Home Garden

Ice Maker Is Broken and Frozen in a Kenmore Side by Side Fridge

The Kenmore side by side refrigerator provides large amounts of space for both cooled and frozen foods but also provides room for an ice maker that can dispense outside of a freezer box. While a door placed ice dispenser is convenient, it does you no good when it doesn’t work. Several factors play a role in the operation, or malfunction, of the ice maker.
  1. Water Supply

    • If the ice maker does not form or dispense ice at all, the problem may stem from the water supply. Ensure the water supply tube is correctly positioned and that the water is turned on. Additionally, ensure that no clogs are preventing water from reaching the ice cube trays.

    Shutoff Valve

    • Another area that may suffer from clogging is the shutoff valve. The shutoff valve regulates how much water enters the ice cube tray. A tray with no water at all may have a clogged shut off valve, while an overflowing tray is a symptom of a broken valve. In either case, contact a repair professional for service options.

    Feeler Arm

    • In a Kenmore Side By Side refrigerator, the feeler arm is the control arm that turns an ice maker on and off. An ice maker that does not produce ice even when the feeler arm is in the on position could indicate a broken feeler arm. Turn the arm from on to off and then back to on. If the ice maker does not activate, contact a professional for repair or replacement options.

    Old Cubes

    • Ice makers that produce ice with a bad taste or smell may not suffer from malfunction. Often, this problem stems from old ice cubes in the freezer. According to Kenmore, the ice bin requires emptying every 30 days. Ice left in the bin longer than 30 days may acquire an odor that can spread to the newer ice.

    Dirt

    • Ice cubes that appear contaminated with dirt may stem from accumulated dirt or sediment in the water line. This can cause ice makers to freeze dirt or calcium buildup into the ice cubes as it breaks up. Cleaning the water line occasionally can minimize the risk of dirty ice.

    Door Gasket

    • The door gasket helps seal the freezer’s cold air in the chamber. A broken door gasket can cause the freezer door to sit ajar, allowing heat to enter the freezer compartment. This leads to longer freezing times for ice cubes and even a lack of freezing altogether. Replacing the gasket when it breaks or appears worn can prevent this problem.