Your Name: David

Type of Appliance: Ice Maker

Brand: whirlpool

Model Number: 628370rev.a

Your Precious Words:
The ice from my ice maker has a funny smell and aftertaste. This ice maker replaced an older one of the same model. The previous one did not seem to have this problem. What do you think it could be?

Hi David,

It’s probably just the finish on the ice maker mold.

Like we learned in Navy Boot Camp: anything new is dirty. You don’t know what’s on the mold in the ice maker- could be residual oils, dusts from the factory, dirty fingers from workers… who knows?

When I install a new ice maker, I like to at least give the ice mold a good rinse with hot water. You don’t need to go Howard Hughes sterile, you’re just trying to get it reasonably clean.

Then I always tell the customer to dump the first three batches of ice. After that, they’re good to go.

Also, it’s always a good idea to make sure the water filter in your refrigerator is fresh and changed every six months, even if you’re on city water. Maybe I should say especially if you’re on city water! Some city water tastes like a dirty swimming pool. A filter that’s changed regularly will really help cut out the smells and garbage that can become amplified when the water is made into ice cubes. If your refrigerator isn’t equipped with a water filter, it’s easy to install an add-on filter.

We carry water filters for every brand and model of refrigerator, including universal add-on filters; come get one for your refrigerator here ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/Filter-Parts?s=t-refrigerator+water+filters-%3d%3dc43?RCAID=24038

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box at www.fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Sometimes, when an ice maker stops working, it’s something simple. In this case, it was an ice clump stuck between the ice maker and the compartment wall jamming the ice maker.

This particular Samsung refrigerator is model number RFG297HDWP/XAA. It’s a French Door / bottom freezer unit with the ice maker in the upper (fresh food) compartment in its own little cubby. Watch with amazement as the Samurai practices his art.

Sometimes, it’s not this simple. In fact, in this particular model group, it’s very common for the ice maker to fail; many professional servicers will even stock the ice maker as truck stock. If you’re not as lucky as the folks in this video, you’ll need to replace the ice maker. You can buy it here with a 365-day return policy ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Ice-Maker-Assembly/DA9707365A/2002456

To learn more about your ice maker, or to order parts, click here.

Appliantology Newsletter Making Refrigerator Water Safe Mid-April 2012 What kind of gookus is lurking in the water and ice from your refrigerator? Short answer: you don’t wanna know! As the water filter in your refrigerator removes bad taste and scale from the water used in your ice maker and fountain, it accumulates lots of poisonous yucky stuff often found in tap water such as lead, asbestos, chlorine, giardia, cysts, pesticides, and herbicides. But after six to 12 months of use, the water filter becomes saturated and needs to be replaced because it’s no longer filtering out the bad stuff. Instead, you’re drinking it all in. Replacing the water filter is a snap and we have replacement filters for all brands and models of refrigerators and even add-on filters. Check out our selection of refrigerator water filters. Adding an ice maker to your refrigerator is a snap! Looking to replace your dearly departed icemaker? Sick of filling ice cube trays and you’re finally ready to install an icemaker kit in your fridge? Figuring out which kit you need can be confusing. Let this handy table be your guiding light. And check out these recent episodes of our award-winning podcast: - Why does an icemaker fill tube keep plugging up with ice? - Flex tray ice maker in a Samsung refrigerator not making ice Death By Chocolate This decadent dessert is a legend at our parish’s Paschal (Easter) feast – the serving bowl is often literally licked clean when everyone is done! It’s super easy because it relies on box mixes and Cool Whip, but somehow the combination of the various ingredients results in a surprisingly tasty and even elegant completed dish. Come git you some! The Appliantology Academy www.Appliantology.org

The icemakers in these KitchenAid refrigerators are actually built by Whirlpool Corporation (as is the whole refrigerator itself). So the troubleshooting information will be identical. Here are a couple docs that’ll help you fix a problem with these ice makers:

Troubleshooting Flowchart for the Ice Maker Itself:

Download (PDF, 131.12KB)

Troubleshooting Flowchart for the Optical Controls for the Ice Maker:

Download (PDF, 48.62KB)

To learn more about your ice maker, or to order parts, click here.

Your Name: K. Gaff

Type of Appliance: Ice Maker

Brand: Samsung

Model Number: RS2533VQ

Your Precious Words:
I can hear the electric connection click when moving the arm to the right side of the unit up and down. Tray is in the dump position,and will not rotate by hand. No water is currently in fill tube. Wife says, I need to fix it right now or no supper.

Click the play button in the audio player below to hear my reply:

Your Name: VICKI
Type of Appliance: Refrigerator
Brand: Frigidaire
Model Number: FRS22ZRF
Your Precious Words:
We have replaced the ice maker. Tried tapeing to insulate the tube for the water, and it still will not make ice. Tube keeps freezing in freezer. We have also turned down the freezer. I have to keep mopping water up in front of the frig too, because, my husband says he thinks thats from the insde hose being blown off when it freezes up. We need to know why it freezes. Thank yo so much, Vicki

Icemaker fill valves for all brands and models ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/Ice-Maker-Valve-Or-Float-Assembly-Parts

Click the play button in the audio player below to listen to my reply.

Graeme wrote:

I have a Whirlpool Gold 2 Door Refrigerator with an indoor Icemaker. There was no water coming into the icemaker so I removed it to see if I coild figure out why it was not getting water and my Daughter rotated the “ice ejector” you know the thing that says “Do not rotate manually”!! SIGH!! How do I figure out how to get this back into its correct alignment and how do I figure out why there is no water coming upto the ice maker. There is water coming to the water dispenser so that means there is water coming into refrigerator. thanks for your help

Well, budrow, you’re into it for a new ice maker kit right off the bat– if it wasn’t broken before, it is now. A bad ice maker may also be the reason there’s no water getting to it. It’s the ice maker’s job to call for water.

The water inlet valve on your fridge is a dual coil valve: one side for the ice maker and the other for the dispenser. The ice maker coil could be burned out. Check the resistance with your multimeter. If it reads open, it’s bad.

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box at my website. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Samurai Appliance Repair Man
The Samurai Appliance Repair Forums – http://appliantology.org

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

First, some pearls of wisdom from Sublime Master Kurtiusinterupptus in the Samurai School of Appliantology:

1. Remove receiver board (right side) and insert wire into plug in black/black-white wire locations . This effectively bypasses the optics for test purposes. if you have no black/blk-white wires in the plug don’t panic, just chose the two wires beside the blank hole, not on the end.

2. test for voltage at the 4 wire harness plug, black to white and black to green…should have 120vac in both places. if not, inline fuse is open or wire is broken or separated in the liner. very bad and prolly not repairable (the broken wire not the fuse).

3. if voltage is present, hookup i/m and test at the points on the motor module head previously noted L and N…should have 120vac.

4. if voltage is present, install jumper between test points T and H…this should start the icemaker on a rotation if all the above outlined conditions are true. if it doesn’t, the motor on the module is bad. if it does start, reinstall i/m and wait till it fills and parks. remove jumpers and reinstall optics receiver. icemaker should work…if not, we have proven the icemaker assembly is good and the optics must be at fault, regardless of whether the light flashes are checking good or not.

And this enhancement from Grand Master appl.tech.29501:

The optics jumper wire cam remain until the cycle has completed.

The T & H jumper must be removed from the module once the cycle has started
if you listen closely at the beginning of the cycle you will hear the contacts in the module
“click” at about the 10 sec. mark its ok to remove the jumper at this point. I usually just
count to 12 and pull it out and the module should continue the harvest.

If you do not remove the T & H jumper and the cycle completes it will either blow
the new harness fuse or the module….

(click for larger view)

Also, see this illustrative wiring diagram… http://appliantology.org/gallery/image/55-manually-jumpering-the-optics-board-in-a-whirlpool-idi-system/

Whirlpool Optical Ice Maker Revised Diagnostics

To learn more about your ice maker, or to order parts, click here.

Refrigerator and Ice Maker Maintenance

We’re trying out a new concept for a newsletter here in Samurai-land. In
addition to the quarterly (or so) full-blown newsletter with lots of
diverse information, we’re going to experiment with a monthly, shorter
issue that focuses on scheduled preventative maintenance tips for specific
appliances. Let us know whatcha think. If it’s not useful to you, then
please lemme know ‘cuz, if that’s the case, then I’d rather be out hiking
in the mountains instead of playing tippety-tap on the keyboard.

This being early Spring, we usually start getting lots of refrigerator and
ice maker service calls. Here are some things you can do that may help
avoid a service call on these cold appliances.

Refrigerator or stand-alone Freezer

Manual Defrost Refrigerator or Freezer

On manual-defrost refrigerator/freezers, check for frost build up in the
freezer. If there’s more than half an inch, it’s time for a defrosting.
Remove all the food, unplug the unit, and block open the door to let all
the frost melt. On upright units, this can make a wet mess on the floor so
put some towels down. On chest freezers, there will either be a drain or
all the water will collect in the bottom and can then be sponged out.

NEVER ever even think about using a putty knife or any kind of sharp metal
to scrape the frost off. It is very easy to puncture the evaporator and
ruin the refrigerator. Ain’t no going back from that one, Hoss.

Automatic Defrost Refrigerator or Freezer

On self-defrosting refrigerator/freezers, clean the drain pan underneath
the refrigerator that collects water (Some are not accessible. Don’t worry
if you can’t find yours). No need to go crazy, just wipe out the dog hair
and dried gookus so you don’t get a scum floatilla with stinkus when the
flood of condensate starts with the more humid weather.

Clean the refrigerator cooling fan and the condenser coils. The coils are
underneath the refrigerator. They are usually black and look like a series
of small tubes and “fins” connecting the tubes. Order a refrigerator
condenser brush to make the job easier: http://fixitnow.com/?p=6234

Check the door seals to be sure they are sealing properly against the frame
of the refrigerator/freezer. While you can get by with weak seals during
the colder, dryer winter months, they’ll let in lots of heat and moisture
during the humid, warm summer months and cause all kinda weird problems
inside the box. Do the Federal Reserve Note test: take your favorite
Federal Reserve Note and close the door on it, then give it a tug. Should
require some tension to pull it out. If not, that’s a weak spot in the
gasket. Do this all the way around the both doors.

If the gaskets are torn, or don’t seal properly, the refrigerator or
freezer may not cool properly. You may also start seeing frost formations
in weird locations inside the beer compartment or the freezer. This
problem is worse when the weather is warmer and more humid. Clean the
gaskets and frame with warm soapy water so they don’t stick to the frame.

Inspect the back wall of the freezer for any frost build up. It’s not
normal to have any frost on the back wall or floor of a self-defrosting
appliance. The presence of frost is normally an indication the
self-defrosting system has a problem. You can remove the back wall inside
the freezer to get some eyeballs on the evaporator coil. This page will
help you interpret what you see: http://fixitnow.com/?p=6036

For help troubleshooting warm refrigerator problems, use our warm
refrigerator flowchart: http://fixitnow.com/?p=4296

Ice Maker

If you have a built-in ice/water filter, replace the filter approximately
every six months. If you don’t have a water filter, and you find your ice
tastes bad and/or smells funny, use a “taste and odor” water filter on the
incoming water supply line. A universal water filter will fix ya right up.

We carry filters for all refrigerator brands and models:

http://fixitnow.com/?p=4102

If you don’t have an icemaker, consider installing one now before the
Department of Energy outlaws them. No chit, Mon, they’re really moving to
do exactly that, see this topic at the Samurai School of Appliantology for
more info:

http://appliantology.org/topic/30729-doe-to-ban-ice-makers/

Many people don’t realize that virtually all refrigerators are set up to
easily accept an add-on icemaker. Many refrigerators have a tag inside the
freezer at the back that gives a kit number indicating exactly what kind of
icemaker will fit in that refrigerator. We carry add-on icemaker kits that
fit virtually every refrigerator/freezer on the market, most are
conveniently laid out for you on this page:

http://appliancepartsresource.com/ice_maker_accessories.php

If you’re having a problem with your refrigerator, freezer, or ice maker,
come get free help from the appliantological masters in the Samurai School
of Appliantology:

http://appliantology.org

Kanpai!

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

http://fixitnow.com

• Refrigerator Condenser Brush

(click it to git it)

• Universal Replacement Water Filter

(click it to git it)

• Refrigerator / Ice Maker Water Filter (available for all brands and models)

• Replacement or Add-on Ice Maker Kits (available for all brands and models)

That would be the temperature sensing thing called a thermistor. The icemaker uses it to make decisions about when to make ice.

(click for larger view)

This particular example is from an LG refrigerator model LRSC26923TT but all the LG models are similar. Samsung’s icemaker’s use the same thermistor arrangement, too.

Usually the thermistor can be clipped right back in place as shown below:

(click for larger view)

If yours is broken for some reason, you’ll need to replace the icemaker, which you can get right here for the LG model LRSC26923TT ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Ice-Maker-Assembly/1266867?modelNumber=LRSC26923TT

For other models and brands, you can look up the icemaker using your model number on the icemaker page, right here ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/Ice-Maker-Parts

Test cycle / manual harvest for the GE electronic icemaker.

To learn more about your ice maker, or to order parts, click here.

This ice maker has developed a leak between the control head and the mold, not uncommon in these cheesy GE icemakers.

The Fix: Replace the icemaker==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Ice-Maker-Assembly/1399596

To learn more about your ice maker, or to order parts, click here.

The little ice maker inside the freezer compartment of a refrigerator is called a modular ice maker. Most of these ice makers are built by Whirlpool regardless of the refrigerator brand. The exceptions are GE, LG, and Samsung.

Go ahead and download this handy troubleshooting sheet and share it with all your friends. Makes a great gift for Thanksgiving!

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

http://fixitnow.com

Parts==> http://parts.fixitnow.com
Forum==> http://applianceguru.com
Facebook==> http://facebook.fixitnow.com
Twitter==> http://twitter.fixitnow.com

Sent from my iPod

Sometimes, you need to manually start the harvest cycle in an ice maker when you’re troubleshooting a problem. Examples would be a mystery leak in the ice bucket or no ice. In the LG ice makers, manually starting the harvest cycle is as simple as pressing a button.

To start the harvest cycle, press and hold the fill key for 3 seconds. The icemaker will run thru:
harvest –> fill –> ice making.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man
http://fixitnow.com

Parts==> http://parts.fixitnow.com
Forums==> http://applianceguru.com
Facebook==> http://facebook.fixitnow.com
Twitter==> http://twitter.fixitnow.com
Newsletter==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com

Heads up on the Electrolux french door bottom freezer refrigerators, example model number EI28BS56IS0, with the ice in the refrigerator compartment and has it’s own evaporator. The problem we’re starting to see in the field is that the unit will run fine for about 30 to 45 days. Then the ice accumulation on the ice maker evaporator starts and this makes a knocking noise in the fridge. See the pic below:

To get rid of the noise, the refrigerator will need to be shut down for a couple days to melt the ice. Then the unit will run fine for another 30 – 45 days and the whole knocking noise, ice formation starts again. And these units are less than a year old! What’s a disgruntled Electrolux customer to do?

As it turns out, Electrolux has a re-work kit for this that they’ll send out free of charge under warranty. This is not a fun job and if you can get a warranty servicer to do this for you, you’ll be much happier.

Viking DFSB483 ice maker leaking… or is it really just a frozen fill tube causing the leak? Hmm… http://ow.ly/2Bulz

LG refrigerator ice dispenser door won’t always close reliably. What’s it gonna take to whip it good? http://ow.ly/2AUAA

Older LG fridge ice dispenser door closing problem… and solutions http://ow.ly/2Ajkj

Whirlpool-built Modular Icemaker Wiring Diagram and Test Points

This ice maker is used throughout the appliance industry in many different brands and models including Sub-Zero, Amana, Maytag, Kenmore, Frigidaire, Electrolux, and others. Download this diagram and keep it handy. Better yet, bookmark Fixitnow.com!

(click to enlarge)