50285446006 Genuine Defrost Heater 500W Double Pass for Westinghouse Fridges RJ532T RJ533T RJ536T RJ522T BJ503S BJ505T BJ506T BJ504T

When the freezer coil ices over and the fridge section warms up, a failed defrost heater is often the reason. Genuine part 50285446006 is the 500W double pass defrost heater for Westinghouse fridges including the RJ532T and RJ533T, the RJ536T, and the BJ503S, BJ505T and BJ506T. It's also listed as 1439803, and the stock description names the RJ522T as well.

Westinghouse fridge icing up? How the defrost heater works

Frost-free fridges cool by blowing air across an evaporator coil hidden behind a panel in the freezer. Moisture from that air freezes onto the coil, so every so often the fridge pauses the cooling and powers this heater to melt the ice away. When the heater fails, the frost builds into a solid block, airflow stops and the fridge section warms up even though the freezer may still feel cold. Thick white ice on the back panel, warm milk and a fan that sounds muffled are the classic signs.

Part details

• Genuine Westinghouse part 50285446006
• 500W double pass defrost heater
• Also listed as 1439803
• Suits RJ532T, RJ533T and RJ536T fridges
• Also fits BJ503S, BJ504T, BJ505S, BJ505T and BJ506T

Replacing the defrost heater

Switch off at the wall and move the food somewhere cold. Remove the freezer's rear panel to expose the coil, and let any ice melt naturally rather than chipping at it, as a pierced coil means a refrigerant leak. Note how the heater is clipped to the coil and how its wires are routed, then fit the new one the same way. Test the defrost thermostat while you're in there.

Questions about this part

Should I replace the defrost thermostat too?

It's worth testing. The defrost thermostat clipped to the coil cuts the heater off once the ice has melted, and if it has failed open the new heater won't come on. If it tests faulty or looks corroded, replace it at the same time.