Whirlpool fridge ice maker problem/pic included

[mark_wpduet]

I have a Whirlpool Refridge (almost six yrs old).....Here is what's happening.....The ice maker will make the ice, but it doesn't drop it into the bucket, it's getting stuck. I have to reach in and pull the ice off then it will continue making ice then it gets to the same point, then stalls. About a month ago I noticed a strange clicking noise that lasted about 2 min's before the ice would drop into the bucket. Here is a pic where the ice is getting stuck. Does anyone know what could be wrong?

 

[rp2813]

Have you checked to see if there's any ice accumulating in the mechanism where it shouldn't be? This could occur as a result of a sloppy fill inlet.

I had a Whirlpool from appx 1985 that had issues where the icemaker would just quit, and flipping the on/off lever up and down a couple of times would get it moving again, and it had nothing to do with any ice build-up in the wrong places, although it did that too sometimes.

 

[mark_wpduet]

It's really hard to get in there and see since it's such a tight fit. I don't notice anything unusual looking such as ice build up where it shouldn't be. Honestly I was just in there and I heard the clicking again (which is usually when it's ready to drop ice) so I took the cover off to watch the gear move and it was slowly raising the ice and when it gets to the point (pictured) I noticed if I listened closely, that there was a buzzing or shorting sound in the gear when it reached that point. Are these easy to take out and replace? I have no trouble buying one but I have no clue how to take one out and install another one.

 

[yogitunes]

these are easy to take out, usually only one screw holding it in place from the bottom, and then lift the whole mechanism up about 1/2 inch off the pegs its resting on, and then unplug and pull out....keep an eye for the fill tubes placement before you take it out so that you will know where it goes to reassemble.....

although you may want to just pop off the front cover to see whats happening...it may have skipped a gear and not making it all the way around before stopping allowing the ice to drop

I just had one that I couldn't figure out, then the repair man found one of the fingers out of place, he never seen this before himself, after trying to make it work, he just decided to replace the whole unit

hard part is waiting for it to drop the ice to see exactly what is happening

 

[mark_wpduet]

I took the cover off because the noise it makes prior to dropping the ice alerts me so I take the front cover off and I see the round thing turning (I guess it's a gear?) but it gets to that point and just stops, so I have no idea what to do from there. Visually looking at the round gear and seeing it stop really doesn't tell me what's happening.

Not sure if this is worth mentioning but I will anyway........When I fill the cats water fountain, I put some ice cubes in it to keep it cold. I dispensed ice into a glass and noticed something frozen into one of the ice cubes, I have no clue what it was, it almost looked like paper or something.....I haven't noticed this since....The in the grill filter was changed about three months ago and the indicator light is still green. The water flow is perfectly fine coming out of the fridge door...The ice cubes are still the same size/shape as they have been.

 

[surgilator_68]

It needs a new module. In some cases it might be less expensive to buy the Ice Maker kit and just use the whole ice maker.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Yes I agree, because as of now, it's not even making ice at all! Is this a standard ice maker for Whirlpool side by sides with dispenser/water in the door? It's a 25 cu ft fridge that came with the house new when we moved in Sept 2004.

 

[mark_wpduet]

I found my model # which is ED5FHEYNQ00(zero's) manufactured 2/04

 

[surgilator_68]

It's a regular old WPl Ice Maker.

 

[mark_wpduet]

I ordered a new ice maker for 48.00 w/ free shipping. I guess I will try to install it myself, although I have no idea what I'm doing. I called ADI and they said the ice maker was 140 dollars. I also called Lowes, they said the same thing, though on the internet I found it MUCH cheaper several other places.

 

[rp2813]

As has already been stated above, I don't think it's difficult at all to remove and replace the entire assembly. When our KA was having issues, the tech undid a screw or two and popped the whole thing out in less than a minute and had the new one installed just as quickly. Just take a good look at what's holding it in place. You may not see screws everywhere because it may only use screws to secure it in place on one end or something like that.

 

[surgilator_68]

It's 3 screws and the harness connection. Very easy to do.

 

[mark_wpduet]

I got it My main concern was the water and where it's connected to the ice maker itself. I wasn't sure how complicated that part would be and didn't want to screw anything up as far as that went. But I will figure it out. Thanks

 

[mark_wpduet]

Got the ice maker online 40 something dollars (free shipping).......It arrived......Installed it.......Had to use the plug from the defective unit..(the one I ordered didn't come with one)...within 2 hours, it was making ice. I think I'm going to dump the ice it's made since it was a new unit.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Got the ice maker online 40 something dollars (free shipping).......It arrived......Installed it.......Had to use the plug from the defective unit..(the one I ordered didn't come with one)...within 2 hours, it was making ice. I think I'm going to dump the ice it's made since it was a new unit.

 

[surgilator_68]

WOOOHOOOO Congrats! Dump the first 2 batches.

 

[rp2813]

Congratulations! Feels good to save yourself the cost of marked-up parts and labor.

 

[duet83]

that was quick, congratulations.

 

[aaronfitzy]

Good job!

Most of the village idiots around here would just junk the whole fridge and go buy a new one! I would rather tackle the task at hand and feel good about fixing it myself....such as you have!

Aaron