Ice dispenser door motor causing dimming/water shut off

[trevs]

Brand: KitchenAid
**Model Number:**KSSC48QVS02
Main Symptom: ice door makes display dim and water dispenser shut off.
What happens & when: When dispensing ice the display dims about 50% for a few seconds, then brightens when the ice door is fully open. The display dims again when the ice door closes. If the water dispenser is running when the ice door closes, it will shut itself off and the oz. number on the display resets to zero. Could the ice door motor be drawing too much current?

Error Code (if any): None
Parts or tests already tried: None
Photos / video link:

Dim when ice door is moving:

[WilliamM_APP_Team]

@trevs

KSSC48QVS02

Hi Trevs,

It’s very possible that the issue is with the dispenser door motor, which could be preventing proper operation.

To check this, you can do the following:

1. Turn off power using the power switch in the compressor section.

2. Remove the ice bin.

3. Remove the outer door panel (door skin) to access the dispenser components.

4. Locate the dispenser door motor and disconnect its wire harness.

Once the motor is unplugged, you can temporarily reassemble the dispenser area enough to safely test operation.

5. Turn the power back on.

6. Press the ice dispenser paddle and observe the control panel.

Does the LED dim when the dispenser paddle is pressed?

[trevs]

That sounds like a good test. I’ll try it and post back.

[trevs]

I haven’t taken off the door skin before; it looks like there are screws along the top and bottom edges, as well as down the hinge side of the door and two in the oce dispenser recess.

Any other hidden attachments I need to look for?

[WilliamM_APP_Team]

Not that I am aware of.

[trevs]

I received the new ice door motor today and the problem persists. While the ice door is activated, opening or closing, the display dims as above, and the water dispenser if running trips off.

does this suggest a problem with the control board?

[WilliamM_APP_Team]

It is very likely. When the motor was removed for testing, did the display dim at all when the dispenser was activated?

[trevs]

No; with the door motor disconnected, the light doesn’t dim. Perhaps a tiny bit as the ice auger goes, but minimally.

[WilliamM_APP_Team]

@trevs

KSSC48QVS02

If there is not a section of damaged wire visible at the bottom door hinge, there would be one last test to identify if the failure is in the dispenser control or if the issue may be in what the manufacturer calls the Niagara control in the compressor section. At the wire connection on the bottom of the door, there will be a red wire with a yellow stripe that would need to be tested for 14 Volts DC to the black wire with a yellow stripe while the dispenser is pressed and the door motor installed. If voltage maintains 14 Volts DC, the dispenser control would be the likely cause of failure. If the voltage fluctuates or drops, the Niagara control would be the likely cause of failure. Here are links to each part for reference.

Dispenser control- https://www.appliancepartspros.com/whirlpool-cover-assy-ui-wp2321746-ap6007328.html

Niagara control- https://www.appliancepartspros.com/whirlpool-control-elek-niagra-wp2318054-ap6007276.html

[trevs]

Thanks for your reply; I see several wire connectors in the box near the botom door hinge. There appear to be two connectors with red/yellow + black yellow: a 3-pin with small gauge and an 8-pin with larger gauge.

can you tell me which harness is the correct one, and how I access the contacts if the connector is plugged in?

Sorry for my ignorance.

[trevs]

[WilliamM_APP_Team]

Testing would be at the 8 pin connector. There should be enough slack to be able to rotate the right side (in the picture) towards the front. The little tabs on the sides of the connector can be gently pried away and then pulled toward the harness. This will open up the wires for testing. If a small lead is needed for the meter probes, a small section of a paper clip can be secured to each probe to act as needle leads.

[trevs]

I got a fluctuating reading around 10v DC across the red/yellow-black yellow at rest, which dropped to 7-8v when the ice door activated.

So the Niagara board should be replaced next? Part number WP2318054?

[trevs]

Door closed:

Door opening:

[WilliamM_APP_Team]

With the readings you are finding, it does look like the Niagara control is dropping voltage when a load is applied to the P5 connection. If there was a wire short, we would likely seethe issue happen even with the ice door motor disconnected. Since the ice door motor has already been replaced, and the original did the same thing, it does isolate the issue to the Niagara control WP2318054. WP2318054 Refrigerator Electronic Control Board | Genuine Whirlpool OEM In Stock

[trevs]

Thank you for the guidance and patience. Part is ordered and I’ll report back.

[trevs]

I got the new control board installed and the problem is fixed. The light stays bright even as the ice door activates. Thank you for your help!