Jenn-Air Fountain Refrig Issues

Refrigerator & Freezer Repair
,
1

Recently had a burn out on my fountain touch pad. Both the control board and touch pad, along with the wire harnesses and any plastic next the units melted. Prior to the burnout, the light would not go out, everything seemed to work fine except the light.

I replaced everything I thought needed to be replaced, such as the cnrtl-elec (AP4068351), CNTRL Board (AP4068159), limit switch (AP4069438), light socket, wire harnesses (AP61003458) (AP61004775), Ice door Fountain Kit (AP4068333), insulation, etc. Its a plug and play senario, very easy to install. After installation, I noticed everything worked fine except the cubed ice, half the time it dispensed crushed. The light, lock, water and crushed buttons worked great. I was okay with half cubed… Been installed for approx. 5 days and…

Until last night about 4pm, the water came on by itself, made a mess on the floor and we could not shut it off until we opened the freezer door. Now nothing works in the touch pad, except the light stays constantly on.

I need my refrig back, any suggestions whether the new cntrl board, touch pad or limit switch went out? What would have caused the new issue?

Thanks
DG

2

Any suggestions? Give me a Guess…

3

[quote=7arrows9;333066]Recently had a burn out on my fountain touch pad. Both the control board and touch pad, along with the wire harnesses and any plastic next the units melted. Prior to the burnout, the light would not go out, everything seemed to work fine except the light.

I replaced everything I thought needed to be replaced, such as the cnrtl-elec (AP4068351), CNTRL Board (AP4068159), limit switch (AP4069438), light socket, wire harnesses (AP61003458) (AP61004775), Ice door Fountain Kit (AP4068333), insulation, etc. Its a plug and play senario, very easy to install. After installation, I noticed everything worked fine except the cubed ice, half the time it dispensed crushed. The light, lock, water and crushed buttons worked great. I was okay with half cubed… Been installed for approx. 5 days and…

Until last night about 4pm, the water came on by itself, made a mess on the floor and we could not shut it off until we opened the freezer door. Now nothing works in the touch pad, except the light stays constantly on.

I need my refrig back, any suggestions whether the new cntrl board, touch pad or limit switch went out? What would have caused the new issue?

Thanks
DG[/quote]

DG,

The original problem, was most likely due to a bad, shorted, flapper solenoid, or limit switch.

Where it me I would, re order the control board(just in case it was damaged) and the flapper solenoid kit, and actuator pad.

I’m pretty sure everything else would be OK, unless it “melted down” again.

AP6009994

AP4009082

AP4068394

You also need to make sure that the barrier pad, is installed between the two control boards, so hey don’t short each other out.

AP4068353

Good Luck,
:slight_smile: :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

4

Exactley what happened twice, both times the flapper solenoid over heated, melted all the items around it, including shorted out the control board. I have all barrier pads installed. Any clue what else could be causing the issue?

5

What you have tested and repaired is the most common problem,

If the limit switch has a low voltage bleed through(anything as low as 4 VAC), due to wiring, water getting in switch, or collapsed dispenser pad, it will allow a bleed through and cause the solenoid to overheat and a “melt down” occurs.

The extreme possibilities are,

Any component controlled by that dispenser board, has a loose connection or improper circuit resistance in the component, can cause a malfunction,as well.

Usually any component that is starting to fail, makes a noise of some sort, or will operate intermittently, in most cases.

Does anything like that, ring a bell ?

:cool: :cool: :cool:

6

Great comments, thank you. I have replaced all the units twice now. The two control boards, the barrier between, all the wiring harnesses, the limit switch, the Ice door Fountain Kit (with flapper, pad and solenoid), new spring and light socket. All your suggestions I considered and made sure all connections are tight and dry when installing. When taking it apart after the melt down - everything looks dry. The aftermath is the solenoid is extremely hot, has melted everything around it and the control board has burned/blown numerous resistors.

I know Jenn-air uses the same parts as whirlpool and Maytag, could the control board or solenoid possibly have issues and compitable with Jenn-Air? I really need my rerigerator back…

And yes it will make a noise right before it goes haywire and then all breaks loose. It begins to dispense either water or ice and the smoke begins (the melting I assume).

7

[quote=7arrows9;366636]Great comments, thank you. I have replaced all the units twice now. The two control boards, the barrier between, all the wiring harnesses, the limit switch, the Ice door Fountain Kit (with flapper, pad and solenoid), new spring and light socket. All your suggestions I considered and made sure all connections are tight and dry when installing. When taking it apart after the melt down - everything looks dry. The aftermath is the solenoid is extremely hot, has melted everything around it and the control board has burned/blown numerous resistors.

I know Jenn-air uses the same parts as whirlpool and Maytag, could the control board or solenoid possibly have issues and compitable with Jenn-Air? I really need my rerigerator back…

And yes it will make a noise right before it goes haywire and then all breaks loose. It begins to dispense either water or ice and the smoke begins (the melting I assume).[/quote]

7arrows,

Check and investigate this,

Remove the plastic hinge cover on the top freezer door,

You should find the wire harness for the dispenser assembly, under the cover,

Unplug the connector, check for any arcing or loose connections,inside the connector(s)

Also check( slightly pull up on the harness ) where it enters the hinge/door panel assembly and check for damaged wires/insulation.

This particular dispenser assembly, has been in use for many years now(since the late 90’s) and has had several updates on the switches and PC boards.

I’ve attached a copy of the service manual(general) so you’ll have a better idea of other checks and testing procedures.

In the mean time, I’ll see if I can get some older testing information, and supply it to you, by your next response.

:slight_smile: :slight_smile: :slight_smile:

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