Whirlpool ice maker stopped working after bucket defrost

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Hi guys, having a problem with my ice maker. This is on a Whirlpool GS6NBEXRQ01. I took the bucket out one day to defrost it for several hours. Didn't touch anything on the ice maker. Upon putting the bucket back in, the ice maker no longer makes ice. No water in the tray, and the infrared system appears to be functioning okay. I'm definitely not a very handy person, but is there anything I can check before calling a repair guy? Surely it's too much of a coincidence that my ice maker would decide to actually break while I was defrosting the bucket. It has to have something to do with that, right?

Thanks!

[JWWebster]

Everything back in it's correct position Cover closed (27) and infrared in ON position?

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That's correct!

[JWWebster]

You could do the simple things first. Remove the kick plate and clean under there. Then clean the dust out of the condenser and around the fan by the compressor. That will make it cool down better and could trigger ice production again. Try adding a tiny amount of water to the ice mold and see if it dumps a batch.

[bigbuck]

Make sure fill tube to icemaker is free of ice, i have some freeze @ tip causing no water flow.

Sent from my MB865 using Tapatalk 2

[Bailey]

Pretend you had the icemaker out and were looking at it from the square end. The ejector fingers should be pointing to around 2:00.
Any other position, replace the icemaker.

[JWWebster]

If the water valve develops a drip in the freezer, the fill tube will turn into a stalagmite. Seen it.

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I tried using a hair dryer to defrost the water line and it didn't help, but I forgot to put the front cover back on, so I'll put that back in and see if it makes any difference. I'll also try cleaning out the compressor area, too.

The ejector seems to be somewhat loose - you can move it around between positions - is this normal? I tried filling the mold with a bit of water, but it didn't eject that batch of ice. Starting to look like I'll just need to replace the ice maker, huh? I've told my wife I can replace it myself for ~$130, but she thinks I need to call a repairman to make sure it isn't something else (like the water inlet valve, etc). Is there a way I can rule out the inlet valve before dropping $130 on the ice maker?

[AJ]

The ejector seems to be somewhat loose - you can move it around between positions - is this normal? I tried filling the mold with a bit of water, but it didn't eject that batch of ice. Starting to look like I'll just need to replace the ice maker, huh? I've told my wife I can replace it myself for ~$130, but she thinks I need to call a repairman to make sure it isn't something else (like the water inlet valve, etc). Is there a way I can rule out the inlet valve before dropping $130 on the ice maker?

You should not be able to move it around between positions, it's not normal.

Sounds like you need to replace the ice maker. This is something you can do yourself.

If you order the ice maker though the link I posted below and it does not fix it you can return it, no problem.

Your model refrigerator uses replacement ice maker, part # 2198597

[AJ]

Here is the service manual for your ice maker.


4322658A R-92 Whirlpool and KitchenAid Indoor Ice System - Ice Maker Service Repair Manual

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The ejector seems to be somewhat loose - you can move it around between positions - is this normal? I tried filling the mold with a bit of water, but it didn't eject that batch of ice. Starting to look like I'll just need to replace the ice maker, huh? I've told my wife I can replace it myself for ~$130, but she thinks I need to call a repairman to make sure it isn't something else (like the water inlet valve, etc). Is there a way I can rule out the inlet valve before dropping $130 on the ice maker?

You should not be able to move it around between positions, it's not normal.

Sounds like you need to replace the ice maker. This is something you can do yourself.

If you order the ice maker though the link I posted below and it does not fix it you can return it, no problem.

Your model refrigerator uses replacement ice maker, part # 2198597

Okay great, thanks! When I took the ice maker out, it seems like all I'd have to do to put in a new one is just unplug the molex connector and connect the new unit, then slide it back in. Is that all there is to it?

[AJ]

Okay great, thanks! When I took the ice maker out, it seems like all I'd have to do to put in a new one is just unplug the molex connector and connect the new unit, then slide it back in. Is that all there is to it?

Yes, that's all there is to it.   

[AJ]

Is there a way I can rule out the inlet valve before dropping $130 on the ice maker?

You can jump out T&H (think that's it, should be in the service manual) to by pass the thermostat in the ice maker and run the motor to test it and see if it fill.


I have a jumper wire I made from a old ice maker harness that I just plug in after I removed the ice maker to jump power to the water valve for testing.

[AJ]

The water valve is a duel valve used for both the water dispenser in the door and the ice maker.
A lot of people think just because they have water to the dispenser in the door, but not to the ice maker that the water valve must be ok.


That is often true, but not always the case.


Here is what the water valve looks like for your mode, part # W10159839

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Okay, cool - thanks so much for your help!