GE Refrigerator water dispenser intermittently working

sboku · Oct 27, 2005, 10:01 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

wiz28 · Mar 7, 2009, 10:26 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, 10:28 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 out 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 thru 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. thx 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.



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