I’m hoping that someone can help - I have a 2-drawer, under-counter Sub-Zero freezer (model # 700BFI) that’s having problems making ice:

The symptoms are that the ice maker creates ice very slowly (maybe taking 3 to 4 hours per cycle – much longer than it did when new), the tray sits for ages empty of ice, but is not advancing to the “fill” cycle. Also, I am getting a small amount of water spillage from the ice making tray on most cycles.


I removed, thawed/cleaned and re-installed the ice maker, as I thought that there might be a component that was permanently iced up - no difference, still didn't function properly.


The freezer is cooling perfectly and is level.


Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!


Dave

Hi Gene,

Thanks for such a rapid reply, and for the diagnosis.

- Dave

Well.......... unfortunately no sign of the fat lady yet!

I ordered the replacement ice maker and also bought a water valve while I was at it. Turned out that my old i/m had fried the heating element.

To cut a very long story short, I now appear not to have the required 110v entering the wiring harness - I'm getting zero volts across all combinations of the 6-pin internal sidewall-mounted socket. I can only assume that I accidently shorted something out along the way (although I'd swear that the unit was powered off every time I did anything "electrical"). When I first experienced the ice maker problem, all the pins metered-out correctly (i.e. I had power to the i/m).

The freezer continues to cool perfectly and all the lightiing/display functions are fine. I just don't have any power to the ice maker!

I've tried cycling the power, and holding the door-open switch closed - not sure if it makes any difference. I've also searched high and low for a wiring diagram - no luck so far.

I've pulled the lower panel off and eased out the tray with the compressor/etc. on it, expecting to find a fuse or similar - I can't see anything that vaguely resembles any form of overload/short protection.

Any ideas?? I'm really struggling with this - the nearest SZ service shop is about an hour away, so a DIY fix has many attractions.

Further words of wisdom would be hugely appreciated!!

- Dave

Hi Gene,

Thanks for the prompt reply (yet again), especially given the late hour!

I re-checked the in-harness thermo-fuse and get perfect end-to-end conductivity.

Even if the thermo-fuse was dud, would it explain why I don't get any volts "upstream" of the harness? - I don't have juice on any of the pins coming out of the side-wall socket that the harness plugs into. All connections to the i/m are dead.

Is the 110v supply to an ice maker socket/harness normally fused or protected in some way?

I'm still actively trying to find either a service manual or a wiring diagram for the SZ BF/i - they seem to be rare items!

At this point, I'm at a loss on how to move forward - thoughts, as always, would be greatly appreciated!

- Dave

Thank you for your reply Gene.

I'll call the number in the morning - although I suspect that they will insist that I get it done by an authorized repair center.

Do you have any idea where the control board is located on the SZ 700 (or what I should look for)? I can't see anything electrical under the unit beyond a transformer, connectors, master on/off switch, etc.

Thanks again for indulging my ramblings - I've really appreciated your help.

- Dave