Common issues with ice makers include flooding, failing to make ice and leaking.
Check that the problem isn't coming from the water inlet valve, water line or fan.
Ice makers generally last about three to 10 years, with their durability depending greatly on water quality and how often it's used. McCombs Supply has the replacement ice-maker assembly kits for brands like LG, SamSung, Kelvinator, Whirlpool, Amana, Jenn Air, Kenmore, Magic Chef, Maytag, Roper, GE Hotpoint, RCA, Electrolux, Crosley, Frigidaire and Gibson.
How an Icemaker works
First, the ice-maker module's motor rotates to energize the water valve filling the ice-maker with water.
This process takes 24 hours after installation, since there is a thermostat in the module that has to reach 12 degree Fahrenheit.
Once the water freezes, the thermostat in the module will close and begin the harvest cycle. The heater on the bottom of the ice-maker will warm the mold (tray) to loosen the ice cubes while the icemaker motor rotates to eject the ice cubes, once the ice cubes eject the cycle starts all over.
When the ice bin is full the metal or plastic bale arm will hit the ice, or the ice will block an electronic sensor beam to turn the ice-maker off. What process is used depends on the ice-maker and refrigerator model.
If your ice-maker is not producing ice or not producing ice correctly (clumping or not consistently dropping ice), there are steps you can take to check if the problem is the ice-maker or another appliance part.
Common Issues
Customer: “I bought an icemaker from you and it doesn’t work."
McCombs: “Was the icemaker installed for more than 24 hours?”
The answer is usually no.
There is a thermostat within the IM900 (part no. D7824706Q), the IM943 (part number 4317943) and the IM597 (part no. 2198597). These units will need time to get cold before they can produce ice.
If after waiting 24 hours and the problem continues, then use a volt meter and check to see if you have 115 volts (voltage may vary depending on the voltage in the house).
Use an inexpensive test meter to check the voltage.
Remove the front cover and on the letters “L” and ”N” on the face of the icemaker check to see if you have the voltage to the icemaker.
If you get a reading of “zero” then the icemaker is likely bad.
If the voltage is good, then check to see if the water valve is good.
Take a piece of insulated wire, about 2-3 inches long, and strip both ends about a 1/4 inch and see if you get water in the maker by jumping L and V. If you do, then the icemaker needs replaced. If you do not, then you have a bad water valve.
The IM597 (part no. 2198597) iuses an infrared beam otherwise known as the emitter and receiver boards (part number 4389102).
If the 24 hours passes and it still does not produce ice, then open the freezer door and push in the flap on the left without blocking the beam.
Here is a video troubleshooting a no-ice complaint and testing/replacing a Whirlpool modular ice-maker.
What kind of light do you get on the right?
If it is a solid red light, the “Ice Man” says the control boards are working. If you get two blinks and a pause, then the boards are bad and need replaced.
If the boards are good, then check the ice-maker and make sure electricity is going to it with a volt meter.
Tape the flap on the left so it does not block the beam and then remove the front cover of the ice-maker and on the letter "L" and "N" on the face of the ice-maker check to see if you have the voltage (115 volts) to the ice-maker (voltage may vary depending on the voltage in house). If no voltage then check the cord.
The cords have fuses and the fuses can be blown. You can replace the cord. Some cords are available. But if the cord is not available for sale, then you will have to buy another ice-maker.
If voltage(115V)is present, check to see if the water valve is good.
Water Valve
With the water valve, customers will say, “It seems like the ice-maker is overflowing, leaking. Make sure the ice-maker is level.
Water not reaching the ice cube tray could indicate a problem with the water inlet valve, but not always.
The water line from the water valve to the ice maker can freeze, not letting water into the ice maker.
A clogged water filter could also cause low or no water flow to the ice maker. Once you check for clogging and the line is free, you should check the water valve.
The water valve is usually found at the bottom rear of the refrigerator.
Clumping
The ice-maker is producing ice, but the ice is clumping. We get this concern, and “Ice Man” says there is NO good solution for clumping.
He says to unplug the ice-maker and see if the water valve is dripping. This could cause the clumping. If the water valve is dripping than the water valve has a clog.
If the water valve is NOT dripping, the problem is likely the ice-maker.
Other problems include a failure to stop making ice, and the unit freezing up. Often if it does not stop making ice it is an arm-bar issue.
Arm-bar
For the IM900 and IM943: We get concerns that the ice-maker is producing ice, but doesn’t stop making ice.
Make sure the bail wire above the ice collection drawer is not locked in its upper position. This shuts off the ice.
Does it stay in the upright position or fall back down? You may have to reinstall the arm bar. It does not come installed properly. You must reinstall the arm bar.
If you buy the correct ice-maker but the arm-bar is not long enough and it keeps making ice, you will have to use the arm-bar off the old ice-maker (Note: We don’t have the longer arm bars in stock, but we can get them).
If your ice maker doesn’t make ice or doesn’t work at all, try these do-it-yourself ice maker repairs before calling a pro.
Install and let the temperature set for 24 hours. If no ice after 24 hours, make sure the water tube is not frozen. This is a common problem. GE ice-makers are electronic and are difficult to test.
Whirlpool is really the only ice-makers you can test, or a least, the easiest to test, the “Ice Man” said.
Check These Areas
If the ice maker doesn’t make ice but you can see the arm swing into motion and you hear a buzz for about 10 seconds, check the water supply line. McCombs has Supco plastic water supply line with saddle vavle (part number PT25E).
The water valve is asking for water that isn’t arriving. This means the valve and the solenoid are probably okay, but the water supply is not. Be sure the water supply line isn’t kinked behind or beneath the refrigerator (1/4-inch copper tubing is much better than plastic fill line to prevent kinks).
McCombs Supply Co. is here to assist with any of your icemaker needs. Our focus is to keep your icemaker running, or at the very least, make sure you have a replacement icemaker that works well.
Our high-quality after market and manufacturer approved replacement parts work perfectly with the likes of many popular refrigerator models.
Call us at 717-299-3866 or email us at supplystuf@gmail.com if you can’t find what you are looking for. We are happy to assist.
