Ice maker adjustment?

[retro-man]

I have a Whirlpool top mount freezer/refrigerator model # WRT771REYW00. It is coming up on 2 years old. Have had the solenoid valves changed out last year because they were not closing all the way and water kept going into icemaker at a slow drip which caused a lot of frozen buildup. The service guy had the cover off of the ice maker and was able to trigger it to run to see if was working correctly. Now the problem is it seems to run too fast. I mean it fills to fast, hollow ice cubes and it dumps to fast, ice isn't completely frozen. It runs every 10 to 15 minutes. Not impressed with this unit since there is only one main vent in the middle of the back so no direct air over the ice maker. Question, is there an adjustment under the cover to slow this thing down so it will produce ice correctly.
Thanks
Jon

 

[DirectDriveDave]

Hmm, sounds like maybe the timing for the water valve is out of adjustment, but it also sounds like maybe the ice maker's thermostat is going bad, since it should not allow the maker to cycle until it has detected that the cubes have fully formed. That's the best I myself can figure out.

 

There is actually a video here that I think may be useful to you, as it covers a Whirlpool-made ice maker. Maybe it could be of some assistance to you. 

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCUgA5T5ASw

 

[mrb627]

Thermostat

Sounds like the thermostat is not longer making proper contact to the tray. Sensing air instead of the surface.

Malcolm

 

[whirlcool]

After dealing with a few icemakers I have discovered that it is not worth the time or effort dickin' around with an icemaker. Replacements are reasonable and easy to install.

 

[mark_wpduet]

It is

easy to install an ice maker. I ordered one at repair clinic for my Whirlpool side by side fridge a few yrs ago.......I couldn't believe I was able to do it...Saved so much money than having someone do it.

 

[retro-man]

I have replace them on other fridges. Not that big of a job. Guess will go online and see how much they are and order a new one. Thanks all.
Jon

 

[combo52]

WP IM Problem

If you are getting hollow cubes and fast cycles you are not getting enough water in the IM to fully fill the mold, usually this is caused by a restricted water supply to the refrigerator. A partial fill does not fill the front of the IM where the thromostat is located and the thromostat cools too fast and starts another cycle before the little water that is in the mold is even frozen.

Turn off the water supply and disconnect the water supply tube going to the refrigerator, then get a bucket to put the end of the water line in and turn it on, you should have a very strong flow of water that sprays against the side of the bucket, it it looks more an 80 year old man trying to ... you have a plumbing [ or prostrate ] problem.

Beyond a water supply problem, be sure the NEW inlet valve installed is the correct one for this refrigerator, if you are sure it is replace the IM, but I can tell you after fixing THOUSANDS of IMs this problem is seldom an IM fault.

 

[retro-man]

Thanks combo. Will pull out the refrig this weekend and check the supply line. I am thinking maybe it is kinked between the wall and refrig. The valve was replaced by a Whirpool dealer in the area and the guy seemed to know his stuff. The 1st valve was leaking and was allowing the water to freeze up in the tube. Will let you know next week my findings.
Jon

 

[lightedcontrols]

I'm with John on this....

...you also might want to check that the water line isn't crimped when the fridge is pushed back into place restricting the water flow. Mark

 

[retro-man]

Well got to the house today and only a half full bucket of ice. No water in the ice maker. Very slow water out of the door dispenser. Pulled fridge out and there was water on the floor. Will bring a new filter down next weekend and try that. Won't know for sure till that is replaced, if that is the issue. The light did come on last week, time to change the filter. This is a large building with 72 condos and a lot of crap in the water from when they shut the entire building down when someone is upgrading their plumbing or a pipe break somewhere. Checked the hose and not kinked up when it is in position. Maybe time for another new valve and was thinking about putting a prefilter inline before it goes into the water valve inlet.
jon

 

[retro-man]

Changed the internal water filter and got plenty of pressure out of the water dispenser. Thought all is well. Ya right. Waited for the ice maker to cycle. No water filled in. Moved fridge out from wall and water on the floor again. Even using the water dispenser puts water on the floor. After a lot of research on the water valve I guess this is a big problem for whirlpool. This will be my 3rd one in less than 2 years. Another is on order and will probably install this on Friday. I hope this one lasts longer than the other 2.
Jon

 

[retro-man]

So the repairman has come and gone. It is not the 1st water valve but the secondary water valve that is buried deep inside the bottom of the unit. Of course had to be ordered, not an instock item. He is replacing the complete line for the icemaker also. Will probably be a week or 2 before they arrive and another appointment will be made. He felt that this has been the problem all along since this was new. Had the same problem with the Whirlpool sxs at the other house. The corporate office is now involved and will probably pick up the tab on this plus repairs to the floor and moldings. Glad I just didn't go and replace the ice maker.
Jon

 

[retro-man]

The never ending saga

Ok so the repair tech was out yesterday and replaced the 2nd water valve along with a new tube for the ice maker. Everything should be fine he states. lol. Water comes out of the dispenser on the door just fine but nothing going into the ice maker. It's been 24 hours since installation and no water in the ice maker. Have heard it cycle 12 - 14 times while I was awake and still no ice this morning. You can hear it cycling and the valve opening I think but no water. He will be back on July 3rd to see whats up. Whirlpool is covering this entire procedure and they are picking up the tab also on replacing the floor and moldings. All I want is to open the freezer and get ice cubes. He checked to make sure that the line was not frozen going to the ice maker, all clear. Never had this many problems with an ice maker. We use a lot of ice at the beach with company. I have a retro-line counter top ice maker that we have been using, which can completely keep up with our demand. So glad I bought that last year. At least it is not leaking onto the floor anymore.
Jon

 

[retro-man]

It's finally making ice !!!

The tech came out today. Well the 1st issue of business was to let him in the building. Major malfunction with the elevators. I had to go down 20 flights of stairs and let him and tell him we have to walk back up 20 flights of stairs. The look on his face was special. At least he was in good shape and made it up the 1st 14 flights then slowed down. Finally got in and he said I am not leaving till this thing works. Pulled out fridge and all the tubes were frozen again. Pulled apart everything and defrosted. Overrode the ice maker and hear it fill but still no water. Took the hose off of the icemaker from the back ran it again and it filled a large mug with water. So we had water to that point. He took the ice maker out and looked it all over. Well the problem was the tube coming through the back into the icemaker was too long. It was right up against the back of the ice maker so it was blocking the majority of water and was backing up into the tube and freezing. He cut about an inch off of it, reinstalled it so there was room for the water to flow into it. We now have an actual working ice maker. Bucket is about 2/3 full now. After all this and it was another manufacturing defect, besides both water valves being defective. Happy 4th of July everybody.
Jon

 

[arbilab]

Excellent. He knew the stuff.

Now tell us about the elevator repairman.