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Appliance Tips of the Week - Ice maker troubles

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  • Appliance Tips of the Week - Ice maker troubles

    Appliance Tip of the Week...

    Ice maker troubles: Won't fill with water -


    The ice maker will not fill with water - There are a few things to check for...one is a ice blockage in the fill spout tube, this is the hose that caries the water into the freezer section and to the icemaker. If the elbow & tube has a ice blockage, it is usually best to replace the fill valve and the shut off valve. A very LARGE problem in the last few years has been the self piercing shut off valve clogging up with calcium and junk! Replace the self piercing shut off valve with a drill type shut off valve. You drill a 1/4" hole into the pipe and install the shut off valve the same way you would with a self piercing valve. If the fill spout hose is clear of ice, possible the fill valve has failed. You can test the fill valve coil several ways, ohm test - check coil on fill valve for continuity - no continuity = bad valve, volt test - cycle icemaker and check for 100-110 volts to fill valve....proper power to the valve and no water usually = bad fill valve. You can also make up a test cord and put 110 volts to the fill valve alone to see if it is capable of passing water in to a bucket. If the water supply lines are ok and the fill valve is functioning properly, you probably have a icemaker problem and may need a new one. This test cannot be done to all refrigerators, if any doubt post your full model and serial #'s in the Q&A section and we will check on this for you.
    Hollow ice cubes:


    This is often a low water problem, the fill valve and shut off valve are bad for getting a build up inside them that slows the water pressure to the icemaker. I find it best to replace them both for this type of problem. A very LARGE problem in the last few years has been the self piercing shut off valve clogging up with calcium and junk! Replace the self piercing shut off valve with a drill type shut off valve. You drill a 1/4" hole into the pipe and install the shut off valve the same way you would with a self piercing valve.
    Ice Maker is overflowing and leaking into the ice bucket:


    There are several things to check for. Go for the easy stuff first, make sure the ice maker is level, some of the plastic liner fridge's will move and allow the icemaker to tilt over and leak. Other troublemakers..... the fill valve staying on and over filling the icemaker..... the finish sometimes comes off the icemaker body and all the ice cubes don't come out. This will allow the new water to fill on top of an icemaker that still has a ice cube or two left inside the body, if you have had trouble with black specs in your ice cubes, this may have been the beginning of your finish problem on the icemaker body. On the module style ice makers (Whirlpool, Maytag Family, Sub Zero) the printed circuit in the module head often wears and the contacts become too long and allow the icemaker to over fill = new ice maker or new module head.
    Ice Maker Not Working:


    Many ice makers can be tested from the main board with "on board diagnostics". The ice makers are totally contained, meaning the parts are enclosed and not replaceable, but are testable. If you have an ice maker that is not working, access the diagnostics to see what has failed.

    The ice maker must get the appropriate voltages (AC and DC) from the main control board. Check the wiring diagram for the refrigerator and find the ice maker. Locate the plug which supplies the AC and DC voltages to the I/M, there will be different plugs supplying these voltages.

    On the plug, check the two wires that supply each of the voltages. Ensure you have the correct voltages. If not, replace the board. If you have both voltages, check at the I/M to ensure you are getting the voltages. If so, the I/M is not functioning and indicates a problem with the ice maker.

    Ice Maker Repair and Maintenance Parts



    Related Links
    1. Ice Maker Fill Valves
    2. Ice Machine/Ice Maker Fuse or Sensor Parts
    3. Refrigerator Ice Bin, Bucket, or Tray
    ​jeff sr.
    Appliance Repair Aid
    http://www.applianceaid.com/

    Dear Santa,
    I've been good all year.
    Most of the time.
    Once in a while.
    Never mind, I'll buy my own stuff!
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