How many hours/day should a fridge be 'running' and how many should it be defrosting (I must do this manually)?

well. you have a unique problem...try an automatic timer...you can buy one from lowes or home depot. Get the plug in type that plugs into the wall outlet and you then plug the fridge into it. they run from about $5 to $50..depending on how fancy with the options you want to go. The $5 one only turns the device you have plugged into it on or off once a day...the $50 one may have options to turn it on or off multiple times a day. The only other recourse is to get ahold of a friend with a truck and get the replacement or buy a new fridge from lowes/home depot where they will deliver it and take the old one away...hope i helped. sounds like the thermostat went bad.