Whirlpool Ice not dispensing

I have a Whirlpool GC5SHGXKS00 Refrigerator and the Ice is not dispensing but the water is working and the ice maker is working fine. When I try to dispense cube ice the solenoid turns on but the ice dispenser motor does not turn and when I try the crush ice there is no sound. I removed the Ice bucket and saw that the ice dispensing motor did not turn when I pressed the switch for ice.
How can I confirm that the ice dispensing motor is bad before I order a replacement and do you have instructions on how to replace it.

Thanks

Gain access to the motor, then with a multi-meter, test for voltage by pressing the dispenser button, and holding the door switch closed. If voltage is present, then you have a bad motor. [part]AP2991305[/part]

Motor and ice container parts replacement parts for WHIRLPOOL GC5SHGXKS00 REFRIGERATOR | AppliancePartsPros.com

Jeff,
I thought the motor was bad so I ordered one and installed it but the ice is still not dispensing. The solenoid is activating and I can hear a whirring sound but the motor is not turning. I tried the Crushed ice and when I do the solenoid does not activate and there is no sound.
Any help would be appreciated on this.

Thanks,

— Begin quote from FrancisM;370947

Jeff,
I thought the motor was bad so I ordered one and installed it but the ice is still not dispensing. The solenoid is activating and I can hear a whirring sound but the motor is not turning. I tried the Crushed ice and when I do the solenoid does not activate and there is no sound.
Any help would be appreciated on this.

Thanks,

— End quote

Hello FrancisM,

If you can, I need you to test the motor wires to see if you are getting voltage to them when the lever is pressed. Let me know what you find here.

Jeff,
I finally got around to testing the voltage and when the ice dispenser is depressed I do not get any voltage (maybe 1 volt).

Did you test it with the door switch closed? If so, you will need to take the dispenser assembly apart and test your micro switch. Here is a link to the parts diagram page to help you with this, as well as the part number for the switch. Dispenser front parts replacement parts for WHIRLPOOL GC5SHGXKS00 REFRIGERATOR | AppliancePartsPros.com

[part]AP3131893[/part]

Jeff,
I hate to be a pest but when I took the front plate off the dispenser assembly. I see two micro switches, I assume it is the one on the left side that I need to test. Could you tell me the leads that I need to test and also am I supposed to see a voltage or am I looking for a Ohm reading?

Thanks

Not a problem. You will need to test the switch, not the wires. It should have two terminals on it. One is marked NO and the other is marked COM. Test these for continuity, when the switch button is pressed, and it should read closed. Hope this helps.

Jeff,
I tested the switch and it was a closed (0 Ohm) reading when I depress the switch, just to make sure I tested the water switch and it gave me the same reading. Do you have any other suggestions?

Thanks

If you can, check and see if your getting power to the switch. Let me know what you find there.

Jeff,
What voltage should I see when I measure the switch?

There should be 120 volts AC at the switch.

Jeff,
I still have not resolved the problem with the Ice dispenser and here is what I have finally found with the different tests.

  1. The switch does have 120v when it is activated with the selection for Cube ice. (I hear the soledoid activating)
  2. The switch has 0v when it is activated with the selection of Crushed ice. ( I don’t hear the solenoid activating - there is not sound)

Is the wire from the switch connected directly to the the motor or does it go through another switch or relay?

I am not sure if the control panel for the switch is bad because it seem to shut the power off when I select the Crushed ice?

Can you please suggest what else I need to check?

Thanks for your help in advance

Hello FrancisM. It sounds like the switches in the dispenser cover AP2990846 is bad. You can remove the front of the dispenser and test this to see. You may have a wire inside there that has come off. Hope this helps.

— Begin quote from Jeff K / APP Team;384256

If you can, check and see if your getting power to the switch. Let me know what you find there.

— End quote

Taggin on a post from FrancisM back in may 2011 I am having same problems. Motor replaced, solenoid replaced, microswitches ohm out normally. However when water switch is depressed voltage drops from 4V to zero and water dispenses. However when ice switch is depressed voltage on switch goes from 4 V to ~20 V. No sounds are heard. I am
unable to trace source of wire or voltage. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I have not given up on the ice dispenser issue but had to take a break from working on it, I did change the dispenser cover AP2990846 with no success.
I am still trying to trace where the wires connect to from the switch ? Does it go from the front panel switch directly to the motor or does it go to the solenoid and then to the motor.
Is there a way to test it to determine what could be causing the motor not to turn on.

Thanks

— Begin quote from FrancisM;625081

I have not given up on the ice dispenser issue but had to take a break from working on it, I did change the dispenser cover AP2990846 with no success.
I am still trying to trace where the wires connect to from the switch ? Does it go from the front panel switch directly to the motor or does it go to the solenoid and then to the motor.
Is there a way to test it to determine what could be causing the motor not to turn on.

Thanks

— End quote

Appears to go from the switch through a wire coupling to the solenoid then on to motor. Replaced motor first not knowing what voltage should have been there. It was way too low, then replaced solenoid, next back from motor. The was able to swap switches with no change in activity. Problem seems like it is the switches not getting sufficient voltage (120?). However it is not keeping the water from working. Probably just open and close there. Can’t assume wiring is bad because when ice switch is depressed voltage actually increases.