Testing a Kenmore Ice Cube Maker With a Volt Ohm Meter

Automatically opening a valve in the waterline, an electromagnetic switch called a “solenoid” controls the flow of water to an ice cube maker. When the ice-maker sensor arm detects that the ice level in the bin has dropped below a certain point, a brief pulse of electricity is sent to the solenoid filling the ice tray with water. A malfunctioning ice maker is often the result of an internal short in the solenoid; this is easily tested by checking solenoid continuity with an ohm meter.

Phillips-head screwdriver
Wrenches
Voltmeter

Instructions

- 1
  Unplug the refrigerator or freezer. Remove the mounting screws from the ice maker with a Phillips-head screwdriver, and work the ice maker away from the freezer wall.
- 2
  Disconnect the water pickup tube from the ice maker with a wrench.
- 3
  Push the tab on the ice-maker wiring harness plug with your finger and pull the plug sections apart with your hands.
- 4
  Remove the screws from the ice-maker casing with the screwdriver and gently work the casing apart with your fingers.
- 5
  Disconnect the terminal wires from the ice-maker solenoid with the screwdriver. Remove the solenoid from the ice-maker with a wrench.
- 6
  Set a voltmeter to the ohm or “1X” setting. Touch either meter probe to either of the solenoid terminal contacts. Touch the second meter probe to the other solenoid contact. Any reading on the meter indicates that the internal solenoid wiring is intact and the solenoid is functioning properly; a “0” meter reading indicates that the solenoid requires replacement.

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