Appliance Spares
Quick answer: A Westinghouse fridge that is warm but the freezer still works most commonly has a failed evaporator fan motor or a blown defrost thermal fuse (DTT assembly). The fan motor for Westinghouse WTB-series models is $45.95, the thermostat is $18.95, and the DTT assembly is $24.95 — parts your local appliance repairer may not stock but we ship Australia-wide from Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
The part that fixes this
- WESTINGHOUSE FRIDGE FAN MOTOR WTB5400SA, WTB5400WA, WTB5404SA, WTB5404SB
- WESTINGHOUSE FRIDGE FAN MOTOR WTB4600SA, WTB4600SB, WTB4600SC, WTB4600WA, WTB4600WC
- Westinghouse Fridge Evaporator (Freezer) Fan Motor RJ390M, RJ275M, RJ300M, RJ340M
Not sure it is the same on your machine? See every part listed by Westinghouse model number.
Last updated September 2026
Shop Westinghouse fridge parts:
Fan Motor (WTB5400SA, WTB5404SA/SB) — $45.95 ·
Fan Motor (WTB4600SA/SB/SC/WA/WC) — $45.95 ·
Evaporator Fan Motor (RJ390M, RJ275M, RJ300M, RJ340M) — $35.95 ·
Condenser Fan Motor (RS592V, RS612V, RS825S) — $39.95 ·
Thermostat p/n 1409938 — $18.95 ·
Thermal Fuse DTT Assembly (WSE6070SF, WSE6070WF, WSE6100SF) — $24.95 ·
Not sure? Use the Part Finder
How does a Westinghouse frost-free fridge work?
Westinghouse refrigerators sold in Australia have been built on the Electrolux platform for many years. This means they share the same fundamental frost-free refrigeration architecture used across Electrolux and Kelvinator models — and in some cases, share the same replacement parts.
The system works like this: a compressor circulates refrigerant through an evaporator coil located behind a panel in the freezer section. An evaporator fan motor draws air over the cold coil and pushes it through internal ducts into both the freezer and the fridge sections. The temperature in each section is regulated by a thermostat that cycles the compressor on and off.
On Westinghouse models, there are two components beyond the fan motor that fail more often than on some other brands. The thermostat — a mechanical capillary-tube type on many older WTB and RJ series models — can drift out of calibration or fail outright after years of service. And the defrost thermal fuse (DTT assembly) on Westinghouse upright frost-free models is a known wear item: it is a one-shot safety device that trips permanently if the defrost heater runs too hot, and once it trips, the defrost system stops working entirely.
Why Westinghouse and Electrolux/Kelvinator share parts
Westinghouse was acquired by Electrolux in 2001. Since then, Westinghouse-branded fridges have been produced on Electrolux’s manufacturing platform. This is practically useful for repair: the thermostat listed as part number 1409938 on our site suits Westinghouse, Kelvinator, and Electrolux models, because the same component was used across all three brands during overlapping production years.
If you are looking for a Westinghouse part and cannot find an exact match, it is worth searching for the equivalent Electrolux or Kelvinator part number. Our Part Finder will surface the correct part for your model number regardless of which brand name appears on the front.
What causes a Westinghouse fridge not to cool?
| Cause | Likelihood | Symptoms | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evaporator fan motor failed | Very likely | Fridge warm, freezer cold, no airflow from fridge vents, possible buzzing noise before failure | Replace evaporator fan motor — DIY, 30–40 minutes |
| Defrost thermal fuse (DTT assembly) blown | Likely | Fridge warms gradually, large ice block on evaporator behind freezer panel, defrost system stopped | Manual defrost, then replace DTT assembly |
| Thermostat fault | Possible | Fridge consistently warmer than set temperature, compressor cycles too short | Replace thermostat |
| Door seal worn or damaged | Possible | Compressor runs almost continuously, frost around door edges, higher power bill | Replace door gasket |
| PCB or control board fault | Rare | Erratic temperature, compressor behaving unexpectedly, error codes on display models | Licensed technician or PCB replacement |
How to diagnose a Westinghouse fridge that is not cooling
- Check both compartments. If both the fridge and freezer are warm and the compressor is silent, the refrigeration circuit has failed — call a licensed technician. If only the fridge section is warm and the freezer is still cold, proceed.
- Listen for the evaporator fan. Open the fridge door (or tape down the door switch to keep the light off) and listen for fan noise from the freezer side. No fan noise while the compressor runs strongly suggests fan motor failure.
- Check for airflow at the vents. Hold your hand at the cold air vents inside the fridge section (rear wall or top). No airflow confirms either a stopped fan or a blocked evaporator.
- Inspect the freezer evaporator. Remove all drawers and shelves from the freezer, then unscrew the back panel (two to four Phillips-head screws). If the evaporator coil is covered in a thick layer of ice, the defrost system — most likely the DTT assembly — has failed. If the coil looks clear, the fan motor has stopped.
- Manual defrost test. If there is ice build-up, unplug the fridge and leave both doors open for 24–48 hours. If it cools normally afterwards but warms up again after a few weeks, replace the DTT assembly or defrost heater.
- Check the door seals. Slide a piece of paper through the closed door seal on each side. If it pulls out without resistance, the seal is not seating properly.
- Note the model number. The model sticker is on the interior door frame or the side wall inside the fridge. You will need the full model number to confirm the correct parts for your specific unit.
How to replace the evaporator fan motor on a Westinghouse WTB-series fridge
- Unplug the fridge at the wall. Safety first — never disassemble a live appliance.
- Empty the freezer and remove shelves and drawers.
- Remove the freezer back panel (two to four screws). Set screws aside carefully.
- Locate the fan motor assembly mounted on a bracket above or adjacent to the evaporator coil.
- Disconnect the wiring connector — press the locking tab and pull straight out.
- Unscrew the motor bracket (two or three screws) and remove the motor. The fan blade is a push-fit — pull it straight off the shaft.
- Fit the new motor, press the fan blade back onto the shaft, refit the bracket screws, and reconnect the wiring connector.
- Refit the back panel and all shelves and drawers.
- Plug the fridge in. The fridge section should return to temperature within 90–120 minutes. Monitor for the first two hours to confirm airflow has restored.
Parts for this repair: Fan Motor WTB5400/5404 — $45.95 · Fan Motor WTB4600 — $45.95 · DTT Assembly (WSE6070/WSE6100) — $24.95
When the thermostat or DTT assembly is the issue
If the evaporator fan is running and there is no ice block on the evaporator, but the fridge section still runs warmer than it should, the thermostat is the next suspect. On mechanical thermostat models (common on WTB and RJ series), the thermostat controls the temperature set point by cycling the compressor. A thermostat that has drifted or partially failed will allow the fridge to run warmer than the dial setting. Replacing the thermostat (part number 1409938, suits Westinghouse/Kelvinator/Electrolux) is a straightforward DIY job: locate the thermostat in the fridge section (usually behind a cover near the top), unclip it, note the capillary tube routing, fit the new unit, and route the capillary tube the same way.
The DTT (defrost thermal) assembly is a one-time thermal fuse that protects the defrost heater from overheating. Once it trips, it cannot be reset — it must be replaced. The replacement is straightforward: unplug the fridge, remove the freezer back panel, locate the DTT clipped to the evaporator, disconnect the two wiring terminals, and fit the replacement. The DTT assembly for WSE6070SF, WSE6070WF, and WSE6100SF models is $24.95.
Frequently asked questions
My Westinghouse fridge is warm but the freezer is fine — what should I check first?
Remove the freezer back panel and look at the evaporator coil. If it is encased in ice, the defrost system (most likely the DTT assembly) has failed. If the coil looks clear, the evaporator fan motor has stopped. These two causes account for the vast majority of warm-fridge-cold-freezer faults on Westinghouse models.
Where can I get Westinghouse fridge parts in Australia?
We stock a range of Westinghouse fridge spare parts and ship Australia-wide from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with same-day dispatch on orders placed before 2 pm AEST on business days. Use the Part Finder with your model number, or browse Westinghouse fridge parts directly. Because Westinghouse shares the Electrolux platform, some parts are listed under both brand names.
Can I use an Electrolux or Kelvinator thermostat in my Westinghouse fridge?
Yes, for many models. The thermostat listed as p/n 1409938 suits Westinghouse, Kelvinator, and Electrolux models that share the same platform. Always confirm using your full model number before ordering.
How do I know if the DTT assembly has blown on my Westinghouse fridge?
The clearest sign is a large build-up of ice on the evaporator coil (behind the freezer back panel), combined with the fridge section gradually warming over days or weeks. A manual defrost will restore cooling temporarily, but the ice will return within two to three weeks if the DTT (or defrost heater) is not replaced. A multimeter test across the DTT terminals — looking for continuity — will confirm whether it has blown.
Is it worth repairing a Westinghouse fridge that is ten or more years old?
In most cases, yes — if the compressor is still functioning. Fan motors ($35.95–$45.95), thermostats ($18.95), and DTT assemblies ($24.95) are low-cost repairs that can extend the fridge’s service life by several years. The calculation changes if the compressor has failed, as compressor replacement on an older fridge is rarely cost-effective.
Related
- Westinghouse model pages — every part we stock by model number
- Westinghouse Fridge Fan Motor (WTB5400SA, WTB5404SA, WTB5404SB)
- Westinghouse Fridge Fan Motor (WTB4600SA/SB/SC/WA/WC)
- Westinghouse Evaporator Fan Motor (RJ390M, RJ275M, RJ300M, RJ340M)
- Westinghouse Condenser Fan Motor (RS592V, RS612V, RS825S)
- Westinghouse/Kelvinator/Electrolux Fridge Thermostat p/n 1409938
- Westinghouse Thermal Fuse DTT Assembly (WSE6070SF, WSE6070WF, WSE6100SF)
- All Westinghouse fridge spare parts
- Part Finder — find parts by model number
Ready to fix it?
- Locate the model sticker on the interior door frame or side wall of your Westinghouse fridge.
- Inspect the evaporator (remove the freezer back panel) — ice block means DTT/defrost fault, clear coil means fan motor.
- Use the Part Finder or browse Westinghouse fridge parts to confirm the right part for your model.
- Order before 2 pm AEST on business days for same-day dispatch from Sydney’s Northern Beaches.
- Follow the steps above — most Westinghouse fan motor and DTT repairs take under 40 minutes with standard hand tools.
Disclaimer: this article is general information only and is provided without warranty of any kind. Appliance designs vary between models and production runs — always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, switch off and unplug the appliance before starting any work, and confirm parts against the model number on your appliance’s model sticker. Any repair is undertaken at your own risk and Oz Appliance Spares accepts no liability for injury, loss or damage arising from work performed after reading this guide, to the maximum extent permitted by law. If in doubt, use a qualified technician.
