How to Fix Common Ice maker Problems

An ice maker can be a great convenience around the homes, but they're not a necessity. For that reason, when an ice maker breaks down, it's tempting to put off its repair for a while, simply choosing to live without the convenience of ice-on-command. But what if you did know how to fix some common ice maker problems, or at least knew what the problems might be caused by? You might be a little more inspired to get the thing up and running again - hopefully in a flash.

If your ice maker is making too much ice, you're probably looking at a problem with the shutoff arm - test the shutoff switch to make sure that it's working properly.

If there's ice but it won't come out, you might be looking at an ejector gear problem. ice makers have "ejector gear" in them that helps the ice come out when you place a cup underneath it to capture the ice. In this gear, you'll find an ejector motor - be sure to check that and be sure that it's working. Other problems can include the thermostat and the ice mold heater.

If your ice maker is making no ice, there are a lot of problems you might be having. You'll want to check the shutoff gear, including the shutoff arm and checking the shutoff switch. You'll also want to check the water supply line so that you're sure that water is actually pumping into the ice maker. The temperature is something that contributes, of course, to having ice or not having ice, so be sure that the temperature in the ice maker is correct. You can check the thermostat as well. Be sure to check the water inlet valve as well. You can find an excellent resource for fixing these problems here.

If your ice tastes bad, be sure to check the basic supply lines like the water inlet valve. You'll also want to wash out the ice maker as well as the surrounding area. If you're still having problems, check the places in your refrigerator that your ice water might travel through. If only your ice cubes taste bad - and not your regular water supply - there is probably something along those water lines.

If water is leaking, check the water inlet switch and water inlet valve, as well as the refrigerator's level - consult this guide for a little more information on that. You'll also want to make sure the supply line is running adequately as well as the fill cup alignment (click here).

Photo Credits: Wyscan

This post involves:

convenience, ice cubes, mold heater, refrigerator, thermostat, water inlet valve, water supply line

... and focuses on:

Handyman, How to Fix, appliances, kitchen

Posted by Fix Handyman on December 22, 2009 in Handyman, How to Fix, appliances, kitchen. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.