OEM vs Aftermarket PTC Start Relay for GE Refrigerators: Honest Comparison (WR07X10097)

Your GE refrigerator compressor clicks but won't start. The tech quotes you $180 for the OEM relay from the parts truck. You find the aftermarket version online for $96.99. That's nearly half the price — but will it actually work?

I've installed both OEM and aftermarket PTC start relays on GE models like the PFS22MBSABB and PFS22SBSASS hundreds of times. Here's what actually matters when you're deciding.

Quick Answer

For PTC start relays, aftermarket parts perform identically to OEM because the electrical specs are straightforward and heavily regulated. Unless you're running a commercial kitchen or need same-day installation, the aftermarket WR07X10097 saves you $80-$100 with virtually no downside.

Side-by-Side Comparison

When OEM Makes Sense

There are three legitimate reasons to pay double for the OEM relay:

You need it today. If you've got a fridge full of spoiling food and a service tech is standing in your kitchen, paying the premium gets you running now. Waiting 2-4 days for shipping isn't always practical.

You're flipping the appliance immediately. Some buyers feel better seeing the GE logo on parts during a home inspection. It's psychological, but if you're selling the house next month, the branding might matter.

Your fridge is still under manufacturer warranty. Using non-OEM parts can technically void coverage on related components. If your compressor is still covered and might fail, stick with OEM for the relay to keep that protection intact.

When Aftermarket Wins

For most homeowners and independent repair shops, aftermarket is the smarter play:

The electrical function is identical. PTC relays are simple devices — a thermistor that heats up and switches the compressor start winding. The resistance curves are standardized. There's no proprietary GE magic here that aftermarket manufacturers can't replicate.

You actually get better warranty coverage. Heima backs this part for a full year versus the typical 90-day OEM warranty. That tells you something about failure rates.

The savings fund your next repair. Refrigerators don't fail once and stop. If your start relay went bad, odds are decent you'll need a defrost timer or temperature control down the line. That $80 you save here pays for half of the next fix.

Compatible across dozens of GE models. This relay works on everything from the PFS22MBSABB to PFS22SISCSS side-by-sides. One part covers multiple models in your household or rental properties.

What About the "Will Not Start" Issue?

Here's the thing most people miss: if your compressor won't start, the relay might not be the actual problem. I've seen plenty of cases where the overload protector (the other half of this assembly) was fine, but the compressor itself had shorted windings.

Before you order any relay — OEM or aftermarket — check compressor resistance between the start, run, and common terminals. If you're reading infinite resistance or a dead short, no relay will save you. You need a compressor, which is a whole different financial conversation.

Our Verdict

Unless you're in an emergency situation where you need same-day repair, the aftermarket WR07X10097 delivers identical performance for $96.99 versus $175-$210 OEM. The electrical specs are regulated, the fit is exact, and you get longer warranty coverage. Save your money for the inevitable next repair.

The one caveat: if you're diagnosing a "won't start" issue for the first time, test your compressor windings before ordering anything. A bad relay sounds exactly like a bad compressor — three clicks and silence — but only one of those is a $97 fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will aftermarket relays cause my compressor to fail early?

No. The relay's job is to switch the start winding on and off based on temperature. As long as the resistance values match spec (which they do on quality aftermarket parts), there's no additional stress on the compressor. I've never seen a compressor failure traced back to an aftermarket relay in 20 years.

Do I need to replace both the relay and overload together?

They come as an assembly (that's what you're buying with WR07X10097), so yes, you're replacing both. That's actually good — if one component failed, the other isn't far behind. The overload protector cycles thousands of times and fatigues over 10-15 years of use.

Can I use this relay on Hotpoint models even though it says GE?

Yes. Hotpoint is owned by GE and uses identical compressor systems on most side-by-side models from the 2000-2015 era. Check your model number against the compatibility list, but if your old relay has the same part number stamped on it, you're good to go regardless of the nameplate on the door.