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tagliaboo · Jul 28, 2009, 02:51 PM

I just bought a house and I have a Frigidaire fridge with top freezer. The ice maker does not work. I have checked and the water is turned on. The unit is plugged in and in the on position, and the freezer is cold. It is a M1 ice maker if that helps

Thanks

hkstroud · Jul 28, 2009, 03:26 PM

Check water solenoid valve, probably behind toe kick panel.

tagliaboo · Jul 28, 2009, 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

Check water solenoid valve, probably behind toe kick panel.

Thanks, What do I need to do to check it?

hkstroud · Jul 28, 2009, 08:31 PM

If you have a meter you can just disconnect the wiring and check it for continuity.

If you don't have a meter, turn off the water, disconnect the wiring and water lines and remove it.

On your work bench.

Cut off the female end of an old extension cord. Put on a couple insulated alligator clips. Connect cord to valve using clips and briefly plug in cord. If valve works you will see and hear movement of the solenoid as you plug and unplug. You can do this without removing if you are careful and comfortable making the electrical connections with the clips.

tagliaboo · Jul 29, 2009, 07:06 AM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

If you have a meter you can just disconnect the wiring and check it for continuity.

If you don't have a meter, turn off the water, disconnect the wiring and water lines and remove it.

On your work bench.

Cut off the female end of an old extension cord. Put on a couple insulated alligator clips. Connect cord to valve using clips and briefly plug in cord. If valve works you will see and hear movement of the solenoid as you plug and unplug. You can do this without removing if you are careful and comfortable making the electrical connections with the clips.

Is the solenoid the small part where the water feeds in. I found a blue part on the back that has the copper water tube in and a plastic water tube out and then runs up the back of the fridge

hkstroud · Jul 29, 2009, 03:49 PM

Sounds like it, should look something like the pic below.

tagliaboo · Jul 29, 2009, 09:44 PM

Originally Posted by hkstroud

Sounds like it, should look something like the pic below.

Yes, can I check the solenoid by unplugging and plug in the fridge?

hkstroud · Jul 29, 2009, 09:54 PM

No. If the ice maker is not calling for water nothing will happen even if the solenoid is good. The one shown is apparently for both an ice maker and a water dispenser. That's why 4 terminals. If you have only ice maker you should have only 2 terminals.
By applying power directly to terminals you will know that it should open. It is not a motor, just a solenoid. When power is applied the power will pull the center and open valve. When power is removed the spring will close the valve. Should probably remove so you can check for blockage in water lines anyway.

tagliaboo · Jul 30, 2009, 03:02 PM

I tested the solenoid and it pumps water. The hose up the back of the fridge is not blocked. If I slightly turn the gear on the ice maker it completes a rotation on it own, but no ice still.

hkstroud · Jul 30, 2009, 03:16 PM

That sounds like a defective ice maker then. Failing to sent signal to solenoid valve. You could take it apart and try filing the contact points. Probably won't be successful but you got nothing to lose. That is nothing but time.

tagliaboo · Jul 30, 2009, 06:13 PM

I took it apart and made sure all the contacts were secure. Then I let it dry out for a few hours. I just reconnected it and it squirted water all over me so I guess it is working. We will see. Thanks for the help

hkstroud · Jul 31, 2009, 05:21 AM

Congrats and thanks for rthe update.