Question: Frigidaire ice maker experts

[BelairPlayer]

Background: lost power for over 36 hours
Problem: Ice maker won’t dispense. Relay engaged, hum is heard, motor doesn’t rotate
Suspect: something melted, ice froze in motor, so it won’t rotate freely

Photo attached below. Am I off base above? Should I be looking at something else? My first thought would be to remove the entire assembly and allow it to thaw/dry out. How involved is that removal? How long is it going to take a novice? Is plumbing/wiring involved or is it all connectors? Thanks in advance.

 

[stxrus]

It makes ice but doesn’t move ice to the chute?

 

[stxrus]

To check if the motor is operating, take an insulated jumper wire and jump the “T” & “H” points. If the ice maker motor doesn’t activate then there is good chance the motor is toast.
Try looking up Frigidaire ice maker troubleshooting on YouTube

Mine is a Whirlpool but I’m pretty sure they are the same ice makers

 

[posttoastie]

Maybe try a hair dryer to melt the frozen area carefully..

 

[flowerpunk]

I’ve had the ice smelt and refreeze in the discharge chute before, right by were it enters

 

[stxrus]

I’ve had the ice smelt and refreeze in the discharge chute before, right by were it enters

That’s a common occurrence. The first I was told to check was the motor function. Put a towel under the chute to catch any water. Easier cleanup.

 

[brown2bob]

Maybe try a hair dryer to melt the frozen area carefully..

Use the lower heat setting, don't ask me why I know but it involves plastic changing shape.

 

[stxrus]

BTW, I’m no expert. I’ve had water freeze in the chute for no explainable reason other the “it just did”

Having a friend that’s an appliance repairman is good. If I can’t work through the issue (with Chris’s help) then a service call is set up.

 

[Chuckster]

There is a recall on some Frigidaires right now because of the ice maker. You may want to see if yours is covered. I think I saw the article on CNN.

I had the same type of recall issue with my Jenn-Aire, but no word of them doing a recall for mine. I already fixed it anyway. The ice maker assembly is aluminum with a plastic coating on it. As the aluminum oxidizes over time, the plastic coating breaks off and ends up in the ice. I guess some people were getting hurt.

I happened to notice it happening in mine last spring, so I ordered the parts and swapped it out myself.

Hope this helps...

 

[BelairPlayer]

It makes ice but doesn’t move ice to the chute?

Exactly

 

[BelairPlayer]

There is a recall on some Frigidaires right now because of the ice maker. You may want to see if yours is covered. I think I saw the article on CNN.

I had the same type of recall issue with my Jenn-Aire, but no word of them doing a recall for mine. I already fixed it anyway. The ice maker assembly is aluminum with a plastic coating on it. As the aluminum oxidizes over time, the plastic coating breaks off and ends up in the ice. I guess some people were getting hurt.

I happened to notice it happening in mine last spring, so I ordered the parts and swapped it out myself.

Hope this helps...

I’m not in that recall, but appreciate the mention.

 

[BelairPlayer]

To check if the motor is operating, take an insulated jumper wire and jump the “T” & “H” points. If the ice maker motor doesn’t activate then there is good chance the motor is toast.
Try looking up Frigidaire ice maker troubleshooting on YouTube

Mine is a Whirlpool but I’m pretty sure they are the same ice makers

Where are these t and h points? If the motor is encased in ice, how would this help over just activating the dispenser switch?

 

[nobes81183]

There is a recall on some Frigidaires right now because of the ice maker. You may want to see if yours is covered. I think I saw the article on CNN.

I had the same type of recall issue with my Jenn-Aire, but no word of them doing a recall for mine. I already fixed it anyway. The ice maker assembly is aluminum with a plastic coating on it. As the aluminum oxidizes over time, the plastic coating breaks off and ends up in the ice. I guess some people were getting hurt.

I happened to notice it happening in mine last spring, so I ordered the parts and swapped it out myself.

Hope this helps Danfoss DMT 083s Installation guide online...

This is a resi frige with ice maker section in the refrigerator compartment. I'm assuming this is the same or similar to other resi fridges out there but I never worked on one. I picked it up used and it had a damaged thermistor that was just hanging in the area below the ice hopper not mounted to anything. I'm assuming this thermistor controls the temperature in the ice box. Since the thermistor was open it looks like the system was over chilling the ice box and there was quite a bit of sweating and corrosion on the outside back of the fridge where the ice box sits. So looking if anyone knows where this ice box thermistor gets mounted. If there are any specs for the sensor that would be great but I think I can deal without it. I couldn't find the sensor location or part number in the parts break down.

 

[stxrus]

Where are these t and h points? If the motor is encased in ice, how would this help over just activating the dispenser switch?

Pull the cover off the front of the motor assembly. Again, look at troubleshooting videos. There are a 4 test points. If the entire motor is completely iced over then I’d get the motor is gone.