Freezer Bimetal Defrost Thermostat Compatibility Question

[Ja2022]

Greetings.  I have a JS42PPDUDB01 fridge and am looking to replace the bimetal defrost thermostat.  The leaflet that came with the fridge lists the part number as 2321799.  Most sites say WPW10225581 is a compatible replacement for this part number so I bought one.  However, it measures open circuit when warm unlike the original part which measures 55k.  I guess the fridge uses this to detect a wiring discontinuity like an alarm panel?  Looking at parts lists online shows the part as WPW10160570 which is an exact match in appearance to the actual part.  So is this a critical requirement and do I need to buy WPW10160570 which is 5x the cost?  Are there any other equivalent part numbers? Thanks.

[Ja2022]

Actually the leaflet specs 2317087, I had too many part numbers written down.  But the rest still holds.

[16345Ed]

It’s suppose to be open when warm. It closes at temp based specs of thermostat. 

[16345Ed]

Yes you need Part number: WPW10160570

http://www.appliancepartspros.com/ShowPartImage.aspx?forumimg=WPW10160570

Edited February 1, 2022 by 16345Ed

[Ja2022]

Is the 56k inside the thermostat or in the harness? I have to look more closely later. If I just put a 1/2w 56k resistor in parallel with WPW10225581 it should be equivalent?

[Budget Appliance Repair]

The 56K resistor is built into the OEM defrost t-stat.

Not sure that it really needs the resistor - If I'm correct it just a diagnostic aid.