Ice machine leaks when dispensing water

Refrigerator & Freezer Repair
1

Hello everyone! Lately I’ve been experiencing a very annoying problem with my ice maker. I think I’ve diagnosed when it happens, and when it doesn’t and was hoping someone with experience can tell me exactly what I need to fix/replace.

Basically, when I dispense drinking water from the door, the ice machine inlet drips water. This water eventually clogs up the ice maker, causing further issues.

However, I’ve caught the ice machine filling itself up, and after the valve shuts off, I do NOT observe the dripping.

My research leads me to the water inlet valves in the back of the unit, either the primary water inlet valve, or one of the secondary valves that dispense water to the ice machine/door. The primary water valve routes directly to the water filter, then back to a secondary valve, then after that I’ve never really looked at it too hard to know/understand what is going on!

I would think, but don’t know for sure, that if I only observe the problem when I fill up water from the door dispenser, that it’s not my primary valve. Maybe I’m completely off about the problem, but I definitely want to get this fixed!

Any ideas which valve I need to replace, my guess is the secondary?

Thanks!
–Michael

2

Disconnect both lines coming out of the dual water inlet valve on the back where your water supply comes in. Try the water switch and watch what happens with both valves. Both while you have the switch depressed and after you release it to see if the water comes out some in both lines and if it keeps leaking when you release the switch.

3

Switch? Hmm, I’ve looked both of these valves up and down before, but I never saw a way to manually trigger them, other than figure out a way to send a current through them. Might I have just missed it?

Here’s a picture of the both valves if you think you can tell me where I should look,

primary
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/ctrfs.aspx?part_id=4013716&&model_id=5177470&diagram_id=1355506

secondary
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/ctrfs.aspx?part_id=4009555&&model_id=5177470&diagram_id=1355506

4

I meant the water dispenser actuator switch in the door. You’ll need someone to help so you can watch it.