WRX986SIHZ00 Ice Maker Inop

Refrigerator & Freezer Repair
1

Brand:
Model Number:
Main Symptom:
What happens & when:

Rfr & frzr froze. Defrosted 2 days. Now okay. Rplcd Dspnsr UI for unrelated. Ice Mkr inop. Passes all tests. Manual fill freezes. No hrvst. No error codes.
App Pro AI says ice maker good per test. Suspects its not getting signal from somewhere else?

2

On the WRX986SIHZ00, the six touch buttons are treated as SW1 through SW6 from left to right on the dispenser UI:

SW1 | SW2 | SW3 | SW4 | SW5 | SW6

So to enter diagnostics, hold the two far-left touch buttons (SW1 + SW2) together for 3 seconds until the chime, then release. Display should show 01.

Once in:

  • SW4 = previous test
  • SW5 = next test
  • SW3 = select/activate/change the test
  • SW1 + SW2 for 3 sec = exit

Whirlpool’s tech sheet specifically diagrams the switches in that left-to-right SW1–SW6 order.

Important: since you replaced the dispenser UI, the printed words/icons can differ depending on UI revision. Go by physical position, not the label.

Enter Service Diagnostics from the dispenser UI:

  1. Make sure Control Lock is OFF.
  2. Press and hold SW1 + SW2 (the two left-most buttons) simultaneously for 3 seconds.
  3. Release when it chimes.
  4. Display should show 01.
  5. SW5 advances tests; SW4 backs up.
  6. At the desired test, SW3 is used to activate/change the test where applicable. For example, at Test 57, SW3 starts the ice-maker harvest test.

For your no-ice problem, I’d go straight to 56 → 57 → 58.

I wouldn’t condemn the ice maker yet.

The big clue is: manual fill freezes, but it never initiates a harvest on its own. If Test 57 actually commands and completes a harvest, that proves the control can drive the IM heater/motor when forced. Whirlpool defines Test 57 specifically as a commanded harvest; Test 58 checks heater + mold thermistor state, and Test 56 only reports stored IM errors.

I’d concentrate on the temperature/harvest permission side:

  • Run Test 58 after the manually filled cubes are completely frozen. You want the second digit = 1, meaning mold temp is colder than harvest temperature. If it stays 0 with rock-hard cubes, I’d suspect the IM mold thermistor / ice maker, despite E0.
  • Run Test 37 ice-box thermistor and Test 36 ice-box fan. Given the original complaint that both compartments froze up and required a 2-day defrost, I’d be particularly suspicious of an airflow/icing problem affecting the ice compartment.
  • Verify actual ice-box temperature. This platform won’t automatically harvest unless its temperature criteria are satisfied; APP has a nearly identical WRX986SIHZ00 case—manual tests all work, but no automatic harvest—with the recommendation to verify IM temperature below about 10°F.
  • Check Test 15 bin status too. It should report 02 = bin not full. A false-full signal would inhibit normal production.

The new dispenser UI is worth keeping in mind, especially if the symptom began immediately after replacement, but since diagnostics can command the IM successfully, I wouldn’t jump straight to “missing signal from another board.”

My next test: manually fill it → let it freeze solid → do NOT run harvest → go directly to Test 58 and tell me the two-digit result. That result should split this pretty cleanly between a temperature-sensing/IM issue and the control not initiating the automatic cycle.

3

Jeff. I’ve chkd 56 - 59 w appropriate responses. I’m wondering if the obvious is my issue. Temps set @ 0 and 37 w actuals @ 32 and 43. If both coils froze maybe triggered compressor / 3 way failure?

4

yeah it’s not cold enough to make ice. It won’t call for water when it’s that warm.

For Whirlpool WRX986SIHZ00:

  • Set freezer to 0°F (-18°C) — factory recommended and best for normal ice production.
  • Whirlpool says the freezer should be 0–5°F for the ice maker to operate properly.
  • If ice production is slow, you can lower the freezer 1°F at a time, or use Fast Ice, which temporarily lowers freezer temperature for 24 hours.

Best setting: 0°F.

tech-sheet-W10844086-RevA.pdf (4.3 MB)

5

I’m going to run the compressor tests. Low on coolant or… would explain the coil freezing initially and the now higher temps.

6

yes exactly, Glad I could help

7

Thank you sir. BTW. I originally requested standard shipping ($13) of my Dispenser UI and recv’d the next day at noon. Great service appreciated!