Brand:whirlpool
**Model Number:**Gi5fsaxvy02
Main Symptom: ice maker doesn’t work and refrigerator gets warm
What happens & when: fan stops blowing into ice compartment and refrigerator section when the ice maker is switched on
Error Code (if any):
Parts or tests already tried: replaced high voltage control board
Photos / video link:
Thanks for the detailed description. On this Whirlpool-built KitchenAid model, the fact that the evaporator fan stops whenever the ice maker is turned on is a very important clue. Under normal operation, turning the ice maker on should not affect either the freezer evaporator fan or the air flow to the refrigerator section.
The most likely causes are:
A shorted ice maker assembly – An internal short in the ice maker motor or heater can pull down the voltage or interfere with the control circuit, causing the evaporator fan to shut off. Since the refrigerator warms up only when the ice maker is switched on, this is my primary suspect.
A wiring harness problem – Inspect the wiring where it passes through the freezer door hinge and around the ice maker. Broken or chafed wires can short together when the ice maker is energized and interrupt power to the evaporator fan.
Main electronic control board – If the ice maker and wiring both test good, the control board may be failing and incorrectly shutting down the evaporator fan circuit whenever it tries to power the ice maker.
Turn the ice maker off and let the refrigerator run for several hours. If the refrigerator section cools normally and the evaporator fan runs continuously, that confirms the problem is related to the ice maker circuit.
With the freezer door switch held closed, listen for the evaporator fan. Turn the ice maker on and off. If the fan consistently stops the instant the ice maker is turned on, you’ve narrowed the fault to the ice maker circuit or the control board.
If you’re comfortable using a multimeter, unplug the refrigerator and disconnect the ice maker connector. Then turn the refrigerator back on with the ice maker unplugged. If the fan now operates normally even with the ice maker switch on, the ice maker assembly itself is likely defective.
Can you also tell me:
Does the freezer stay cold while only the refrigerator warms up, or do both compartments warm up?
When the fan stops, do you hear the compressor continue running, or does the compressor shut off as well? These details will help determine whether we’re dealing with a fan circuit issue or the main control board.
I am not sure that you understand but the ice maker is in the refrigerator section, in the upper left corner. There is a fan that pulls cold air up from the freezer and blows it over the ice maker and into the refrigerator section. When the ice maker is switched on that fan does not run, but the evaporator fan in the freezer and the compressor still run
yeah sorry auto correct put freezer instead of refrigerator
techsheet-w10308615.pdf (775.3 KB)
Thank you , I just ran through the service tests and all three thermistors tested good. With the ice maker turned off the refrigerator cools normally.
I would suspect there is some sort of internal wiring fault with the icemaker. I would recommend puling the module on the front off the icemaker and inspecting it for burnt or broken contacts or wires
Ok, thank you. I check it out. Not sure it matters but in looking for any clue as to what is going on. I turned on the ice maker with the cover off and I saw the wheel turning rather quickly.
Yeah that wheel is built onto the module. If you take the screws out that hold it on you can access the back side where all the electrical contacts are
I did some experimenting, if I turn off the ice maker the fan kicks on. I can push either door switch and the fan will continue to run. The interior lights turn off but the fan continues to run. If I hold the switches closed and turn on the ice maker the fan immediately stops. Could it be the switches are bad? Or possibly the switch on the ice maker?
I really believe after seeing that burnt contact on your ice maker module that there is some kind of fault with your ice maker
Yeah, not only was it burnt but it was also bent.
Should I replace just the module or should I just buy a new ice maker?
At this point I would suggest replacing the whole ice maker ( Whirlpool WPW10190981 Refrigerator Ice Maker Assembly | Genuine OEM Part ) and be done with it. If you replace the module and there is an internal fault in the ice maker you’ll just be in the same position again
Ok, does that come with the wiring harness as well?
Regretfully no, here is the link to the wiring harness ( Whirlpool W11256689 Refrigerator Wire Harness | Genuine OEM Part )
