My refrigerator, GE GSL25KGRB BS has the GE Smartwater Filter Model MWF. I noticed some dripping from around the filter. I figured it would be a good time to replace the filter. After changing the filter, I pressed the dispenser button and held for a long time and did not get water. I changed the filter back to the original and again nothing. I found what seems to be an extra O-ring and it seems deformed. There is the O-ring that comes with the filter and I also have 2 O-rings on the “nipple” that goes into the filter and also one larger O-ring above the “housing” that the filter screws into. I am not sure if there is supposed to be an O-ring resting on the flat part where the nipple meets the larger part of the housing? (This flat part also has a small sharp black cone looking thing, not sure what it does)
I continued to troubleshoot this. I took apart the quick connect behind the front grill of the refrigerator and pressed the water dispenser - Nothing. I went to the back of the frig, took off the inlet line to the double inlet valve (one for the icemaker which is working, and the other for the dispenser), there is water here. I also obviously have water to the icemaker. I took off the hose coming from the blue side of this double valve and pressed the dispenser, and did not receive any water. I do hear a click when I press the dispenser. I have not checked voltage to the double valve but I plan to. One thing I was wondering with this. How does the filter shutoff work? As far as the water shutting off when there is no filter present. Does it keep the dispenser side of the double inlet valve closed? If I check for voltage and it does not detect a filter, will it energize this valve? I don’t have one of the filter bypass plugs otherwise I would have tried it.
Any help, questions, or other things to try would be appreciated.
What kind of the water filter was originally installed in your refrigerator? Was it the same GE Smartwater filter or it was the Culligan metal canister water filter?
[quote]…One thing I was wondering with this. How does the filter shutoff work?..[/quote]There is a membrane inside the water filter base. As long as there is no filter or bypass plug this membrane closed the water access to the filter inlet. The filter head or the bypass plug will push this membrane to let the water flow through the line.
The water inlet valve solenoid should be energized as soon as you press the water dispenser lever with or without the water filter.
Per you description most likely the problem is a bad water inlet valve. Check if 120 VAC is coming to the water inlet valve while the water dispenser lever is depressed. If the voltage reading is correct, replace the water inlet valve.
[INDENT]I ordered a new water valve and replaced it. I went to fire up the water dispenser again and heard the correct noises but nothing. I started my troubleshooting process over. It turns out that I actually wasn’t getting water to the water valve. It appeared that way when I first disconnected it, seemed like a lot of pressure and water that came out but when I disconnected it this time, no water at all. This turned me back to the filter. Basically the water filter housing has a little black plastic pyramid shaped piece that needs to go farther up into the housing when the filter is twisted on. For some reason my filter is not getting far enough up to push that piece up and allow water flow. A little bit of electrical tape over the piece did the trick and the water is flowing fine again. Hope this helps others in the future. [/INDENT]
Maybe the solution was in the answer on the question you never answered?
[QUOTE]
…What kind of the water filter was originally installed in your refrigerator? Was it the same GE Smartwater filter or it was the Culligan metal canister water filter?..[/QUOTE]
I was not the original purchaser of the water filter, but I am replacing the water filter that was in there with an identical water filter. I think there is just a little bit of wear on the “threads” - basically a plastic track that the filter turns on, resulting in the filter not turning in as high as it used to. Only thing I can come up with. The filter is actually inside the refrigerator and says GE smartwater filter on the housing and I am using the filter that goes with that housing.