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mayer @mayer
Rep: 685.5k
MacHale Enterprises
3.4k 1.1k 2.6kPosted: Aug 22, 2019
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If it appears you are getting only crushed ice from the dispenser, check the following:
- It is normal to get a slight amount of crushed or broken ice cubes before or while dispensing cubed ice. This is most common after crushed ice was used and you then select cubes. The remaining chips in the crusher blades or the bottom of the bucket get picked up as cubed ice is dispensing.
- When cubed ice is selected, dispensing cubes requires energizing a lever behind the ice bucket to open a flap and allow whole cubes to come out. If an ice cube gets behind the ice bucket, this can prevent the lever from working. Remove the ice bucket and check for ice that may have fallen behind the bucket.
- If no ice cubes are behind the bucket, try to dispense ice with the bucket removed. Shut the door, press the ice dispenser and listen for a loud snapping noise. If no snap is heard service will be needed. If you hear a snap, reinsert the bucket and try Cubed ice again.If still no cubes, then check for frozen ice in the bucket.
To remove and check the ice bucket:
- Pull the ice bin out by lifting it up in front and sliding it forward.
- Check for and remove clumped or shaved ice in the bin.
- If ice remains, run the bin under warm water until the ice melts completely. Dry the bin thoroughly.
- Reinstall the ice bin by pushing it all the way back against the freezer wall.
- Allow time for Icemaker to cycle again – to make cubes.
- Select CRUSHED ICE and then CUBED ICE.
- Try the dispenser again
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5 Comments:
I have done all of this but still get crushed ice. When I pulled the bucket out, there was no ice present behind or under the bucket. I then hit the dispense like you suggested. It wasn't a loud snap but there was a clear noise when set to cubed. When set to crushed ice it made no noise.
I put the bucket back in and let it run for a while but all I get is crushed ice. Very frustrating.
Oct 13, 2021 by David B Kurland
There’s a hole in the back, a ark square area about may be 3/4” wide with a lever that you can feel with your finger. Make sure it’s down. You don’t have to empty the bin. This is the worst worst refrigerator I have ever owned. A real piece of junk, never will ever buy whirlpool. Had to replace all 3 leds myself, the whole ice maker had to be replaced 3 years ago at a pop of $400. Had to fix water accumulating at the bottom too. Their parts are super expensive too
Sep 13, 2022 by Mahmoud tighiouart
Thank you so much Mahmoud, that worked!!! I appreciate it so much. It was so frustating
Jan 6, 2023 by Beth
Thank you. In my case, there was no ice behind the bucket, but a jam was blocking the flap at the front of it. Your description of the mechanism led me right to the problem.
Mar 3, 2023 by Ira Whitman
This really is a very crappy design! The default is crushed ice, so every time you get cubed ice, the solenoid has to kick in to open the flap at the front to allow the cubes ice out. I guess their research showed that, if the solenoid broke, most would prefer crushed ice. Nonetheless, I emptied all the ice from the tray into a bowl, and put the bowl back in the freezer, to save the ice. I then thoroughly emptied the ice bin and washed it to make sure it was ice free and free of obstruction. I let it air dry for about 1/2 an hour, put some of the ice back in, tried it and it worked. It appears that a chuck of ice was blocking a piece of the mechanism. So for now, I am good. Thank you to those that provided the detail analysis of how this thing is supposed to work. Cheers!
Dec 8, 2023 by Jon Lopez
Dylan @theturtlepond
Rep: 25
1Posted: Nov 10, 2021
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There is a part called a solenoid responsible for actuating a lever. This lever then opens a small hatch to allow ice to bypass the crushing mechanism. Either this solenoid failed and isn’t lifting the lever or it fell apart and needs to be put back together. The lever is a long metal rod that runs the length of the ice tray. It goes in to the rear of the freezer into a slot where a plastic piece is connected to the solenoid via a metal rod. The metal rod can easily fall apart if the ice tray isn’t removed correctly. The solenoid is an electromagnet that lifts the rod up and down. If the rod is in place and doesn’t lift up and down, check the wire connection to it. Make sure the lever rod is inside of the plastic connection. The plastic connection is just a square hole that rides up and down in a bracket. This should be the issue of a fridge not dispensing cubed ice.
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3 Comments:
Dylan (above) is correct. If your solenoid that opens the trap door doesn't work because it's burned out or has a wiring problem, you can place a small piece of thick wood (shim) under the square hole that is attached to the solenoid in the back the freezer to mechanically hold it in the up position. This will keep the trap door open. This will defeat the ability to get crushed ice but most people don't want crushed ice anyway. You have to align the metal rod when doing this because it will be pointed straight when you're inserting the ice bucket but you need it in the up position to open the trap door. And if you ever needed crushed ice you can remove the wooden piece.
Feb 1, 2022 by Kevin Thomas
This is most likely the correct answer. I've actually fixed a handful of these. Although in my experience, it's almost never the solenoid or wiring. It's the cheap POS plastic bracket that's broken almost every single time (cost cutting at its finest). Unfortunately you have to buy an entirely new solenoid just to get the replacement plastic part.
Honestly, if you have access to a decent 3D printer, you can make your own replacement for about $100 cheaper. Or if you're good with molds or machining, you could even make yourself a more permanent, metal replacement part that wouldn't break.
Feb 7, 2022 by Scott Anderson
Thanks for the comments Kevin. The block of wood worked perfectly. At least I know now the plastic piece is broken ;-)
Oct 25, 2022 by David Coleman
Posted: Jul 9, 2021
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I removed the bucket, pressed the button, it clicked so I know it works. Upon pulling out the bucket, 2 cubes fell out from behind it. Slid the bucket back in and was back to normal
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Melissa A Bachstetter @melbach
Rep: 1
Posted: Jun 1, 2022
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I did all the steps above and when I took the tray out I saw the plastic square in the back. It was partially up so I lowered it down and put the ice tray back into place and hit the cubed ice button. Still got a bit of crushed ice but was able to get the cubed ice to come out. Thanks for all the comments, I was able to preform my own troubleshooting with them.
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DIY Wannabe @diywannabe
Rep: 1
Posted: Jul 5, 2022
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Let the ice bin thaw thoroughly and dry it out. Pieces of ice jam it where you might not easily see them. That bypass mechanism gets stuck. I’d like to remove it entirely. Crushers just cause problems. I’ve got a blender for the rare crushed need.
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1 Comment:
There’s a hole in back, a dark square are of about 3/4” wide with a lever that you can feel with your finger, make sure it’s down. You don’t need to empty the bin. Worse worse refrigerator that I have ever owned, total piece of junk that comes with very very expensive parts. Replaced the 3 leds myself, had the whole ice maker assembly replaced to the tune of $400 plus fixed the issue with water accumulating at the bottom. Never will I ever own another whirlpool appliance. Currently my water stopped being dispensed.
Sep 13, 2022 by Mahmoud tighiouart
Michael Kelly @michaelkel35272
Rep: 1
Posted: Jun 27, 2023
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Check for ice behind ice bucket. I ended up using a heat gun to thaw the mechanics behind the ice bucket and on the bucket itself. Mechanics behind the bucket seemed to be the fix. Instant cubed non crushed ice.
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