Proper Operation
Learn how your appliance is supposed to operate so you can determine if it is malfunctioning.

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Stalled

Icemaker Stalled Midcycle

The motor frequently fails in the compact icemaker. There are several different motors depending on whether the icemaker is in a side-by-side or an over-and-under refrigerator. An icemaker in a side-by-side can have more harvests per hour because the freezer section can absorb heat from the water more quickly. Get the part number off the motor if you have to replace it.

Possible Causes:

  1. Motor failure. Remove the short lead from the motor and measure the resistance across the motor. It should read between 400 and 600 ohms on an ohmmeter. Even if the motor winding checks out OK, the gear train can be jammed. Carefully wire up 115 AC to the two motor leads using an old power cord. Mark one of the gears and scratch a reference mark on the gearcase. Plug it in and check back in about 15 minutes to see if it moved. Replace the motor with a new motor with the same part number if either of these tests are flunked.
  2. Mold heater failure. Test for continuity. An ohmmeter should read between 60 and 80 ohms.
  3. Thermostat failure. Test for continuity IF freezer temperature (less than 10 deg F) is sufficient.
  4. Holding switch failure. Test for continuity between terminals "C" and "NO" with switch plunger depressed (ejector blades in 10 O'clock position). If no continuity is shown, replace the switch. Test for continuity between terminals "C" and "NC" without the switch plunger depressed (ejector blades in 12 O'clock position). If no continuity is shown, replace the switch.