reservoir for in refrigerator water dispenser not working

Refrigerator & Freezer Repair
1

Kitchenaid Model KBFA02ERSS01.

Is it possible for the reservoir for the in refrigerator water dispenser to become frozen? Today my in refrigerator chilled water dispenser stopped working but the lights for filter replacement have not come on saying it needs to be replaced. I then noticed that a couple of drink bottles on the top shelf at the back were frozen and it got me to wondering if the reservoir has become frozen as well?

I turned off the ice maker just in case I have a serious problem to try and protect the ice maker. I unscrewed and rescrewed in the same filter since its the only one I have until the ones I ordered come in.

I also pulled the center plate on the control unit on the top shelf and pushed the little rectangle panel inside and heard something kick in like it was running making the sound I am pretty sure I hear whenever I have finished using the dispenser like maybe its a pump or something filling up the reservoir? but still no water.

If the reservoir has become frozen how do I access it to unthaw it?

I bought the house a few months ago and have not replaced the filter but have ordered a couple tonight. I also ordered a replacement valve bypass since I have not found one in any of the drawers just in case. I also went online and downloaded the schematics and manual for the refrigerator and am studying them trying to familiarize myself with the internal workings of the refrigerator. I am trying to eliminate possible causes… What else can I try while awaiting replacement filter?

I am fairly handy have taken apart and successfully fixed over the years washing machines, dishwashers, air conditioner blowers, pool pumos, car oil pumps, etc so any helpful suggestions would be appreciated in trying to pin down my problem.

2

The water reservoir was frozen. For those of you wondering where your reservoir is… It’s behind your crisper drawers… Not the bottom deli drawer but the crisper drawers above it. Pull them out and you will see the white plastic reservoir at the back. I used a blow dryer on low and thawed the container, I knew I was on the right path when the water nozzle on the side of the wall started dripping. I turned off the refrigerator so that I would not be trying to cool at the same time I was trying to warm up the reservoir and it only took about 10 minutes to thaw out and put everything back together. The water dispenser is now working again and I am dropping the temperature of the refrigerator back down to the proper temp.

After doing some research I found out that whirlpool makes something called an anti freeze kit that you can add to the reservoir to supposedly keep if from freezing up. I ordered the part from appliancepartspros.com for less than $7 plus shipping so figure at that price I’ll give it a try. I also ordered a bypass head for the filter since mine was missing when I moved in that way if I ever have an issue with the filter I can bypass it and still use or at least test out the water dispenser and it was less than $4.

I hope this helps someone who like me was doing a search on this issue get their dispenser fixed without having to pay for a service call.