Whirlpool Refrigerator Water Dispenser Problem
jim
The dispenser of our Whirlpool side-by-side gave out and appliance
repair shops claim that it will cost at least $150 to repair. The
ice-maker continues to work, so the water connection is fine. I
suspect that I have a inlet valve problem.
Anyone try to repair it themselves? Opinions welcome.
n...@spam.net
The inlet valves are separate for the water and ice. If you are sure the vavle
is trying to operate (you will hear it click,) check for trash in the valve or
blocking the tube feeding the valve, assuming the water valve is in line after
the ice valve. Not likely, but possible, is that some kid plugged the outlet on
the door. If the solenoid is not trying to work at all, you may be able to swap
them around to verify that it is or isn't dead. The valves should be identical.
Checking for voltage at the leads with a meter or other test device while
someone operates the dispenser would also give you the info you need. (Note:
it is 120v, so be careful if you try to read it!) If you are not getting
voltage there or if swapping the solenoids didn't fix the problem, you most
likely would have a defective door switch. Neither part should be expensive.
jim
>
>>Has anyone's water dispenser stopped working on their refrigerator?
>>The dispenser of our Whirlpool side-by-side gave out and appliance
>>repair shops claim that it will cost at least $150 to repair. The
>>ice-maker continues to work, so the water connection is fine. I
>>suspect that I have a inlet valve problem.
>>
.
>The inlet valves are separate for the water and ice. If you are sure the vavle
>is trying to operate (you will hear it click,) check for trash in the valve or
>blocking the tube feeding the valve, assuming the water valve is in line after
>the ice valve. Not likely, but possible, is that some kid plugged the outlet on
>the door. If the solenoid is not trying to work at all, you may be able to swap
>them around to verify that it is or isn't dead. The valves should be identical.
>Checking for voltage at the leads with a meter or other test device while
>someone operates the dispenser would also give you the info you need. (Note:
>it is 120v, so be careful if you try to read it!) If you are not getting
>voltage there or if swapping the solenoids didn't fix the problem, you most
>likely would have a defective door switch. Neither part should be expensive.
Thanks for the info. I'm quite sure it is the inlet valve in that I
do hear the click. Where is the dispenser inlet valve? In the back
of the refrigerator? (Note that the ice maker works.)
n...@spam.net
>
>Thanks for the info. I'm quite sure it is the inlet valve in that I
>do hear the click. Where is the dispenser inlet valve? In the back
>of the refrigerator? (Note that the ice maker works.)
Both valves are near the bottom near where you hook up the supply line. You may
have to remove a cardboard cover to see them. If the solenoid is actually
operating then you most likely have a blockage in the system. I just thought of
a rather remote possibility, and that would be a frozen holding tank. I believe
that's mounted inside, behind the back panel. Never actually heard of that, but
it seems possible. Was the system operating OK before it quit, or have you
noticed a drop in flow over time? How old is the refrigerator? There is a
rubber disk inside most of these valves that acts as a flow regulator. It can
swell up with age and shut off the flow. If the 'fridge is fairly new, scale
from the supply line is a good candidate. Either way, remove and disassemble
both valves, and if the rubber is shot, just buy new ones. If they have chunky
scale- type debris, clean 'em up and put 'em back. A taste and odor filter
mounted on the line will also catch that type of trash, if you don't already
have one.
Ed
Go to the back of the refrigerator. Unplug it. You'll see the water
valve. It has two plastic tubes coming from it, remove the one that goes
to the water dispenser, plug the refrig back in, have someone try to
fill a glass with water while you watch the valve. If water shoots out
onto the floor, you have a frozen tank or water line, if it doesn't, you
could have a faulty valve or micro switch.
jim wrote:
>
> Has anyone's water dispenser stopped working on their refrigerator?
> The dispenser of our Whirlpool side-by-side gave out and appliance
> repair shops claim that it will cost at least $150 to repair. The
> ice-maker continues to work, so the water connection is fine. I
> suspect that I have a inlet valve problem.
>
> Anyone try to repair it themselves? Opinions welcome.
jim
Again thank you so much for the information. Very helpful. This is
what happened. Removed the valve and cleaned it out. Some light
debris. Removed and checked the plungers and springs -- everything
OK. Cleaned the washers. Reconnected everything, and, at first, the
water dispenser worked fine. After I returned to the dispenser in
about 15 minutes, the water dispensed but not after a delay of about 3
to 5 seconds. After waiting about an hour, water flow stopped
completely. Removed the valve and again checked everything. This
time flipped washers over and switched them (ice maker washer switched
over to dispenser side). Reassembled valve and reinstalled. Again,
at first everything worked fine. But as time passed, a delay occurred
before water flowed and, after further time passed, water stopped.
During this entire period, the ice maker receives its fills of water
with no problem.
The refrig is about 6 years old. Perhaps I should just replace the
valve. The price is about $38. Unless the problem is something else.
jim
posted above in this thread.
n...@spam.net
>
>Again thank you so much for the information. Very helpful. This is
>what happened. Removed the valve and cleaned it out. Some light
>debris. Removed and checked the plungers and springs -- everything
>OK. Cleaned the washers. Reconnected everything, and, at first, the
>water dispenser worked fine. After I returned to the dispenser in
>about 15 minutes, the water dispensed but not after a delay of about 3
>to 5 seconds. After waiting about an hour, water flow stopped
>completely. Removed the valve and again checked everything. This
>time flipped washers over and switched them (ice maker washer switched
>over to dispenser side). Reassembled valve and reinstalled. Again,
>at first everything worked fine. But as time passed, a delay occurred
>before water flowed and, after further time passed, water stopped.
>During this entire period, the ice maker receives its fills of water
>with no problem.
>
>The refrig is about 6 years old. Perhaps I should just replace the
>valve. The price is about $38. Unless the problem is something else.
Were the rubber washers in good shape, or were they somewhat crumbly?
The only other test here for the valves is to swap the complete assemblies. If
the problem persists in the water dispenser, then the valve is NOT at fault. If
a swap fixes it, then replace the valve assembly. You've ruled out everything
on the valve except a weak solenoid coil. It also sounds like freezing COULD be
a problem, assuming you had the fridge off during the valve work.