already got replaced, so ignore thermostat, but other two possibilities needs to be checked.----------You can get required parts from from online sites like: --- www.repairclinic.com or from searspartsdirect online site. --------- This should help.Thanks.Helpmech.

First, locate the defrost timer which may hidden behindcorners of the fridge at the back bottom, in some models located in the ceilingof the fresh food section or behind the cold control cover. Once you locate thedefrost timer, slowly turn the screw in the middle of the defrost timer withstraight screwdriver until the fridge shuts off. Now it's in defrost. If thedefrost heater(s) starts, replace the defrost timer and defrost thermostat. Ifthe heater(s) does not start, unplug wire cord to check ohm test for continuityof heater. If continuity is there, plug cord wire which gives power 120volts(check specification) to heater. If heater no starts, bypass defrost thermostatby join the 2 wires in the defrost thermostat. If the heater now comes on, replacethe defrost timer and defrost thermostat. If the heater itself is bad, replaceit. Thanks and hope helpful.

It's common problem. You have to check Defrost timer, thermostat and defrost heater. Any one malfunction, you will get over frosting. How to check?
First, locate the defrost timer which may hidden behindcorners of the fridge at the back bottom, in some models located in the ceilingof the fresh food section or behind the cold control cover. Once you locate thedefrost timer, slowly turn the screw in the middle of the defrost timer withstraight screwdriver until the fridge shuts off. Now it's in defrost. If thedefrost heater(s) starts, replace the defrost timer and defrost thermostat. Ifthe heater(s) does not start, unplug wire cord to check ohm test for continuityof heater. If continuity is there, plug cord wire which gives power 120volts(check specification) to heater. If heater no starts, bypass defrost thermostatby join the 2 wires in the defrost thermostat. If the heater now comes on,replace the defrost timer and defrost thermostat. If the heater itself is bad,replace it. Thanks and hope helpful.

First, locate the defrost timer which may hidden behindcorners of the fridge at the back bottom, in some models located in the ceilingof the fresh food section or behind the cold control cover. Once you locate thedefrost timer, slowly turn the screw in the middle of the defrost timer withstraight screwdriver until the fridge shuts off. Now it's in defrost. If thedefrost heater(s) starts, replace the defrost timer and defrost thermostat. Ifthe heater(s) does not start, unplug wire cord to check ohm test for continuityof heater. If continuity is there, plug cord wire which gives power 120volts(check specification) to heater. If heater no starts, bypass defrost thermostatby join the 2 wires in the defrost thermostat. If the heater now comes on,replace the defrost timer and defrost thermostat. If the heater itself is bad,replace it. Thanks and hope helpful.

Defrost cycling is poor.
Locating the defrost timer hiddenbehind the back bottom corners of the fridge at the bottom, in some units it's located in the ceiling of the fresh food section,and some behind the cold control cover. Once you locate the defrost timer,slowly turn the screw like wheel in the middle of the defrost timer with astraight screwdriver until the fridge shuts off. You are now in defrost. If thedefrost heater(s) comes on now, replace the defrost timer and defrostthermostat. If the heater(s) does not come on, you can ohm test the defrostheater for continuity or volt test for 120 volts to the heater(s). If you haveno power to the defrost heater(s) you can also bypass the defrost thermostat tosee if the defrost heater will come on, join the 2 wires together to bypass thedefrost thermostat. If the heater now comes on, replace the defrost timer anddefrost thermostat. If the heater itself is bad, defrost the fridge with a hairdryer, replace the defrost heater* and defrost thermostat. If the defrost timerseems "hot" to the touch or is noisy ( like a ticking or screechingnoise )...replace it. Once defrost cycling is cleared, you will get better cooling in fridge compartment also. Thanks.

I am pretty sure the model number you are referring to are HSS25IFMCC / HSS25IFMWW This model has no defrost timer like the typical defrost timer. The defrost time is determined by the Motherboard. If you are having defrost problems with your model it is most likely the defrost heater causing the problems. The defrost heater is part=> WR51X10055 Defrost Heater

Most times after manually defrosting the defrost heater on your model can be seen burned out
by just looking at the outer glass of the heater itself. This takes unplugging the refrigerator and removal of the rear panel inside and back wall of the freezer

Most times after manually defrosting the defrost heater on your model can be seen burned out Testing the defrost heater can be found here=> WR51X10055 Defrost Heater Assembly Once inside the freezer it is always a good idea to change the defrost thermostat, Click Here=> WR50X10054 Defrost Heater
I will be here should you have questions, Thanks Sea Breeze
Click Here=> HSS25IFMAWW Freezer Components parts 230 is the Defrost Heater and part 230 is the Defrost Thermostat

did you read out the heater to make sure it's bad,do you have power coming to the heater

The next step would be to unplug the refrigerator and remove the rear panel and defrost so that you can unplug the defrost heater on one end and check the continuity. 305175 Defrost Heater and defrost thermostat Part number 3489. If you change the defrost heater you should also change the defrost thermostat. Let me know the results. Remember above 60 degrees the defrost thermostat will show open with your OHM meter. Sea Breeze

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21 ohms for a heater is not bad. I think what is happening is when the heater gets power and starts to heat the heater shorts to ground. causing it to throw the breaker.

In the defrost circuit there are three major parts. Defrost timer, defrost heater(s) and defrost thermostat. Defrost timer failure will not put power to the circuit. Defrost heater failure will fail to defrost when the timer applies power. Defrost thermostat must be closed for defrost to take place. FIRST located the timer, rotate the Clutch head screw clockwise SLOWLY until one distinct click is heard. Timer will be in defrost mode and defrost should happen in 18-22 minutes after which the refrigeration should start cooling again. If defrost takes place and it does not go back to cooling automatically turn the screw once again until you hear the second click, unit will start. Replace the timer. If defrost does not take place in the time frame above and the unit restarts in cooling test the defrost heaters. From the heater(s) follow the wires from each end to where they plug into the circuit. Unplug them and test through the heaters with an OHM meter. You should get a reading if they are good, if no reading replace the heaters. If you get a reading on the heater(s) replace the defrost thermostat.