PDA

View Full Version : Ice Maker - Appliance tip of the week



jeff1
12-23-2012, 03:26 AM
Appliance tip of the week...

ICE MAKERS:

If the ice maker is not working check the temperature of the freezer. If the freezer temperature is above 10 degrees F. (-12C) the ice maker will not work properly. It functions best when the freezer temperature is set between 0 and five degrees F. (-18 to -15C). If the freezer temp is too high make sure the condenser coil is clean and the condenser fan is working to cool the condenser and compressor. Check the evaporator coil for frost. If too much frost is built up the air can't circulate thru the coil and you will need to check the defrost components for a failure.

If the refrigerator ice maker is not working the water inlet valve might be defective. The water inlet valve is an electro-mechanical valve. The coil can show good for continuity and still not let the water through.

If the ice maker is not working it could be that the ice maker assembly itself is defective. The freezer temp should be between 0-5 degrees for the ice maker to cycle properly. There are several components in the control module of the ice maker that can fail and most are not sold separately. Also, ice makers have a relatively short lifespan and so it might not be worth fixing. If other, simpler parts like the water inlet valve or shut off arm have been ruled out, and the only thing left is the ice maker itself, replace it as a unit.

If the ice maker is not working the water pressure in the house might be too low. The water inlet valve which supplies water to the ice maker is designed to work with a minimum of 20 psi of water pressure.

If the refrigerator ice maker is not working, the door switch might be defective. When the freezer door is opened the freezer door switch does two things, it turns on the light in the freezer and turns off the ice maker and dispenser. If the door switch fails the dispenser will not turn on. The switch can be checked for continuity with an Ohm meter. If it doesn?t have continuity it should be replaced

If the ice maker is not working the ice level control board might be defective. This refrigerator is equipped with an infrared light beam to detect the level of ice in the ice bucket. As the level of ice reaches the top, the beam is interrupted and the ice maker shuts off. As ice is used up and the level of ice drops below the beam, the ice maker starts up again. If the ice level control board fails, the ice maker will stop making ice.

If the refrigerator ice maker is not working the water filter might be clogged. Try changing the water filter.

77
Power control board kit, emitter and receiver icemaker control (http://www.repairclinic.com/referral.asp?R=153&N=921526)

78
Repair kit. Icemaker control module with ice stripper & ejector arm. For In-Door Ice models (http://www.repairclinic.com/referral.asp?R=153&N=961550)

79
Water filter (http://www.repairclinic.com/referral.asp?R=153&N=1446373)

jeff.