Ice Maker intermittant in Kenmore Elite bottom freezer.

[_Rusty_]

Newbee here, but experienced electro-mechanical technician.

My ice maker quit producing when outside temp and humidity spiked in May. This same issue occurred last summer. Basic stuff, 1)changed h2o filter. 2) checked h2o feed valve. 3)defrosted freezer area using heat gun.

The heat appeared to loosen up the system and it worked for awhile, then quit again. Listening to the unit the level arm sounds like it runs, probing the empty basket. At this time it should "dump" and I'm not sure it tries (or has been told to). Then the h2o valve should cycle, filling the tray. It doesn't. I do hear a click sound that may be the valve cycling but no water flow sound. Without being able to "sit" in the freezer and watch it all happen, I'm at a loss for the problem. Is there any suggestion as to how to proceed? Maybe a source for the flow of operation. Short of replacing the unit (which if it is a freeze/thaw issue won't really help).

 

[_teliaz]

Welcome to the group, Rusty!

The symptoms present a classic case of fill tube obstruction due to freezing. High ambient dew point during summer months increases moisture infiltration into the freezer compartment, which then condensates and freezes within the unheated fill tube.

To proceed, what's the full Kenmore model number from the internal data plate? Do you also have a multimeter available to test for continuity and voltage at the ice maker module?

You can force a test cycle to isolate the component failure. Many Kenmore units have a diagnostic mode accessible through the control panel or you can often jump the T and H test points on the ice maker module itself to trigger a harvest. You could also place a small Wi-Fi camera inside the freezer to visually record the failure.

The operational sequence is straightforward. The module's thermostat must be satisfied, then the motor runs to harvest. A cam actuates the mold heater, then dumps the cubes. At the end of the stroke, another cam closes a switch to power the water inlet valve. The click you hear confirms the valve's solenoid is getting power, meaning the blockage is downstream.

A recurring freeze points to a design limitation. Look up your model number to see if a fill tube heater kit is available. It's a small resistive element that prevents ice from forming and offers a permanent resolution.

 

[_Rusty_]

Thanks for the reply! I did as you suggested and observed the unit via gopro and led flashlight. Once I again determined it was ice in the fill line, I removed the tube from the back and discovered a piece of black insulating material balled up around the tube like it didn't installed correctly. I then wrapped fiberglass electrician tape around the tube and anchored both ends with shrink tubing. It has worked so far.

Kenmore Elite

 

[_teliaz]

Nice job catching the icing on the fill tube with the camera. Looks like the factory insulation wasn't installed right, which explains why the problem kept coming back. The extra insulation should help a lot, though if humidity spikes again, it might still act up. Since you shared the model number, I checked and there's actually a fill tube heater kit available for that LG unit if you ever want a more permanent solution.