[AKJim]

Good morning from Alaska.

Ongoing icemaker problem on Kenmore Elite bottom freezer. Approximately 14 months old.

Unit worked no problem for the first 13 months. Then the ice maker stopped making ice. Water still dispenses and water line to ice maker not frozen.

Using the owner's manual, I tested the ice maker optics (ice bin level indicator). Frig thought the ice bin was "Full"; therefore, it was not filling the ice cube tray.

OK. I need a new ice maker - that is what I was told.

Installed first new ice maker and nothing. Installation was without a problem. I cycled power on both the ice maker and the frig/freezer itself a couple times. And amazingly the water flowed into the ice maker. Unit made approximately 6-8 batches of ice without a problem. Then it quit.

Cycled power as previously, no change.

Called AppliancePartsPro customer service and was sent another ice maker.

Installed the second ice maker - nothing. Cycled power as previous - no change. Tested optics - frig/freezer thinks ice bin is "full".

Is there another way to test the optics?
Is there a way to bypass the optics?

I am comfortable with the use of VOM.

Currently working with customer service and they suggested checking the actual temperature in the ice maker compartment. Thermometer going in now.

Thanks,
Jim

[AKJim]

I installed a thermometer in the ice cube bin.

Measured temp was 0F.

Additionally, the display on the outside of the frig (which measures both the frig and freezer temps) displays 0F for the freezer.


I will follow up with a continuity test of the water valve solenoid.


If the coil on the ice maker solenoid tests "good", is there a way to bypass the ice maker optics and open this solenoid electrically?

From my research on ice makers, the old style ice makers (before they utilized the optical sensors and relied on a mechanical "sensor" - it is simply a metal bar which when the ice bin is full causes this metal bar to rise - keeping the water valved closed) - run on sentence, my opologies.... but these old style ice makers could be "jumpered" to test the water valve.

Is this possible on the new style ice makers? Can the water valve be jumpered?

Thanks,
Jim

[milliedavenport]

Hi - I'm having the same problem. Kenmore Elite Refridge is 18 months old and two weeks ago, the ice maker stopped working. Water is being dispensed, however, it's not filling up the icetrays. Very frustrated and not sure what to do. Sounds like you have the same problem.

[AKJim]

Millie - it does sound like we have similar problems.

After replacing the actual ice maker assembly twice, I moved on to another cause of the problem.

And the problem does seem to be a lack of water being dispensed into the ice cube tray. And there is water at the water dispenser - just not going into the ice tray.

I replaced the water solenoid - still no water into the ice cube tray.

I will look into it further today.

Have you done a check on your ice maker optical sensor? The procedure is in your owner's manual.

Mine consistently reads "empty", but still no water being dispensed into the ice cube tray.

I think this must have the "experts" stumped, since none have responded to my posts.

Jim