July 20, 2015

How to replace an ice maker in a side-by-side refrigerator

How to replace an ice maker in a side-by-side refrigerator

This DIY repair guide shows how to remove and replace a factory-installed ice maker in a side-by-side refrigerator. The ice maker assembly has electronic parts that can malfunction and prevent water from filling the ice maker mold or from dropping the ice from the mold after it forms. Replace the ice maker assembly using the manufacturer-approved side-by-side refrigerator part if it stops working.

These repair instructions work for replacing an ice maker in Kenmore, Whirlpool and KitchenAid side-by-side refrigerators with in-door-ice systems.

Quick links
Tools required
1/4-in nut driver
Slot screwdriver
Work gloves
Tape
Repair difficulty
Time required
30 minutes or less
Repair difficulty
Time required
30 minutes or less

Instructions

  1. 01.

    Shut off power and water to the refrigerator

    Unplug the refrigerator or shut off the circuit breaker for the refrigerator.

    Close the water supply cut-off valve for the water line attached to the back of the refrigerator. The valve is often on the wall behind the refrigerator but could be under the kitchen sink or in the basement below the refrigerator.

    Tip: Move highly perishable food to a cooler or other cooled space. The refrigerator will be without power for about 60 minutes, which shouldn't affect most refrigerated or frozen foods.
  2. 02.

    Remove the ice maker's front cover

    Use tape to shut the flipper cover on the left wall in front of the ice maker. Open the plastic cover in front of the refrigerator ice maker. Slide the cover to the left and push up on the right side of the cover to release the plastic pin from the bracket. Use a slot screwdriver to pry the pin from the bracket, if necessary. Pull off the cover and set it aside. Tape the flipper shut.

  3. 03.

    Remove the wire harness cover

    Using a 1/4-inch nut driver, remove the screw that's under the ice maker module, in the rear right corner. Pull off the cover that the screw held in place. Set the screw and plastic cover aside.

  4. 04.

    Remove the ice maker

    Push in on the tab to the left of the ice maker to release the ice maker and slide the ice maker forward, off its rails. Use a slot screwdriver to release the locking tab on the wire harness plug and pull the wire harness out of the plug. Remove the ice maker from the freezer compartment. Close the freezer door.

    PHOTO: Remove the ice maker from the rails to access the wire harness.

    PHOTO: Remove the ice maker from the rails to access the wire harness.

    PHOTO: Release the wire harness locking tab.

    PHOTO: Release the wire harness locking tab.

    PHOTO: Unplug the wire harness.

    PHOTO: Unplug the wire harness.

  5. 05.

    Remove the mounting plate

    Place the ice maker module upside down on a flat surface. Using a 1/4-inch nut driver, remove the screws that secure the base mounting plate to the bottom of the ice maker module.

    Release the locking tabs on both side of the  wire harness plug that secure it to the  plastic base mounting plate. Pull the wire harness plug out of the base mounting plate to release the ice maker module.

    Set the old ice maker aside for disposal.

  6. 06.

    Attach the mounting plate to the new ice maker assembly

    Position the new ice maker in the bottom plastic mounting plate and push the plastic wire harness plug into the side of the mounting plate until the plastic locking tabs snap into place.

    Line up the screw holes on the bottom of the plastic mounting plate. Insert the screws and tighten them just past hand tight.

  7. 07.

    Plug in the wire harness

    In the freezer, hold the ice maker near the mounting rails and plug in the wire harness into the connection plug until the locking tab snaps into place.

  8. 08.

    Slide the ice maker assembly onto the mounting rails

    Inside the freezer compartment, line up the new ice maker with the mounting rails and push it onto the rails until you can position the fill tube in the fill cup. Put the fill tube into the cup.

    Slide the ice maker module into position until the locking tab snaps into place.

    PHOTO: Slide the ice maker onto the rails.

    PHOTO: Slide the ice maker onto the rails.

    PHOTO: Position the fill tube in the fill cup.

    PHOTO: Position the fill tube in the fill cup.

  9. 09.

    Replace the wire harness cover

    Position the plastic wire harness cover and screw it into place. Tighten the screws until they stop turning and then give them a reasonably firm twist to secure them. Don't overtighten.

  10. 10.

    Reattach the front cover

    Position the front plastic cover in front of the mounting clip and insert the left side pin into the mounting clip. Work the right side pin over the top of the mounting clip and snap it into place.

    Remove the tape that holds the flipper cover.

  11. 11.

    Restore water and electricity

    Open the water supply shut-off valve to restore the water supply to the refrigerator.

    Plug in the refrigerator or turn on the house circuit breaker to restore power.

Warning: Undertaking repairs to appliances can be hazardous. Use the proper tools and safety equipment noted in the guide and follow all instructions. Don’t proceed until you’re confident that you understand all the steps and are capable of completing the repair. Some repairs should only be performed by a qualified technician.

Most common symptoms to help you fix your refrigerators

Choose a symptom to see related refrigerator repairs.

Main causes: blocked vents, defrost system problems, evaporator fan failure, dirty condenser coils, bad sensors, condens…

Main causes: damaged door seal, faulty defrost sensor or bi-metal thermostat, broken defrost heater, bad defrost timer o…

Main causes: jammed ice cubes, broken ice maker assembly, dirty water filter, kinked water line, bad water valve, freeze…

Main causes: control board or cold control failure, broken compressor start relay, compressor motor failure, defrost tim…

Main causes: leaky door gasket, defrost system failure, evaporator fan not running, dirty condenser coils, condenser fan…

Main causes: blocked air vents, compressor problems, condenser or evaporator fan not working, control system failure, se…

Main causes: water valve leaking, frozen or broken defrost drain tube, overflowing drain pan, cracked water system tubin…

Things to do: clean condenser coils, replace the water filter, clean the interior, adjust doors to prevent air leaks, cl…

Most common repair guides to help fix your refrigerators

These step-by-step repair guides will help you safely fix what’s broken on your refrigerator.

How to replace a refrigerator water valve

How to replace a refrigerator water valve

Replace the water valve that feeds water to the ice maker and water dispenser if it no longer controls the flow of water…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to clean refrigerator condenser coils

How to clean refrigerator condenser coils

Help your refrigerator run more efficiently by cleaning the condenser coils. It's easy and takes just a few minutes.…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 15 minutes or less
How to replace a refrigerator temperature control board

How to replace a refrigerator temperature control board

If the temperature in your refrigerator doesn't match the temperature you set, the problem could be the temperature cont…

Repair difficulty
Time required
 30 minutes or less

Effective articles & videos to help repair your refrigerators

Use the advice and tips in these articles and videos to get the most out of your refrigerator.

How to Replace the Water Filter in a Maytag Refrigerator

How to Replace the Water Filter in a Maytag Refrigerator

No matter what style Maytag refrigerator you have, we can walk you through replacing the water filter.…

How to enjoy all the online benefits we offer on our Sears PartsDirect website

How to enjoy all the online benefits we offer on our Sears PartsDirect website

Learn about all the convenient features on our Sears PartsDirect website that make your parts purchases easier.…

How to prevent water dispenser and ice maker problems

How to prevent water dispenser and ice maker problems

If your refrigerator's ice maker isn't producing as much ice as it should, or water is flowing poorly from the dispenser…