Any Refrigerator Repair Guys out there?

Hugh R · 03-01-2011, 04:57 PM

I have a Kenmore Elite, side-by-side with an icemaker that quit. I put a new icemaker in and still doesn't work. I've gone through the cycling test to make it harvest ice and no dice. I don't get 110V AC at the L (line) and N (Neutral) terminals in the icemaker. Any ideas.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

is it filling with water and not cycling, or not even filling?

Hugh R · 03-01-2011, 05:22 PM

It fills and freezes but won't cycle. One online place appliantology.com (which is like Pelican in format and very helpful) said he thinks that I have an open neutral to the motor the water valve has its own neutral. Its just that the old one quit and I put a new one in with the same problem. I haven't been messing with it before it quit. Maybe a corroded connection inside the depths of the refrigerator.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

maybe ice someplace there should not be ice blocking it from moving

Hugh R · 03-01-2011, 05:55 PM

No it's an electrical issue I'm pretty sure.

rick-l · 03-01-2011, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh R

I don't get 110V AC at the L (line) and N (Neutral) terminals in the ice maker.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh R

It fills and freezes but won't cycle.

There us a conflict in the above two statements? If there was no power to the modular ice maker it would not fill.

What is the temperature in your freezer? Is this the standard whirlpool ice maker?

enzo1 · 03-01-2011, 07:24 PM

http://www.repairclinic.com/Repair-Help

Hugh R · 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick-l

There us a conflict in the above two statements? If there was no power to the modular ice maker it would not fill.

What is the temperature in your freezer? Is this the standard whirlpool ice maker?

Good catch, but apparently the water valve and the motor have separate neutrals, that is what I'm trying to sort out. Freezer is 8 degrees F, has to be at least 15 F, that is apparently not the issue, it's a voltage, or lack there of, issue on the neutral. Yes, standard whirlpool/Kenmore icemaker. The factory part. Again, I had the problem with the old one and the new one, so it's so system problem that may not be the icemaker per se

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

This is where I go for my "broken appliance" answers...

The Samurai School of Appliantology

billybek · billybek's Garage

You could do a search for the model # and find the wiring diagram.
Residential refrigerators are a pain where you don't need an ache.
There could be a connection at the timing module (or clock) that will not allow a harvest during a defrost.
One of the worst things about the wiring on domestic refrigerators is that they often break the neutral instead of the hot. It can make it difficult to troubleshoot.
YMMV.

charlesbahn · charlesbahn's Garage

Sometimes if the refrigerant ("freon") is low, the first thing to go flaky is the ice maker.

Zeke · 03-02-2011, 06:18 AM

He said he had an open neutral.

Hugh, can you even access the area? Run a new neutral?

Actually, the neutral should not be isolated in my thinking.

Why do you conclude it's an open neutral?

Hugh R · 03-02-2011, 07:43 AM

A repair man from appliantology.com told me he thought it was an open neutral because 1) the water valve opened to put water in the ice tray, and 2) because I don't have 110 V AC at the L and N test points. Yeah, I need to do a search for the wiring diagram of the entire frig. The temp is 8 F, so I don't think low freon.