Ice Maker

[rebapuck]

The ice maker in my HOME refrigerator has gone on the blink. I can order a new one. I cannot find instructions on line. They may come with the part, if I order it. Before I do, just how hard or easy is one to take out / put in?

[daveesl77]

Many refrigerators have the "optional" ice maker kit. In most cases, these will be self-contained units, having the motors and controls in the unit itself. Normally there will be a few mounting screws, plug in for the electrics and the water feed line. I've probably installed maybe 2-3 and if I remember it was pretty easy to do, like maybe 30-60 minutes. If yours has the motor built into the refrigerator, then you can find a way to maybe rig up an add-on unit.

dave

[wagondude]

http://repair2000.com/icemkr.html

Go here to get information on trouble shooting your ice maker. If you have questions, you can post in the forum with the make and model number of your fridge. They will answer your question and link to the part they recommend. The best part is, if it turns out that the part you buy does not fix the problem, they will let you return it for a refund. They have saved me a small fortune on repairs to my appliances.

[rebapuck]

I've thought on this today. The problem is water dribbling into the bucket. Seems to me that maybe it has to do with the water not shutting off after filling.

The above website did not list this in the troubleshooting list.

[wagondude]

Try posting in the refrigerator forum. Or maybe search first. Surely someone else has had the same problem. I had one once that kept freezing the water line where it fed into the tray. It started after I had a water softener installed. It quit doing it when we moved to a new house without the softener. Then the whole thing quit working a few years ago and got replaced. Had to replace the damper door in the new one a little over a year ago. The forum on that site was how I found out what the problem was.

Edit: I just tried the forum and it seems to be down at the moment. It sounds like your water valve may be leaking. You should still be able to search your model on the parts page to get an idea of what parts you may need and their cost.

[rebapuck]

Thanks. I think water valve is the part I need. Just watched a video. Seems very easy to replace.

[pmowers]

I've thought on this today. The problem is water dribbling into the bucket. Seems to me that maybe it has to do with the water not shutting off after filling.

The above website did not list this in the troubleshooting list.

In a previous life, I spent a summer making these things, they are pretty simple. They used a solenoid operated diaphragm valve to control the water. If the rubber is torn or a bit of grit gets underneath, then valve will leak. 4 screws/easy fix.

[rebapuck]

Just ordered on off eBay for 13.99. If it doesn't fix the problem, not a great loss.

[wagondude]

I hope you got it fixed. The auger that feeds the ice through the door failed on mine. The ice tray complete with the auger assembly is almost $200. I will need to replace three parts to repair the auger. Total cost of the parts is $50. I should have them Monday.

[rebapuck]

Well, I replaced the water fill valve, on the back, just now. There is no dribbling of water into the ice bucket. YAY! No water at all. NAY! The water is definitely turned back on. The electronic plug into the water valve had no indication of which way it went.

I wonder if the end of the hose at the freezer end is frozen clogged. It's time to cleanout the freezer anyway so I will let it thaw a bit.

Next fridge I get will definitely have wheels on it.

[rebapuck]

I used a hair dryer for about ten minutes. Surely any frozen spot was thawed. The bad news is that there is still no water in the ice tray. The good news is that the GFCI on my hair dryer works.

I turned the plug-in on the valve over. Still nada.