Icemaker and water dispenser not functioning

Refrigerator & Freezer Repair
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1

Hello,

My Kenmore fridge stopped making ice. I browsed the forums here and concluded that the water inlet valve (Part Number: AP4298908) could be the culprit. I recently purchased this piece, and installed it.

At this point, the ice marker does not make ice, and the water dispenser on the door does not function. However, when I press the latch for water to dispese, I can hear a humming/clicking (could even be described as a suction) noise comming from the inlet valve assembly.

I know also that the filter has played a factor in these types of issues. I popped it out, and tried to run the water dispense. Does something (filter or bypass) need to be in there in order for the water to flow? I would have expected a leak from the sport where the filter was. Should I make an attempt to purchase a new filter, or bypass?

Did I not insert the inlet tubes in far enough? I’m getting water to the valve as the tubes eems cold to the touch.

What am I missing here?

Anything else I can check here to troubleshoot?

All help would be apperciated.

Thanks!

2

Alright, so I’ve done a bit of troubleshooting myself here. I was able to figure out the flow of water from the 4 inlets on the valve I had replaced.

The brown/red tube takes water from the source, behin the compressor, up the bottom of the cabinet, behind the drawer. across the top of the cabinet, and into the filter. From the the water exits the filter in the frosted,clear tube, following the same path of the brown/red and back into the inlet on the valve. From there, the flowsplits off two ways - green to ice make, yellow to water dispenser on the door.

I noticed that water is get atleast to the brown and clear tubes. When I press the dispenser trigger on the door, I can see water and ait bubbles flowing from the exit of the filter.

So I figured that possible the filter is old and needed a new one. I replaced today.

Now I can see water slowly reaching the yellow and green tubes. I read on this forum that if you switch the electrical connector for theIM and dispenser you can do some trouble shooting. So I attached the yellow connector to the green prongs.

What I can now see when I press the water dispense trigger is that water flow is slowying making int’s way up the green tubing into the back of the fridge going to the IM inlet.

It’s filled with air bubbles, and sometimes when I hit the dispense trigger, the water actually flow opposite of the direction it should (back down towards the valve).

What am I still missing at this point. No tubing seems clogged, and the flow seems to be reaching there destination, but no joy.

Can any one shed some light on what I can try next?

Very thankful if you can!

3

Hello,

I’d like to post an update to my saga…

First, whenever you take things apart make a sketch of how things are configured before you dismantle. Most of you already know this, but to those who are like me - consider this a lesson learned.

My dilemma was brought upon myself because of a lack of wisdom to draw a sketch. After tinkering around with all of this troubleshooting, I found my problem.

I had reversed the positions of the red/brown and clear tubing!! The clear is ‘into the filter’ and the brown/red is ‘out of the filter’. Upon interchanging this configuration - things work as expected.

I hope someone out there can learn from my foolishness and avoid a situation like mine!