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sboku
Oct 27, 2005, 10:01 AM
I have a GE side-by-side refrigerator with a ice maker and water dispenser. In the last 3-4 months the water dispenser shuts off intermittently, but comes back to life on its own. I have changed the water filter as well as cleaned the water line, but haven't been able to identify the problem. The ice maker works fine.
Any thoughts?
Thanks

kubicki
Nov 14, 2005, 01:24 PM
I have the same problem with my refrigerator. I used to happen only intermittently every couple of months but now it does it on a dialy basis. I hope someone replies with a solution.

labman
Nov 14, 2005, 01:39 PM
Sounds like you have some crud in the line somewhere. Shut the water off, remove the filter element, and blow air in the water dispenser. If that doesn't do it, remove the line after the shut off, and blow air in before the filter.

gmoneykitchenaid
Nov 21, 2005, 01:32 PM
I wonder if it could be that there is air in the line. My kitchenaid gathers air and will not dispense water for a few seconds then will mysteriously start. The problem is that is once it starts it won't stop running. The air pressure or full water line allows the on off mechanism to work properly.

Anyone have suggestions on taking the air out of the line permanently?

skiberger
Nov 21, 2005, 04:11 PM
Try what labman said if that doesn't work, the solenoid may be bad.

labman
Nov 22, 2005, 04:30 PM
I am wondering if there is a problem with the valve. The water passing where the line taps off will create a suction. It could pull water out of the line if air can leak in the valve. It would vary with how much water is drawn ondown the line. Might try replacing the washer or cartridge in the valve.

applguy
Feb 13, 2006, 09:43 PM
Anyone still having trouble?

ross77
Feb 19, 2006, 12:34 PM
I've had the same problem. My ice despenser works fine but the water dispenser works off and on. I did notice that it has a double outlet water valve in the back. Maybe one of the valves has failed.

Here is the part.

http://www.partselect.com/xq/aspx/Inventory.304374/qx/PartDetail.htm?SourceCode=5&ModelNum=GSS22JEMC


I've also found out that certain GE fridges are involved in a Class Action Lawsuit. It's a moisture problem so I don't know if it relates to this problem.

http://www.bringgoodthingstolife.org/

applguy
Feb 19, 2006, 02:46 PM
The way to test the water valve is to set a volt/ohm meter to the proper scale and insert the meter leads into the water valve connector plug and see if you have 120vac when the dispenser cradle is depressed (don't disconnect the valve). Make sure the meter lead ends are touching the terminals inside the plug, and you might tape them to hold them there during your test. If you have voltage but no water, you either have a frozen line or water filter somewhere that isn't allowing the water to pass through or you have a bad valve. If you have no voltage, you have an electrical problem elsewhere, such as cradle switch, molex plug at top or bottom FZ door hinge, etc. You can disconnect the plastic lines from the valve by exherting inward force on the tubing, pushing in on the collar around the tubing and pulling out on the tubing. It should come out easily, and make sure to trim (not too much) the end before you push the tubing back into the valve for a good seal. After the tubing is removed, place a bucket under the outlet of the valve and depress the cradle. If water comes through, you have a frozen line somewhere. If it doesn't, you have a bad valve. Because this is an intermittent problem, you will probably have to "catch" it when it isn't working. You can try to draw massive amounts of water through the door to see if it fails, but that is quite an unfair test. I usually recommend that you use it as you normally would, and keep the meter handy. Also make sure both controls are set in a median position. I found one of these last week that the control was set so cold, the filter froze. Let me know how it goes, would you? Thanks.

mallard
May 16, 2007, 02:55 PM
Any idea, how to find the frozen line. I have GE- GSL25JFPC. I tried all the things mentioned on forum, but still have similar problem,Like the water get freeze after2-3 days and show up gain once you shut down refrigerator for 6 hours.
Any idea??

lesu
May 21, 2007, 06:30 AM
I have the same refrigerator and similar problem with the water dispenser. I replaced the solenoid valve (the valve has three ports, one supply water inlet and two outlets). The water dispenser worked for a week and now it's stopped again. I noticed that the water line to the dispenser enters the refrigerator and coils in the lower right corner of the friz (inside, you have to remove the uppper vegetable bin to see it). The line can either freeze here or inside the door just before it gets to the dispenser. There is a temperature adjustment at the vegetable bin. I've lower the level to min, hopefully this will unfreeze the line. If the problem is in the coil, I think it can be solved by just pulling he whole plastic coil out and tie it to the back of the friz. The consequence would be warm water coming out of the dispenser - but who cares, just drop a few ice cubes in the glass prior to filling it with water) If the probem is in the left door, it would be more complex. I partially removed the gasket to see if there are any screws but did not see any. I think the door was glued together. If you've found any solution please post it.

Thank you

lesu
May 22, 2007, 06:28 AM
I have the same refrigerator and similar problem with the water dispenser. I replaced the solenoid valve (the valve has three ports, one supply water inlet and two outlets). The water dispenser worked for a week and now it's stopped again. I noticed that the water line to the dispenser enters the refrigerator and coils in the lower right corner of the friz (inside, you have to remove the uppper vegetable bin to see it). The line can either freeze here or inside the door just before it gets to the dispenser. there is a temperature adjustment at the vegetable bin. I've lower the level to min, hopefully this will unfreeze the line. If the problem is in the coil, I think it can be solved by just pulling he whole plastic coil out and tie it to the back of the friz. The consequence would be warm water coming out of the dispenser - but who cares, just drop a few ice cubes in the glass prior to filling it with water) If the probem is in the left door, it would be more complex. I partially removed the gasket to see if there are any screws but did not see any. I think the door was glued together. If you've found any solution please post it.

Thank you

Update:

I've checked the water line up to the quick disconnect at the bottom of the left door (freezer side) and everything seems to be OK - I removed the water tube from the quick disconnect, activate the dispenser, and there was water flowing through the tube. That means the line from the bottom of the door to the dispenser is frozen somewhere inside the door. I've previously blown hot air on the back surface of the door and was able to unfreeze the line. But it worked for a couple days and stopped again. I've lowered the freezer section temperature setting but it did not help either. The problem now is to access that secion of the line and insulate it. I'd appreciate any suggestion on how to do so.

Thank you

timmy_bimmy
Aug 6, 2007, 01:16 PM
In response to the Frozen water dispenser line: I have found the same results when I defrost the line, it will dispense fine for a day or so, but the problem always returned. Getting irritated, I called GE, and they said that someone could come out (for a fee of course).

The permanent solution I have come up with is so simple, it is beautiful! After the water line is defrosted, I have placed a 10 inch length of weed eater type line up through the dispenser nozzle. I leave about 1 inch of the line protruding from the nozzle, and the water dispenses without interruption. The line will still freeze as the root cause (poor insulation) was not addressed; however, the 1 inch of line serves as a handle to pull the ice plug out.

Very little effort is required to remove the plug, and the water starts flowing as normal when it is removed. Once you fill your glass, just re-insert the line, and continue using the dispenser as normal until you have to "Pull the Plug" again. Seeing how the fix was so cheap and easy, my wife loves me even more now :p

lesu
Aug 12, 2007, 08:22 AM
Timmy_bimmy:

That was a great fix that you came up with. Maybe you can send it to GE customer support so they can forward it to the owners of the same frig. I was very frustrated with the problem and am very disappointed with GE. It was a poor design, and being that big (company size) they should have fix the problem instead of ignoring it.

Thanks again,

austintx
Sep 10, 2007, 01:42 PM
I also have the same problem. Service man just left and said GE said to replace the door at $500+. Anyone had any satisfaction getting GE to replace this fault?

seadoc
Sep 22, 2007, 12:39 PM
Same deal. After finding this thread, I disconnected the quick-release below the freezer door, found good water flow. Tried blowing out the line going up into the freezer door without any success.

After finally biting the bullet, I emptied the freezer (needed cleaning anyway), and thawed the freezer door. Now my water dispenser works great again.

I agree that GE made a major screwup in the design of the side-by-side refrigerators with water dispensers. Interestingly, we have never had a problem with freezing in the water supply to the ice maker. This tells me that GE knows how to insulate tubing to prevent freezing, they just chose not to.

Thanks to y'all for posting your experiences; had I not found this thread I would not have figured out the fix.

nich534
Nov 28, 2007, 03:17 PM
I had this problem. It started w/ the water dispenser not working right away and a few seconds later it would work. The same thing with the ice. After about a month, it got worse and worse until finally it wouldn't work at all. When I noticed it quit working, one morning the floor was soaked. My fridge and freezer completely quit. I knew it was some sort of electrical issue and the repair man said it was a bad circuit board. It was replaced and now works fine.

I've had this same problem with my GE front load dryer. The main board went bad. I've never had problems with any appliances except for GE.

rockhopr
Nov 29, 2007, 02:59 PM
GE Side by Side Refrigerator
MODEL # GSH22KGPB
PURCHASED 8/25/2003
PRICE $1,030

I had the same problem - the water dispenser line is freezing up. Fridge is 4 years old and this just started happening now. The ice maker and ice dispenser works fine.

To unfreeze the water dispenser line, I rigged up this contraption. Unfroze the line with the freezer door closed in less than 60 seconds and cost me $3.00.

To make it, you will need:
- Thin clear plastic tubing (I bought mine in Home Depot for $3 – it is Power Care Fuel Line 3/32” I.D. by 3/16” O.D. by 2 feet long, and is by the lawn mower & string trimmer accessories section in the store).
- A clean, empty Hershey’s Chocolate syrup squeeze bottle
- Some electrical tape

Take the flip cap off the Hershey’s bottle, and feed one end of the plastic tubing through the opening in the flip cap on the Hershey’s bottle, in the direction heading out of the bottle. It will be a little bit loose fit, so wrap 3-4 turns of electrical tape around the other end of the plastic tubing and pull it into the opening on the underside of the flip cap on the Hershey’s bottle, should be snug and leak-proof now.
(You could also use a Heinz ketchup bottle 32 oz – the new one that stands up on the cap – it is a perfect fit for the plastic tubing, no need to tape it up)

Now, fill the Hershey’s bottle with hot water, put the cap on, and insert the end of the plastic tubing into the water dispenser outlet on the front of the fridge, keep inserting until it hits the ice plug. On my fridge the ice plug was about 4 inches inside the dispenser tube. Squeeze the bottle gently, and keep a cup or small pot under the water dispenser to catch the drips. Push the plastic tubing further in every 5 seconds or so, and before you know if the ice in the dispenser line is gone. Start to finish for my fridge was about 40 seconds.

Then run the water dispenser for a few minutes to flush it out.

That was the good news. The bad news is the line froze up again in 5 hours, so I did this again and put the trimmer line is as advised above!

Is it worth complaining to GE about this? I am going to anyway, but will they do anything to fix the icing problem without charge?

Thanks,
Mike

rgould67
Dec 2, 2007, 09:47 AM
To all,

I have GE model number GSL25JFPA BS. About 4 yrs old. Water dispenser started to intermitently work about 2 years ago. The GE owners manual said this could happen due to AIR in the line. What BS. The owners manual said to hold the dispenser open for about 1 hr and it should work. Sometimes it did , sometimes it did not.

Ice maker has always worked fine so I agree GE poorly insulated the water dispenser line. They wanted to have cool water come out but did not design it right, who cares anyway as just add some ice cubes to it, better that then have water not work.

I have another solution. Use a hair dryer. When it stops working just use a kitchen item like a large plastic serving spoon to hold open the dispenser. Then use a hair dryer and direct the hot air towards the water nozzled for about 5 min. If no water do it again, it will work.

Note: I tried this a couple of times and it worked. However, the line would just freeze the next day so it got frusterating to keep doing it. Also, the last time I did it, it seemed the mechanism to keep the ice dispensing door shut got weakened. Now sometimes after I get ice the door remains open which means about a 3" diamter hole leading to the freezer so cold air leaks out. I now have to push the ice door shut manually after I get ice. Not sure if the heat from the hair dryer weakened it. Try just setting the hair dryer on warm not HOT.

I am going to complain to GE as well. They should fix or offer a solution.

mbr
Dec 2, 2007, 09:35 PM
We own GSL25JFPA BF for four years now, the last two years had been tough, coz' the water intermittent issues. We tried all kind of things including: replacing the Filter several time, fixing the water line, removing air, etc.

My wife has been nagging for quite some time, so I decided to look in the Net and found this forum. The symptoms is very similar: Crushed Ice and Cubes are working great. Only water will work for few days, and stop again for months. Before something happen, and the water will work again. Nothing in particular.

I think we have enough case to file complaint to GE to request a fix for free, because it seems like it is a design defect.

We will attempt to contact GE about this, and if we didn't get a good response, we would like to inform more people about this issue.

michfly1976
Dec 4, 2007, 05:22 PM
I have the same problem. The water line keeps freezing. The ice maker works fine!
We narrowed down the problem to where it keeps freezing. Its in the door. I thought the seal broke or something, So its kinda good to hear others are having the same problem. I think GE needs to think of something that can work without costing much!

hammer3332
Dec 8, 2007, 06:27 PM
Thanks rockhopr (Mike). I used your idea to create my own contraption (with a yogurt smoothie bottle instead) and was able to clear the line. I have had my GE GSH25KGPC BB for 4 years also. This is the first time it has happened. I had a GE dishwasher about the same amount of time and earlier this year it melted on the inside. It was one of the recalled units. Not too impressed with GE at the moment.

2fixit
Dec 17, 2007, 10:43 AM
My GE Refrigerator Model #: GSS25WGPHCC
Purchased: In 2004
Model: Side-by-Side

This refrigerator came with the house from the builder. This builder has placed these models in lots of other houses.

Started having trouble with the water dispenser over the last 6 months. After some trouble shooting, the problem was isolated to the freezer door. The water flow is normal till the hose gets to the freezer door. After that it is a sealed/glued box. There is no easy way to access the hose inside the door. Tried opening the console in the front but did not go much further with all the plastic tabs and hooks.

Will try the hot water bottle/hose and the weed eater technique suggested

My way to thaw the hose is to shut off the freezer (this shuts off the Fridge as well) for couple of hours and the dispenser started working again. Some times it took 4-5hrs to get the water dispenser working. This did not spoil any of the food in the Fridge or the Freezer.

Removing the water filter to increase the line pressure so that it will not freeze didn't help much.

I have tried to contact GE, but they only gave the contact to their service department.

2fixit
Dec 17, 2007, 11:01 AM
I called up GE and the rep says that they are not aware of any known problems with the Side-by-side refrigerator water dispenser (Frozen line). But she says that from what I was able to tell her, it is a frozen line issue and a GE service rep has to come and take a look. I am filing a complaint with GE Consumer relations. 1-800-386-1215.

If few of us launch a complaint, at least GE will start noticing the issue. So please call the above number and file your complaints on the water dispenser problem.

THX

Allemay
Dec 17, 2007, 07:35 PM
Thanks for the help on this guys. I have the same issue. Freezing in the door. Verified by disconnecting at the bottom of the door and water flows freely. I'm going to try turning the freezer temp down and see if that helps.

My model number is GE - GSS25WPGA

FLYnVFR
Dec 21, 2007, 09:30 AM
As most folks seemed to have figured out, the problem here is that the water in the line is freezing. More specifically, the line that diverts to the back of the refrigeration section so that the water that's dispensed in "chilled". Unfortunately, the manufacturer failed to find the proper balance of insulation (or lack thereof) sufficient to allow the water to chill vs freezing. This is especially problematic if you don't use the water dispenser on a regular basis (promotes freezing). These units tend to run cold in the first place, and while increasing the temperature may help for a period, it will freeze again. THE EASIEST FIX IS TO BY-PASS THE CHILL LINE as follows:

1. Remove the lower panel at the back of the unit.
2. Locate the solenoid that's attached to the lower left of the unit (when viewed from the back) and remove the hold down screw (this will give you more slack in the lines and make the following steps easier).
3. Locate the water line that exits the solenoid and runs up into the back of the unit, disappears, then reappears and runs along the bottom of the unit towards the dispenser. It will be "whitish/opaque" in appearance. This is the "chill line". For orientation purposes, I'll call the section that's attached to the solenoid the chill "IN" line, and the section that reappears from the back of the unit (and eventually runs to the dispenser) the chill "OUT" line.
4. Cut the chill "OUT" line about 3-4 inches from the point where it "reappears" from the back of the unit. Other than maybe a few drops, water will not leak from this line since it's regulated by the solenoid, and will only "open" (allowing water to flow) when the dispenser is activated.
5. Remove the chill "IN" line from the solenoid. On my unit, the line is removed by pushing the lock collar at the based of the connector in, and simply pulling out the line. If you have a different style, I suspect line removal should be equally easy to figure out. Again, don't worry about water leaking when you disconnnect the line.
6. Finally, connect the freshly cut chill "OUT" line to the solenoid. Of course, you want to connect the section of chill "OUT" line the runs to the dispenser. If you have the same style of connector as me, simply insert the line into the connector and move the collar back into the lock position. NOTE: If there's not enough slack in the line to connect the chill "OUT" line to the solenoid, go to the front of the unit and loosen the water line from the plastic hold-downs as it runs along the base of the unit (towards the dispenser). There is plenty of line here to work with.

ONCE YOU'VE ORIENTED YOURSELF TO THE WATER FLOW PATTERN AND CORRECTLY IDENTIFIED THE DIFFERENT LINES, THIS FIX SHOULD ONLY TAKE 5 MIN!

I inserted plugs into the ends of the now by-passed chill line if the line thaws and releases any stored water. Fat chance though as our line has been frozen since we bought it nearly 4 years ago! I beg to differ that GE doesn't know about this problem. They just ignore it.

And yes, we now have flowing water from our dispener. As for losing the chill feature, what good is it if it doesn't work! Add a few ice cubes!

FLYnVFR
Dec 21, 2007, 04:34 PM
As most folks seemed to have figured out, the problem here is that the water in the line is freezing. More specifically, the line that diverts to the back of the refrigeration section so that the water that's dispensed in "chilled".

On re-reading some of the responses in this thread I realized that some folks seem to think the problem is in the water line that passes through the freezer door just before terminating at the dispenser. As I indicated in my original response, I localized the problem with my refrigerator to the "chill line" that runs "hidden" behind the back wall of the refrigerator, NOT the line that passes through the freezer door. And I suspect the "chill line" is the culprit in ALL cases. Let me know if you have any questions.

ab6619
Dec 24, 2007, 08:54 AM
ab6619

We purchased a side by side in Dec. 2003 Model #GSS25UFPEWW. We started having problems with water not dispensing through door. Set up a service call with a repair service company. After seeing the problem, they told us it was a frozen line in the door and we would have to call GE for a service call. They could not fix it.

Called GE and found out it's under warranty. They will either place a defrost line in the door or replace both doors.

Cost us $85.00 for the service call, but it might be worth it if it helps other consumers with same problem.

handicat
Dec 29, 2007, 09:47 PM
On re-reading some of the responses in this thread I realized that some folks seem to think the problem is in the water line that passes through the freezer door just before terminating at the dispenser. As I indicated in my original response, I localized the problem with my refrigerator to the "chill line" that runs "hidden" behind the back wall of the refrigerator, NOT the line that passes through the freezer door. And I suspect the "chill line" is the culprit in ALL cases. Let me know if you have any questions.


OK, I just did it. First of all, after I cut the chill line I found that it was not frozen, especially because it appears to run into the refrigerator compartment, not the freezer. I'll get a union and fix that.

Now, the actual problem was in the freezer door approx 1 foot from the ground. A hair dryer on high right on the outside edge of the freezer door, letting the metal get warm did the trick.

As for GE, can you say DESIGN FLAW? BTW, I gave corporate customer service such hard time, they sent me a free door. But since I don't have the service manuel I'm not anxious to change it out.

I guess the moral of the story is "don't buy GE."

smithlew
Jan 1, 2008, 08:17 PM
Hi all. I found this thread 2 days ago and solved my frozen water line in my GSL25JP that I purchased in July 2004 as a result. The line froze (which I now know was the problem a few months ago.) By reading this thread and another that I found I came up with the following.

I disconnected the tube under the door, and discovered that we happened to have a brand new unused condiment bottle in the cabinet. I needed to find a tube that would fit in the tip. I had a spray bottle that had only had water in it and took the tube out. It fit in the dispenser tube coming out of the door, as well as the bottle. I then opened the tip of the condiment bottle enough to fit the tube through. I filled it with hot water and alternated between squeezing from the top then the bottom. From the top the tube would only go in about 3 inches. From the bottom I was able to push all 10 inches of it in and could actually see it go into the bottom of the door.

I did it about 4 times. I put a up in the dispenser to catch the water that came back out. Well, finally the tube pushed all the way in through the dispenser, and the towel I had on the floor caught the flow as the ice plug melted and the water that I squeezed in came out the bottom. Hooked the line back up and success. My wife and daughters think I am a hero. Thanks for all the ideas. I will post again in a few weeks and let you know if I freeze up again. I have increased the temp a little in the freezer as well.

Is it me or has anyone else noticed that a lot of this units were bought in 2004?

2fixit
Jan 2, 2008, 01:19 PM
Hi All,
It seems there is a solution from GE for this frozen dispenser water line problem. As per the service rep, GE has come up with this fix recently. GE has made arrangements to have this installed on my refrigerator on 31 Dec 2007. Now the dispenser seem to function fine. Previously it use to freeze everyday and I use to thaw it by turning the freezer off and later used the trimmer line trick suggested in this chain. Hopefully the new heaeter works without problems.

Here are the details:
GE is aware of this problem and has come up with a fix. The fix is called "Water Dispenser Heater". Even though my unit is out of warranty, I have filed a written complaint to GE Consumer Affairs as this seems to be a fleet wide problem. GE responded very quickly (within a week) and resolved the problem.

As per the installation sheet that came with this heater part, some of the new refrigerators seems to have a provision for a water dispenser heater. It calls for the old one to be replaced or add one if one does not exist.

PS: In my case the water line is definitely frozen in the freezer door as I have water flow in the line till it enters the freezer door.

Hope this helps

Good Luck
Suren

sonideal
Jan 2, 2008, 02:59 PM
Suren, do you have warranty on your fridge? Or did you just go ahead with complaining the comsumer affairs and GE responded? I am having the same problem but my 1 year warranty just got over.:(

2fixit
Jan 2, 2008, 04:41 PM
As I posted earlier, I purchased the unit in Dec 2005. Since this not an isolated incident and is a fleet wide problem I have asked GE to resolve the issue even though the warranty on my unit has expired late 2006.

My phone calls to the GE customer service did not help. I ended up faxing a letter to GE at

Consumer Action Handbook - Corporate Consumer Contacts Beginning with the Letter G (http://www.consumeraction.gov/corporg.shtml)

Based on the sample letter from the link below.

Consumer Self-Help - Tips & Resources to Resolve Consumer Complaints - California Department of Consumer Affairs (http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/consumer-selfhelp.shtml)

Good Luck
Suren

lesliekirk
Jan 6, 2008, 01:30 PM
Glad I found these posts - as I have just crawled out from behind my GSS25JFPDWW that I bought in 2004. Since the water flows freely after removing the quick disconnect at the bottom of the freezer door, I tried pushing floral wire up the tubing - it made it almost all the way from the bottom up. Tried the same thing through the dispenser spout - it made it in about 4 inches. So now I'm off to grab my hair dryer and try defrosting. If that works, I'll grab some weedeater trim line and rig a freeze line.

Think I'll also contact GE too.

Many thanks!
Leslie

2fixit
Jan 6, 2008, 01:41 PM
Glad I found these posts - as I have just crawled out from behind my GSS25JFPDWW that I bought in 2004. Since the water flows freely after removing the quick disconnect at the bottom of the freezer door, I tried pushing floral wire up the tubing - it made it almost all the way from the bottom up. Tried the same thing through the dispenser spout - it made it in about 4 inches. So now I'm off to grab my hair dryer and try defrosting. If that works, I'll grab some weedeater trim line and rig a freeze line.

Think I'll also contact GE too.

Many thanks!
Leslie

Hi Leslie,
The water dispense heater that GE installed on my refrigerator couple of weeks back is just at the back of the water dispenser sprout. This tells me that the water dispenser line freeze is at the top, close to the dispenser sprout. This water dispense heater is a recent fix that GE came up with. The service person installed it and out of our house in less that 30mins.

PS: I tried the trimmer line from the top and it worked fine. As per the GE service guy the freeze is at the top where the inside is exposed more so that the ice cubes can fall info the dispenser.

Good Luck
Suren

lesliekirk
Jan 6, 2008, 02:40 PM
I will be calling GE tomorrow and getting mine taken care of. Note the time of this post and my first post. That's how long it took to get mine unfrozen - with a hairdryer.

Again thanks!
Leslie

hesshouse
Jan 6, 2008, 05:45 PM
I fixed mine by leaving the light on the dispenser on. It took about 6 hrs, but the heat from the light bulb was enough to defrost the water line.

larkin_13
Jan 11, 2008, 08:01 AM
Until I just found this site, I was convinced I was crazy, since the water had stopped and the ice was working fine... I just did a combo of the hair dryer light bulb... it took about an hour, but things seem to be OK now.. (I guess we will see how long it lasts though)...

Thanks all

dhebert
Jan 14, 2008, 11:08 AM
Yep. Problem is definitely frozen ice in the door. Purchased in May 2004 (GSS25WGPD BB) Like many others, I had tried changing filter first.

Fastest way to confirm with out disconnecting anything is to feed test line (weedeater type) into dispenser spout in front of door. There is no valve in the door, so it should go in at least 4 feet. If it stops before that, water is frozen in door.

I tried taping heating pad to inside of door at level where freeze was apparent. After an hour, I was able to advance an additional 3/4 inch, but not all the way through. I then placed container of boiling water in compartment where water dispenses. After about 10 minutes, I finally broke through. Good to go again.

dhebert
Jan 14, 2008, 11:45 AM
Now implementing timmy_bimmy's freeze line idea for quickly alleviate future frezzing. Thanks Timmy!

ballengerb1
Jan 14, 2008, 01:12 PM
Did any of you folks notice that this post is 2 years old? I think many people through their own question into someone else's post and then it just keeps rolloing along. A good rule of thumb is to never add your post to another person's post. Always ask you own question as a new post.

dhebert
Jan 16, 2008, 08:08 AM
What are you talking about ballenger? Everyone is talking about the same thing except you. It doesn't matter how long ago the original post was. Only the most recent.

ballengerb1
Jan 16, 2008, 08:36 AM
I am pointing out that this is not a blog or bulletin board. A poster asked a question 2 years ago and it was answered. Somehow a new person jumped on a year or two later and started with more questions and answers. My rule of thumb " to never add your post to another person's post. Always ask you own question as a new post." is actually how the desk owners instruct us to use the site. They have several rules but many people are unaware of them so I was throwing in a friendly reminder or correction. I see you are new to AMHD so maybe you were not aware of how the site operates.

dhebert
Jan 16, 2008, 09:19 AM
Oh. My bad. I thought it WAS a blog. We sure abused it as one. However, I did appreciate getting all of those responses in one stream.

Since it isn't a blog, the webmaster should probably cut off additional entries after x amount of time has expired.

mabbott
Jan 17, 2008, 08:19 PM
I have had the same problem with my water line freezing. I hired a guy to come out and thaw out the line and he used a steamer and shot hot air up the line. That worked great and he said if it ever happens again, to just do the same thing. What he did not tell me was that if you are not careful, the hot air can blow a hole in the side of the water line and now that is what has happened. Does anyone know how to remove the panel behind the door so that I can replace the whole line? I love the weedeater idea, great job and I will definetatly use that idea when I get the line fixed...

geezerboy
Jan 19, 2008, 11:20 AM
GE has a repair for this for under $200.00 that will thaw out the frozen area and completely correct the problem. Part number is WR49x10173. You can save by installing the part yourself, but you get a 5 year part warranty if GE does it. Call 1-800 GE CARES or go geappliances.com.

MacGyver
Jan 22, 2008, 04:50 PM
I have a GE Model# GSS25JFPE WW side by side with the same problem. Every 2 hours without fail the delivery tube freezes up about 2 to 3 inches in from the end. Mine also is about 4 years old, and just started this freezing business. Why after four or so years does this seem to be chronic problem with so many freezers? My guess is that moisture has migrated down the filler tube and soaked the insulation rendering it useless. If injected foam was used that would not be the case, but I think that there is some fiberglass insulation used behind the ice dispenser. After seeing the black mold that had formed on the ice door and had been dripping on the delivery tube I am convinced that it is a moisture problem. I totally disassembled the dispenser so it could be cleaned and thawed out the tube. Put it back together and two hours later it froze. I tried the string trimmer tick, real good idea, but had to use plier to pull the string out. So I had to come up with a idea that my wife could handle or I was going to eat the pliers. I certainly was not going to fork $500.00 plus for a new door. I took some 1/8" foil duct insulation (looks like bubble wrap sandwiched between 2 pieces of foil) and some white duct tape, and taped it on the inside of the freezer door right where the ice dispenser is located.

1. Thaw pipe with blow dryer. Be careful not to get the blow dryer to close or the ABS plastic will distort. Put your hand on the dispenser handle every once in awhile to make sure its not getting to HOT!!

2.Open the freezer door and warm the door area where the ice dispenser is and make sure all of the moisture is gone or tape won't stick.

3. Start at the top of where the ice shoot is about 1/2" down. Cut a piece to cover the ice shoot. Don't wrap the insulation around the sides or the door won't close. You will have to cut the piece down the middle and pull the pieces together to get it to conform to the shape. Tape the center together.

4. Cover the flat area with another piece. Make sure both of these area are covered and that the insulation is as tight as possible. Don't be cheap with the tape

IT AIN'T PRETTY BUT IT SEEMS TO WORK. Its now been five days and still has not froze again. Like I said it was freezing every 2 hours. Freezer and frig are at same setting when this started #5. With this posting I probably put the kiss of death on it.

Good Luck! Hope this helps

geezerboy
Jan 22, 2008, 05:28 PM
The part mentioned will also eliminate mildew build up. Again, the part # is WR49X10173 and it WILL STOP the frozen water line issue completely. Call 1-800-GE CARES or go to www.geappliances.com.:rolleyes:

MacGyver
Jan 22, 2008, 06:03 PM
I checked GE Appliances Home, kitchen appliances, refrigerator, water filter, dishwasher, freezer, top rated (http://www.geappliances.com) the other day. Came up with 0 results for WR49X10173Do you know what this part is? Unless its some sort of a fan I don't see how it will eliminate moisture on the ice door. The added insulation appears to have stopped the condensation for now. The main problem, line freeze is fixed. The real test for moisture will be when the weather gets warm. The best part? $15.00 BUCKS!

geezerboy
Jan 22, 2008, 07:57 PM
I work in the appliance industry. The part is a small heater. It completely fixes the issue. Why ask any more? You've been given the FIX. Buy the part. Order that part number. If not from GE then !st Source Parts or Repair Clinic. When given the answer, why ask more?:eek:

chem-prof
Jan 24, 2008, 08:17 PM
While recent posts have noted an official "GE fix" - a $200 part to fix their product defect, like McGyver's notes above, I like a cheaper fix that doesn't involve putting any more $$ into GE's hands. I have a 3 year old GE GSL25 refrigerator with the water/ice dispenser on the freezer door and the water dispenser line would freeze every few weeks. I used the hair dryer recommendation to unfreeze the line by heating the flat area of the freezer door directly behind the water dispenser area (~10 min did it). The trick to keep it from freezing up again involved buying a cheap foam sleeping bag mattress (~1/3 inch or 1 cm thick) made of a polyurethane foam (pretty dense). I cut it to match the flat area of the freezer door behind the water dispenser and taped it to the door with packing tape. For the past 3 weeks (even with freezer at #4 setting), my water is flowing freely. Personally, I think this solves a product defect with insufficient insulation in the freezer door near the dispenser water line.

davette59
Feb 2, 2008, 03:48 PM
I have the same problem. The water line keeps freezing. The ice maker works fine!
We narrowed down the problem to where it keeps freezing. Its in the door. I thought the seal broke or something, So its kinda good to hear others are having the same problem. I think GE needs to think of something that can work without costing much!
I have the same problem. The GE refrigerator, model # GSH25SGPC SS, is about 2 years old and I have had no problems until the last three months. The water supply in the door stopped working. Someone told me to take a hair dryer and heat the plastic tubing behind the crisper (not too hot so as to melt the tubing). I did this and also blew warm air around the back of the freezer door where the water is dispensed. Nothing happened until about 15 minutes later when it started working. It worked for a few days and stopped again. I have tried turning the air off that flows to the crisper area, tried turning the temperature up in both the refrigerator and freezer to no avail. I then heated all the same areas again and within an hour it stared dispensing water again. The third time I just went in and pushed and pulled on the tubing and about 20 minutes later it started working again. This time it worked for about four days. I have even tried moving food around in both sides with no results. I have household appliance insurance American Home Shield and they said that the water supply is not covered. I am extremely disgusted and unless something changes, this will be my last GE appliance!

ballengerb1
Feb 2, 2008, 05:20 PM
Folks, I would suggest that if you have similar problem you should start you own question and not tag along on someone else's post. You are entitled to your own and you'll get better answers with a new post. You are tagging on a post was was done 2.5 years ago, its dead. AMHD is more of a real time help desk rather than a blog.

hkstroud
Feb 2, 2008, 08:39 PM
Mallard

I am understanding you problem to be that the water line to you icemaker is becoming blocked with ice. I have just experienced the same problem and have deternined that the water valve is defective and is allowing a small amount of water probably only a few drops a minute, to pass when closed. This water then freezes in the input line, builds up an blocks th eline. Solution replace water valve.

davette59
Feb 3, 2008, 12:23 PM
Folks, I would suggest that if you have similar problem you should strat you own question and not tag along on someone elses post. You are entitled to your own and you'll get better answers with a new post. You are tagging on a post was was done 2.5 years ago, its dead. AMHD is more of a real time help desk rather than a blog.

Thanks, then just forget my question!

cbowles0507
Feb 27, 2008, 10:37 AM
Thanks to the gentleman who recommended putting the weed-eater line in the water spout! What a great and inexpensive fix! My fridge has only frozen up 2 times since I have done that about 4 months ago. It was freezing every two days. So now when it freezes all I do is use some needlenose plyers to pull the weed-eater line out, run the water, and stick the line back in. The whole process takes about 20 seconds. The first time I had someone come out and look at it, it cost me $100 bucks. That was just to look at it! They told me it would be hundreds of dollars to fix it. I promptly sent them on their way. I knew there had to be a better way. Then sure enough, I found this site and saw the weed-eater line suggestion. Brilliant! You have virtually eliminated the problem for $2.99 (the cost for a spoll of weed-eater line). You can't even see it slightly sticking out, so nobody has to know the difference! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! :)

davette59
Feb 28, 2008, 06:12 PM
I agree, the weed eater line was a brilliant fix. Mine still freezes up about once a week but a little tug on the line and I'm good for another week. One other thing I have noticed is that the water freezes up much more frequently if frozen food is occupying the space directly behind the dispenser. I cleared out the space and it helped a lot. As for the appliance, I called GE and they said they never heard of the problem but would gladly send out a technician at my expense to look at it. Thanks GE! They are simply sticking their head in the sand because it might cost them some money to fix their inferior product. Where is consumer protection. I for one have purchased my very last GE product.

sbaughman
Mar 3, 2008, 09:56 AM
I have a GE side-by-side refridgerator with a ice maker and water dispenser. In the last 3-4 months the water dispenser shuts off intermittently, but comes back to life on its own. I have changed the water filter as well as cleaned the water line, but haven't been able to identify the problem. The ice maker works fine.
Any thoughts?
Thanks
The water line is freezing up about 4" inside the dispenser. GE has recognized the problem and offered a solution. It is a small 12v heater that mounts behind the dispenser face but outside the freezer door. They do not offer it free however. It is part number GHPWR49X10173 "DISPENSOR WATER TUBE HEATER. It is available for appliance parts dealer. Mine charges 41.65. I have ordered it but have not received it yet. I assume it will work. It comes with instructions. Must splice into two wires at behind the dispenser face. I have found nothing else that lasts. Hairdryers, etc.

GE SUKS
Mar 28, 2008, 03:22 AM
Welcome to the club. I had the GE repair service "fix" my frozen water dispenser problem to the tune of $ 216.00. $79 for a house call, $63.00 for the part and $105 for "labor".

It took him 20 minutes to install the part. It is a heat tape that attaches to the inner edge of the dispenser just under the spout. It has a plug that goes into the switch card for water/cubes/crushed. Part #WR49X101173 - you'll find it on-line for $42 at any appliance repair site.

Remove the square plastic cover ( pops off with a screw driver), undo the four screws on the inner panel and swing out the switchplate. The part has sticky stuff on it so just press it into the U shape under the nozzle. Pug it into the circuit board and reassemble. Your done.

I've called and written to GE and their response has been "we have no recalls on that model, have a nice day". If anyone has any other places that I can "bad mouth" GE just let me know.

davette59
Mar 28, 2008, 03:53 PM
I have had several bad experiences with companies such as GE and Home Depot that think a few dissatisfied customers can never really hurt their business. Many fallen businesses have thought the same thing. We, the consumer, are much more powerful than they think. One upset customer tells ten people, those ten each tell ten etc. GE liars told me the same thing, we have had no reports of trouble with that model but we will be glad to send a service man at your cost (to fix their junk). I have had excellent success by reporting bad experiences like this one to the Better Business Bureau which you can access on line. They are very helpful, they get all over the company and keep track of the complaints. From no on I plan to check with them regarding how many complaints they have had about a company before I use them. I am tired of being taken advantage of by big companies!

akajbo
Mar 30, 2008, 06:00 AM
I have a GE GSL25JFPA that had the water issue, but is now not making ice either. It started with just water over the past year or so, now it is apparently hitting the ice maker. Anybody else seeing the same issue?

nancycs
Mar 31, 2008, 03:58 AM
:) :) Well, my first time at this site. I'll be back again regularly!

My Water was not working ice maker works fine.

I got my blow dryer and turned the fridge to zero and freezer to zero (that's like off, not the temp.) stuck some weed wacker line up the nozzle and started blow drying through the flap where the ice dispenses.

I was getting excited, so I pulled out the veggie drawers and wiggled the 200 feet or so of plastic water line (I presume) and I had that water running in less than 10 minute's time.

Then I spent the next hour scrubbing the fridge, but Hey! I'm a woman... I go above and beyond!

Thanks everyone for all your great advice. By the way it is a GE side by side about 4 years old.

Bless you! My husband had the repair guys out three different techs. They suggested he buy a new door for $500!!

That's above and beyond whatever he paid for the guys to come out.


Nancy:) :)

davette59
Mar 31, 2008, 04:33 PM
I don't understand why GE sticks their head in the sand and pretends there is no problem instead of standing behind their product. I for one will NEVER purchase another GE appliance. There are too many other manufacturers out there that will support their products.
Any way, I did the blow dryer thing but it got to be a pain in the neck and I also was afraid of melting some of the plastic components. The weed trimmer solution works the best. Just give it a little tug every day or so. One thing I did find out is that the freeze up is worse if you have frozen food close behind the area where the water dispenser is. It makes the time between the freezing much longer if you keep the area behind the dispenser clear so that the air can circulate better at that point.

Jose Jones
Apr 3, 2008, 11:14 AM
I bought my GE side by side (GSL25QGPD BS) in October 2004. I began experiencing a slow flow from the water dispenser just after it was installed. The installers blamed it on my home water line. Eventually, the water dispenser stopped working. I found this site a few days ago and detached the line where it enters the freezer door. Sure enough, the water line to the freezer door is fine, but the water freezes inside of the door.

The unit is out of GE's stingy warranty. GE offered free parts to fix the problem if I pay for the labor. The seller/installer will not help.

I wrote a letter to GE and the seller asking them to pay for the labor. We'll see what the response is.

davette59
Apr 4, 2008, 03:10 PM
Since the GE people don't stand behind their design errors and don't mind losing customers, I have given this some thought. The weed eater string woks the best but it still freezes up almost every day now. I pull the string in and out a few times and I'm good to go for another day. I moved some of the frozen food from directly behind the door at the water service location and it seems to help. I think it allows more air movement. I am going to try and apply a piece of 3/4" thick styrofoam insulation board to the back of the door to insulate the water lines from the freezer. I will get back after I see if this works.

unhappycustomer
Apr 6, 2008, 03:25 PM
I found this site after complete frustration with our GE Profile Refrigerator. We bought it 4+ years ago, and purchased the extended warranty, for at least 3 years. We had technicians come out at least 5 times to fix the dispensing problem with the water from the door. One changed some parts, and it worked for a while, another changed a solonoid? Or something and it worked for a while, each time.. parts were ordered or replaced... but result, it never worked right. We tried leaving the door open, using a blowdryer... nothing fixed the problem. Then recently I began to notice it was getting my vegetable bin food frozen... so I called again for help?
I did not pay for the extended warranty anymore for the last year or so because what was the point.. nobody fixes anything and I get to pay them $150 a year for that? MAIN problem... and everyone needs to hear this one... We bought ours at Sears, so have continued to deal with them for help (! )
They said they would reimburse for a tech to come out and cover labor and up to $100 for parts, so we tried once again.
This appliance is in a 2nd home, so we go weekends. I called for service 3/28 or so. On 3/31, my daughter-in-law went to the house to borrow something and found the entire downstairs flooded.The tech was set to come on 4/5/08. My husband went up to the home, the Fire Dept had removed all the furniture, and they had a company and the insurance assess damages. All carpet, walls, fireplace tiles, drapery, furniture... everything is out and the place is gutted.
The repairman came anyway... said it was a defective valve that caused the water filter to freeze and flood the house.(he wrote that on his bill!) hmmmm.. Sears claims they have no record of ever coming out before that date(5 times! ), but since I have no more warranty, they will do no more than $100 towards parts. They say it has not been a problem before... and I read all the messages about how to fix our own problem... hoses, dryers,. a defect is a defect! I also found a lawsuit pending with GE re: same deal...
Evidently they are quite aware of the issue but are happily selling the product and the warranty and figure each will just deal with it? I don't even understand how the company can do that. My insurance will cover my house damages... but it is one HUGE mess that did NOT have to happen, and I am tired of hearing the 'party line' of they will only cover $100... geesh... fix the darn problem or replace the appliance. I now have to find all the receipts from trips they said they never made... and I have the numbers, so I can get those. But should we have to do things like this?
I did not realize this was as widespread as it evidently is, and wanted to warn those who are patching and plugging and trying to make-do, to beware of what happened to us! Don't let it happen to you! No water dispensing... things starting to freeze... watch out!!

Diona Slaughter
Apr 7, 2008, 08:06 PM
Very descriptive & accurate! Thank you! You saved me a repair bill...

hollscott98
Apr 9, 2008, 06:31 PM
Same problem here with the water line freezing in a 4-year old GE side by side fridge. Will try the weed whacker line idea. Thanks!

davette59
Apr 10, 2008, 03:50 PM
Since my last posting, I have used double sided tape and fastened a piece of "residential foam sheathing insulation" to the back of the freezer door directly behind the water dispenser.
This is a foam insulation board about 3/4 " thick and blue in color. This can be purchased at Lowe's or Home Depot. I have tried the weed eater string, the blow dryer etc. and they only fixed the problem temporarily before it started again. I have had this foam in place for about two weeks and so far the water has not frozen up and the water is dispensing as it should. It doesn't look great when you open the door but I would rather have my water working.
Just to let you know, we have AHS "American Home Shield" homeowner insurance which is supposed to cover all of the house-hold appliances and costs about $50 a month. When I called them about this problem, I was told that the policy didn't cover water service and the wouldn't pay to have someone come out to look at it.
It appears that I have fixed my problem however I suggest that we all boycott GE appliances as well as passing the word about their lack of customer care and not standing behind their product. One person tells ten and each of those ten tell another ten and so on. If dissatisfied customers band together, it is definitely possible to make these big companies squirm. I would be pleased to add my name to any list of dissatisfied customers which we could send to the Better Business Bureau and GE.

drewharding
Apr 30, 2008, 06:48 PM
I just found this link today. I have a gss25wgpd since 2004 I have the problem with the water dispenser line freezing. I thought I found the perfect answer and inserted about 12" of nylon from a weed wacker spool. But now it freezes very quickly and I have to pull out the nylon to get a glass of water. Is that what everyone says is a great answer?

drewharding
May 1, 2008, 06:21 AM
I just went to: GE Contact Us: Voicing a concern about an appliance or an experience with GE (http://www.geappliances.com/service_and_support/contact/form_concern.htm)

I entered the following comment. I'll post any answer that I might get. Would all of you please do the same?

Please don't tell me that you haven't heard of this issue. There are hundreds of people with this problem. See https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/advice/t-14182.html

The problem is that the insulation on the water dispenser line that runs through the freezer door has broken down. Now the water line freezes often and requires 2 hours of blow-dryer use to defrost same.
Do you stand behind your product or do you choose to hide your head in the sand?

drewharding
May 1, 2008, 06:29 AM
Here is the automated answer I just received:

"[email protected]" to me
Show details 9:23 am (3 minutes ago)

Please include the following line in all replies.
Tracking number: AT20080501_0000000122

Thank you for contacting GE Appliances.

You have indicated by the e-mail category that you have experienced
A problem with one of our appliances or services. We would like
The opportunity to work with you to resolve this issue and welcome
Your feedback.

If you feel you have chosen this category by mistake and have
An operational question
About your major kitchen appliance, or issues with an appliance
Rebate, please call the GE Answer Center at 1-800-626-2000 (option
5) . We are open Monday 6am through Saturday midnight, ET (closed
Sunday).

If you have a GE service contract and have questions about the
Extended warranty, please call 1-800-626-2224. The hours are
8am to 8pm (EST) Monday through Friday, 9am to 4pm (EST) on Saturdays.

For a GE Smartwater product (water filtration or softener ),
Please call 1-800-952-5039.
Hours 7am to 5pm (CST) Monday through Friday. For GE Water Heaters
Please call 1-800-431-1549.
Hours of operation are, Monday-Saturday 8AM to 8PM EST Sunday
9AM to 4:30PM.

If you have a small appliance such as a toaster, iron, fan, blender,
Etc, which was purchased through Wal-Mart, please call Houseware
Customer Service at 1-877-207-0923 for assistance.

We want to thoroughly understand your situation and feel it can
Be best accomplished by speaking to you directly. If your situation
Pertains to a major kitchen appliance, we will forward your e-
Mail to our Consumer Relations Management Team as a matter of
Record and you can expect to hear from them within 5 to 7 business
Days. It you prefer immediate attention, please contact them
Directly on their priority number, 1-888-348-7563. T hey are
Open Monday through Friday, 8am to 6pm (EST).

This is an automated response and not reviewed by a live representative.

If you feel the above information can not assist you with your
Inquiry, then please feel free to contact us again and chose
An alternate category.

Thank you again for your contact.

Sincerely,
The GE Internet Response Team

davette59
May 1, 2008, 03:17 PM
I emailed GE about this problem. I actually received a return call, However, the person calling me was simply a warm body they hired to return the call and tell me that they have never had any reports of this type problem. They would however send a service person out at my expense to look at it. I told her in a few words what I thought of GE. I did this kindly because she only answers the phone and doesn't know which end of a refrigerator sits on the floor.

With all of that said, I posted something that I tried for a fix on my refrigerator because the weed eater string was still freezing up. If you go back and read my post you will see that I attached some foam insulation to the back of the freezer door directly behind the water dispenser. I think it has been in place about two months now and I have had zero freeze-ups and the water is working fine. Foam insulation, double sided tape and about 10 minutes work. As far as I'm concerned, my problem id fixed, no thanks to GE.

drewharding
May 1, 2008, 03:44 PM
I also insulated the inside area of the freezer door. I cut the top of a styrofoam cooler 3/8" thick. I used medical adhesive tape to hold it in place. I'll post again if it freezes. I might have to use some construction adhesive if the tape doesn't stay in place.

Jose Jones
May 3, 2008, 07:13 AM
I bought my GE side by side (GSL25QGPD BS) in October 2004. I began experiencing a slow flow from the water dispenser just after it was installed. The installers blamed it on my home water line. Eventually, the water dispenser stopped working. I found this site a few days ago and detached the line where it enters the freezer door. Sure enough, the water line to the freezer door is fine, but the water freezes inside of the door.

The unit is out of GE's stingy warranty. GE offered free parts to fix the problem if I pay for the labor. The seller/installer will not help.

I wrote a letter to GE and the seller asking them to pay for the labor. We'll see what the response is.

GE refused to pay for the labor, citing their 1-year warranty. The seller, however, stepped up and agreed to pay for the labor. So GE provided the free part (a small heating mechanism which is described in previous posts) and the seller paid the $160 labor fee (what a joke that fee is -- it took the repairman less than 20 minutes to install the part).

My suggestion is to put as much pressure on the seller as possible to have them pay to fix the problem. GE has a one year warranty they try to hide behind, but most sellers have not adopted this warranty. All sellers provide an implied warranty under state law. If your claim is not time-barred (statute of limitations) and if the seller has not disclaimed the implied warranty like GE did, you have a pretty good shot of winning a small claims suit against the seller.

GreatPumpkin221
May 15, 2008, 08:27 AM
Okay I'm not crazy. Our water dispenser went out a couple of months ago, but the icemaker has continued working. We got this GE side-by-side as a warranty exchange for the first one we bought dying in only 10 months. The first one was bought in March 2003, the replacement arrived in January 2004. I'll try the weedeater test to see where the line is frozen, then might look into the heater part.

As for the comments about not piggy-backing on another question... I think that's BS. I think it's great that I have been able to scroll through so many responses and fixes from so many other people with the same problem from the same fridge. I also think this is great ammo for a complaint, to be able to reference this one tread and point ot the number of people with the same problem, from the same type of refrigerator, all bought within a few months of each other.

Keep posting fellow disgruntled GE consumers!

davette59
May 15, 2008, 01:17 PM
You might want to look back at one of my earlier responses. I tried the weedeater and it didn't work, it still froze up but just took longer. I used a piece of foam insulation board and fastened it to the door on the back of the water dispenser in the freezer campartment. I used double sided tape to stick it to the door. Since I put this on I have had absolutely no more problems. A very inexpensive fix compared to the heater. My problem has been solved, no thanks to GE. (General Evasion)

travelgal
May 19, 2008, 12:07 PM
My GE Profile side by side water dispenser is not working also. I have been reading your posts. Did you water filter freeze also? Mine has slush in it, I changed it 2 weeks ago, still happening. GE of course has not solution other than to send a service rep out. I asked for the water heater part, but they had no idea what I was speaking of, surprise. Didn't know if your foam fix would solve the frozen filter too.

davette59
May 19, 2008, 08:11 PM
I have not had a problem with the filter. The foam will not fix the filter freezing up because the filter is in the refrigerator section. You might try and raise the temperature in the refrigerator some. When I called GE they told me the same thing. First, they never heard of this problem even though you can see many people have called them regarding it. Second, I asked them about the heater and they never heard of it. I suspect they don't want to say there is a heater because that would be admitting that there was a problem. The people they have answering the phones are clueless. I believe they are just warm bodies that pick up the phone when it rings and are programmed to deny any problems. I wish we someone would start a petition for us all to sign and send to the better business bureau. I would be happy to help with it. I am tired of these large corporations dumping on the consumer and not standing behind their products from which they are making hoards of money.

nuisan
Jun 6, 2008, 08:49 AM
I just coughed up $255.00 to install the heater that defrosts my water line. I'm writing to the BBB. This is nuts.

sparty
Jun 7, 2008, 08:23 PM
I have the same problem. Found the following bulletin today. Not sure if it applies to this exact issue, as I know there was one other similar issue with GE fridges.


ServiceTechHelp.com :: GE Refrigerators Bulletin, Replacement of Defrost Heater under warranty with Kit # WR51X10101. (http://www.servicetechhelp.com/index.php/articles/14648)

EDIT: After looking at the part I am not surte that it is going to help the water line freezing. IF GE will step up to the plate on that issuw why won't they on the water line issue??

Davek01
Jun 23, 2008, 10:45 AM
I have a GE side-by-side refridgerator with a ice maker and water dispenser. In the last 3-4 months the water dispenser shuts off intermittently, but comes back to life on its own. I have changed the water filter as well as cleaned the water line, but haven't been able to identify the problem. The ice maker works fine.
Any thoughts?
Thanks
Same proble with our and then it started working consitantly. But NOW, it started dripping when we went to bed and did $2000+ damage to out subfloor and floating laminate on top of the subfloor. In addition to mold issues.

Our valve started leaking. GE REFRIDGERATORS SUCK!! I wonder if they made any improvements with this double-valvue, or if someone sells a better double valve that can take its place? Its only 120vac solenoids that run that valve. Surely a better part can be adpated in?

I found out this monring that here at work (GE btw) three other people have had floor damage due to this leaky valve. Has anyone thought of a class action law suite against GE Appliances?

Davek01
Jun 23, 2008, 10:46 AM
Same proble with our and then it started working consitantly. But NOW, it started dripping when we went to bed and did $2000+ damage to out subfloor and floating laminate on top of the subfloor. In addition to mold issues.

Our valve started leaking. GE REFRIDGERATORS SUCK!! I wonder if they made any improvements with this double-valvue, or if someone sells a better double valve that can take its place? Its only 120vac solenoids that run that valve. Surely a better part can be adpated in?

I found out this monring that here at work (GE btw) three other people have had floor damage due to this leaky valve. Has anyone thought of a class action law suite against GE Appliances?

kenw00d
Jul 1, 2008, 01:45 PM
I experienced the same problem with the water dispenser not working at all. The problem is a frozen line in the door. I'll skip the hassle of dealing with GE. Based on all of the other postings you should know by now that GE does not stand behind their product and that you should never purchase a GE appliance.

That said, I purchased an electric heater kit specifically designed to fit the GE side by side refrigerators with the water dispenser. I purchased it from repairclinic.com for $42.50 plus $6 for shipping. The item # is 1381601.

Installation was pretty easy and took a total of 15 minutes. On a scale of 1 to 10 for difficulty (10 being the most difficult), I would rank it as a 4. The instructions that came with the heater kit were VERY helpful. The heater kit should not cost $42.50, but it beats dealing with GE. You can install this yourself. I installed mine at 9pm and by morning the dispenser was working again.

Steps:

1. Pry off plastic frame.
2. Lift control board out.
3. Disconnect the 3 wire harnesses from circuit board.
4. Unscrew the dispenser unit. (4 Phillip Screws).
5. Peel and stick the heater in the recesses area. See instructions from heater kit for picture on where the heater should go.
6. Splice wires according to instructions that came with the heater kit. Splices are provided. Very easy to do. Just follow the directions. Splice one heater wire to the harness red wire (position 2) and the other heater wire to the (black&white) harness wire (position 6).
7. Plug in the just the one harness to the control board and in 60 seconds you will start to feel the heater area getting warm. That's how you know it's working.
8. Put everything back together and you are in business.

NoviceFixer
Jul 15, 2008, 04:06 AM
MacGyver (1/8" foil duct insulation),
davette59 (a foam insulation board about 3/4 " thick and blue in color), and
chem-prof (cheap foam sleeping bag mattress (~1/3 inch or 1 cm thick) made of a polyurethane foam),

Are your interior insulation fixes still working as of today, 7/15/08?

-----
kenw00d,

You mentioned that the instructions came with the heater kit but I'm not sure if I have the same model refrigerator that you have. My model number is GE side by side model TFH24PRSBAA.

When you installed your heater kit item #1381601, in step-1 you say "Pry off plastic frame". Which plastic frame is that? Is it on the exterior or interior of your door? The inside of my freezer door is one complete molded unit so I'm guessing that the plastic frame you pried off is on the outside of the door. If that's right, could you clarify what the plastic frame you pried off looks like and what it includes? Thanks!

-----
To everyone,

I have an idea if I can get into my freezer door. Instead of installing a heater, why not use the ambient room temperature as the heater? What if we drill a hole or two through the outside of the freezer door right below or near the water dispenser nozzle? Maybe this could let ambient room temperature into the door at the right places to keep the tube above freezing temperature.

If someone can tell me how to open up the water dispenser assembly, I'll see if this idea can work.

Thanks,
NoviceFixer

twncam
Jul 25, 2008, 12:37 PM
I have had GE out to my house three times for three different problems with my fridge.Today cost me 96 dollars to tell me the water line feeding my dispenser was frozen.It was accutaly the dispenser tube that held the ice.He offered to fix it for 298.00 dollars yes that's right.The additional part that is not installed on my model was 44 dollars.I paid the 98 dollar service call and held a hair dryer on the tube.10 Minutes.later I had water.I can order the part myself and install it its not hard to install and comes with instructions.The part is called a dispenser water tube heater part number wr49x10173 if your handy enough to install it yourself.It gets placed under the dispenser hose and wires into the harness behind the panel that houses the water / ice buttons.A very simple repair.

The Mickster
Jul 31, 2008, 03:28 PM
The issue is the water line is freezing in the door due to insufficient insulation from the factory. I looked at this forum for several solutions and this is what I did.

At first I thought the filter was clogged up so I ordered a 3 pack from a web site (not GE's)and installed the filter. This was no help.

I took my wife's hair dryer and ran it over the back side of the freezer door directly behind the water and ice dispencer. It took about 5 minutes and it finally thawed about a 1/4" long piece of ice enough for it to come through the tube and clear the line.

I then took about a one foot piece of .035 diameter string trimmer line and pushed it up the water dispenser tube until there was about 1" hanging out. The water will dispense fine with the line in the tube. The line froze again within 3 hours and I simply pulled the trimmer line out and it removed the frozen piece of ice.

Now for the solution-

I called the G E Appliance line at 888-348-7563 and talked to a Customer Service Rep at a call center. I told her if she would send me the Kit (# WR51X10101) I would make the repair myself. The Kit costs $42 and change at an Appliance Parts web site. She said she would send me the Kit for $20. I told her this was clearly a design problem and that there should have been a recall. I asked her to send the kit for free and she said hold on for just a minute. She came back and asked for my address and said she would ship the Kit to me at no cost. We will see.

It amazes me that a company like GE which prides themselves on their quality program and spends millions of dollars on Six Sigma will not come clean and fix a design problem the correct way with a recall.

I will let you know when I receive my kit. Until then I will just deal with the string.

NoviceFixer
Aug 1, 2008, 12:39 PM
The issue is the water line is freezing in the door due to insufficient insulation from the factory. ...snip

Now for the solution-

I called the G E Appliance line at 888-348-7563 and talked to a Customer Service Rep at a call center. I told her if she would send me the Kit (# WR51X10101) I would make the repair myself. The Kit costs $42 and change at an Appliance Parts web site. She said she would send me the Kit for $20. I told her this was clearly a design problem and that there should have been a recall. I asked her to send the kit for free and she said hold on for just a minute. She came back and asked for my address and said she would ship the Kit to me at no cost. We will see.

It amazes me that a company like GE which prides themselves on their quality program and spends millions of dollars on Six Sigma will not come clean and fix a design problem the correct way with a recall.

I will let you know when I receive my kit. Until then I will just deal with the string.

Is your refrigerator a stainless steel one? I read somewhere while researching, that the heater works on stainless steel doors. Wonder if it will work on vinyl type doors? Can't find that link again now.

My water dispenser has not frozen again since my previous post. But if it does freeze again my new plan to fix it is to cut an 8 inch square hole in the flat area on the inside of the freezer door, right behind the water spout. Then remove the insulation as best as possible and replace it with new insulation.

Then I'll get a 1/8 or 3/16 inch thick plexiglass cut to 9.5 inches square (call this the cover). Since the flat area behind the water spout is 10 inches and the hole will be 8 inches, this will give me an overlap of 3/4 inch all around. Then I'll drill holes around the edges of the cover, apply a silicone bead around the edges and secure the cover to the freezer door using stainless steel sheet metal screws.

I don't think the silicone will stick too much and will still allow me to remove the cover in the future. I might even apply some vaseline on both surfaces to insure the silicone bead does not stick but still acts as a gasket.

If the plexiglass cover allows moisture through it, then I'll need to apply aluminum tape on it or use a piece of aluminum for the cover instead. Any comments on this idea, pro or con are welcome.

NoviceFixer

The Mickster
Aug 1, 2008, 01:48 PM
My refrigerator is a White Side by Side. Model number GSS22VFPC.

I think I would try to get them to send the parts kit before cutting holes in the door.

NoviceFixer
Aug 1, 2008, 05:26 PM
My refrigerator is a White Side by Side. Model number GSS22VFPC.

I think I would try to get them to send the parts kit before cutting holes in the door.
Please post your results after you install the kit.
Thanks much,
NoviceFixer

vonal
Aug 8, 2008, 09:25 PM
My water Dispenser was not working but the ice was fine. I tried the hersey bottle and tubing to defrost the ice blockage but on my model there is a little plastic piece inside and it would not fit. So I just defrosted it. The weed cutter line worked but was a pain, every two hours it would freeze up and I was pulling that darn string. I defrosted it one more time then did this below.

I went to OSH got a sheet of insulation pad (the foil type that helps keep pipes from freezing up in the winter.)
Cut it into two 10"x 10" sheets, then put some heavy duty velcro inside the now dry back part of the freezer. Joined the two sheets up with more velcro and stuck it on back side of the freezer door. IT WORKED!! Four days now no freeze up. I am a little scared to pull the weed line out, but will do so in a couple more days.

NoviceFixer
Aug 9, 2008, 12:45 PM
I went to OSH got a sheet of insulation pad (the foil type that helps keep pipes from freezing up in the winter.)
Cut it into two 10"x 10" sheets, then put some heavy duty velcro inside the now dry back part of the freezer. Joined the two sheets up with more velcro and stuck it on back side of the freezer door. IT WORKED!!!! four days now no freeze up. I am a little scared to pull the weed line out, but will do so in a couple more days.
I'm surprised that the velcro on the edges don't allow moisture to seep in-between the insulation and eventually cause freezing. Would have thought that foil tape would have been necessary.

Thanks for posting your fix. Please do post again in a month or two and let us know if your fix is still effective.

NoviceFixer

The Mickster
Aug 11, 2008, 12:17 PM
I ordered the wrong kit from GE. I ordered Kit# WR51X10101. This is a Defrost Heater Kit. They sent me the kit free of charge so I called them and tried to return it. They told me to keep it.

I explained that I really needed Kit WR49X10173 which is the Dispenser Water Tube Heater Kit. They sent it Next Day by Fed Ex also free of charge.

I installed the kit this morning at 10:00 and it took about 15 minutes to do. Just follow the instructions provided by kenw00d in a previous post. GE included the instructions with the kit:

1. Pry off plastic frame.
2. Lift control board out.
3. Disconnect the 3 wire harnesses from circuit board.
4. Unscrew the dispenser unit. (4 Phillip Screws).
5. Peel and stick the heater in the recessed area. See instructions from heater kit for picture on where the heater should go.
6. Splice wires according to instructions that came with the heater kit. Splices are provided. Very easy to do. Just follow the directions. Splice one heater wire to the harness red wire (position 2) and the other heater wire to the (black&white) harness wire (position 6).
7. Plug in the just the one harness to the control board and in 60 seconds you will start to feel the heater area getting warm. That's how you know it's working.
8. Put everything back together and you are in business.

My water dispenser has not frozen up since I installed the heater kit this morning. Previously it would freeze in about an hour.

I must commend GE for sending me the parts (FREE OF CHARGE) but, it is a shame you have to go through all of these hoops to fix a problem that should have been the subject of a recall to begin with.

ngwst
Aug 15, 2008, 08:38 PM
I suspect the problem has to do with the control board at the rear of the refrigerator.Before supplying the model number check the rear of the refrigerator and see if you can identify a small rectangular panel with no vent holes that is maybe 4 to 8 inches wide and 12 or so inches tall. It looks like a simple cover plate held on by three screws. Remove and see if there is a printed circuit board inside. If it has a board inside that's the problem. Still think I'm guessing. Pull the Ac cord for about 10 minutes then plug cord back. Leave overnight as if you never unplugged it. Quite likely the relays will start chattering and the symptoms will get worse. If all this happens replace the board and the problem will be resolved. If you understand and can use a soldering iron and have a volt/ohm meter check the two 470ufd 25 volt caps and replace.. Let me know how you make out. This is the first time that I'm using this site,just joined so I'll include my email for your reply. It might be duplicated I'm not sure Its [email protected] good luck

jhopkins
Aug 16, 2008, 08:31 PM
I'm new to this forum. I thoght I'd offer the following sugestion. I've experienced the same problems. No water from the dispenser but ice is OK. I'm an aquarium enthusiast and I found a plastic bottle in my aquarium supplies that works perfectly in spraying hot water into the dispenser tube whenever it freezes. It has a very narrow spout that fits perfectly in the tube that dispenses the water. After about 5 minutes of squirting hot water into the tube (with a towel in hand) I'm able to melt the ice tube that is cloging the systsem. I know this is a temporty fix, but I thought I may help

vonal
Sep 24, 2008, 07:17 PM
I'm surprised that the velcro on the edges don't allow moisture to seep in-between the insulation and eventually cause freezing. Would have thought that foil tape would have been necessary.

Thanks for posting your fix. Please do post again in a month or two and let us know if your fix is still effective.

NoviceFixer It's been two months now, no freeze up's in the line.

Hokie-Dave
Oct 2, 2008, 11:22 AM
I just had the freezing water line on my GE side by side stainless fridge. The fridge is 6 years old. I didn't notice anybody mentioning it, but has anybody noticed that maybe this is due to frost buildup right behind the water/ice dispenser? It seems that our round ice door doesn't shut all of the way which is letting air come into the freezer and frost up around the ice dispenser on the door. I'm wondering if this could be causing a freeze up problem.

Dave

dj560
Oct 20, 2008, 11:42 AM
I read mostof this forum... with my wife's hairdryer, I freed the ice in the dispenser then inserted the trimmer line... working great. I then called G.E. to ask about any recall pertaining to the heater. Their reply was that I had the new doors installed in 2006 and the upgraded version would have included the heater. If so, mine has failed. Would anyone know it it was included in the new doors? Thanks, dj

carolina78
Nov 5, 2008, 04:06 PM
I tried this with my fridge and after 2 minutes with the hairdryer the lever that you push to get water/ice had MELTED -- now not only is the water function still not working, but my icemaker is not usable. I am VERY frustrated with this recommendation

Cheezums2
Nov 23, 2008, 11:26 AM
For the past 2 years, I have been having the same problem as everyone else on this thread. The water would just stop dispensing one day, but the ice would still work fine. We tried various tricks, but ultimately we found that the hair dryer solution worked best. We'd open the freezer door and blow the hair dryer at the back of the water dispenser unit for a few minutes, then leave the freezer door open for awhile. If that didn't solve it, we'd repeat as necessary. Sometimes it worked after 15 minutes, sometimes up to an hour. And once it was working again, it often lasted for several months. But during the most recent incident, it would freeze back up with 24 hours. So after about a week of this, I decided to look for a more permanent solution, which is what lead me to this thread.

I first tried calling GE. As many others have found, they were less than helpful. They said I could pay $99 to have a technician come out to diagnose the problem, and then I could "possibly" get the part sent to me for free. Or, they would sell me the Dispenser water tube heater kit at a "discount" for $60 plus shipping.

Instead, I decided to take kenw00d's advice (see post #83) and purchased the kit directly from repairclinic.com (item #1381601). I paid $42.50 plus $6.46 shipping, and I had the kit 7 days later. Installing the kit was just about as easy as kenw00d said, although I have to admit it took me longer than 15 minutes, mostly because I wasn't quite sure I was doing things right, so I double-checked the instructions every step. But once I was done it was obvious that there really aren't two ways to do it, and I'm sure I could do it again in 15 minutes.

The one piece of advice I would have is that when the instructions say "pry off plastic frame", they're talking about the control panel on the front of the freezer, with the water/ice/light buttons on it. I had pictured that you would access the water line from inside/behind the freezer door, but in fact you get at it from the front/outside, without ever opening the freezer door. To get the control panel off, you have to look up from underneath, and you will find two little holes with plastic tabs. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool, you need to push up on each of these tabs until it releases the panel. From that point on, the instructions are fairly self-explanatory.

Another piece of advice: they recommend that before you put everything back together, you test the heater to make sure it's getting power (it will feel warm to the touch). It turns out you can also reach the heater with your finger from the outside once everything is reassembled. So this allows you to reassure yourself that it's still working correctly after putting it all back together.

This comes in handy, as with my case, the line doesn't thaw right away. The instructions suggest that it may take up to 24 hours to thaw the line, but in fact, mine still wasn't working after 5 days. At that point I gave up waiting and manually defrosted it with the hair dryer again. This does give me some concern that the heater is not in fact working well enough to keep the line from freezing again. But it was encouraging that the line defrosted much quicker than usual. And the water is still working 2 1/2 days later, whereas before it was refreezing within 24 hours. I'll post some updates as to our progress going forward.

It seems that this kit is designed to solve this exact problem (the shape of the heater is clearly designed to match the location where you install it), so if this doesn't do the trick, I don't know what else would. So if anyone else wants to try this, please don't hesitate to ask questions.

rrufast
Nov 28, 2008, 07:24 PM
After Googling and finding this thread... I'm happy to say that the frozen line problem was causing my water dispenser issue. Used a hair dryer on the back of the dispenser assembly... no real luck. Used trimmer line and immediately felt the dispenser line blockage about 4-5" in.

The first thing I did.. just to check, was to disconnect the quick coupler at the left lower corner of the freezer door. Pressed dispenser.. water flow. Ran trimmer line up the dispenser line and hit the blockage... kept poking at it until it broke loose.

For now, problem solved. I also turned down the freezer temp (from 5 to 3) in hopes to prevent this from happening again.

PS-
My model number is GE GSS25PGMF WW. Purchased new at Home Depot in 2002.

was perplexed
Dec 6, 2008, 05:01 PM
My icemaker worked fine but the water dispenser just suddenly quit about two months ago. I didn't want to pay for a technician to come out so... I've been drinking bottled water! Decided today is the day to figure this out and read everyone's answers. We tried hair dryer, etc. Still didn't work. Called GE and they tried to send a technician. I said I didn't want to pay so she directed me to GE Appliances Home, kitchen appliances, refrigerator, water filter, dishwasher, top rated (http://www.geappliances.com) and said to look at service and troubleshooting. When I did this, I found a video about the GE side by side refrigerators with water dispensing problems. They showed that the water line is in the cold storage side and not the freezer side. When I pulled out my vegetable drawers we could see that the water line was kinked. It is a plastic line so undoing the kink is probably not going to stay but... it works perfectly now. At least we know that we have a kinking problem and not a freezing line problem.

gigaflopper
Dec 13, 2008, 01:39 PM
timmy_bimmy's solution is awesome! Thanks to all who posted here, I was able to find the quick release under the fridge, verify water flow to that point. I then shoved weadeater wire up the dispensor tube, and it hit a road block about 3inches in. I defrosted the freeze and within 15 minutes water was coming out. I could then stick about 8-10 inches of wire into the dispensor tube.

I now have that wire in the tube, and will follow timmy_bimmy's solution.

Thanks all!
gigaflopper
:):):D:D:):)

Sparkydog
Dec 21, 2008, 04:24 PM
My thanks to all whom have responded to this question as I have experienced the exact problem that so many of you have discussed. I have noticed that all the model numbers experiencing this problem contain the number "25". Surely this cannot be a mere coincidence. There is clearly a design flaw in this series. Does anybody know if there is any movement to undertake a class action suit? I'm probably not one to start such an action, but I sure would be willing to join in.

haregopal
Jan 7, 2009, 09:24 PM
MY side by side door GE fridge water line froze. Easy to check. Disconnect the water line at the bottom front grill. If you depress the switch, the water should come out. That means the waterline in the door (specially near the dispenser) is freezing. If you keep the freezer door open for a while it thaws. You can blow the hot air at the dispenser with the hair dryer. It may work.
The GE guy came and put a small heater. They charged me $250. I have placed a call to GE to refund. It is a clearly a recall issue. No part is broken. But things are not working. They had to design small heater ( y shaped adhesive backed 3 watt heater) to solve this problem. That is a recall and should be a free fix.
If they don't honor my request I will file a complaint and see them in small claims court. No more GE!

dmpinpdx
Jan 8, 2009, 05:17 PM
Scanning through this quickly, I didn't see my lower cost temporary fix to this problem, which has been a recurring one for me as well. I disconnect the quick connect under the unit on the lower left side, attach a portable air compressor to the line going into the freezer door, and turn the compressor on and off in short bursts until it clear the line. You'll want to put some kind of container under/on the dispenser or just have a towel ready to clean up the small amount of water that will spurt from it.

I'm all for the idea of a class action lawsuit. The threat of an action might get GE to issue a recall if nothing else. If I was a lawyer, I'd be all over it; but alas, I am not.

fantoma
Jan 9, 2009, 10:32 AM
My water Dispenser was not working but the ice was fine. I tried the hersey bottle and tubing to defrost the ice blockage but on my model there is a little plastic piece inside and it would not fit. So I just defrosted it. The weed cutter line worked but was a pain, every two hours it would freeze up and I was pulling that darn string. I defrosted it one more time then did this below.

I went to OSH got a sheet of insulation pad (the foil type that helps keep pipes from freezing up in the winter.)
Cut it into two 10"x 10" sheets, then put some heavy duty velcro inside the now dry back part of the freezer. Joined the two sheets up with more velcro and stuck it on back side of the freezer door. IT WORKED!!!! four days now no freeze up. I am a little scared to pull the weed line out, but will do so in a couple more days.

Do you any picture to show how it was done? Is it still work?

fantoma
Jan 9, 2009, 10:34 AM
I experienced the same problem with the water dispenser not working at all. The problem is a frozen line in the door. I'll skip the hassle of dealing with GE. Based on all of the other postings you should know by now that GE does not stand behind their product and that you should never purchase a GE appliance.

That said, I purchased an electric heater kit specifically designed to fit the GE side by side refrigerators with the water dispenser. I purchased it from repairclinic.com for $42.50 plus $6 for shipping. The item # is 1381601.

Installation was pretty easy and took a total of 15 minutes. On a scale of 1 to 10 for difficulty (10 being the most difficult), I would rank it as a 4. The instructions that came with the heater kit were VERY helpful. The heater kit should not cost $42.50, but it beats dealing with GE. You can install this yourself. I installed mine at 9pm and by morning the dispenser was working again.

Steps:

1. Pry off plastic frame.
2. Lift control board out.
3. Disconnect the 3 wire harnesses from circuit board.
4. Unscrew the dispenser unit. (4 Phillip Screws).
5. Peel and stick the heater in the recesses area. See instructions from heater kit for picture on where the heater should go.
6. Splice wires according to instructions that came with the heater kit. Splices are provided. Very easy to do. Just follow the directions. Splice one heater wire to the harness red wire (position 2) and the other heater wire to the (black&white) harness wire (position 6).
7. Plug in the just the one harness to the control board and in 60 seconds you will start to feel the heater area getting warm. That's how you know it's working.
8. Put everything back together and you are in business.

Will you able to post the instruction that came with the repair part? Can you post some picture of your heated installed? Thanks.

dmpinpdx
Jan 10, 2009, 03:13 PM
Let's see if we can get GE to do the right thing! The following is a link to a feedback form for GE Appliances division:

GE Contact Us: Voicing a concern about an appliance or an experience with GE (http://www.geappliances.com/service_and_support/contact/form_concern.htm)

dlamp
Jan 11, 2009, 04:59 PM
The water line freezes up inside the freezer door near the dispenser. I called for service and the tech installed an in-line heater near the tube outlet. The heater cost $60 and GE covered half the cost of the part. The labour cost me $89. I wonder why the heater wasn't installed when they made the fridge. There is an electrical connector that was just sitting there that the heater connects to.

Mrcrowley
Jan 15, 2009, 01:01 PM
any idea, how to find the frozen line. I have GE- GSL25JFPC. I tried all the things mentioned on forum, but still have similar problem,Like the water get freeze after2-3 days and show up gain once you shut down refrigerator for 6 hours.
any idea ???

Ok folks here is some help I had same problem did testing all the way to the line that runs up side of refrig water came out right to the pex fitting on bottom . I preseded to run a piece of wire down the tube and ran into obstacle pulled wire out nothing on it but it was cold as ice so I tried a couple time and it felt like running a piece of (no pun intended) like running wire on ice cube . I have come to the conclusion the water line froze. I replaced the valve anyway but NOW why would the water line freeze ? That is the question.

dlamp
Jan 15, 2009, 05:47 PM
Ok folks here is some help I had same problem did testing all the way to the line that runs up side of refrig water came out right to the pex fitting on bottom . I preseded to run a piece of wire down the tube and ran into obstacle pulled wire out nothing on it but it was cold as ice so I tried a couple time and it felt like running a piece of (no pun intended) like running wire on ice cube . I have come to the conclusion the water line froze. I replaced the valve anyways but NOW why would the water line freeze ? that is the question.

Buy the heater and install it right below the white plastic outlet pipe. You have to take the black plastic shroud off from around the water dispenser unit and unscrew the 4 phillips screws that hold the control panel on. Then you have to splice the heater red and black wires onto the power wires running to the control unit. This prevents the water pipe from freezing.

Mrcrowley
Jan 15, 2009, 06:18 PM
Buy the heater and install it right below the white plastic outlet pipe. You have to take the black plastic shroud off from around the water dispenser unit and unscrew the 4 phillips screws that hold the control panel on. Then you have to splice the heater red and black wires onto the power wires running to the control unit. This prevents the water pipe from freezing.


Hey that sounds like something I can do BUT where do I get the heater from ?

esmond125
Jan 15, 2009, 07:29 PM
This is very frustrating. I bought my refrigerator less than 2 years ago and now it only dispenses water for about 5 days after putting in a new filter. I have already spent $120 on three filters in the last one month, thinking that maybe I had a bad filter.

After looking at all these complaints, I will never buy a GE product again. If they can't stand behind their products and fix problems that are clearly design flaws, I am happy to take my business elsewhere.

dlamp
Jan 15, 2009, 07:38 PM
Hey that sounds like something I can do BUT where do I get the heater from ?

Here is a response that pretty much sums it all up.
Originally Posted by kenw00d
I experienced the same problem with the water dispenser not working at all. The problem is a frozen line in the door. I'll skip the hassle of dealing with GE. Based on all of the other postings you should know by now that GE does not stand behind their product and that you should never purchase a GE appliance.

That said, I purchased an electric heater kit specifically designed to fit the GE side by side refrigerators with the water dispenser. I purchased it from repairclinic.com for $42.50 plus $6 for shipping. The item # is 1381601.

Installation was pretty easy and took a total of 15 minutes. On a scale of 1 to 10 for difficulty (10 being the most difficult), I would rank it as a 4. The instructions that came with the heater kit were VERY helpful. The heater kit should not cost $42.50, but it beats dealing with GE. You can install this yourself. I installed mine at 9pm and by morning the dispenser was working again.

Steps:

1. Pry off plastic frame.
2. Lift control board out.
3. Disconnect the 3 wire harnesses from circuit board.
4. Unscrew the dispenser unit. (4 Phillip Screws).
5. Peel and stick the heater in the recesses area. See instructions from heater kit for picture on where the heater should go.
6. Splice wires according to instructions that came with the heater kit. Splices are provided. Very easy to do. Just follow the directions. Splice one heater wire to the harness red wire (position 2) and the other heater wire to the (black&white) harness wire (position 6).
7. Plug in the just the one harness to the control board and in 60 seconds you will start to feel the heater area getting warm. That's how you know it's working.
8. Put everything back together and you are in business.

snowman154
Jan 22, 2009, 12:11 PM
I am going to try the easiest solution that I have seen posted by hesshouse on Jan 6, 2008, 04:45 PM
I fixed mine by leaving the light on the dispenser on. It took about 6 hrs, but the heat from the light bulb was enough to defrost the water line.

dlamp
Jan 22, 2009, 06:18 PM
I am going to try the easiest solution that I have seen posted by hesshouse on Jan 6, 2008, 04:45 PM
I fixed mine by leaving the light on the dispenser on. It took about 6 hrs, but the heat from the light bulb was enough to defrost the water line.

Sounds like it might defrost the line, but when the light goes off again, it will probably freeze up again. But, not a bad idea. Mine has the heater and lately it has been freezing up intermittently. Maybe because it is winter and the temp in the house is down to 16C during the night. Summer its 23 or 24C in the kitchen so maybe that is the difference. Definitely the heater helped.
Cheers,
Doug

ncshakespeare
Feb 1, 2009, 06:55 PM
My GE refrigerator (owned since 2003) just started showing this problem 2 days ago (this is the 2nd time, the last time it happened). I am glad I saw this post to realize that the problem was about the frozen dispenser water line. Thankfully, turning the freezer off for an hour fixed this problem.

I am sure that the problem will come back though. I am going to call GE tomorrow to complain about this basic design flaw.

wiz28
Feb 5, 2009, 04:20 PM
I too have had this same problem in the past. Used to just thaw out and no problem for a few months. Now it is every 8 hrs have to thaw so it has become an inconvience to say the least. I called GE 2 times to complain and emailed once about this problem. I finally broke down and bought the heater everyone is talking about. I am in the process of installing it which should take no more then 15 min. Reason I am writing here is to let everyone know that I called GE again today and they are offering to pay me back for the cost of the heater. I have to fax the bill to them and they will send me a check. If you complain enough to them, you should get the same result. Good luck everyone!

cleveland_30
Feb 8, 2009, 01:04 PM
I too have the same problem with my GE that I bought 4 years ago. I decided to use heavy duty double sided tape and residential foam board to the inside of my freezer door. It's working well for two weeks now. I'll try to remember to re-post in another month. If this doesn't work I'll probably buy the heater and try and install it myself.
Thanks for everyone's input.

cleveland_30
Feb 8, 2009, 01:11 PM
Thanks especially to davette59 for his foam board idea.

cleveland_30
Mar 7, 2009, 07:50 AM
One month now and the foam board is still working well.

wiz28
Mar 7, 2009, 11:26 AM
Wanted to update everyone as well. I did successfully install the heater myself. I actually found a place that price matches internet prices and I got it for under $35. The price don't really matter though cause GE reimbursed me the purchase price. As far as installation goes, it was very easy (came with instructions) and took me longer then what I thought only because they tell you to wait a minute or 2 and test the heater with your finger to make sure it is heating up. I could not feel a difference in 2 minutes. You have to wait longer then that (at least 5 min. or more). And if you have an infrared thermometer, you can periodically check the temp. on the heater to make sure it is doing what it is supposed to. Worked great for me and it was the only way I could tell it was heating up. Works great and have not had a problem since. Keep plugging away at the GE reps on reimbursement and you should have the same luck I had. Good luck!

wiz28
Mar 7, 2009, 11:28 AM
Wanted to update everyone as well. I did successfully install the heater myself. I actually found a place that price matches internet prices and I got it for under $35. The price don't really matter though cause GE reimbursed me the purchase price. As far as installation goes, it was very easy (came with instructions) and took me longer then what I thought only because they tell you to wait a minute or 2 and test the heater with your finger to make sure it is heating up. I could not feel a difference in 2 minutes. You have to wait longer then that (at least 5 min. or more). And if you have an infrared thermometer, you can periodically check the temp. on the heater to make sure it is doing what it is supposed to. Worked great for me and it was the only way I could tell it was heating up. Works great and have not had a problem since. Keep plugging away at the GE reps on reimbursement and you should have the same luck I had. Good luck!

planecrazy
Mar 10, 2009, 02:06 PM
Wow - wish I would have found this website months ago! Our Hotpoint (GE) side-by-side frig is about 4 years old also. We have probably be dealing with the frozen water line issue for about year. Started happening every 4/5 months, then gradually went to freezing every other day! Used to put warm water up the line to unfreeze it, that worked - but was pretty annoying! Called GE they said there hadn't been any problems that they knew of! Well - two days ago woke up to water on the floor around the freezer side, the front panel had quit working, and it wasn't cooling anymore. Had a GE tech out today - blown circuit board (4 years old - seriously). Asked him about the water line - and he said if I fix the circuit board he would "throw in" a heater for the water line! So, after $266 our frig is working again... What a deal - ha! I am going to call the GE number that was listed in a previous post and complain again! If I knew earlier what I know now - I would order the line heater part #WR49X10173 AND FIX IT MYSELF! It didn't take the tech 10 minutes. You just pull off the front panel and take out a couple screws. Good luck to you all!

MrFixIt25
Mar 13, 2009, 01:34 PM
I also have a Hotpoint side-by-side purchased in Nov 05 that the water line just started freezing on. I just called GE and they are shipping the heating element for no charge, although I have to install it. They said that if it were under 3yrs old, they would send a tech out at no charge as well. My main board went bad about 3 months ago, was making a very loud howling noise, and GE came out and replaced it for no charge as well. As bad as this fridge has been, their service has been great!

tgil
Mar 16, 2009, 10:06 AM
We have an almost 2 yr. old GE side-by-side refrigerator. Our water line is frozen in our door. We've thawed it out once, but it froze back up a day later. I realize GE has a product to fix this issue. I called today to see what they would do and spoke with three different people-- supposedly got to the highest person that I could (a case manager in Headquarters) and they aren't willing to do anything other than we pay for a service call to diagnose the issue then they will decide if they are willing to help fix it or not at their cost. That's ridiculous. I have filed consumer complaints through several different avenues. GE is covering this issue up and doesn't seem to care to do anything about it. All three GE people I spoke with said they hadn't heard of this issue. One person even asked me to show it to them on their website.

tgil
Mar 16, 2009, 11:26 AM
For those that had success in contacting GE to have this issue corrected at GE's cost, please post whom you spoke with and what number you called. That would be great. Thanks.

MrFixIt25
Mar 25, 2009, 12:25 PM
I called GE Consumer Relations @ 800-386-1215, and asked for part WR49X10173. I can't remember the name of the person I spoke with. Hope this helps!

Invenstor
Mar 31, 2009, 02:03 PM
It took me only about 10 minutes to fix the same problem for my GE refrigerator (GSH25JFTAWW), which had stopped working for past several months. After reading a previous suggestion that one added manually additional isolation layer onto the flat internal surface of the door right behind the Dispenser, I attached a piece of foam with thickness of 0.5 inch, came in with a box for some electronic stuff, to the very same place using Scotch tape. Within about 5 minutes, the Dispenser came back. It was apparently warmed up by the room temperature. No dryer is necessary. It costs me $0.

handymanknox
Apr 5, 2009, 09:46 AM
Have tried many things. Mine has worked for as little as 4 hrs at a time and needed to be fixed other times it's OK for a month or so.

Fixes that don't work or have poor results:
1)lowering temp of freezer recommended by gen electric help desk
2)garden trimmer string up in water line to pull out when plug of ice freezes around it
3)disconnect at floor freezer side near floor and blow air through the line with compressor
4)hairdryer

Apparently there is a heating device developed by ge to resolve but they

Won't admit to it. They say call service tech. when I asked about it.

Best fix for me : If line freezes leave night light on at the water dispenser in a couple
Of hrs it will thaw it out. Thanks to whoever posted found at another website.

Handynmanknox

cleveland_30
Apr 8, 2009, 03:16 PM
handymanknox, I have tried all the other options and taping a piece of insulation to the inside of the fridge has worked for a couple of months now. Plus, all your fiends will think your McGuyver when you explain why you have insulation on the inside of your freezer.

jmbreeze23
Apr 14, 2009, 12:09 AM
As per other previous suggestions, I also taped some insulation to the inside of the freezer behind the dispenser. I used blue painters tape and some insulation that came with a computer component.

Within about 20 minutes, the dispenser was working. I'd replaced the filter and could not understand why there was no water, yet the ice maker was still working. I had no idea until searching this message board that it was frozen.

I hadn't used my water dispenser in a long time as the water does not taste good, even with the $35 replacement filter from Lowe's. So, I've been using a Brita water pitcher in the fridge for about the last 2 yrs. Maybe this time the water will taste better. :rolleyes:

Thanks to everyone for posting about this. Oh, and by the way, my fridge came with my new built house in Oct 2004. Funny how most of us have a 2004 or 2005 fridge. :)

NausetWillie
Apr 18, 2009, 02:04 PM
I've had this problem a few times and it usually cleared up after a few days. This time I remembered that I had a service contract so decided to take advantage of it. Surprise, surprise, The no-water problem is not covered. No good explanation but having found this web site I can see why they decided to exempt it. They can't afford to recognize it as a design flaw. This is sleaze at its worst. No more GE products for me.

Anyway I followed some advice here and taped a 11 x 11 x .5 inch piece of foam rubber to the back of the ice dispenser unit. Had water in 15 minutes. Thanks for the help.

Nauset Willie
Cape Cod, MA

jmbreeze23
Apr 18, 2009, 05:19 PM
I've had this problem a few times and it usually cleared up after a few days. This time I remembered that I had a service contract so decided to take advantage of it. Surprise, surprise, The no-water problem is not covered. No good explanation but having found this web site I can see why they decided to exempt it. They can't afford to recognize it as a design flaw. This is sleaze at its worst. No more GE products for me.

Anyway I followed some advice here and taped a 11 x 11 x .5 inch piece of foam rubber to the back of the ice dispenser unit. Had water in 15 minutes. Thanks for the help.

Nauset Willie
Cape Cod, MA

Glad it worked for you too! Yep, no more GE products for me either.

rklingo
Apr 19, 2009, 01:14 PM
I have a GE Monogram Side-by-side model ZISS420DRAS (built in stainless steel model) with the ice/water dispenser in the door. Have owned the house for two years and the fridge came with the house. Before moving in, the previous owner had dispatched GE repair to repair a cracked water tank. Other than that, I haven't had any problems with freezing water lines.

Had a independent repair guy come out yesterday and tell me that he wasn't too familiar with my model and said he couldn't help me and told me to call GE.

I consider myself to be pretty handy and discovered this website and forum and was glad I did.

Turns out I had a few problems that led to the water line freezing—which was why water wouldn't dispense. Icemaker worked fine—it just wouldn't dispense water. As it turns out, I discovered that I had a frozen water line in the back of the inside of the fridge—behind the vegetable storage drawer. The reason the line froze—which I'm still trying to figure out the cause of—was that the climate control drawer on the bottom of the fridge got really, really cold. So cold, that it was 16F. Way too colder that it should be. Anyway, this caused EVERYTHING on the lower portion of the fridge—including the water line behind the vegetable storage drawer to freeze. My initial assessment was that the climate control drawer was set on MEAT (34F) and with nothing in the drawer, caused the temp to drop. In fact, the GE troubleshooting website confirms that foods may start to freeze if the drawer is left empty and is set at the coolest setting (meat).

Once I was able to stabilize the temperature in the climate drawer to a chilly 42 degrees, I attempted to tackle the frozen water line.

My solution for the frozen water line was to remove the panel on the inside of the fridge behind the vegetable drawers. To remove the panel, you'll need to remove the climate control drawer, and veggie drawers first. Once the drawers are out, you'll need to remove the 4 phillips screws to access the water tank (or in my case, the coiled up tubing because I've already had my tank replaced because it cracked). BEFORE to unhook the water supply line in two places—where the water is supplied to the fridge to the tank or tubing and from the tank/tubing from the tubing that eventually leads to the dispenser door. BEFORE doing that, you'll need to turn your water off—wherever it tapped in to your water pipe or supply.

Once I unhooked the tubing connections, I submersed the tubing (or tank if you have a tank) in a sink filled with hot water. 5 minutes, it was thawed.

I hooked everything back up, turned on the water, checked for leaks, hit the dispenser and the water flowed freely. Repaced the panel, drawers and I was done.

Total time for this repair was 15 minutes and I save myself a expensive visit from GE repair.

Sparkydog
Apr 19, 2009, 06:40 PM
Thanks again to all who have posted regarding this problem. I ended up putting a piece of one inch foam insulation over the back (freezer) side of the door over the location where the line was freezing. I used silicon waterproof caulk to hold it in place, and it has held tight ever since. This solution has worked for me, as I have noted my previous posting was nearly 5 months ago. While I see that others have achieved success using the electric heater, why go to the bother if an easier approach will do the trick? Good luck to all who must deal with this problem.

Cheezums2
May 31, 2009, 10:18 AM
I installed the water line heater part last November (see post #98), and for the first 3-4 months it worked great. But problem came back in March, and I had to break out the hair dryer to fix it again. No problems until this week, when it started freezing up every day (fixed only by defrosting it with the hair dryer). The heater part is still working (I can put my finger on it and it's quit warm), but apparently it's no silver bullet. So now I'm going to try the insulation approach that the last few posters have recommended and see how that works.

Doug

wiz28
May 31, 2009, 01:29 PM
I installed the water line heater part last November (see post #98), and for the first 3-4 months it worked great. But problem came back in March, and I had to break out the hair dryer to fix it again. No problems until this week, when it started freezing up every day (fixed only by defrosting it with the hair dryer). The heater part is still working (I can put my finger on it and it's quit warm), but apparently it's no silver bullet. So now I'm going to try the insulation approach that the last few posters have recommended and see how that works.

Doug

I installed mine months ago as the posts show and I have had no problem whatsoever with it. Works great and still holding. I am keeping my fingers crossed!

simpson140
Jun 19, 2009, 07:26 PM
I must be the lucky one. I purchased a side by side at Lowe's they offered a 10 year extended policy for $115.95. I'am glad I took it. After water problems and ice freezing the entire ice dispense GE answer was to replace both doors, and a new heating system. Repair man said insulation failure was the main problem and that moisture would build up inside the door causing it to freeze solid from the bottom up. He also said in warm areas of the country the doors would start to rust out from the bottom. Why both doors ? So the color would match.
After several years of perfect operation unit lost refrigeration. Service man replaced a defroster heater part # wr51x10101. Part and service was also covered under extended policy. It runs out soon and I plan to renew it. I guess I have a good GE tech who cures my problems with the first call. Even though it took 5 working days for a repair man to show up to fix a fridge with no cooling at all.

dnl_em
Jul 13, 2009, 12:26 PM
I installed the heater last November. After about 3-4 months, the water tube froze up again.
I had read where someone had taped insulation to the inside of the door. Using that idea, I drilled a 1 1/2in. Hole in the inside of the door just under the ice dispenser chute. This is at about the same level as where the water tube exits out the front of the door.
I dug out the old insulation and put in some new foam insulation that I got from some packing material.
I plugged the hole with a plastic plug that I got from the local hardware store. It doesn't look bad, and so far so good.

willwilson
Jul 21, 2009, 04:17 PM
Same problem... my solution:

Take the wires out of a short section of round phone line, stick the emptied section (call it a tube) as far up the water line as possible (to the point where the ice sits), then blow into the tube. The hot, angry breath defrosts the line in short order!

(keep the tube for next time.)

Will

Scolgish1
Jul 23, 2009, 10:09 AM
Mine does the same thing. I think it is the ice dispensor door does not close properly and causes the water line or valve to freeze up. I don't know how to fix it. I cleaned the whole where the ice comes out. It did not fix the problem

oneillma
Jul 24, 2009, 01:04 PM
I have the same problem with model GSL25JFPABS.

I just called GE and was directed to a specialist at 800-386-1215. She had worked there for 15 years and said that my model number had no known issues. I find this hard to believe considering everyones' comments. Highly annoying. They want me to call a Tech (and pay for it of course.)

I will be purchasing some foam insulation to see if that works! Thanks for all the tips.

I have a GE dishwasher that is a piece of *^&$ too. It routinely will not clean the dishes unless they are loaded 'just so.'

No more GE for me.

ajcharnc
Sep 2, 2009, 03:25 PM
Bought house last year, has a GE model GSS25UFPH side-by-side black refrigerator/freezer. Circa 2003.

Water worked when house was purchased but we don't normally use it, just the occasional visitor.

Replaced filter, water dispensor didn't work. But hadn't checked it before we replaced the filter, it hasn't been used in months.

Checked this forum (thanks, people!). Turned off refrigerator and disconnected the water hose into the freezer door. Just a splash of water out either end.

Found a crimped, frozen line behind the vegetable crisper. Thawed it with hair dryer, will have to wait to see if happens again. Reset the temperature levels in the refrigerator.

AJ

Buckles
Sep 10, 2009, 09:03 PM
A really easy solution to this (short term but has worked for me for 6 months) is as follows:

Supplies needed:
Balloon
Thin plastic tube (I use one from a spray bottle)

1- fill balloon (does not need to inflate) with hot tap water
2- place plastic tube just inside the balloon opening
3- fold the balloon opening just around the tube so the water doesn't leak
4- place a towel under the water dispenser
5- insert the tube up into the water dispenser until it stops
6- squirt the water up into the water dispenser (you will feel cold water run onto your hand)
7- try the water dispenser
8- if the water doesn't run repeat steps 5-7 until the water runs

There is probably a better way to create a "squirt bottle" but this is the only thing I could come up with and it takes no time to throw together and clear the line.

w9513
Sep 12, 2009, 07:38 AM
I took the advice to put some additional insulation inside the freezer door 2 months ago and have had no trouble with the water dispenser since. I went to the local hardware store and purchased a styrofoam cooler. I ended up cutting out a 9x9 section of the cooler and taped it to the inside panel of the freezer.

It makes a great story to tell when someone else sees the styrofoam taped inside the freezer.

champion1
Sep 18, 2009, 12:34 PM
Hello everyone!

I was having some problems with my frig as well. I didn't have the money to have someone come out.

I found this website and they will help you DIY!! They'er great.

It only cost me $60 dollars and they mailed me out my parts. I could have gone to get them myself but there wasn't a shop around me. They walked me through the whole trouble shooting of the machine.

Here is the Link (http://www.squidoo.com/dyiappliancerepair):)

steve37
Sep 28, 2009, 11:05 AM
Where is the water vavle located on a GE side by side REfrigerator

bobny
Oct 3, 2009, 09:24 AM
dnl_emJul 13, 2009, 11:26 AM
I installed the heater last November. After about 3-4 months, the water tube froze up again. I had read where someone had taped insulation to the inside of the door. Using that idea, I drilled a 1 1/2in. hole in the inside of the door just under the ice dispenser chute. This is at about the same level as where the water tube exits out the front of the door.
I dug out the old insulation and put in some new foam insulation that I got from some packing material. I plugged the hole with a plastic plug that I got from the local hardware store. It doesn't look bad, and so far so good.

This is a very interesting solution. I intend to implement it since even with the heater, some have reported the frozen line problem coming back after a few months so the fundamental problem must have to do with deteriorating insulation in the area of the water line.

My question - Is your solution still working?

bobny
Oct 8, 2009, 03:56 PM
First the problem:
1 - Refrigerator works fine for several years
2 - Then, the water dispenser freezes up within 6 inches of where the water comes out. (you know this by inserting a weed cutter plastic wire, it should feed in several feet, there are no valves in the door, if it stops feeding sooner, it has encountered a freezed plug of water)
3 - Taping of insulation to the freezer door on the inside solves the problem for awhile.
4 - About a year later, the water outlet freezes again and the time it takes to refreeze is now only about an hour (insulation still in place on the freezer side of the door). Pulling out the plastic weed cutter wire you inserted up the outlet tube clears the ice blockage - but it's a pain to keep pulling out the line just to get water.
5 - One person reported that adding the heater mod may only be a temporary fix and as the interior door insulation further deteriorates, the line will once again start to freeze.

Given the above facts one has to conclude that the door insulation deteriorated since it worked when new. Anything other than a replacement of the interior door insulation would be a patch that would work until the insulation deteriorated further. With this in mind, I took the path of drilling a hole in the freezer side of the door at the same level as the water outlet on the outside of the door. The area to be drilled is just below the slanted ice chute, the flat section. I had a 2 inch hole drill handy (it only cuts the perimeter of the hole so you can pull out the plug) so I used that. 1.5 inch would be fine too.

Warning! Only drill into the door just enough to remove the outer plastic skin forming the door interior, it's about 1/16 inch or so thick. It's stuck to the interior insulation so you have to pry it off with a screwdriver after using the hole driller. There's nothing behind the interior door skin besides rigid insulation and the water feed tube which is an inch or so further in. Warning, I did not follow my own advice and drilled too far in (an inch or so) and nicked the water line - duct tape is a wonderful thing! - used to reseal the tube)

Once you have the plastic skin pried off, start removing the rigid insulation, it's like styrofoam ice coolers you can buy. A screwdriver works fine for removing the insulation bit by bit, it comes out in chunks. Continue to do so until the water tube line is fully exposed, several inches long. Be sure to clear out the insulation behind the water line too so the line stands fully exposed.

At this point I used fiberglass insulation (the pink stuff) used in the attic and stuffed as much as would fit into the space exposed. The fiberglass has the advantage of being somewhat elastic and as you stuff it in, it fills the area firmly, sealing off any drafts.

Ideally, you would be able to find a 2 inch plug that would neatly fit the drilled hole. Alas, the biggest one I could find was only 1.5 inches in diameter. Therefore, I just taped over the opening which still looks better than the old exterior insulation I had taped to the back of the door before.

After the fix, the water no longer freezes. Clearly, the door insulation had deteriorated - probably separating from the interior door edges, allowing a draft to reach the water line. The fiberglass insulation, being somewhat elastic, expanded enough to fill in the gaps. I never took the intermediate route of installing the heater since I figured it would eventually fail as a fix when the door insulation deteriorated further. If the fiberglass insulation itself fails after awhile, it's a simple matter of removing it and putting in fresh - but so far it's working fine.

tera_ble
Oct 9, 2009, 09:27 PM
I have a GE side by side that is approx. 4 years old. I started having problems first with my ice maker (but my boss has same fridge and she noticed similar symptoms with her water). Apparently it is a know problem that in these fridges, after about 4 years, the "Logic Board", or the "Main Assembly board" goes out. GE has made several changes to the board, and now have the 4th revision out. The cost is about $150 bucks at most appliance parts stores - and it takes about 10 minutes to change out. If it is the board and you don't replace it now, you will know it's the board if your top shelf items start freezing in the fridge, or eventually the cooling will stop all together (in my case, both the fridge and freezer went out). So if you continue to have problems,or different problems start, replace the main assembly board. If you are under warranty, GE may not charge for parts and labor.

ol_lonely
Oct 19, 2009, 05:25 AM
This has long been a problem with GE side by sides. Poorly routed water line. Newer units have tube mounted inside a channel like everyone else. GE has replaced some doors at no charge, not sure what the parameters are concerning the fix but they know the problem exists. COD costs could be upwards of $700.00

IhateGE
Oct 19, 2009, 09:47 AM
Well, searched regarding my "no water issue in the dispenser" and found this post. Wished I'd found it a few days ago before I paid the service tech. money to unfrost my water line with a blow dryer. Who'd a thunk it? However, less then 24 hrs. later, frozen again. I did the blow dryer thing for about 5 or so minutes and remaind frozen. I called tech. back and ran the idea of the heater mentioned in the post. He says not a solution. I will go to the local hardware store and get some insulation and tape it to the door and also leave the light on to see if it defrosts.

Has anyone thought of shooting in some of the spray insulation behind the dispenser tube?

I will never buy another GE product for as long as I live!! They were complete as**s when I looked to them for a resolution!

Ghenghis
Oct 22, 2009, 10:08 AM
Hi,
Thanks to all the help on this topic, I was able to troubleshoot mine... it is the water
Freezing in the door.

I tried: Opening door for 20-30 minutes... that works, but it freezes back up.

I tried: Trimmer line left in the tube (it does freeze about 3-4" inside tube, blocking the water flow. Trimmer line just freezes too...

I tried: Reducing the freezer temp to 3 and moved all the frozen food off the door. No help, it just refreezes.

Did not try adding any insulating material.

Called GE. They offered the water heater fix for $67 plus shipping. I said they should provide it free. Said no, but referred me to customer relations. Customer relations said they would: Sell me a new door, $425 or send me a coupon for $400 on a new frig. (originally told me this was because of a lawsuit settlement..I didnt opt for either of these, then told lawsuit did not apply to me). Said they would sell me the heater "wholesale". I said no, it should not cost me, I guess you are saying I need to take this to small claims."
Said no, I will get it free in about 5 days...

So... hopefully, that will be my fix. (They did ask me how I knew what the problem was, told them I had been troubleshooting and confirmed the water was freezing in the line right near the dispenser)

Hope this helps the rest of you if you decide you don't want to purchase the heater for $40 to $70 dollars.

IhateGE
Oct 23, 2009, 01:13 PM
I contacted GE today and was told my frige was part of a recall. However, the recall part was the front board which they say has nothing to do with the water dispenser. After a short conversation, they have graciously offered to send me the new board along with the water heater part for free. Board is covered for free under the recall. I will put both parts in and see how frige works.

Can anyone tell me how hard is it to put the front board in? Guessing goes in near dispenser?

Handee
Oct 30, 2009, 12:48 PM
I have a GE side-by-side refridgerator with a ice maker and water dispenser. In the last 3-4 months the water dispenser shuts off intermittently, but comes back to life on its own. I have changed the water filter as well as cleaned the water line, but haven't been able to identify the problem. The ice maker works fine.
Any thoughts?
Thanks

Since ice works fine, it could be water line is frozen in door... (seems to be a common problem in GE side-by-sides) Disconnect water line going into hinge at bottom of freezer door and put line from frig in a suitable container,(m/t soda bottle, etc.),press dispenser for water. If water flows into bottle, line is probably frozen in door on its way up to dispenser. Water flowing into the door (soda bottle) at this point tells you that the pressure, filter, cooling coil (or tank), solenoid, etc. are all working.

Handee
Oct 30, 2009, 12:52 PM
Since ice works fine, it could be water line is frozen in door...(seems to be a common problem in GE side-by-sides) Disconnect water line going into hinge at bottom of freezer door and put line from frig in a suitable container,(m/t soda bottle, etc.),press dispenser for water. If water flows into bottle, line is probably frozen in door on its way up to dispenser. Water flowing into the door (soda bottle) at this point tells you that the pressure, filter, cooling coil (or tank), solenoid, etc. are all working.

P.S. BTW, the only fix I've heard of that seems to have good results is the heater that is available for about 50$. I just ordered water heater asm for my freezer door... Let you know what happens.

mcatinella
Nov 15, 2009, 08:04 PM
I have had the same problem with my GE fridge. This is what I did.

1. Disconnect the water line at the bottom of the freezer door. It is a clear line with a blue coupler. Disconnect the water line on side closest to the door water dispenser.

2. Purchase a small piece of rubber tubing, about 5 feet, and a large syringe. I used my marinade injector that came with my turkey fryer.

3. Fill the syringe with hot water (remove needle) , attach it to the tubing and run the tubing up the water hose toward the dispenser until it stops.

4. Inject the water slowly

5. Repeat until the line is clear

This worked perfectly on my fridge. Hopefully it will work for you too.

Handee
Nov 16, 2009, 11:41 PM
Thanks for your idea. My fix had been leaving the freezer door ajar for about 15 minutes(less work than the hot water fix) and it worked fine.. but in my case, it only worked for a couple of days (or sometimes only overnight-then it would freeze again!) I wanted to fix it for real. I finally got the "heater fix" ( see: No Water from the Dispenser on a GE Refrigerator | Refrigerator Repair | Fixitnow.com Samurai Appliance Repair Man (http://fixitnow.com/wp/2009/01/25/no-water-from-the-dispenser-on-a-ge-refrigerator/) )and installed it. Since I did this, (2 weeks ago), it's been perfect, but I have my fingers crossed... (Ha!Ha!)

cleveland_30
Nov 21, 2009, 04:40 PM
Handee,

I taped on a one inch insulation board to the inside of my freezer and it was been working for almost a year now. It cost less than $15 and took 10 minutes to make. I would give that a try if/when your heater fails.

Handee
Nov 23, 2009, 10:23 AM
Handee,

I taped on a one inch insulation board to the inside of my freezer and it was been working for almost a year now. It cost less than $15 and took 10 mins to make. I would give that a try if/when your heater fails.

Cleveland 30:
Thanks for the tip! Insulating the door did cross my mind but I immediately dismissed
The thought thinking it wouldn't work. Let's hope I never have to try it! (HA!HA!)
PS-Isn't it a &%$#*!! Shame that all of us with these GE side by side refrigerators have had this problem this long, (I've read notes from as far back as 2004!! ), and GE hasn't
Found a way to fix it yet? I've also heard that GE won't acknowledge that it is a widespread problem! Hope your water keeps flowing!

FlameOut
Nov 24, 2009, 03:03 PM
Wow, I have been having this same problem. My GE fridge is about 3 years old now and this only started happening about a month ago. Figured out by trial and error that the water line was frozen. I thought it was a freak thing, but it keeps happening after a few hours of working.

Anyone know the number to call GE?

sallysam
Nov 24, 2009, 04:58 PM
I've been told that I need a dispenser heater kit. Hotpoint doesn't have one but repairclinic.com has part # 1381601 @ $53.20. I need wiring diagram for the kit.

sallysam
Nov 24, 2009, 04:59 PM
The kit installs at the water spout area on the Hotpoint freezer door

Handee
Nov 29, 2009, 08:32 PM
I've been told that I need a dispenser heater kit. Hotpoint doesn't have one but repairclinic.com has part # 1381601 @ $53.20. I need wiring diagram for the kit.

Sallysam: Th "GE" part number for this heater is- WR49X10173. The phone number I used was (888) 571-3101, "GE In-Home Repair" There are probably many more numbers but I know this one worked. Heater comes with complete instructions and wiring info... FOLLOW them CLOSELY especially with regard to wire routing or they may interfere with duct door or actuator. Also, one confusion factor will be eliminated if you disregard reference to "bunch wires" in Figure #3. You will NOT have any excess wire to bunch up unless you already had a heater installed! Wire length provided will just about fit as shown in Figure #1 (P.S. Heater has been working for me about a month now.)

Handee
Nov 29, 2009, 08:34 PM
Wow, I have been having this same problem. My GE fridge is about 3 years old now and this only started happening about a month ago. Figured out by trial and error that the water line was frozen. I thought it was a freak thing, but it keeps happening after a few hours of working.

Anyone know the number to call GE?

Flameout: Phone number for GE "In Home Repair" is (888) 571-3101.

Handee
Nov 29, 2009, 08:38 PM
Sallysam: Th "GE" part number for this heater is- WR49X10173. The phone number I used was (888) 571-3101, "GE In-Home Repair" There are probably many more numbers but I know this one worked. Heater comes with complete instructions and wiring info....FOLLOW them CLOSELY especially with regard to wire routing or they may interfere with duct door or actuator. Also, one confusion factor will be eliminated if you disregard reference to "bunch wires" in Figure #3. You will NOT have any excess wire to bunch up unless you already had a heater installed! Wire length provided will just about fit as shown in Figure #1 (P.S. Heater has been working for me about a month now.)

Sallysam:
Forgot to mention, GE's price is only about $40.
Good Luck!
Handee

geng
Dec 5, 2009, 11:22 AM
Everybody ; same problem with the line freezing, same place, about 4-5 inches down the tubing, I haven't called GE as they have been unhelpful with other problems. This door design is such cr*p.
Using the lawn mower fuel line with a ketchup bottle worked good, until the hot water ruined the bottle. I have a new bottle, and I put a nylon tie into the dispenser tube, and it froze solid and then could not inject hot water into the blockage or remove the nylon tie I then used a heating pad, the kind used for a sore back, set it on medium, wrapped it around the despenser opening, and within an hour the line unfroze.

My dispenser line froze up once about 2 years into its life, cleared itself up within a week, and now, 4 years later has begun to freeze up just once a week, Is there a 7 day cycle of deep thawing? Kind of funny it has occurred each Saturday morning for the past 3 weeks... Anyone else on a weekly schedule?

Handee
Dec 5, 2009, 02:21 PM
Everybody ; same problem with the line freezing, same place, about 4-5 inches down the tubing, I haven't called GE as they have been unhelpful with other problems. This door design is such cr*p.
Using the lawn mower fuel line with a ketchup bottle worked good, until the hot water ruined the bottle. I have a new bottle, and I put a nylon tie into the dispenser tube, and it froze solid and then could not inject hot water into the blockage or remove the nylon tie I then used a heating pad, the kind used for a sore back, set it on medium, wrapped it around the despenser opening, and withing an hour the line unfroze.

My dispenser line froze up once about 2 years into its life, cleared itself up within a week, and now, 4 years later has begun to freeze up just once a week, Is there a 7 day cycle of deep thawing? Kinda funny it has occurred each Saturday morning for the past 3 weeks... Anyone else on a weekly schedule?

Geng: Very funny! It's laughable to hear ereyone else has experienced the same problem. My refrig was less than a year old when it started to fail.(always in the morning-after an all night freeze!) At first, I was on the "monthly schedule", which graduated to the "weekly schedule", then to the "daily schedule"... that's when I put in the heater! I'm told I don't use the water feature often enough, but with the heater kit installed, it's gone from failing daily to working perfectly for 5 weeks. I still don't use it as much as my friends, but it's working. (I almost hate to acknowledge that out loud or my refrig might hear me! Ha!Ha!)
Good Luck!
Handee

Laszer
Dec 9, 2009, 07:40 AM
I understand that GE has a "fix" for the frozen line problem which allegedly was due to poor design. Contact a GE service person for the repair.

ncshakespeare
Dec 30, 2009, 07:06 AM
Geng: Very funny! It's laughable to hear ereyone else has experienced the same problem. My refrig was less than a year old when it started to fail.(always in the morning-after an all night freeze!) At first, I was on the "monthly schedule", which graduated to the "weekly schedule", then to the "daily schedule"....that's when I put in the heater!! I'm told I don't use the water feature often enough, but with the heater kit installed, it's gone from failing daily to working perfectly for 5 weeks. I still don't use it as much as my freinds, but it's working. (I almost hate to acknowledge that out loud or my refrig might hear me! Ha!Ha!)
Good Luck!
Handee


Handee, I got the heater installed as per the instructions, but it didn't really heat up after 1-min (or 5-min) or perhaps, I didn't feel any heat. I ignored it and proceeded with putting the assembly back to finish it off.

I realized that I couldn't get the board back on, due to the wire harness being shortened (as the heater wires' splicers took the extra space). Has anybody dealt with such a situation?

Also, I still don't feel the heater assembly being warm when I touch it.

Cheers,
Raj

kkoates
Jan 3, 2010, 07:03 PM
I will try the weed eater line solution. This will be a much more efficient fix than unplugging my refrigerator every week or so. It is too bad that GE doesn't stand behind their products when there is such an obvious flaw requiring a recall. If anyone has any luck dealing with GE please let us all know as I am sure that we will all be happy to be free of the weed eater line, even if it is a smart fix to an annoying and expensive problem. Thanks for the help!

praksinha
Jan 8, 2010, 03:11 PM
Well guys, this is a GE problem, not ours. So, we need to file a lwsuit, rather than wasting our time. Can anybody has any idea how to do it?

AnotherConsumer
Jan 9, 2010, 08:21 AM
F

AnotherConsumer
Jan 9, 2010, 08:21 AM
F

joe245
Jan 9, 2010, 08:52 AM
I have always has trouble with GE products. Here is a list of GE items that I have had that had major issues with and or broke. GE extension cord (yes even it was bad, I purchased it new and thought it might be OK because it probably wasn’t made by GE, they just branded it. I was wrong ) GE walkman - broke, GE washer - several issues,
I did not buy these GE appliances, they were in the house I purchased. These appliance are only a few years old:
GE frige - ice dispenser molds, Ice chute door flap warped had to replace, water dispenser freezes, (new door did not help) door trim does not stay on, lower interior frig light bulb has no shield and melts food containers.
GE Dishwasher – water does not fill at times, cleans poorly, knob and trim broke.
GE gas stove- moisture gets in the flame control dial and causes the igniter to spark constantly. I have to turn of the power to the stove and disassemble and dry all the parts, then reassemble. This has happened several times.
I have always consistently had major issues and noticed poor quality and design with all GE appliances big or small. In comparison, Kenmore, WorldPool, and even Roper appliances have performed well and had amazing long service lifes. Have a Kenmore wash and dryer that are 10 years old and have not had a single issue. My parents bought a new roper washer and dryer, had it three years and so far no issues. Had several Worldpool refrigerators and dishwashers, no issues and last forever.

joe245
Jan 9, 2010, 08:53 AM
To all,

I have GE model number GSL25JFPA BS. About 4 yrs old. Water dispenser started to intermitently work about 2 years ago. The GE owners manual said this could happen due to AIR in the line. What BS. The owners manual said to hold the dispenser open for about 1 hr and it should work. Sometimes it did , sometimes it did not.

Ice maker has always worked fine so i agree GE poorly insulated the water dispenser line. They wanted to have cool water come out but did not design it right, who cares anyways as just add some ice cubes to it, better that then have water not work.

I have another solution. Use a hair dryer. When it stops working just use a kitchen item like a large plastic serving spoon to hold open the dispenser. Then use a hair dryer and direct the hot air towards the water nozzled for about 5 min. If no water do it again, it will work.

Note: I tried this a couple of times and it worked. However, the line would just freeze the next day so it got frusterating to keep doing it. Also, the last time I did it, it seemed the mechanism to keep the ice dispensing door shut got weakened. Now sometimes after I get ice the door remains open which means about a 3" diamter hole leading to the freezer so cold air leaks out. I now have to push the ice door shut manually after I get ice. Not sure if the heat from the hair dryer weakened it. Try just setting the hair dryer on warm not HOT.

I am going to complain to GE as well. They should fix or offer a solution.

I do not think you weakened the ice exit door. The doors are designed to stay open for 3 or 4 seconds to make sure all the ice exits. Wait 3 or 4 seconds and you will see the door close on it's own.

I have always has trouble with GE products. Here is a list of GE items that I have had that had major issues with and or broke. GE extension cord (yes even it was bad, I purchased it new and thought it might be OK because it probably wasn’t made by GE, they just branded it. I was wrong ) GE walkman - broke, GE washer - several issues,
I did not buy these GE appliances, they were in the house I purchased. These appliance are only a few years old:
GE frige - ice dispenser molds, Ice chute door flap warped had to replace, water dispenser freezes, (new door did not help) door trim does not stay on, lower interior frig light bulb has no shield and melts food containers.
GE Dishwasher – water does not fill at times, cleans poorly, knob and trim broke.
GE gas stove- moisture gets in the flame control dial and causes the igniter to spark constantly. I have to turn of the power to the stove and disassemble and dry all the parts, then reassemble. This has happened several times.
I have always consistently had major issues and noticed poor quality and design with all GE appliances big or small. In comparison, Kenmore, WorldPool, and even Roper appliances have performed well and had amazing long service lifes. Have a Kenmore wash and dryer that are 10 years old and have not had a single issue. My parents bought a new roper washer and dryer, had it three years and so far no issues. Had several Worldpool refrigerators and dishwashers, no issues and last forever.

bjr001
Jan 11, 2010, 04:55 PM
Our GE refrigerator model no. is GSH25JSTA SS. I called GE to find out if the "Dispenser Water Tube Heater Kit", GE part number WR49X10173 will work on our model. They were unable to answer my question.

Has anybody tried this part on model GSH25JSTA SS? Does this part work only on specific models?

Thank you

praksinha
Jan 12, 2010, 11:18 AM
Enough non-sense. Don't you guys have anything else to do?

Just file a complaint against GE refrigerator at BBB. Still, I am waiting for some response about joining a class-c lawsuit against GE.

DCSurvey
Jan 13, 2010, 10:03 AM
While I would be happy to join a class action law suit, I want a working refrigerator in the interim. Based upon all the discussion, I have tried the use of hair dryers and plastic threads throgh the water dispenser. I have now moved on to ordering the WR9X10173 part but have not yet received it. In preparation for the part arrival, I also used the instructions from one of the other parties and have a problem. Insturctions were as follows: Welcome to the club. I had the GE repair service "fix" my frozen water dispenser problem to the tune of $ 216.00. $79 for a house call, $63.00 for the part and $105 for "labor".

It took him 20 minutes to install the part. It is a heat tape that attaches to the inner edge of the dispenser just under the spout. It has a plug that goes into the switch card for water/cubes/crushed. Part #WR49X101173 - you'll find it on-line for $42 at any appliance repair site.

Remove the square plastic cover ( pops off with a screw driver), undo the four screws on the inner panel and swing out the switchplate. The part has sticky stuff on it so just press it into the U shape under the nozzle. Pug it into the circuit board and reassemble. Your done.

Now for the problem. Once I remove the square plastic cover plate, the inner panel does not have four screws. I cannot find any manuals available from GE to the consumer which describes how to get to the area where the heating tube needs to be placed. I have a side-by-side GE GSL25WGPD BS purchased in 2004 which also seems to be the models experiencing the problem.

Mike from NYC
Jan 15, 2010, 03:28 PM
I am on the phone right now with GE customer service... 800-432-2737 and there is no such part/ parts as described in any of these posts! I did however go to the BBB.ORG and file a complaint. PLEASE FILE A COMPLAINT IT TAKES 5 SECONDS! - you can copy mine and paste it.
"The product is the G.E. Hotpoint side by side freezer model number HSS25GFTABB and HSS25GFTAWW (BB = black color, WW = white color). This product has an issue with the water line freezing in the door which causes the in-door water dispenser to not work. I have searched the internet and found that this is a very common problem, some are blaming it on deteriorating insulation inside of the freezer door. I called GE about this issue and they were unable to offer a solution. Since this is such a common issue with all Hotpoint side-by-side models they should offer a recall or a part to fix the issue. Thank you. "

anioho
Jan 16, 2010, 07:01 PM
My water dispenser not functioning started on Friday here in Houston which was the day the hard freeze we recently had started. I thought it would resume dispensing water after the weather returned to normal. So I did not worry but used bottled water in the mean time. Then after we all came out of the hard freeze, my water would still not dispense. So, I took out the whole structures in the area of the dispenser and could not go beyond the water outlet tube. I did not know how it functioned and I was going to get my neighbor when I read from a site (not this one) that the water line does freeze. What they recommended was to keep the door open for five minutes and clear the ice. I cleared the ice in the ice compartment, left the door open, and raised the temperature setting to zero. I left all that for about 30 minutes at least while I prepaared my meal. When I had taken my meal, I went back and pushed in the water lever and it worked fine. I think it froze because I am now alone in my house that I moved into in March 2003 with the refrigerator already installed in our new home then. It had never frozen before this time. As the only occupant of my house, I hardly use the refrigerator or the ice and when the ambient temperature in the city was very low, it froze. The ice chamber was full of ice too. So, if you are alone or use the refrigerator infrequently, you need to set your temperature pretty low. I now have it on 3 instead of the 4 I had it on for years.

joeyo
Jan 17, 2010, 07:42 PM
I have a model GSL25JFPD side by side GE and it too has recently quite dispensing water, but makes ice like a champ. I tried the blow dryer method mentioned prior and it worked perfectly. I know this is only temporary, based on what everyone is saying. I do agree GE should address this defect if it's so common. I've had a lot of bad experiences with every singe GE product I have ever bought since the early 90's and after 20 years I'm done purchasing GE. My parents owned a GE microwave that caused a fire and destroyed their kitchen. After going online to find out about GE microwaves I was alarmed at how many others have done the same thing. But like this water dispenser issue they will not admit they have an issue. For yours and your families sake, if you own one of these I would unplug it and get it out of your house. If GE doesn't get their act together they will lose more customers.

Gozoom
Jan 20, 2010, 10:27 AM
I just started having this issue too. My fridge is a HSS25GFAA that was purchased in that magical time of December 2003. I haven't had any freeze-ups with it until a couple of days ago. I originally thought it might be the filter, as that has clogged in the past, but after replacing it I realized that the ice maker was still working. So I found this thread and others that speak to the stupid design of the freezer door insulation and after reading the entire thread it seems very likely that the insulation is in fact breaking down and the heater element fix would be just a temporary band-aid. I did try a hair dryer to unfreeze the line but after 5 minutes it didn't do anything and I didn't want to distort any of the plastic.

So I broke out the hole saw and cut a 1.5" hole just under the slope of the ice chute and it was a very simple matter to carefully chip out the old insulation. It then only took about 30 seconds with a hair dryer to thaw the line. I filled it with the pink house insulation and everything is working fine now. Even if it does freeze up again, it will only take a minute or two to pull the insulation and hit it with the hair dryer, but I don't think I'll even need to do that now.

I called GE just for giggles and they told me that "they had never heard of this problem before". I then asked them why there was a service bulletin issued in October 2007 about the issue and that GE had developed a specific product to address this defect if they had never heard of the problem before. There was a long pause before they asked if I would like to buy the kit. I then politely told them that I would never spend another dime on *any* GE product and I would be adding to the long list of online information about their wonderful refrigerator design, and their customer service lies.

cmhip
Jan 21, 2010, 07:41 PM
Having GE SS25T6MB WW with the same problem. I figured out a frozen line in the freezer door was the problem. I have defrosted it by using the tube and hot water along with hair dryer. Works, but can be time consuming. Sometimes despenser works for days or weeks, and other times hours. I had Sears sub-contractor out to fix during warranty period. He was clueless. He changed everything he could get a wrench or screwdriver on. He contacted GE and they sold an after market water line heater. This was great, but the heater was not compatible with the year of my frigrerator.(2003 - 2004) Getting refund for that is another story. I'm going to try the weed trimmer line trick to see how that works.

LOTTO44
Feb 13, 2010, 06:06 AM
Hello All, this is great to have everyone working on a common goal. All of the posts were very helpful! My GE side-by side water dispenser just froze up and I live in Florida were things freezing up usually are not the problem=) Although, I did use some suggestions from the previous post and they seem to work for me... so far.

I did open then freezer door for about 15 min and then wiped the inside of the freezer door, right under the structure that catches the ice (where the line gets froze up according to other posts) with a warm rag. I also kept the light going which was a help to some people (the heat from the light helps defrost for some people) Once I did that the line popped out a little chuck of ice and started working again. If it freezes up again I think the best next step will be try gluing extra insulation to the inside of the freezer with some waterproof silicon. Sounds like the heater thing can work but from other posts its not perfect and can be expensive unless you are handy.

In other posts, people have suggested using a sheet of Styrofoam, drilling a hole and using regular household fiberglass and rubber to use as a extra insulation for the inside of the freezer. Has anyone had great success with the ones mentioned or with some other material that might work better?

Thanks to all those before me who took the time to share their problems and solutions! You have helped me greatly.

Lance

tzk3jk
Feb 19, 2010, 08:17 AM
I have the same water line freezing problem as everyone else. I bought the WR49X10173 part. The directions say to attach heater wires to red wire on pin 2 and black and white wire on pin 6. I don't have these wires. I have a black, 2 whites, and a blue wire going into a bracket on the circuit board with six holes. Depending on which end you start they go into the bracket as follows" 1) Black 2) White 3) Blue 4) open 5) open 6) White. Can anyone tell me which wires to splice into? The white wires are much thicker than the blue and black. Thanks
And when I called GE they refused to send the part nor acknowledge they had a problem even though they had a part to fix the non-existent problem. No more GE products for me.

BigSteelerfan
Feb 20, 2010, 07:37 PM
I have a 3 year old GE GSH25JFTABB side-by-side refrigerator. I noticed lately the internal fan was constantly running and very rarely shut off. I cleaned the coils behind the unit and the very next day the water dispenser froze up in the refrigerator side (behind the veggie crisper). After reducing the temp of both freezer and fridge and the line not de-icing after 24 hours, I decided it was time to turn the controls off, empty everything out and let the unit defrost (it was 35 degrees outside so I put everything in boxes and set outside). Leaving the doors open and the unit plugged in, the internal fan in the freezer continued to run (I think in an effort to defrost). 5 hours later I noticed water was still dripping from behind the panel in the back of the freezer compartment and draining out the drainhole. By that point, it was getting late and I had to work the next morning. So I took the wife's blow dryer, turned the heat setting on low and the fan setting on high I pointed it at the bottom of the back panel where the water was dripping. Just a few minutes later ice started to fall off the cooling coils hidden behind this panel. I kept the blow dryer going for 20-30 minutes, constantly moving it back and forth so as not to burn or melt the plastic. Finally all the ice had melted and the dripping stopped. Enough ice had melted that the evaporator pan under the unit overflowed and flooded the floor, but nothing a good mopping couldn't clean up. Cleaned the inside with water and baking soda (as directed by the manual). Turned the controls back to 5-5 (recommended settings) and packed everything back in. It's been two day and the water line is still running well. The great thing is the fans very rarely turn on and the temp seems fine. So here's my thought: even though these things have auto defrost, I believe after a couple years it just doesn't keep up and you have to manually defrost the unit. With the internal coils iced over, neither the freezer nor fridge could maintain the proper temps. Seems most people posting on the message board have had problems after 2 years. My wife and I will repeat the above every year to ensure the unit is running at it's best. I'm disappointed the owner's manual didn't have any directions on defrosting the unit. I believe this could also lead to freezing the line inside the freezer door. Think about it... something changed after a few years for your line to suddenly start freezing and it's not the insulation... that stuff will sit in a landfill for a thousand years without breaking down. So try this manual defrost before buying heaters, cutting holes in the door, paying for repair men, or replacing the doors. Just give it a good 8 hours (I wouldn't recommend a blow dryer as you could electrocute yourself or melt the plastic). Just make sure to leave it plugged in to allow the internal fan to continue to run, open the doors, let the lights stay on, but turn the controls off and let all the water stop dripping from the back of the freezer before starting back up. Hope this helps!

tgil
Feb 26, 2010, 09:46 AM
I am just following-up from a post back in March of 2009. We did end up installing the heater kit at a discounted cost, but at our expense-- I even talked with multiple people at GE and that's all the help we got. This past week we now are having the same issue again with the water line freezing up in the door-- it's a daily issue now. We will be trying the insulation fix posted on this site. I have complained to many agencies regarding this issue. If anyone ever hears of a class-action lawsuit, we'd love to be a part of that.

BigSteelerfan
Mar 1, 2010, 03:11 PM
Just wanted to post an update to my 2/21/2010 post. It's been 10 days and my side-by-side is working great. No water line freezing and no constantly running fans. I've seen a few people post that they unplugged their units for 4 hours to defrost and they still had issues with freezing water lines. Just to reiterate, I had my controls turned off with the unit still plugged in (so the internal fan could continue to circulate air) for 5 hours and still needed the blow dryer for 20-30 minutes to completely defrost. For anyone that does this, I would give it 8 hours without a blow dryer and at least 10 hours if you don't leave it plugged in because the internal fan won't run. Hope this helps!

GoOrangeBB
Mar 1, 2010, 06:41 PM
OK folks, I think I have a solution. My fridge is a Hotpoint but is made by GE. Purchased in 2004. I was also having this same problem after 5 years of ownership. I read a lot of posts here and put my thinking cap on. The biggest question was why it worked for so long before acting up. What had changed? I would defrost the line and within hours it would freeze again. I was going to try insulating inside the door even though I didn't believe this was the right answer. Then I came up with an idea that worked. Simple and free. I started by unhooking the water line under the front left side. There's a blue connector there. You just push in the white sleeve and pull the line out. Put down and old towel to catch any water, then proceeded to defrost the water line with a blow drier. When it defrosts water runs out and you can blow air through the line. I then used a plastic syringe I found in the bathroom and flushed the line out using boiling hot water. Next I used the syringe to flush the line with bleach. About a quarter cup or so. Hooked the line up again and ran about a quart of water through to clean out the bleach and I was done. Three days later and still working. Before it wouldn't last more than a few hours. You may have to devise your own method to flush the line, but it's worth a try. Didn't cost me a cent.

BigSteelerfan
Mar 6, 2010, 06:42 AM
GoOrangeBB, glad this worked for you. When you put on your thinking cap, what explanation for a frozen line did you come up with that bleach would resolve? Also, anyone using this method should run a few gallons of water through their line as a quart of water will not remove all races of bleach from your water line.
PS: I'll be routing for the Orange too... hopefully they are #1 at the end of the month!

GoOrangeBB
Mar 7, 2010, 06:46 PM
GoOrangeBB, glad this worked for you. When you put on your thinking cap, what explanation for a frozen line did you come up with that bleach would resolve? Also, anyone using this method should run a few gallons of water through their line as a quart of water will not remove all races of bleach from your water line.
PS: I'll be routing for the Orange too ... hopefully they are #1 at the end of the month!

Actually, I didn't think of a specific cause for the freezing. I just reasoned that the insulation wasn't the issue. I had tried taking the door apart and quit because of the insulation used. Looking at the bottom of the door I could see where the material was added. And unless it got wet, the insulation shouldn't change. I now think that minerals and other stuff in the water, gradually built up at the point where the water settles. Regardless, it's been eight days now and water is still flowing freely. As for traces of bleach in the water line, municipal water supplies already contain chlorine so you're drinking traces anyway. And unscented bleach is recommended by the EPA to disinfect drinking water in emergencies. Flush until you feel comfortable.

damsker
Mar 26, 2010, 02:49 PM
When you install the new heater thingie from GE, which part of the dispenser do you "pry" off? Is it the outside or inside of the freezer door?

jayman2000
Apr 5, 2010, 06:58 AM
I had the same issue and went through the steps listed. This weekend it started making a grinding sound. I took the filter off and put the plug in it's place, basically bypassing the filter, and it works great. Took the filter back out and made sure it was installed properly and it seems to work now. So although most of you will have a "freezing" line issue, for some who read this thread try removing the water filter completely and test it.

Stephen8
Apr 19, 2010, 01:07 PM
THANKS so much - 1 year + after the last note, and a different model side-by-side GE, and I now have my water dispenser fixed!
I used a 6" piece of hose just smaller than the ID of the dispenser tube, filled with hot water, inserted and blew it onto the ice jam.
After a couple minutes (and with the help of the plastic string line), broke it thru. I now have water.
Seems to me if I covered the inside freezer door with a 1/2" (8" x 8") piece of flexible insulation of some type, it would stay fixed.
Time to go look through Lowe's.

applguy
Apr 20, 2010, 05:55 PM
Make sure the freezer and refrigerator controls are set at median settings. Running the controls at the extreme settings can cause the waterline in the door to freeze. Seen it many times. Don't know if adding chlorine would make the water freeze point lower? Can't see any other reason for that to work. In my experience, when these tubes start to freeze "out of the blue", its usually due to someone maxing out the controls or perhaps a thermostat not cycling right anymore. Just an idea, since it can be a quite common problem.

jimmypelletier
Apr 28, 2010, 10:03 AM
I've had 3 discussions with GE, first 2 based on complaints through GE's own website and the 3rd from my BBB compliaint. All this week. The only positive thing I can say is they got back to me quickly. However, they have lost a household of customers going forward because they simply won't stand by a clear design flaw. Their only defense is it is "not a safety issue and is a repair for a fridge that is no longer under warranty". Their best offer was $100 flat fee to install a heater in addition to the $85 three minute long "service" call that started this whole debate with GE. They settled on refunding my $85 and are perfectly willing to lose my entire family's business going forward from light bulbs to appliances. I even referred to this very forum and the GE rep's response was we are a "huge corporation and what you think may be a lot of complaints really isn't". I responded by saying that is my point, for $100 a huge corporation will throw away thousands of dollars of future business and again she referred to the expired warranty and lack of a safety issue. Just chalk it up to another lost customer. Good luck all and please email me at [email protected] if you came up with a quick/easy/cheap fix you were able to do on your own.

joeyz123
May 4, 2010, 06:44 PM
I work in the medical field and tried a different approach which took about 1 minute to fix it based on some of the responses Ive read here. My water line was not working, however the ice dispenser was functioning. I also tried the weedeater line and found it to only advance about 3 inches. I took a 60 cc syringe and a 5 inch spinal needle that is about the thickness of a tiny guitar string. I put hot water through it... the small needle allowed me to push in the water and allowed it to drain at the same time while continually circulating water through the line. Within less than a minute the water line was clear and functioning properly. I inserted the weedeater line into the water outlet and this time I was able to advance it about 10 inches. With the line left in the water outlet, I am still able to get water like one of the posters mentioned above.

pacollins
May 22, 2010, 01:27 PM
I have a GE side-by-side refridgerator with a ice maker and water dispenser. In the last 3-4 months the water dispenser shuts off intermittently, but comes back to life on its own. I have changed the water filter as well as cleaned the water line, but haven't been able to identify the problem. The ice maker works fine.
Any thoughts?
Thanks

I have the same problem. What I discovered is the water line is freezing inside the freezer door. If you face the open freezer door it runs up the right inside. I have to use a hair drying and run it up and down the door several minutes to thaw it out. Also if We go away I turn of the water because the water despencer turns the water on all buy itself. I reported it to a GE repairman and his answer was if it happens again just open the door and it will stop. But I hope I'm home when it happens.

ndert
May 30, 2010, 04:29 PM
Alternatively, you can use dryer on your door to unfreeze water in the pipe.

cleveland_30
Jun 4, 2010, 12:28 PM
Just here to update. I taped a piece of insulation to the inside of my freezer a year and a half ago and everything still works well. It cost less than $10 and took about 10 minutes to put together(after I bought the insulation board and the double sided tape)

Angrycustomer
Jun 12, 2010, 04:54 PM
Not sure what kind of water cooler you have but it might be frozen. Temps in the Refrigerator side on the bottom by the return duct are often colder outside the drawers for produce. This is where most water coolers hide and often they freeze from the air through the return when the evaporator fan isn't running. Then you will loose flow to the dispenser. After Defrosting the Freezers heater comes on the ice blockage melts and the your dispenser becomes - Jesus Christ.

Angrycustomer
Jun 21, 2010, 04:50 PM
The way to test the water valve is to set a volt/ohm meter to the proper scale and insert the meter leads into the water valve connector plug and see if you have 120vac when the dispenser cradle is depressed (don't disconnect the valve). Make sure the meter lead ends are touching the terminals inside the plug, and you might tape them to hold them there during your test. If you have voltage but no water, you either have a frozen line or water filter somewhere that isn't allowing the water to pass through or you have a bad valve. If you have no voltage, you have an electrical problem elsewhere, such as cradle switch, molex plug at top or bottom FZ door hinge, etc. You can disconnect the plastic lines from the valve by exherting inward force on the tubing, pushing in on the collar around the tubing and pulling out on the tubing. It should come out easily, and make sure to trim (not too much) the end before you push the tubing back into the valve for a good seal. After the tubing is removed, place a bucket under the outlet of the valve and depress the cradle. If water comes through, you have a frozen line somewhere. If it doesn't, you have a bad valve. Because this is an intermittent problem, you will probably have to "catch" it when it isn't working. You can try to draw massive amounts of water through the door to see if it fails, but that is quite an unfair test. I usually recommend that you use it as you normally would, and keep the meter handy. Also make sure both controls are set in a median position. I found one of these last week that the control was set so cold, the filter froze. Let me know how it goes, would you? Thanks.
=
I had an old box the other day with a busted water line. The tech before me ordered an ice maker and valve. Both coils tested fine. I replaced the 1/4 inch line and checked for water, but nothing. The dispenser water cooler was frozen like a block and upon pushing the fridge back (which weighed about 10k pounds) the plastic water line sprang a pin hole leak on the 3/8 line. Those valves actually have what appears to be diodes and of course there is no schematic. The fridge is definitely worth keeping the liner is in great shape and exterior has no rust. Its 23 years old and the temps were 4F and 39F. Since the customer already paid for an ice maker, and water valve his bill is around 250.00 bucks. I replaced the ice maker water line. The water cooler line could be coupled I guess and thawed. What's my question. I often wonder why they put the water cooler so close to returns. Maybe there will be a system someday that allows the water cooler to be put on a continues circuit rather than staying still. Flow will help keep it from freezing and allow even colder water. Anyway, I enjoy your posts.

ONLCKED
Jul 6, 2010, 05:05 AM
Is that the water shut off valve coming from the wall or is there a valve within the fridge itself?

[email protected]

jdbeaulieu
Aug 14, 2010, 08:27 AM
I had the same problem with the water line frozen up inside the freezer door on my GE side-by-side. I could not get trimmer line pushed through from the dispenser. So, to get some heat into the ice jam, I warmed up the end of a long piece of solder by sticking it in a cup of hot water. After a few cycles of pushing the warm solder into the dispenser, the ice was cleared. Then I flushed out the line with hot water. The dispenser water is now running faster than ever. Clearing the ice block was really easy. Hopefully the hot water flush will give me another three years of flow from the water dispenser.

PhillipO
Aug 31, 2010, 12:56 PM
GE side-by-side fridge, model #GSH25KGREWW, purchased 2004 (by the prior home owner)

Problem: My ice dispenser works fine, but my water dispenser only works in the summers.

Best guess: A water line is freezing somewhere inside the unit.

Fix: A check of GE's WWW-site for known problems revealed nothing, but then I found this site... HOORAY!

As recommended here, I just called GE (800/386-1215), explained my problem and that I found this site/thread in which MANY people had complained of the same thing, and that apparently GE is providing a free part (WR49X10173) to repair the problem. The service agent (her name was 'Dorothea', she was very nice and polite, I must say) hemmed and hawed a bit, but after putting me on hold for less than one minute agreed that "as a one time courtesy GE will provide the part at no charge" (the tracking number on my call is 11199287).

So, I expect to get the part soon, and have it installed shortly. Although I'm pleased to have easy access to chilled water again, I'm irritated that I will need to use electricity to heat the line to keep it from freezing... that is a silly and wasteful way to address a design defect!!

-Phil

Handee
Sep 2, 2010, 09:50 PM
GE side-by-side fridge, model #GSH25KGREWW, purchased 2004 (by the prior home owner)

Problem: My ice dispenser works fine, but my water dispenser only works in the summers.

Best guess: A water line is freezing somewhere inside the unit.

Fix: A check of GE's WWW-site for known problems revealed nothing, but then I found this site... HOORAY!!

As recommended here, I just called GE (800/386-1215), explained my problem and that I found this site/thread in which MANY people had complained of the same thing, and that apparently GE is providing a free part (WR49X10173) to repair the problem. The service agent (her name was 'Dorothea', she was very nice and polite, I must say) hemmed and hawed a bit, but after putting me on hold for less than one minute agreed that "as a one time courtesy GE will provide the part at no charge" (the tracking number on my call is 11199287).

So, I expect to get the part soon, and have it installed shortly. Although I'm pleased to have easy access to chilled water again, I'm irritated that I will need to use electricity to heat the line to keep it from freezing... that is a silly and wasteful way to address a design defect!!!

-Phil
PHIL,
I had this "water not working" problem with my GE a couple of years ago. I found that despite all the well meant advice, disconnecting the water line going into the door (at the bottom) and checking flow, is the BEST way to determine if your problem is a frozen line in the door. At the time, I called GE and they said they "had never heard any thing about the problem!"... YEAH! RIGHT! This was COW-POOP! (if you know what I mean). (A GE tech recently told me that if by a GE side by side,there is a 90% chance you will eventually have this problem.)
My water failed every couple of months at first; then every week; then every one or two days... IT WAS ANNOYING! I could clear it with any of the recommended fixes (door open for twenty minutes; hot water; styrofoam backing; etc. etc.) They all worked... for a couple of days! UNTIL I unstalled the "part" you mentioned. The "Heater". If you're handy, it will be no problem. If you're not, just go slowly and follow the directions to the letter, keeping in mind that the control panel has to go back on easy, and the wires need to be out of the way of the lever. The only thing missing in my instructions from GE was that the control panel just popped off lifting from the bottom. (I heard they've added to the instructions). My water has not failed since the day I put it in (October, 09). Also, the heater is tiny. The amount of electricity it uses is negligible. It wouldn't even register on an ammeter! Good luck!

jayman2000
Sep 11, 2010, 01:01 PM
Same problem again after takinf the filter off and putting it back on, this time it is solved for good. Took a tuppaware top, plastic, and cut a washer to fit on the filter plug in the refrig, scewed the filter back on and I guess it is so tight now the water flows perfectly. This solution is from the fixya forum:
http://www.fixya.com/support/t1915157-water_dispenser_slow_flow_after_filter

jayman2000
Sep 11, 2010, 01:03 PM
Same problem again after taking the filter off and putting it back on. This time it is solved for good. Maybe this will work if it is not a frozen line.
Took a tuppaware top, plastic, and cut a washer to fit on the filter plug in the refrig, scewed the filter back on and I guess it is so tight now the water flows perfectly. This solution is from the fixya forum: http://www.fixya.com/support/t1915157-water_dispenser_slow_flow_after_filter

wiz28
Sep 11, 2010, 02:26 PM
Hey I recently have noticed an issue with the whole dispenser unit not working at times. It seems like it is only when the freezer is on defrost mode though. Don't know if it is a glitch in the system when it is on defrost or if it is normal. As far as the freezing waterline issue... I, too had the same problem. I installed the heater on my own... was an easy job if you are somewhat of a handyman. Also beware of the auger system in the cube tray. 2 times now a piece of plastic from one of the augers broke free and went into my glass. It is a clear plastic which makes matters worse. On the 1st time this happened to me, the piece actually got wedged between where it drops and where the motor spins. The motor would still spin but the plastic piece kept on getting shredded into fine pieces and dropping in my glass. They were so small that you could barely see them. I was coughing like crazy for about a week thinking I was sick. But when no other symptoms occurred, I started looking for answers and found the auger system was getting weak over time and breaking. GE is aware of this and that it happ 2 times now to me and sent me a new one both times after complaining to go to Consumer Protection. I went anyhow :)

davette59
Sep 11, 2010, 02:43 PM
I had the same situation as all the others. The watyer worked fine for about a year and then started freezing up. It gradually froze up every day after the blow dryer, weed eater string etc. I also called GE and was told that they had never heard of this problem. Straight out liars if you ask me. After calling GE several times and with nothing working for more than a few hours,I finally called Lowe's which is where I purchased it. Even though the refrigerator was out of warranty, Lowe's replaced it with a new whirlpool. The whirlpool works perfect. Hooray for Lowe's, they stood behind their sale when GE put their head in the sand.Someone needs to bring a class action suit against these criminals. I will NEVER purchase another GE appliance!! Try going to the store where it was purchased and explain the situation. At least they may decide to stop carying these junky appliances. I hope Lowe's went after GE for their expenses.

PhillipO
Sep 12, 2010, 07:43 PM
GE side-by-side fridge, model #GSH25KGREWW, purchased 2004 (by the prior home owner)

Problem: My ice dispenser works fine, but my water dispenser only works in the summers.

Best guess: A water line is freezing somewhere inside the unit.

Fix: A check of GE's WWW-site for known problems revealed nothing, but then I found this site... HOORAY!!

As recommended here, I just called GE (800/386-1215), explained my problem and that I found this site/thread in which MANY people had complained of the same thing, and that apparently GE is providing a free part (WR49X10173) to repair the problem. The service agent (her name was 'Dorothea', she was very nice and polite, I must say) hemmed and hawed a bit, but after putting me on hold for less than one minute agreed that "as a one time courtesy GE will provide the part at no charge" (the tracking number on my call is 11199287).

So, I expect to get the part soon, and have it installed shortly. Although I'm pleased to have easy access to chilled water again, I'm irritated that I will need to use electricity to heat the line to keep it from freezing... that is a silly and wasteful way to address a design defect!!!

-Phil

An update:
The part arrived from GE within a few days, and I installed it last week. The installation was reasonably simple and straightforward (others on this thread have described the process and potential glitches quite well - far better than the instructions that came with the part!). Within a few hours water was flowing A-OK, and it has continued to work fine. So, I'm pleased about that.

As far as the cost in concerned...
I'm guessing this unit draws ~5 watts. Considering that it will draw power 24 hours a day, every day, and (including taxes, fees, delivery charges, etc.) I pay 10 cents per KWH, it will cost me ~$5/yr (or ~$100 over the 20 year life of this unit). I'm not too happy about that cost, not to mention the wasted electricity.

Timberleaf
Oct 14, 2010, 12:23 PM
I also have a problem with my water line freezing. Based upon the previous responses above, I called GE to request that a water line heater (WR49X10173) be sent to me at no cost. At first the GE agent told me that the only thing they could do was to send a technician out at my expense. I mentioned that I had seen several websites, such as this one, that proved that it was a common problem/defect and that GE had recently sent this part out at no cost to other people with the same problem. Then she told me that the best that they could do was to sell it to me at a discount - $25. When she would not budge from the $25 I asked to speak to a supervisor. I was on hold for a couple of minutes and then a supervisor came on and said that they were shipping me the part for free. Mission accomplished. This website is great. Thanks to all of the prior respondents in this thread.

Timberleaf
Oct 15, 2010, 01:01 PM
Just to follow up, GE shipped the part to me - overnight. You could have knocked me over with a feather! Maybe the calls and complaints are having an effect. In any event, God bless the internet and the people who take the time to participate in forums like this one.

spronk
Oct 18, 2010, 02:53 PM
My fridge is 7 years old and just froze up for the first time. It froze within 4 inches of the water spout as described by others here. I fixed it quickly by inserting a clean copper wire into the spout until it hit the ice. Then I used a hair dryer to heat the wire while keeping pressure on it to keep it in contact with the ice plug. Copper is a great conductor of heat and very quickly the ice was melted enough for water to flow again.

andrak
Nov 24, 2010, 01:21 PM
I have the same problem for more than 2 years with the GSS22WGPC model refrigerator. I had tried to troubleshoot a lot and finally gave up. Now when I came across this excellent website, I thought to call and GE and try.

I just called GE (800/386-1215), explained my problem and that I found this site/thread in which MANY people had complained of the same thing, and that apparently GE is providing a free part (WR49X10173) to repair the problem. The service agent tried to convince me that my model # is not in the recall and I should schedule a service call at my cost. I insisted on speaking to the supervisor. After a brief hold she asked me for the model number and the said that the model number she had earlier is not correct (I doubt that as I had serviced this fridge once earlier). After putting me on another hold, she came back saying they never given that part free for my model before but as a courtesy she will order it one time free for me and she ordered it and said I should receive it in 3-5 business days. Entire call took about 20 minutes.

lighton
Nov 25, 2010, 11:00 AM
I liked the clever answers, but I think I found the easiest way.

I turned on the light next to the water dispenser. Just press and hold the button for a few seconds and it stays on all the time.
In about 5 minutes the water was running again, and it hasn't refrozen.

damsker
Nov 26, 2010, 07:35 AM
I installed WR49X10173 (and believe me, I am NOT handy), and it hasn't frozen up again. If I can do it, anybody can. Just follow the directions!

vonal
Nov 26, 2010, 11:26 AM
My water Dispenser was not working but the ice was fine. I tried the hersey bottle and tubing to defrost the ice blockage but on my model there is a little plastic piece inside and it would not fit. So I just defrosted it. The weed cutter line worked but was a pain, every two hours it would freeze up and I was pulling that darn string. I defrosted it one more time then did this below.

I went to OSH got a sheet of insulation pad (the foil type that helps keep pipes from freezing up in the winter.)
Cut it into two 10"x 10" sheets, then put some heavy duty velcro inside the now dry back part of the freezer. Joined the two sheets up with more velcro and stuck it on back side of the freezer door. IT WORKED!!!! four days now no freeze up. I am a little scared to pull the weed line out, but will do so in a couple more days.

Its been close to 3 years now and no freeze up.. The original insulation pad with velcro is still working. If you defrost and apply when dry.
This works.. 100%

MFEIII
Dec 7, 2010, 06:33 PM
To unfreeze the water dispenser line, I rigged up this contraption. Unfroze the line with the freezer door closed in less than 60 seconds and cost me $3.00.

To make it, you will need:
- Thin clear plastic tubing (I bought mine in Home Depot for $3 – it is Power Care Fuel Line 3/32” I.D. by 3/16” O.D. by 2 feet long, and is by the lawn mower & string trimmer accessories section in the store).
- A clean, empty Hershey's Chocolate syrup squeeze bottle
- Some electrical tape

Take the flip cap off the Hershey's bottle, and feed one end of the plastic tubing through the opening in the flip cap on the Hershey's bottle, in the direction heading out of the bottle. It will be a little bit loose fit, so wrap 3-4 turns of electrical tape around the other end of the plastic tubing and pull it into the opening on the underside of the flip cap on the Hershey's bottle, should be snug and leak-proof now.
(You could also use a Heinz ketchup bottle 32 oz – the new one that stands up on the cap – it is a perfect fit for the plastic tubing, no need to tape it up)

Now, fill the Hershey's bottle with hot water, put the cap on, and insert the end of the plastic tubing into the water dispenser outlet on the front of the fridge, keep inserting until it hits the ice plug. On my fridge the ice plug was about 4 inches inside the dispenser tube. Squeeze the bottle gently, and keep a cup or small pot under the water dispenser to catch the drips. Push the plastic tubing further in every 5 seconds or so, and before you know if the ice in the dispenser line is gone. Start to finish for my fridge was about 40 seconds.

Then run the water dispenser for a few minutes to flush it out.

That was the good news. The bad news is the line froze up again in 5 hours, so I did this again and put the trimmer line is as advised above!

Is it worth complaining to GE about this? I am going to anyway, but will they do anything to fix the icing problem without charge?

Thanks,
Mike


I followed this approach and it worked great. I might clarify that the Power Care Fuel Line is in the lawn mower section of Home Depot, where the trimmer wire is for a permanent approach.
One twist I did on Mike's.. . Rather than emptying out a perfectly good bottle of Hershey's syrup, I drilled a 3/16" hole in the cap of a water bottle and fed the line thu the cap. Water tight and worked beautifully.
Love these clever fixes!
Matt

bustedfrige
Dec 14, 2010, 05:21 AM
This is a common problem with GE refrigerators. My waterline froze as well so I purchased the $30 part and fixed it in 15 minutes. I noticed a lot of people having the same issue so I detailed the symptoms, part and fix on by blog. Read about it here (http://bustedrefrigerator.com/ge-refrigerator-water-dispenser-not-working).

Handee
Dec 15, 2010, 12:19 AM
This is a common problem with GE refrigerators. My waterline froze as well so I purchased the $30 part and fixed it in 15 minutes. I noticed a lot of people having the same issue so I detailed the symptoms, part and fix on by blog. Read about it here (http://bustedrefrigerator.com/ge-refrigerator-water-dispenser-not-working).

Thanks for making this simple for everybody! I put my heater in about 16 months ago and it has not failed yet!
For anyone else who is reading this thread:
Take the time to read back through this thread and you will see that if you have a GE fridge with this "no water" symptom, chances are ALMOST 100% (yes, almost everytime) that your line is freezing in the door! Testing, (with the door CLOSED!) by disconnecting the coupling under the door will quickly confirm it. It seems that people would rather invent new ways to correct this problem than use the fix that is available! I can't understand why they don't want their fridge to work correctly without a MacGyver type fix! Wouldn't they want to not have to insulate the door, build hot water intravenous bottles, be sticking wire up the tube or keeping a hair dryer handy? Since I did mine, I have assisted or worked with 6 friends and relatives to install this heater and not only has it worked every time, but only one person has given in and paid for it! When you call GE, you have to be forceful and sound knowledgeable about the problem and after they "disavow any knowledge of the problem", they will finally give in and send it to you for free! (or in my case, a tech showed up at my door and left it with me to install) Everyone I've spoken to who has installed this "heater fix" and doesn't sock the freezer setting up past 5 or 6, has had a temperature of 0 to -5 degrees in the freezer and NO water problem. I've also put my Amprobe on the wires and have NO discernable current reading! If there actually is a teeny more current being used, it's worth it!
If I've sparked your interest, you can also page back through this thread and find step by step instructions on diagnosing and fixing the problem. Plus, if you have to pay for the heater, the part has now come down in price quite a bit. If you have to install it yourself, read the instructions CAREFULLY and you can do it!
Good luck everybody!

jannys
Dec 21, 2010, 01:37 PM
I had the same problem (line freeze) and after reading all of the above, emptied my freezer, turned it off, then used a hair dryer quickly, turned off the freezer, and it worked again. BUT... A FEW HRS LATER AFTER EVERYTHING WAS BACK, I WENT TO GET WATER AND WHEN I TOOK MY GLASS OUT, THE WATER WOULD NOT TURN OFF!!
ANYONE EXPERIENCE THIS?? ANY HINTS?

gderem
Dec 29, 2010, 10:12 AM
I had the issue most of you here have posted about. Several days ago the water dispenser just quit working. I went to the store and got a new water filter, but didn't fix it. I googled my model number and found this page. I tried the hair dryer trick. I did it on low, but my wife's hair dryer doesn't have a low heat option just low flow.

Fixed the water part, but now I have 2 new issues. The Ice dispenser flap which used to work just fine now doesn't open or shut very well, sometimes it opens just a touch but that's it. Second issue is that for ice or water it only works if I push in at the top just under the water tube REALLY HARD. That's the only way to engage it now. Used to work pretty well. Not sure how a little heat for a few minutes could break it but something happened. So be careful if you try the hair dryer trick.

jannys
Dec 29, 2010, 02:51 PM
[quote=jannys;2639978]i had the same problem (line freeze) and after reading all of the above, emptied my freezer, turned it off, then used a hair dryer quickly, turned off the freezer, and it worked again. But... a few hrs later after everything was back, i went to get water and when i took my glass out, the water would not turn off!!
Problem solved: because i changed the water filter a day or so before that, you must run 2-3 quarts of water through the dispenser before the water will finally stop flowing. The technician told me that after i talked to him again. They should tell you "because there is now air in the lines, when you change your water filter, you will have a problem with water shut off until you run a lot of water through. - i just kep a large jug there and it gradually would stop then start, and finally stop when the dispenser wasn't pushed in.

jannys
Dec 29, 2010, 02:54 PM
I have a GE side-by-side refridgerator with a ice maker and water dispenser. In the last 3-4 months the water dispenser shuts off intermittently, but comes back to life on its own. I have changed the water filter as well as cleaned the water line, but haven't been able to identify the problem. The ice maker works fine.
Any thoughts?
Thanks

Did you run 2-3 quarts of water through your water dispenser, as my technician told me you have to do when you change the filter? This worked for me when I had continuous water flow and it wouldn't turn off.

shrage1
Jan 2, 2011, 01:33 PM
This is very simple to fix. Just take a hairdryer near the door and it will defrost. The problem is likely in the door. Just take a hairblower behind where the water comes out for 5 minutes and you should be able to able to defrost it.

ESS79
Jan 3, 2011, 08:18 AM
Just wanted to thank everyone for all the information here.

I called GE this morning and, after being transferred to Consumer Relations (1-800-386-1215) and explaining the problem, the very nice CSR told me they are going to send the part to me. I didn't have to complain or threaten them with anything. I wonder if that means they have finally given in to the fact that this information is out there and they have little choice in the matter.

That said my water still isn't flowing. I don't know if the water heater kit is going to fix the problem or just prevent it from happening again. I don't want to take the hair drier to it after reading some of the mishaps above. Maybe I'll go the tube + hot water + squirt bottle route.

Thanks again, all!