GE Refrigerator Cold Control Thermostat Parts — Models & Compatibility

If your GE refrigerator's running constantly but the fridge section's still too warm, or you've got frost building up in the freezer, there's a good chance your cold control thermostat has failed. The WR9X499 thermostat controls the temperature cycling in hundreds of GE, Hotpoint, Kenmore, and RCA side-by-side models from the TFX and TFH series. When this part fails, you'll see symptoms ranging from both compartments being too warm to excessive frost buildup because the compressor won't shut off properly.

Is This the Right Part for Your Model?

Check your model number against the compatibility list below. You'll find your model number on a sticker inside the fresh food section — usually on the left or right wall, sometimes on the ceiling. GE side-by-side models typically have model numbers starting with TFX, TFH, or ZIS. The WR9X499 replaces several part numbers including AP2061705, PS310865, WR09X0499, AH310865, and EA310865, so if you've got any of those numbers written down from a previous repair, this is your part.

About This Replacement Part

The cold control thermostat is the brain of your refrigerator's cooling system. It monitors the temperature inside the fridge compartment and signals the compressor to turn on and off. When it fails, you'll typically notice the fridge section warming up first — milk goes bad faster, vegetables wilt — while the freezer might still seem okay. Or you'll get the opposite: the freezer gets rock-solid cold while the fridge barely cools. Some units won't start at all if the thermostat's stuck open. The most common failure mode is the contacts wearing out after years of cycling, which means the compressor either runs 24/7 or doesn't run at all. This part fits most GE side-by-side refrigerators built from the late 1990s through the early 2010s.

Common Symptoms That Point to This Part

Your refrigerator's trying to tell you the thermostat's failed when you see these issues: the fridge compartment staying too warm even though the freezer works fine, frost buildup in the freezer because the defrost cycle isn't timing correctly, the compressor running continuously without ever shutting off, or the entire unit not starting when you plug it back in after cleaning. Some models will have both the fridge and freezer running too warm because the thermostat isn't calling for cooling at all. If you hear the compressor running but there's no cooling happening, that's usually a different issue — but if it's dead silent and nothing's cold, check this thermostat first.

Compatible GE Models

This thermostat works across GE's most popular side-by-side series. Here are the confirmed compatible models:

• TFX25JWYDWW — GE side-by-side
• TFX22JRSAAD — GE side-by-side
• TFX20JRBKWW — GE side-by-side
• TFX25PABBWW — GE side-by-side
• TFX22ZASAWH — GE side-by-side
• TFH24PRSMWW — GE side-by-side
• TFX25PABCAA — GE side-by-side
• TFX22ZRSAWH — GE side-by-side
• TFX25JRYDWW — GE side-by-side
• TFX25PABGAA — GE side-by-side
• TFX22ZRXAAA — GE side-by-side
• TFH24PRSBWW — GE side-by-side
• TFX25PABGBB — GE side-by-side
• TFX24CRXAAA — GE side-by-side
• TFH22PRSMWW — GE side-by-side
• TFX20SAXFWW — GE side-by-side
• TFX25JRYFWW — GE side-by-side
• TFX22CRXAAA — GE side-by-side
• TFX20JRXDWH — GE side-by-side
• MSH22GR — GE side-by-side

This list represents the most common models, but the WR9X499 fits dozens more across the GE, Hotpoint, Kenmore, and RCA brands. If your model number starts with TFX, TFH, or certain ZIS prefixes, it's likely compatible.

What to Check Before Ordering

Before you order, verify your model number exactly — even one letter difference can mean a different thermostat location or mounting style. Pull the old thermostat out and compare the terminal configuration if you're unsure. The WR9X499 has a specific capillary tube length and sensing bulb size, so visual confirmation helps. Also check that the issue isn't something simpler like a blocked air vent or a door seal that's letting warm air in. If the compressor's hot to the touch and running constantly, the thermostat's probably your culprit. If the compressor's cold and silent, you might have a power supply issue instead.