Yes, another icemaker repair question

[sapp4l]

Oh generous guru... please help me...

Have an on the door icemaker (at least the bucket is on the door), Kenmore /Whirlpool Model 106.53603202.  I do have the manual for the icemaker, courtesy of this site; thanks.

The icemaker will not harvest ice. I also hear a relay clicking every 5 mins or so, which started maybe 4 or 5 days ago (I just noticed it about then, but didn't realize the icemaker was not spitting out ice).

Well, I've done the optics check, per manual, and everything there is fine.

There were a couple cubes stuck in the ejector blades when I looked at this last night, but removing them didn't seem to get the baby going (start simple, right?).

At any rate, the unit still isn't harvesting, thought there are cubes in the tray, and a relay is still clicking every 5 mins or so.

Any direction before I start the surgery on the unit?

Thanks for help.

[sapp4l]

just noticed that things in the freezer aren't frozen like they should; soft ice cream and such. Don't know if this is related to me opening and closing the thing so much over the last hour.

Unit is running, and refrigerator section seems to still be cold, but I'll have to put a thermometer in it to check status.

Maybe there is a problem with the evap coil being iced up and not getting good airflow?

bother...

[sapp4l]

I removed the cover to look at the evap coil..no ice, but no frost -- e.g. coil not getting cold. Fan working, ductwork clear.

Compressor is now not coming on (not sure how long it's been no cycling on), but definitely not working as it should.

Cleaned out food in freezer section to awaiting secondary freezer, so not as much of an issue right now.

Relay clicking still heard... not sure what this is.. (Compressor energizing relay??)

I don't have a manual for the fridge, so don't know circuitry nor placement of  components.

Would appreciate a link to a manual.

[AJ]

Hi,

Sounds like you could have a bad start relay.
The start relay in on the side of the compressor.

How old is this refrigerator? I replace a lot of start relays on refrigerators that are around that five year range.

[AJ]

This is the start relay repair kit for that model.

http://www.repairclinic.com/SmartSearch/SSPartDetail.aspx?PartID=1177466&PPStack=1

[whirlpooltech]

replace a lot of start relays on refrigerators that are around that five year range.

Same here. Mostly all side by sides too.

Get behind the refrigerator and remove the back cover so you can see the compressor.
Listen for the clicking sound to see if it's coming from the start relay on the side of the compressor.

If it is at that point I would check the compressor with my meter to make sure the run and start windings are ok.
If they are ok (95% of the time they are) then I would replace the start relay.

Your freezer needs to be around 0-5 deg. for the ice maker to work.
The refrigerator should be around 38 deg. F.

[sapp4l]

I pulled the back off. The compressor is quite warm, so it's either tripping out on a thermal stop, or the start relay is bad like you say.

How do I check the windings on the motor?  I do have an ohmmeter. Is there a schematic available?

I've unplugged the unit, and letting the compressor cool off. I'll plug it back in in a couple of mins, and see if I can hear the relay going off.

I'm assuming that the start relay is mounted to the side of the compressor. I haven't tried to disassemble this yet, but any repair advice on how to remove and check through components would be appreciated.

[whirlpooltech]

The compressor is quite warm, so it's either tripping out on a thermal stop, or the start relay is bad like you say.

The kit AJ posted above comes with both the start relay and a new overload.

How do I check the windings on the motor?

Remove the start relay from the side of the compressor. It should just pull off or there maybe a wire clip that you will have to remove first.

Once the relay has been removed you will see three terminals. The main thing you want to check with the ohm meter is that none of them three are shorted to ground.

Turn your ohm meter on and put one probe on a ground and take the other probe and check each of the three compressor terminals to make sure none of them are shorted out.

If they are not shorted to ground then replace the start relay with the repair kit listed above.

[whirlpooltech]

Also make sure the fan down by the compressor is running.
The compressor will also get hot and kick out on the start relay/overload if this fan stops running.

[sapp4l]

As you predicted, the clicking is coming from the start relay. The compressor isn't coming on (isn't pumping gas), as I don't feel any temp difference in the inlet and outlet piping -- I don't hear or feel a vibration noise on the compressor either.

I'll remove the relay and check the windings.

This unit is about 5 years old... sounds like a common problem with this unit..

BTW: The link you provided does not have the parts in stock.

On the Sears site:
http://tinyurl.com/6lsjnt  

is item #16 the same thing?  (Doesn't look the same..)

Appreciate all the help. I'm going to clean out the fridge section now, and look to order the parts.

[sapp4l]

Yes, the condenser fan is running....

[AJ]

Did not see that RepairClinic did not have it in stock, sorry about that.

Here you go then...

WHIRLPOOL 8201786 Compressor Starting Device Kit, AP3885081




Both RepairClinic.com and AppliancePartsPros.com help support this site.

[sapp4l]

Ok, probably is the starting relay. The compressor contacts were not shorted to ground, and had 5-11ohms between them, depending on which pin.

One last question: could it be the starting cap? How does one check this (I don't have a capacitance check on my  meter)...

Thanks for all the help; much easier digging in when I know what I'm looking for.

[whirlpooltech]

One last question: could it be the starting cap?

Not likely the problem.

How does one check this (I don't have a capacitance check on my  meter)

I check them with my Fluke, but it has a setting on it to check caps.

You maybe able to take your ohm meter and ohm it one why and then the other.
Should see it charge and then discharge.

I have never seen a bad cap on a refrigerator.

btw: that was two questions. 

[sapp4l]

OK... The relay did the trick. The old one was toast.. see pic. BTW: how does this thing work, as it is not a relay that I am familiar with. There seemed to be a disk inside that was burned up and cracked.. is this some sort of bimetalic element that makes or breaks contact?

Thanks for all the help.. you guys were dead on.



Now don't get too smug...


The unit started last night, and is holding temp at the right levels (I've got a thermometer that verifies this.) So are so good.

I reinstalled the icemaker, and it seemed to be pumping out ice last night. However, this AM the ice bin is only partially full. Looks like the icemaker did about 4 or 5 cycles and then stopped. The ice tray is dry. I'd suspect the water valve, but I just replaced this a couple of months ago (another appliancejunk guided tour).

Any ideas?   (just one question this time....)

Thanks.