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

ol_lonely

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

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

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 mins...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

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

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

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

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

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 )and installed it. Since I did this, (2 weeks ago), it's been perfect, but I have my fingers crossed...(Ha!Ha!)