There will come a time when your ice maker would give out due to constant use and would then need repairs. Knowing how to test ice maker water valves and other significant parts of your ice machine will help put a stop to the problem at its early stage. This is beneficial to your ice maker’s overall functionality and will greatly help in saving you money from unnecessary repairs.
Likewise, checking the included user manual for possible troubleshooting tips or employing the services of a licensed technician should always be your priority. Do not attempt to repair significant concerns on your own so as to avoid accidents and make the problem more severe.
Now before we talk about how we can help you take better care of your ice maker, allow us to give you a more detailed look at this reliable invention first.
What Is an Ice Maker Water Valve?
The water valve is the main component of all ice-making systems and is normally found in automatic ice makers built into modern refrigerators. This is what you usually take a close look at if your ice maker is not functioning as it should or if it has stopped working altogether.
A water valve’s primary function is to let the water flow straight to the ice cube tray. Due to wear and tear, it will eventually malfunction, affecting the ice maker’s ability to produce ice cubes as expected.
The water valve is also fitted with a screen to filter water impurities, like sediments and minerals, that come from the water supply. Those filtered impurities may clog the fitted screen, preventing the water from flowing through the valve.
On the other hand, some impurities may escape the screen and are able to pass through the valve. As this escaped impurities accumulate in the water valve, it will lose the ability to close and stop the water from overfilling the ice cube trays.
How to Test Ice Maker Water Valves
Areas with hard water supply contain a lot of impurities that can clog or block the valves. Another cause of valve malfunction is the breakage of the solenoid coil winding. This coil winding generates a magnetic field that opens the valve and controls the water flow from going to the valve. If damaged, the water won’t reach the ice cube tray.
With that said, how do we determine if the water valve is defective? Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to test ice maker water valves.
Step 1
Move the fridge away from the wall and unplug from the power source. Shut-off the valve in the copper water line to stop the water supply going to the ice maker. Remove the lower access board at the back of the refrigerator.
Step 2
Remove the fill pipe from the water valve. After that, loosen the nut on the fitting on the inner side of the lid. Make sure to put anything under the flap to catch the water from the valve and pipe.
Step 3
Next, remove the screw that holds the valve’s mounting bracket from the fridge’s cabinet. Pull the pipe from the compartment and then remove the tube from the valve’s outlet. Take off the solenoid’s electrical connections.
Step 4
Use a multimeter or volt-ohm meter to check the solenoid valve. The meter should be set at the RX-100 scale. Touch the probes to the solenoid coil terminal. The standard meter reading should be between 200 and 500 ohms.
The coil is defective if the meter needle did not move. If you cannot buy the loop alone, you need to replace the whole valve.
If the coil test is okay, check if the inlet filter is clogged. Then, try cleaning the filter by removing the large brass nut on the inner side of the valve. Remove the screen with a small screwdriver and then scrub it with a toothbrush. Rinse the filter before reassembly and installation.
Step 5
Conduct a test run on the ice maker and check for leaks. Use Teflon tape or a similar product to tighten leaky connections. Do not use the first ice cubes created during the test run! Once sure there are no leaks, you may now reinstall the back panel of the fridge.
How to Replace Ice Maker Valve
The water supply line of the ice maker is connected to a water inlet valve located inside the bottom part of the refrigerator. Here’s how to replace the ice maker valve:
Step 1
Disconnect the refrigerator from the power source. After that, gain access to the waterline and the back of your fridge.
Step 2
Turn off the water supply valve behind the refrigerator or under the sink. To do this, turn the valve handle clockwise. Then, loosen the nut of the water line attached to the fridge. Drop the line in a bucket to catch the excess water.
Step 3
Remove the lower access board on the lower part of the refrigerator and display the blue water valve. Next, also remove the screws that hold the brackets to the fridge. Pull both brackets and valve to get access to the water and electrical connections.
Step 4
Hold the plastic wire harness and drag it from the inlet valve. After that, press down the collar around the water supply line on the valve and pull it.
Step 5
Using a razor knife, trim the end of the line that was removed from the valve. Then, shove the water line into the replacement ice maker valve until there’s a slight snap. Pull the line to check if it’s securely locked. Once done, drive the wire harness into the valve terminals.
Step 6
Secure the replacement valve with the screws removed from the faulty valve. Then, replace the access panel board at the back of the fridge and reconnect the water supply line to the refrigerator.
After that, return the refrigerator to its original location. Remember to switch on the water supply line before connecting the refrigerator to a power source.
What Causes an Ice Maker to Overflow
Inevitably, there will be instances wherein the ice maker overflows, and you are not sure what is causing it. Below are some of the possible reasons why that is happening and its corresponding solution:
- The water inlet valve needs a minimum of 20 psi to turn off properly. When the water pressure is low, the lid will not close when power is turned off. When that happens, the valve will drip water into the ice maker, causing it to overflow.
If the water pressure is enough, the water inlet valve is faulty. Either the plug does not turn off entirely or was left entirely open, which makes the water drip through the pipe. If this happens, you need to substitute the water inlet valve with a new one.
- If there is low water pressure coming from the main water supply, the valve will not close when you shut down the power. The lid will drip water into the ice maker and will result in an overflow.
- One part of the ice maker assembly may be defective. If this is the cause of the problem, you need to replace the whole ice maker system because there are no ice maker parts that are sold separately.
How to Adjust the Water Level on the Ice Maker
Sometimes, your ice maker does not produce ice properly or may completely stop producing ice. One quick fix that you can try to resolve the output problem of your ice maker is to adjust its water level. If the water pressure is low, or if there’s a leak in the ice maker, you have to seek the assistance of an accredited technician for some major repairs.
For minor water level adjustments, remove the front cover of the ice maker first. Then, manually run a harvest cycle by holding the round ejector and turning it—turning it clockwise will lower the water level, while moving it counterclockwise will result in a higher water level. Do this until you hear a click sound.
After that, put the cover of the ice maker back and monitor the machine’s ice production. This is the test cycle. When doing this test, make sure that the ice-sensing level can freely move up and down.
You can repeat this simple process until you reach the level of ice production that you want. Replace the cover of your ice maker and return it to its original location inside the refrigerator. Lastly, plug the fridge back to a power source.
Other Common Ice Maker Problems
Because they endure months and months of continuous use (sometimes, abuse!), it is not surprising that ice makers really do require repairs and replacements after some time. When it comes to making sure it lasts, regular maintenance is the key.
If you’re having problems with your ice maker now, check out our list of the most common ice maker problems and its solutions.
1. Clogged or Blocked Water Line
If your ice maker stopped producing ice or the ice produced is smaller than its usual size, it is an indication that the water supply line is clogged or blocked. For this, you’d want to check the water supply valve and ensure that it is turned on. The goal is to make sure that there are no restrictions or barriers to the water supply line.
To remedy this issue, you need to disconnect the refrigerator from the power source first. Then, look for the shut-off valve, which is generally under the sink or behind the fridge. Move the switch to the off position. Then, using a turkey baster filled with warm water, pour some warm water over the waterline.
Another way to defrost the waterline is to use a hairdryer or leave the refrigerator unplugged for two hours or more. Reconnect it to a power source and observe if the water supply is filling the ice tray. If the clog is not cleared, contact a professional technician to help you remove the clog.
2. Clogged Filter
If the filter’s maintenance instructions are not followed according to its specification, you will have clogged filters that may cause the ice maker to stop working. Look for the screen and ensure that it is clean.
If found to be broken, replace it with a new one. The screen is typically found inside the refrigerator to prevent freezing.
3. Ice Cubes Are Too Small or Too Big
First, check for clogs. When you have determined that there is none, but it still remains faulty, your ice maker needs some adjustments. You have to adjust the amount of water going into the ice tray per cycle.
To do this, remove the ice maker’s front cover. Look for the spring and screw assembly from the lid and adjust the water supply accordingly.
4. Control Arm Not in the Right Position
The control arm signals the ice maker to stop ice production when the ice bin is full. If the control arm is accidentally moved or has fallen off, the ice maker stops its cycle. Check your user’s manual to learn how to enable this feature.
5. Broken or Clogged Water Inlet Valve
The place where the water inlet valve is located depends on each manufacturer. Before checking the pipe, disconnect the refrigerator from the power source and turn off the water supply. Check if the valve is full of debris. The line going to the lid should not be restricted by anything.
6. Frozen Waterline
If you have confirmed that all the other reasons we have indicated are not the cause of the problem, your line may be starting to freeze up. Check it right away and defrost.
If this is your concern, check the thermostat setting and make sure that it’s within the recommended temperature. A low thermostat setting freezes the water before it reaches the ice tray, which is why you need to adjust the thermostat settings accordingly.
Leaks
If your ice maker is leaking, check the refrigerator and make sure that it is leveled perfectly. The water supply line should not be damaged or pinched too. If you are sure that you have checked everything and you still cannot find anything wrong, contact a professional technician for a more thorough check.
Conclusion
Testing ice maker water valves and having the knowledge to troubleshoot your machine greatly helps in preventing severe damage to the ice maker. When doing this, always refer to the user’s manual. Also, disconnect the machine from its electrical source, and don’t forget to turn off the water supply before proceeding to troubleshoot.