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

michfly1976

hammer3332

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

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 agin. 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

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

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

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 of time, 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 in the event that 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 loosing the chill feature, what good is it if it doesn't work! Add a few ice cubes!

FLYnVFR

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

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

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

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?