How to Replace the Start Relay on a Whirlpool WRB329DMBM Refrigerator, Step by Step Instructions
Step by step instructions for the Whirlpool WRB329DMBM (bottom freezer refrigerator, 18.7 cu ft). Parts and access points can differ a little by production year. The steps below cover the common layout for this platform, and the model notes flag its quirks.
You can replace a refrigerator start relay on a Whirlpool WRB329DMBM yourself in 20 to 40 minutes. Difficulty is moderate. A pro charges $100 to $200.
- 5 steps, 20 to 40 minutes, moderate difficulty.
- Tools you need are screwdriver, needle nose pliers, phone camera.
- Parts to buy are start relay/overload (and run capacitor if your model pairs them) for your exact model.
- Unplug the machine before you start.
Unplug the fridge and wait 10 minutes. If your setup includes a separate run capacitor, treat it as charged, discharge it with an insulated handle screwdriver across the terminals before touching. If that sentence gave you pause, this repair is pro territory.
Tools
- Screwdriver
- Needle nose pliers
- Phone camera
Parts
- Start relay/overload (and run capacitor if your model pairs them) for your exact model
Step by step
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1 Confirm the click
A warm fridge that clicks every 2 to 5 minutes from the lower back is the signature. Pull the fridge out and unplug it.
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2 Open the rear lower panel
The compressor is the black dome. The relay is the small plastic box plugged onto its side pins, often under a wire bail or cover.
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3 Pull and shake the old relay
Photo the wiring, unclip the cover, and pull the relay straight off the pins. Shake it. A rattle means burned internals, near certain confirmation.
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4 Plug on the new one
Push the new relay/overload onto the same pins, transfer wires per your photo, and refit any cover or bail.
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5 Test with your ears
Plug in and listen. A soft hum that settles into a steady run, no clicking, means the compressor started. Give it 4 to 6 hours before judging temperatures.
Whirlpool WRB329DMBM notes & error codes
Clear the drain and fit the heater clip as one job on any bottom freezer with water at the front of the drawer. Clearing the ice alone lasts about three months and reads to the customer as a failed repair.
| Code | What it means |
|---|---|
| Diagnostic mode | Door switch sequence enters service mode |
| Cooling off | Cooling disabled at the panel, check before diagnosing |
Full details for this machine, common problems, causes, and costs, are in the Whirlpool WRB329DMBM repair guide. The general version of these instructions is here.
If a new relay still clicks, the compressor itself is struggling, that’s sealed system territory, EPA certified work, and exactly the moment to stop DIYing and get a professional opinion on repair vs replace. If you'd rather skip it entirely, find a refrigerator repair pro near you
What this repair costs professionally
Sources
Where the safety, regulatory and warranty claims on this page come from. Repair costs are our own figures based on Arizona market rates and OEM parts pricing.
- Stationary Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (Section 608) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Refrigerant handling rules and the certification required to open a sealed system.
- Section 608 Technician Certification U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Which certification type covers household refrigerators and freezers.
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