I went ahead and ordered a new ice thickness thermostat. Couldn't wait for them to reply for returns.

I will try to return the current one in the meantime.

But is it evident that the problem lies by the ice thickness thermostat?

I guess that is what changes the cycle, so it should be the ice thickness thermostat which is kaput!

Even though it works(without changing cycle to defrost cycle) with the kaput one I ordered.