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Joined: 3/23/2011(UTC)
Posts: 2
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I recently replaced the ice maker optic board (emitter and receiver) because the ice maker was making ice and the ice bin was overflowing. That fixed the ice maker for two weeks, but the problem is back. At this point, I don't know if the sensor is bad again or if the ice maker is stuck in the harvest mode. Right now, the switch to the ice maker is pushed to 'OFF', but it still just keeps making ice.
I also notice a small ice cycle hanging on the ice maker itself - on the back of the IM, left side as you stand and look at the unit.
Does anyone know how I can trouble shoot the IM?
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Rank: Member
Groups: Registered
Joined: 3/23/2011(UTC)
Posts: 2
|
Well, the ice maker seems to be fixed. The repair manual that I found on the internet was interesting in helping me understand how the system works, and it had a diagnostic feature to it, but strangely once you performed the tests and you found where it failed, the manual never told you what part to replace! Basically, it told you that the ice maker was broken and that was about it.
Anyway, there seems to be only 5 parts to a whirlpool/Kenmore ice maker:
1. Ice level sensor (eye beam)
2. Control motor (motor rotates to eject the ice - mine was stuck in the eject mode which is termed the 'harvest mode')
3. mold heater (turns on right before the ice is ejected to melt the outside layer of ice to make ejecting easy)
4. mold thermostat (closes at 17 degrees - indicates that water is now ice and motor can run when ice is needed)
5. water inlet valve (injects water in to the ice mold)
I tested the sensor system according to the manual and it tested fine (I had to first power down the unit to get it out of harvest mode). I tested the thermostat according to the manual and it was fine (closed at 17 degrees and opened at 25 degrees). I knew that nothing was wrong with the water inlet valve. So, it was down to the control motor and/or the mold heater.
According to internet posts, I was pretty certain that the problem was the control motor. But, the mold heater was starting to degrade and flake apart (poor manufacturing like the rest of this unit!).
$150 later, I have a rebuilt ice maker! And that is probably half of what a service call would have cost to do the same repair.
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