Defective Water Valve

Name: Vito

City: Sterling Heights

Inquiry Type: Appliance repair question

Comments: 

I have an Ice Maker on a Maytag refrigerator that I can not get to work. I have replaced the ice maker and valve. The only thing I haven't replaced is the water filter valve. If I put 115 volts to the ice maker water valve, it flows water. The ice maker sends 120 volts to the valve when cycled. Could it be the second valve? Anything else I can check? I am at a loss.

Hi Vito, 

Thanks for your note.
There are times when the water valve will allow water to drip through. This slow drip can freeze in the fill tube behind the ice maker. You can melt that ice using a hair dryer but it also means replacing the defective water valve.
Regards,

Joe Gagnon

Ice Maker Repair

Name: John  

City: Ann Arbor, MI

Inquiry Type: Appliance repair question

Comments: Hi Dr Gagnon!  Your show is GREAT and Very helpful!

Question I have for you is that our refrigerator has an ice maker - and for some reason the defroster heater stays on too long (or comes on too often)  and our ice melts down and all freezes together. Any ideas?

Thanks

Hi, John,

Thanks for your note. Before we blame the defrost system, I would like you to check a few things. Place a piece of paper towel over the ice in the bucket. Let's see if any water is leaking through the water valve after it dumps a load of ice into the bucket. If so, the water valve in the rear bottom of the refrigerator needs to be replaced. This is very common.

Next you need to check the door seals by putting a flashlight into both sections, doing this at night. Shut off the lights in the kitchen and look around both seals to see if any light is showing. If so, heat the gasket with a hair dryer and stretch it out. Door seals have a tendency to return to the original shape when heated. If you still have the problem after these checks, I suggest you contact a service technician to check out the defrost system as the newer model refrigerators use computers tied into the defrost system.

Regards,

Joe Gagnon

Consumer Question: Freezer Water Valve

Hi, Joe,

We are attempting to install an ice maker into our Whirlpool fridge (model #w1txnmfwq01, top freezer) and we're having a heck of a time!

We had a contractor fixing up our kitchen try to install the first ice maker. He had problems with the water not shutting off.  We assumed the ice maker was bad and returned it to the retailer. We purchased another one and tried again. The same thing happened - the water will not turn off! Any advice you can give us will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Sean

A: Hi, Sean,

Thanks for your note. 

The water valve at the back of the refrigerator controls the water coming in. It most likely needs to be replaced.

Regards,

Joe Gagnon

Consumer Question: Ice Maker Repair

Hi, Joe,

I have a Kenmore refrigerator whose icemaker squirts water into the freezer which coats everything with layer of ice. I think the plastic line near the solenoid has split allowing water to spew in the freezer. I need a recommendation for someone to repair/fix this problem.

Thanks,

Dave

A: Hi, Dave,

Thanks for your note. 

You may be correct but I tend to think that the water valve is not shutting off 100% which is allowing water to leak through. As for service I suggest Doc's Appliance Service in the Yellow Pages.

Regards,

Joe Gagnon

Consumer Question: Freezer Thermostat

Hi, Joe,

A couple of weeks ago I had my stand-up side-by-side refrigerator/freezer repaired. It had frozen over and the repairman replaced the part that was responsible for preventing this and told me to leave it unplugged for 22 to 24 hours. I did so and now the refrigerator and freezer is working fine but the ice maker is not producing ice anymore. Can you help me with this problem?

Thank you,
Jermaine

A: Hi Jermaine,

Thanks for your note. 

I am wondering if the technician really fixed your refrigerator? I really need to know what the temperature is in the freezer. The icemaker will not work if the temperature is not cold enough in the freezer. The icemaker has a thermostat inside of it which must be cold enough to let the icemaker begin to operate.

Regards,

Joe Gagnon