Category Archives: Ice Maker Repair

Test points and schematic diagram for a Whirlpool-built modular ice maker

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

How to manually start the harvest cycle on an LG icemaker

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

Electrolux french door, bottom-freezer refrigerator; ice maker evaporator in the fresh food compartment ices up every month or so and makes a knocking noise

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:

Ice accumulation on the evaporator in the ice maker compartment of an Electrolux french door bottom-mount refrigerator

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.

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

Whirlpool-built Modular Icemaker Wiring Diagram and Test Points

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!

Wiring Diagram and Test Points for a Whirlpool Modular Icemaker
(click to enlarge)

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

Frigidaire Refrigerator Will Not Stop Dispensing Ice and Sprays Water Instead of Pours

Jeff wrote:

The dispenser on my Frigidaire refrigerator, model number FRS6LF7JS3, is acting weird:

1 – Yesterday morning the water dispenser on my fridge began to spray water instead of pour it. Ok I will deal with it later.

2 – By 5 pm I return home and my wife indicates the ice maker is possessed. The ice maker would not stop dispensing crushed ice even without pressing the actuator on the exterior. if the door is closed it attempts to dispense crushed ice and the auger does not stop! Its actually not even really dispensing its building up crushed ice in the door hopper. So when you open the freezer door the crushed ice falls to the floor. I proceeded to unplug the ice container from the back of the freezer.

Any insight to the issue and the exact parts I should be replacing? Thank you in advance

The unpredictable auto-dispensing you describe is usually caused by a bad microswitch in the dispenser assembly. They can get wet from drippage or condensation and go wonky the way you’re describing. Let’s do a walk-through.

Here’s the breakdown of the dispenser where I’ve circled the key parts to check:

Frigidaire FRS6LF7JS3 Dispenser Breakdown
(click for larger view)

Unplug the refrigerator and remove item 23 to access the screws in the bottom of item 4. Remove item 4 and get some major eyeball action on items 38 and 38C looking for burn spots– usually (but not always) if one of these boards goes bad, there will be a visible burn spot.

Next, check the micro switches, items 38A, with a meter; simple continuity check while actuating each switch. Disconnect the wires from the switch before testing. Help making basic electrical measurements is in this post. If one is found bad, replace both.

You may also find the water tubing, item 1, disconnected from the fill spout which would explain the spraying action and would also contribute to the early demise of the microswitches from getting doused with water. If this is the case, you may need to replace the tubing, which is done from the front. But first, try pushing up a little slack from underneath the freezer door– you may be able to eke out just enough to re-make the connection. Installing the end of the tube into the spout requires some Samurai Finger Fortitude™ but persevere and ye shall overcome.

Here’s the shopping list of links for the parts you may need to complete this mission, depending on what you find:

Microswitch, Item 38A

dispenser microswitch


Dispenser Power Board, Item 38

Dispenser Power Board


Dispenser Control Board, Item 38C

Dispenser Control Board


Water Tubing, Item 1

dispenser water tubing


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

Get Your LG Appliance Parts Right Here at Your Local Online Appliance Repair Shop

What does “local” mean anymore in this age of the Internet? I mean, can you get any more local than right here on your computer screen? I know we look big time an’ all, but we’re a mom & pop (literally!) operation, too. Instead of a brick n’ mortar repair shop, we’re your online DIY appliance repair shop; we’re every bit (pardon the pun) as real and we’re as close as your compooter screen. How’s that for local?

Fun Fact to Know and Tell: The “local” appliance repair shop in your town or city cannot buy LG appliance parts directly from their parts dealer like they do for other appliance brands; they have to buy them directly from LG.

What does this mean for you? It means you’re gonna pay a higher price and wait longer to get LG parts if buy them from your “local” parts house.

LG.jpgBut the Samurai has the solution: buy your LG parts right here through Fixitnow.com– your local online appliance repair place– you’ll save mucho dinero and you’ll get your parts delivered lickety-split. Just use the handy links below:

LG Appliance Parts Links

Dishwashers
Dryers
Ice Makers
Refrigerators
Microwave Ovens
Ovens/Ranges/Stoves
Refrigerators
Washers

Troubleshooting Icemakers with the Fancy Optical Controls

Most icemakers are controlled by a simple wire feeler arm that hangs off the side of the icemaker. As the ice bucket fills up, it raises the feeler arm and eventually stops it from making any more ice so it doesn’t overfill the bucket.

But the engineers at Whirlpool were told that they needed to increase the usable space inside the freezer compartment without increasing the size of the compartment itself. To do this, they figgered they needed to re-design the icemaker, ice container system and freezer shelving. This needed what we professional appliantologists call Divine Intervention®.

pot-bellied, bald-headed buddhaSo the engineers burned some funny incense and chanted “OM” to the pot-bellied, bald-headed, golden Buddha. And, yea verily, the pot-bellied, bald-headed, golden Buddha did grin down upon them and granted them a miraculous vision of the electronified optical control icemaker system!

In this divinely-revealed icemaker control system, the mechanical feeler arm is replaced with the new optical controls, located on either side of the freezer liner, as shown below.

Whirlpool Optical Icemaker Controls.jpg

The optics use infrared light to sense the ice level in the ice bucket. The other change they made was to move the ice bucket from inside the freezer space to the freezer door. These changes increased the available usable space inside the freezer by over 50,000%! And the pot-bellied, bald-headed, golden Buddha did grin and the engineers did feast on fruit bats and breakfast cereals.

The main thing to keep in mind about this optical control system is that the only thing it really does is to shut off the icemaker. Other than that, it doesn’t affect the operation of the icemaker. There’s nothing new or special about the icemaker itself– it works the same way as the good ol’ Whirlpool-built modular icemaker that we’ve all come to know and love. So, for example, you can still manually start the harvest cycle the same way you would for any other Whirlpool-built modular icemaker with the feeler arm.

So that just leaves the optical control itself as something you may need to troubleshoot if you’re having problems with the icemaker not making ice… and that’s ezzacly what this spiffy troubleshooting flow chart will hepya do.

http://fixitnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/TroubleshootingOpticalIcemakerSystem.pdf

Word: This optical control system has been pretty reliable and I’ve not seen many of them fail. Most of the time, when I’m working on a no-ice complaint on one of these guys, I find either a bad icemaker or water inlet valve. But don’t be a parts changing monkey and just throw parts at it hoping to get lucky– do your troubleshooting so that, “…ye shall know the truth, and the Truth shall make you free.”

Can I hear an “Amen?”

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

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

When Was the Last Time You Replaced the Water Filter in Your Refrigerator?

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 and you’re drinking it all in! When was the last time you replaced the water filter in your refrigerator?

Most refrigerators today with ice makers or water through the door have water filters built in, which is much more convenient than installing one in the water supply line from your water source. Your refrigerator water filter is most likely located either inside the refrigerator cabinet, near the top, or in the grill at the bottom of the unit. Here’s a convenient listing of the most common replacement water filters for refrigerators.

Start your summer off in good health and replace the water filter in your refrigerator today!

Frigidaire PureSourcePlus Water Filter

Frigidaire PureSourcePlus Water Filter – Replacement filter for Frigidaire refrigerators equipped with the PureSource™ water filtration system. This is manufacturer part WFCB, and it replaces 530917752, RF-200, RC200, RC-101 and 46-9906.

Buy Now!
Frigidaire PureSource 2 Water Filter

Frigidaire PureSource 2 Water Filter – This filter fits all Frigidaire/Gibson front cassette refrigerator models. This is manufacturer part number WF2CB. This is Frigidaire’s newest, most advanced filtration system for refrigerators.

Buy Now!
Amana Clean 'n Clear Water Filter

Amana Clean ‘n Clear Water Filter – Single Pack Water Filter Replacement Cartridge. Easy do-it-yourself installation. This is manufacturer part number WF401S. Reduces waterborne contaminates, such as lead, giardia, cryptosporifium, altrazine, lindane, 2, 4-D & asbestos. Chlorine taste and odor is also reduced.

Buy Now!
Maytag/Amana/Jenn-Air PuriClean II Refrigerator Water Filter

Maytag/Amana/Jenn-Air PuriClean II Refrigerator Water Filter – The PuriClean II water filter is manufacturer part number UKF8001AXX. It is a high-quality carbon filter that reduces contaminants such as lead, cysts, pesticides, herbicides and much more. Replace annually or when the filter light is on.

Buy Now!
Maytag Puri-Clean Water Filter

Maytag Puri-Clean Water Filter – Puri-Clean water filter. This is manufacturer part UKF7001AXX.

Buy Now!
LG Premium Ice and Water Replacement Filter

LG Premium Ice and Water Replacement Filter – Replacement filter 5231JA2006A. This is a chemical and mechanical reduction filter, scale inhibitor included. Capacity 300 gallons. Reduces chlorine, taste and odor, sediment and rust.

Buy Now!
LG Premium Replacement Cartridge Filter

LG Premium Replacement Cartridge Filter – Replacement cartridge 5231JA2002A. This is a chemical and mechanical reduction filter. Capacity 500 gallons. Reduces chlorine taste, odor and rust.

Buy Now!
General Electric Water Filter Replacement, Built-In, Without Adapter

General Electric Water Filter Replacement, Built-In, Without Adapter – Replacement water filter cartridge for General Electric Water by Culligan built-in filtration system. This is manufacturer part MWF, and it replaces GWF01, GWF06, HWF, FXRC, FXRT, MXRC, HXRT, WR97X1006 and 46-9905. Does not include adapter. (Adapter is here.)

Buy Now!
Whirlpool Ice & Water Filter

Whirlpool Ice & Water Filter – Ice & water filter. This is manufacturer part 8171413. This filter fits all Whirlpool and KitchenAid water filtration system refrigerators manufactured with the water filter system built inside the refrigerator.

Buy Now!
Whirlpool EZ Change Advanced Water Filter by PUR

Whirlpool EZ Change Advanced Water Filter by PUR – Water and ice filter for Whirlpool refrigerators with the EZ Change Advanced water filter system. Compatible with refrigerators that accept filter number 4396710 and 4396711

Buy Now!
Whirlpool Ice and Water Filter

Whirlpool Ice and Water Filter – Ice and water filter in front access grille for refrigerators made by Whirlpool, including some Kitchen Aid and Kenmore refrigerators. This is manufacturer part 4396508, and it replaces 4392857, WF-NL300, WF-L500 and 4396163. Replace every 6 to 12 months.

Buy Now!
Whirlpool Ice and Water Filter - 2 pack

Whirlpool Ice and Water Filter – 2 pack – Ice and water filter in front access grille for refrigerators made by Whirlpool, including some Kitchen Aid and Kenmore refrigerators.

Buy Now!
Whirlpool Ice And Water Filter

Whirlpool Ice And Water Filter – Cyst ice and water filter for all Whirlpool – Kenmore – Kitchen Aid refrigerators with the filter below the freezer door. Activated carbon block. This is manufacturer part 4392922. Replace every 400 gal. or 6 months, whichever comes first.

Buy Now!
Universal Water Filter

Universal Water Filter – Universal Icemaker Water Filter – 10-inch water filter designed to improve the taste of drinking water and the clarity of ice cubes. Push-on fittings. Order an “Icemaker Installation Kit, Copper” for first time installation.

Buy Now!
Icemaker Water Filter Kit

Icemaker Water Filter Kit – Water filter kit for icemaker line. This is manufacturer part GXRTQ. Works with both plastic and copper lines. Includes quick disconnect fittings for easy replacement. Good for 6 months or 2,000 gallons.

Buy Now!