Ice Maker Not Making Ice / Whirlpool / What To Check and How To Fix

[@FisherCatProductions]

EXCELLENT video. A standard by which all repair videos should be measured. You not only explained how to fix it, but how it works, and gave me the testing info I was looking for. Kudos!

[@handymanjourney]

Hey thank you! So glad this was helpful!

[@dallasman9892]

​@@handymanjourney Good video if my icemaker is that model. Mine is labeled AD-18 in a Kenmore top freezer. It doesnt have the test holes, just a solid metal plate behind the gear/cam

[@ktktoo8462]

This is why KZbin is the BEST. A 2.5 year old video just helped me to STOP THE NOISE my ice maker was making. Made that paper clip contraption, stuck it in those holes and something reset itself, no more noise and I've now got ice. On a 17 year old ice maker! Whooo hoo!

[@handymanjourney]

So awesome! Glad this helped!

[@FBay]

Great video. Reminder to all, when doing the wire test to make sure to hold the switch as if the freezer is closed. Thanks for this instructional video.

[@leshiapope8006]

Need to know can I use a bird beak plier to hold wire

[@FBay]

@@leshiapope8006 you can, but make sure your skin is not touching the metal part of the pliers or else you may get shocked.

[@kevindunn8185]

This is one of the best KZbin Appliance Repair Videos! Clear, concise, and edited.

[@handymanjourney]

Thaks Kevin! I am glad this was helpful!

[@pkaye27]

Honest Lee is simply awesome! I had a tenant research this for me and fix the problem before contacting an appliance technician. Saved us both a few hundred! Thanks Honest Lee!!!

[@handymanjourney]

This is so great to hear! So glad you were able to get it fixed!!

[@ltlpaa2973]

OK, I found out the easy way to get the cover off. Thought I'd let you know in case anyone else has trouble with the cover. I took the ice container out and looked at the bottom of the cover and presto, there are two notches on the bottom side for putting in a screwdriver to pry and remove the cover. Thanks for your patience in the matter. You gave me the courage to give this a try.

[@aday1637]

I used a hammer and it came right off in 4 pieces.

[@tazflyr4096]

THANK YOU!! A plain spoken repair video that doesn't show 10 mins of fastening screws! Do more plz?

[@handymanjourney]

Hey thanks tax! I appreciate your comment!

[@robertbeam8669]

that was EXACTLY my problem. Ordered one from Amazon. It came with 2 wiring harnesses. I removed the old harness, installed the new, and presto! I had ice in an hour. Thank you. (it was the burnt out heating post that was the problem, i bought this Whirlpool new, 5 years ago.) Thanks again

[@handymanjourney]

Robert Thank you so much for the awesome comment! So glad I could help!! :)

[@p.g.8138]

What about the people that followed his instructions and had a bad module or a bad heater?

[@calicool4399]

Wow Lee is the best when it comes to simplifying how an Ice Maker Works and how to diagnose and fix a problem

[@handymanjourney]

Hey thanks Chuck I appreciate it

[@kittlessister8675]

BRAVO!!!! Got my sub! I just replaced the panel as I had a client that miraculously had a replacement kit in their closet when I sold their home and they said take anything that's there....the same week I had another clients freezer stop making ice and it happened to be the same dang ice maker! The cards were dealt so sweet with that! I used the new panel of the kit and that worked :) Great video, I was able to fix that easily without having to have my clients spend an arm and a leg on a diagnosis and fix :)

[@handymanjourney]

So glad this was helpful and things worked out!

[@DSC800]

Yup, the heater contact arced on the replacment unit I bought a year ago. I unscrewed the cover and soldered over the burned connector. It worked for a day then I had to solder it again with an added copper strip. It's been about a week and so far so good. Thanks for posting this video.

[@kikpoon776]

Thank you! I am real estate agent and was able to save my buyer a lot of money by fixing it myself after watching your video.

[@handymanjourney]

That's great to hear Kik! I love comments like these! So glad I could help!!

[@BrentAtlantaGa]

This guy and video is easy to understand. I fixed the ice maker after troubleshooting.. thanks bunches!😊

[@handymanjourney]

Your so welcome! I am so glad this video was helpful for you

[@CNArea51]

YES You just helped me fix it. Jumper Wire- water is good.. Take off cover... black burnt by motor.. smells burnt too. Thank You

[@frankcastillojr6575]

This was the best and most simple directions I could of received to test and fix my ice maker....Thank you!!!!!!!

[@handymanjourney]

Great to hear! So glad it helped!

[@janjones4772]

Thanks so much for sharing, don’t know if I can fix it, but it gives me an idea of what has happened. I’ll just have to find someone I can afford to fix it, Thanks again for sharing, it really helps.👍👍😊

[@handymanjourney]

your so welcome! I am glad this is helpful!

[@stephenvogt9947]

Instructions should include popping out the "U" shaped plug where the water trough goes into the ice maker. Check your old ice maker to see if it has a "U" shaped cutout. If the old one has the cutout but you don't pop it out on the new one, some water will go into the ice bin and freeze the cubes together.

[@tommyteamer9037]

Nice video on how to fix the ice machine and you was straight to the point.

[@handymanjourney]

Glad this was helpful!

[@arjones2330]

Use a piece of #12 or 14 thhn wire thats insulated and strip the ends. Much safer. Great information.

[@imout671]

Great video. Ice makers and garbage disposals are 2 of my biggest problems as a landlord. Over time ive pulled them out of my apartments.

[@handymanjourney]

I can see that for sure! Thanks for your comment!

[@bigjoe2944]

Awesome video. I checked the circuit it does not appear to be burnt. I'm going to replace the whole ice maker and hope that works. The water did flow. Thank you for the video.

[@handymanjourney]

You are so welcome! I am glad this video was helpful for you!

[@dancain6231]

I'm having the same problem and this is the second video I watched. Very informative just what I needed. Thank you.

[@erikmc6385]

Ice maker just stopped working. This is the first clip i found. Great info. Thanks for posting.

[@handymanjourney]

Hey Thanks! I appreciate your comment, Tune in tomorrow morning at 6am PST for a new WLOG!

[@garychambers1803]

Great Information! Thanks for the tip on how to check the water flow.

[@handymanjourney]

Glad it was helpful!

[@brokin6]

Thank you for helping me diagnose the problem. Had a burned out part in mine so thank you for diving deeper because that's how I could tell. Much appreciated!

[@rednrollin4413]

Great video. I did the replacement as you suggested. The ice maker is making ice again however it will only give me crushed ice no mater what I select on the switch/door. I unplugged ther refer and also did the reset and no change

[@charliebrown8782]

Great Video, Enough depth to do the job and explained simply and quickly enough to be effective. Good Job Thanks

[@handymanjourney]

I am glad this was helpful!

[@SK-or9bo]

It's the middle of 2022 and your video just helped me. Thank you!!

[@handymanjourney]

You're welcome! I am so glad this video was helpful!

[@davesmith2740]

Excellent video! You're a natural - not stiff and awkward like some of the video "hosts" I've come across. Keep it up!

[@davidedwards1481]

I can't thank you enough for your video. Saved me hundreds of dollars, was such an easy remove and replaced. I was not even considering repair myself. This video showed me how easy it was. Thanks

[@cassandrafleming2194]

This was a great video. A previous repairman showed me the jumper wire trick, but I forgot which ports to use. Now I know!

[@larrywoodward6564]

Fantastic. Immediately ID'd the burnt connection. I happened to have a old, but never installed match. I replaced the module, but cant get it to engage. The new module does cycle, but wont refill the water, so I used the VL tool you suggested to fill. Now Im waiting to see if the module will engage when it "senses" I have ice cubes, ready to dump. Make sense? I truly appreciate your site and help so far. Really clear and concise video.

[@ibikunlejanduwata6868]

Thanks so much, I watched your video this morning, I went to Lowe's,I bought the kit, I installed it, after 2 hours I got ice . Thanks so much, really appreciate U sir.

[@joeclark2646]

Thank you for mentioning the temperature requirement for the ice maker making ice!

[@handymanjourney]

Your welcome

[@crystaldubois5265]

Ive been searching a solution for my ice maker FOREVER! Thank you fir this troubleshooting! FINALLY found the actual problem by finding your video!!!!

[@handymanjourney]

Hey So great! So glad I could help!!!

[@derfkraw]

My 7 year old whirlpool started making ice very erratically. I found this video, figured out how to get all the plastic doors and drawers out of the way (hardest part of the whole project). Then, when I finally had easy access, it took only a few minutes to remove the unit. After taking that front piece off , I found no burnt electric connections. But, I did clean both sides of all connections with emery cloth, a sharp knife blade and finally some electronic components aerosol spray cleaner. I even found, under a plastic lever type thing, a set of points, similar to what you used to find in an auto distributor. I dug out my old ignition points file, which I have not had to use in at least 30 years, and ran it through all 4 points. But everything back together annd it is cranking out all sorts of ice, simply by cleaning the invisible corrosion off of the electric contacts

[@51mlevy]

Great job showing how to troubleshoot my ice maker. Gonna give it a try and fix it.

[@JoePeck316]

Very helpful video, clear instructions, no dumb music or corny jokes. A+++ would watch again.

[@steveofthebeach1424]

Perfect. Exactly what I needed. Thanks for being here.

[@bonitamac363]

Thank you! The best instructional video for ice maker maintenance I have found by far!

[@handymanjourney]

Your welcome! Thank you for your comment!

[@ysaakwisdom9414]

This is the greatest video on the internet! Thanks so much! You saved me A LOT of money!!

[@handymanjourney]

You are so welcome! I am very glad this was helpful!!

[@fordjones1213]

What a great video!!! Very simply put and very instructive. I was able to do exactly what you said and the water engaged and I have my new one on the way!! Thank you!!!

[@handymanjourney]

So glad this worked for you!

[@robertlomax3680]

Thank you for the clear repair instruction for my ice maker.

[@handymanjourney]

Your welcome robert

[@stealthslide]

Great instruction video......simple and to the point. Thanks for posting.

[@handymanjourney]

Hey thanks James! Glad it was helpful

[@riverbender9898]

Great information. Well described. Thank You.

[@JEMay2010]

Fixed mine in 15 minutes with the hair dryer. You Rock!

[@handymanjourney]

Awesome! Glad I could help!

[@sueg2721]

JEMay2010 what did you do with your hair dryer?

[@19Bmiller]

Very good and I found it at just the right time. My ice maker which matches yours had failed. Using the bent wire to test it proved the same as yours and I've ordered a new one from the link you provided. One question, does the water at the source need to be shut off?

[@shutupdog11]

Very nice video my friend . I would also like to comment on the wiring harness that is sold separately. My harness was burnt in an open position underneath the plastic shielding . Took me a minute to figure it out , but after purchasing a new ice maker and hooking everything back up and still no ice . So I decided to ring the wiring harness out and came across the hot wire not having any continuity. Your video really helped me alot and thanx so much for your time ...

[@mariggsjr]

Wow just watching your video saved me the hassle of a warranty call. Thanks bro.

[@lorimc8934]

Great video! My inlet water was frozen. I thawed it and picked out the ice. Everything passes jumper test and seems to be working fine now. I suspect it was a water pressure issue though. It doesn't appear to be leaking. My well pump has been not keeping up lately when multiple things are running. So if some other things were running water, my icemaker might have only received trickles of water. The valve part # on my whirlpool from 2006 is 2304757. But looks like I don't need it now. I'll just let it run, and time will tell.

[@handymanjourney]

💪💪

[@jasonlewis7725]

You learn something new everyday I say thx for the tip saved me a lot of time

[@handymanjourney]

Your welcome Jason! I. So glad this video was helpful for you!!

[@TerryTennant]

"How to" is VERY WELL DESCRIBED! Thank You! 👍

[@sidemenbigband]

awesome - extremely user friendly instructions and thanks for the link - we've had our unit for almost 20 years and it still works great otherwise!

[@Fridaysot1845]

Thank u kindly sir for this I am going to show this video to my husband as the machine was not making ice from yesterday 🥰💙💙 hope it just needs a replacement 😅

[@Tommy_Mac]

Great video! Just so you are aware, the newer refrigerators with ice dispenser in the outside of the door, are different. Also, the connector for the tray heater burning away is repairable, but its not easy. A 1.5" long, 16 gauge, lead wire can be soldered to the copper conductor where the connector burned away. Make sure to use a wire brush and flux to get a good solder joint. Use a terminal (from a terminal block) with a clamp screw to connect it to the heater. Carefully reassemble and check continuity to the heater at the test points. It should read about 50 Ohms at room temperature. If greater than 50, you probably need to bend the connector on the other end of the heater to make better contact. These connections are badly made on these ice makers. Its a design defect and will fail after a while on the replacement. This fixes it permanently.

[@aday1637]

I took an acetelyn torch to mine and it caught fire and burned up. It does make ice now though.

[@raydunlevy1531]

I replaced an ice maker with a new one yesterday. The new one came with no instructions whatever; no paper, nothing. After installation dummy me expected the maker to start, and I panicked when it did not! Went to youtube, found and watched your video and you saved the day. This morning we have ice! Thanks for the clear demo.

[@handymanjourney]

That's great to hear!

[@feliciadr]

5years later and this video just helped me❤❤❤ THANK YOU

[@robertvalente8217]

Thanks for making this video. I pulled mine apart and the heater contact was fine. I used a jumper to test the pump and that is functioning as well. I did find burn marks on the 3 round lever switch contact points so i cleaned them with a small file. Problem solved.

[@OneMoreCupOfCoffee]

Thanks for this tip. Are you talking about the switch contacts that are driven by the bail arm?

[@robertvalente8217]

@@OneMoreCupOfCoffee yes exactly

[@lonnieappleby6242]

YOU ARE FRIGGIN AWESOME!!! Took a wire, touched the first two contacts and BOOM! Water began coming in. Now I know EXACTLY the issue and can get ice making again! THANK YOU!!!!!!

[@handymanjourney]

So glad this helped! Great work!

[@BKillr]

Very nice...simple...educational...and spot on.

[@handymanjourney]

Hey Thanks for the great comment Phil! I appreciate it!

[@TitusDavis]

I have spent plenty of quality time with ice makers over the years. The two failures you don't want are the heater keeps running or the water keeps running. Both are a lot of fun.The best you can hope for is it just stops making ice. If the water fill line freezes the motor will run continually until it burns out, hopefully not on the heater cycle. The heater will eventually stop but not until the plastic stuff melts. I turn my ice maker off when I am away for more than a day.

[@handymanjourney]

Titus Davis wow! Who would have thought a simple ice maker could have so many problems! Lol, the water that won't stop running would be the worst! Thanks for your comment Titus! Hey, we should plan a trip to Middletown this fall!

[@FisherCatProductions]

Good tip. Bought a house with my first ice-maker fridge and the water overflow made me nervous. Shutting the unit off when our and about is a good idea.

[@sueg2721]

We believe that our water lines are frozen up. Do you have any suggestions on what we can do to defrost them?

[@TitusDavis]

​@@sueg2721 It is a real pain, but unpluging it and letting the refiigerator / freezer fully defrost will clear the water lines of any ice. Unloading the refigerator and freezer is alot of work. It gave me a good chance to fully clean everything. My previous comments are for older ice makers, the newer ones are much better and do not use a timing wheel for filling and emptying.

[@sueg2721]

@@TitusDavis thank you. There was someone else that said she fixtures with blow dryer so I may do that. I don’t know we’ll see

[@timzimmerman543]

Thanks soooo much. This video and amazon link fixed my ice maker without a service call and their up charged expensive replacement part.

[@handymanjourney]

That's great to hear Tim! Glad to help!

[@highviews4524]

Very helpful thank you. On mine the on/off switch was corroded. I filed it clean. I hope it works.

[@handymanjourney]

Awesome! So glad you got it going!

[@xrrtracks]

this video really help me find my problem fast and how to repair it, thanks

[@handymanjourney]

So glad this helped!

[@clarkco4380]

Nice job. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@handymanjourney]

Glad it was helpful!

[@bobgrant7836]

I too have a handyman channel for my business and I need to look at an ice maker tomorrow so thanks. I am a bit curious how the water line connects to the ice maker.

[@stevequirke2449]

Video was very helpful. You saved me a lot of time and angst in trying to determine the problem with my ice maker Thank you

[@danielruppphd319]

VERY helpful. Thank you!

[@handymanjourney]

You are so welcome!

[@stevenromero1723]

Thanks to you we have a whirlpool refrigerator and we are to order the ice maker

[@athiussmaxximuss]

Awesome thank you so much appreciate you man you're good dude keep up the good work man people like you that make life easier for other people makes me happy

[@vanessaauten2043]

I love it, I'm very familiar and Confortable to replace it. Thanks, and have a great day!!!

[@salzero1]

This video helped me tremendously. Thank you for taking the time to post it. My icemakers water is running, the motor is turning but it's not making ice. When I took it out I looked at the heating element and it has a burnt spot on it. So I think that is what the problem is. I ordered the part with your link. So I'll repost if that fixes it. Thanks again!

[@scotleyinnis4524]

Thanks for the information and how to fix the ice maker in the refrigerator.

[@jeffjohnson2582]

Excellent video!! Had no idea what I was doing but figured what the heck, I'll give it a shot. Easy as could be. Wouldn't have tried it without your video!! Kudos my friend!!

[@lilcarlou]

this is like the best how to repair video ever

[@yjaffbailey86]

You’re the man! Thank you so much for taking the time to make this super informative video!!!!

[@kirklivingston243]

Thank you! The V-L check was super useful.

[@dougwebster419]

Thank you my brother. Well done and a great starting point.

[@handymanjourney]

Your welcome Doug! Glad this was helpful!

[@ChristyFrink]

Oh my god, BLESS YOU. Totally just used this video to diagnose and fix my ice maker.

[@Brewilli]

I think this is what is exactly what is happening to my ice maker. Thanks so much.

[@georgemoller2206]

Good video - you were thoughtful concerning all elements of the repair.

[@brucema5659]

Thank you for the instructions. I replaced mine without looking at any instruction on-line. After I put it in, there was no water. I was so worry until I saw that you said I may have to wait 24 hours. I was prepared to buy ice cube tray from Walmart.

[@handymanjourney]

Awesome Bruce! Thanks for your comment!

[@CR-zs1hy]

Excellent! Easy to follow and concise. Thank you!

[@handymanjourney]

Hey thanks for your comment! I am glad this was helpful!

[@dfkendrick]

Thanks, this not my model but I found a fried terminal! Great Video....

[@thefatfrog713]

You just taught a old dog a new trick ! Great Job !

[@handymanjourney]

Hey thanks! So glad this was helpful!

[@JamesVecchio-y1o]

Thanks for the assistance. 👍

[@handymanjourney]

Your so welcome!

[@garydoby17]

Excellent video My problem is I am not getting water Is there a video showing how to check the supply line

[@pacohome1]

Huge kudos very detailed instructions , answered all my questions before I even asked them!

[@handymanjourney]

Hey Thanks! I appreciate your comment, Tune in tomorrow morning at 6am PST for a new WLOG!

[@leeshorey2063]

thank you for the help saved me money and that a big help now adays

[@handymanjourney]

You are so welcome! I am so glad this video solved your problem!

[@y2ktube]

The toggle switch contacts triggered off the main center shaft & ice bar movement, become burnt so they form a carbon build-up (from the tiny arc created every time the switches close). I just used a tiny file to burnish the surfaces. Using common sense along with manual dexterity & BINGO ! Everything's back to normal... BTW, after cleaning the contact surfaces, I wiped them with DeOxit contact protectant; cleans & keeps the micro arcing to a minimum.

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

Thanks for this tip. I found the tiny contacts and cleaned them with a Q-tip and contact cleaner. A bunch of black soot came off and they looked shiny clean after. Tested with a continuity tester and it was now working fine. I forgot to apply some anti-oxidation (or even dielectric grease). It works well now though, really a 10 min repair once you know how to do it. For this repair, you don't even have to remove the ice maker, just pop the cap, 3 screws and remove the "circuit board" with motor. The plastic retainer for the swing arm (upper right) has to be pinched to remove the board. Other than that, easy-peasy. I had to use a small mirror to take the bolts/screws on and off because mine is a side by side and it's very narrow, but in the future, I won't even bother removing the ice maker.

[@johnt7866]

This was helpful in that I was able to diagnose that it was the ice maker unit (by using the jumper) versus the valves. I bought the ice maker. The plug for the ice maker was not compatible with the one in my freezer, so I clipped the wires in my freezer and on the harness and wired the old to the new. Ice production is back in order. Thanks!

[@cynthiajacobson9602]

thank you ,great information

[@handymanjourney]

You are so welcome!

[@Deutschlandsecho]

Great video, Will try to short circuit with a paper clip and see what i find.. so appreciate your help. Rick Jensen

[@buzzyf6758]

Thanks outstanding job!

[@handymanjourney]

Your welcome! I am glad this video was helpful for you!

[@frankcabello9897]

Este video me salvo de la calor ice 🧊 thanks

[@ritadiefenderfer1862]

Thanks ....you make it clear, however my ice maker tray wasn’t filling all the way ....do you know anything to do for this?

[@handymanjourney]

Hmm not sure why it wouldn't fill all the way

[@iBRINGpeace2day]

Easiest KZbin repair to follow. Thank you!

[@randykuhns4515]

Thanks, I put a wire across the two like you stated and water flowed which wouldn't do before,..

[@werhobbies]

Great video…only what do you do if water doesn’t come out when you use the paper clip?

[@mojo7586]

Great video, was able to diagnose mine and pinpoint the problem. Unfortunately Amazon is so pathetic with their delivery even on prime it would be winter by the time it gets here. I'll go on ebay !