Refrigerator Problems - Stopped making ice and Water Dispenser isn't working.

[Mike Johnson]

The solenoids are part of the inlet valve assembly. They control the valves. And no, it's usually not hard to replace the inlet valve. Probably the biggest headache is the replacement part might not exactly match the old one, but it will mount and work fine. You may need to run to the hardware store and pick up a couple tiny plumbing parts, depending on the details -- maybe little ferrules for compression fittings, that sort of thing.

But yeah, if an egg is freezing, it could certainly be ice clogging the line. Could be the setting was changed, or could be the thermostat.

[spacescape]

Thanks for everyones advice... now, back to our normal dealappliancerepair.com scheduled programing.

Bill

[Michael]

[quote spacescape]Michael, I'm not sure what kind of refrigerator you own but were you able to pull out the plastic tubing from within the inside? Or did you have to remove it from the back?

Bill
I don't remember the model as I sit here, but it was removable from the inside. As I recall, I looked at the back for an obvious leak and didn't find it, then I took out the icemaker (one of those cheapy sits-in-the-back-left-hand-side-of-the-freezer ones) with a couple of screws and was able to see the ice clog in a white plastic tube that directed water into a cup on the ice maker. I think I might have had to take the back panel off the inside of the freezer (several screws) and then I was able to access the tube. I don't remember exactly how I got the tube out (twisted maybe?), but I wouldn't have forced it or done something that wasn't pretty obvious.

I remember my wife suggested to me, after she got home, that a hair dryer on the tube might have taken care of it very quickly and without taking anything apart. She's probably right, but then I wouldn't have been able to get my tools out!

[modelamac]

Here is the Sears Parts list site where you can get parts for many brands:

http://www3.sears.com/

shanedar is correct - there is no pump that moves the water. The pressure from your plumbing sys. does that, when the valves (mentioned above) are triggered by either the icemaker or the water switch in the door.

The water cooling reservoir is in the refrig side, back wall, down low.. That supplies water for drinking, but not the icemaker.

For both icemaker and water to be affected, it has to be a filter problem, or 2 valves had to go bad about the same time. The water to the icemaker does not get pre-cooled unless it runs through the filter first, so the filter looks to be the culprit. It could be a freezing problem as well, if that is the case.

[Baby Tats]

If you have a saddle valve on the cold water supply then check it. They are notorious for clogging. In fact, if you have a saddle valve then don't check it- just replace it.

[spacescape]

I ordered the water filters this morning and turned down the temp in the refrigerator. I have allocated some time tonight to pull our the refigerator and check the water supply and to verify the lines aren't frozen. If those don't seem to be the problem my friend is going to swing buy to help me check the solenoids on the inlet valve. I sure hope it's easy to find and fix.

Based on the schematic from the sears part site I believe this is the correct inlet valve for my refrigerator. $70.00 is a little more than I want to spend right now however if I need it and I can fix it then I'll get it.

http://www.repairclinic.com/0081.asp?RccPartID=1194744

Can I ask you guys another question or two? There is very little chance that both solenoids would go bad at once? That being said, if the water is flowing good through the water supply, I change the filter, the water lines aren't frozen, is that really the ONLY part could be causing the problem?

This looks like an easy repair based on the fact that I've opened Apple Power Mac 8500's before.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Bill