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Kenmore side by side ice maker not working

Kenmore side by side ice maker not working

New unit, but will not make ice. Or fill with water.

Asked by: Guest | Views: 401
Total answers/comments: 6
Guest [Entry]

"Here's the first thing to look at:

Water Inlet Valve

How it Works:

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 thru.

UPDATE

Ice Maker Assembly

How it Works:

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.

Icemaker Module.

How it Works:

If the ice maker is not working the icemaker module at the front might be defective. The module has a motor that cycles the ice ejector arms around to push the ice cubes out when the ice maker thermostat closes. It also has contacts in it for the mold heater and water inlet valve. The motor or contacts of the module can fail. Usually there are test points in the module that a service person can use to determine if there is a problem with it or one of the related ice maker components.

Low Water Pressure from House Supply

Other Causes and Conditions

How it Works:

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.

Door Switch

How it Works:

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.

Ice Level Control Board

How it Works:

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.

Water Filter

How it Works:

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

Icemaker Mold Thermostat

How it Works:

If the ice maker is not working the icemaker mold thermostat might be defective. Inside the control module of the ice maker is a thermostat which monitors the temperature of the ice mold (ice tray). Once the mold reaches the proper temperature the ice maker starts a harvest cycle by ejecting the ice cubes and refilling with water. If the mold thermostat is defective the ice maker doesn't advance. The thermostat can be checked for continuity. Replace it as needed.The freezer temp should be between 0-5 degrees for optimum performance.

Icemaker Switch

How it Works:

If the refrigerator ice maker is not working, check the icemaker switch. This switch frequently gets turned off by accident. If the switch is turned on but the ice maker still doesn't work, check the switch for continuity with an Ohm meter. Replace as needed.

You can find more ideas on the Frigidaire ice maker not working page (the fixes listed apply to most brands, not just Frigidaires)"
Guest [Entry]

"It is interesting how no one will touch on the number one reason why Ice makers fail. As a technical advisor for a major corporation, I see 95% of Ice making failure is inadequate door suction(seal) issues. The temperatures become unstable with warm air seeping into fresh food door if not suctioning to front of frig. When temperature sensor senses the warmer air, the controller keeps the compressor running overtime to maintain the 37 degrees in the fresh food. This will cause the freezer temp to fall below zero, which will freezer the tip of the water tube that provides the Icemaker with water. It is a fact that anytime the freezer drops below zero, the defrost cycles can no longer maintain a thawed water tube for the IM. Please keep in mind that the controller's main priority is the fresh food, since a 3 degree increase will cause rapid food spoilage.

The door suction must be maintained. Most technicians as well as ""so called experts"" are totally unaware that the doors need to be self closing. The doors are big suction cups. A suction cup needs pressure to stick. The doors need their own weight to press them, through use of the earth's gravity. The leveling rollers or legs need to be adjusted to provide a tilt back of the frig to enable the earth's gravity to get ahold of these doors/drawers. Suction will happen while compressor is active, due to air flow; the compressor shuts down and all suction is lost. Just as your dart fell off the mirror when you shot your dart at the mirror as a kid, so does the frig doors from the front of frig. If you tilt the frig back, your doors will be heavy to the front of the frig cabinet and will suction. Temperatures will stabilize in frig and freezer. Within 24 hours, the defrost cycles will thaw the water tube and ice production will start.

Obviously there can be other variables that can contribute to bad suction, such as a damaged door gasket. One should always be looking for the obvious.

Yes, there are other potential causes, but I find that 9 out of 10 times, if the frig doesn't even have the basic conditions needed for successful ice making, then how can you even begin to blame the problem on failed parts....that can get very expensive- Door suction issues can cause water flow issues to the dispenser as well, as the compressor overworks and brings in an extreme amount of cold air, which freezes the water tube and reservoir in back of frig behind back wall. Temps should be a perfect balance of 37 frig, 0 freezer with good door suction. With water flow and good temps, the IM should make ice. If you have perfect conditions first, and still do not have ice, then you can start looking at replacing Ice machine or inlet valve depending on situation."
Guest [Entry]

I have a Kenmore elite that is just two years old and the ice maker in the door stopped working. I read so many blogs and what little tech Sears and coldspot provided and decided it was the ice maker. Bought a replacement and same thing. Started tracing wires and noticed that the harness that goes from the main controls up through the freezer door is severely angled and flexes every time the door is opened. I opened up the casing the harness is in and found two broken wires. I have been looking for a replacement harness and find nothing. Not listed in the parts manual. Sears parts people cannot find the part. I have repaired the wires but it didn't last. The angle is too severe and I am not happy. I will never buy another in door ice maker.
Guest [Entry]

If your doors are not self closing, all of these symptoms will occur. Please read my above explanation to solve your issue. Your doors need to suction to front of frig using the earth's gravity. They will suction when compressor is on, because of air flow. Once it reaches its desired temp in fresh food, the freezer will be way below zero and water lines will be frozen. The frig shuts compressor down at 37 degrees and then doors fall off front of cabinet (gravity pulls them off) and warm air seeps in. It then turns back on and starts the cycle over and over again.
Guest [Entry]

"I had the same issue and I tried everything and it didn’t work. I read most of the strings here and I came up on the wire harness. I looked on the frig and I found all wires were fine but the cover was not properly latched. I did that and voilaaah it started working and no problem.

That solved my problem but I dont know if it will do the same to you"
Guest [Entry]

My kenmore refrigerator send message door ajar and not work dispenser, no ice, no water and all door are close firm