Ice maker cannot eject cubes. I took off the front cover and found several contact points for checking the motor, water valve, thermostat, mold heater. There is also a line voltage and neutral contact. Are these contacts live only during certain parts of the cycle? I suspect the heater isnt working More Ice maker cannot eject cubes. I took off the front cover and found several contact points for checking the motor, water valve, thermostat, mold heater. There is also a line voltage and neutral contact. Are these contacts live only during certain parts of the cycle? I suspect the heater isnt working to loosen the cubes so they cant be ejected. The motor sounds lilke its running but the ejector is not moving nor is the Gear on the front of the unit. Can someone give me a full description of this thing is supposed to work and how I can test it. I have a spare ice maker that I can possibly use for parts if I know which ones to replace.

The ice maker has heater that thaws the ice cubes a little before they are ejected. This keeps the from sticking to the form.

Hello Greig;
My name is Peter. I am a retired field service refrigeration technician.
I do not know what type of ice maker you have. Some have wire arms on the side, some have a downward plastic curved arm and some have a paddle arm on the side.
Some ice makers when they harvest have a plastic ice mold that rotate and flex, others have a little heater that heats the mold then activates finger arms to rotate and sweep the cubes from the mold.
Bad Sensor? All ice makers have temperature sensors. The sensor activates the harvesting of ice cubes when it senses the cubes are frozen. On some plastic ice cube molds it is a white wire on the bottom of the mold. On the cast steel molds the sensor is in contact with the mold at the front end.
Bad Motor Module? All ice makers have a motor module. The module has a control board and plastic gearing for the motor with in the module. The motor module is the assembly in front of the ice maker. The motor module tells the water valve when & how much water to fill the mold. It tells the mold heater, on the cast steel molds when to turn on after it reads the temperature sensor and then it tells the motor when to start rotation.
Not all ice makers can be repaired. Most are solid state.
The ice maker with the cast steel mold can be repaired. Remove the ice maker - Unscrew the one screw under the ice maker. Loosen the 2 screws on top so you can lift up and remove the ice maker from the wall. With a small screw driver wedge in the wire harness connector to free the icemaker. Pop the front cover off (No screws). Unscrew the 3 screws on the motor module and remove. This part is replaceable. Inspect for Burn marks and broken gearing. Unscrew the 2 screws to the heater and mold assembly to access the sensor - this is replaceable. There is no way to test this sensor.

Okay, here's a bunch of info in the order I would troubleshoot since the one year warranty expired.

1) The water filter might be clogged. Try just removing it to see if it makes ice. If it does change the water filter.

2) The water inlet valve might (still) be defective. The water inlet valve is an electro-mechanical valve. The coil can show good for continuity and still not let the water thru although you didn't say if it worked when he left. if recently replaced it should be under his warranty.

3) The water pressure in the house might be too low. The water inlet valve which supplies water to the ice maker is designed to work with a minimum of 20 psi of water pressure.

4) The door switch might be defective. When the freezer door is opened the freezer door switch does two things, it turns on the light in the freezer and turns off the ice maker and dispenser. If the door switch fails the dispenser will not turn on. The switch can be checked for continuity with an Ohm meter. If it doesn't have continuity it should be replaced.
5) It could be that the ice maker assembly itself is defective. The freezer temp should be between 0-5 degrees for the ice maker to cycle properly. There are several components in the control module of the ice maker that can fail and most are not sold separately. Also, ice makers have a relatively short lifespan and so it might not be worth fixing. If other, simpler parts like the water inlet valve or shut off arm have been ruled out, and the only thing left is the ice maker itself, replace it as a unit. Not as expensive as you may think...Under $100

6) The icemaker module at the front might also be defective. The module has a motor that cycles the ice ejector arms around to push the ice cubes out when the ice maker thermostat closes. It also has contacts in it for the mold heater and water inlet valve. The motor or contacts of the module can fail. Usually there are test points in the module that a service person can use to determine if there is a problem with it or one of the related ice maker components.

7) The icemaker mold thermostat might be defective. Inside the control module of the ice maker is a thermostat which monitors the temperature of the ice mold (ice tray). Once the mold reaches the proper temperature the ice maker starts a harvest cycle by ejecting the ice cubes and refilling with water. If the mold thermostat is defective the ice maker doesn't advance. The thermostat can be checked for continuity. Replace it as needed.The freezer temp should be between 0-5 degrees for optimum performance.

You have a thermostatically controlled heat release ice maker. Any number of issues can cause a failure to "dump" the ice. The harvest is started when the thermostat closes. A motor rotates the ejector fingers which are at rest in the 2 o'clock position. The ice maker operation will stall until the heater releases the ice from the mold. After the cubes are ejected into the ice bucket, the water valve will refill the mold with water to begin the next cycle. Lack of ice dispensing could be a failed thermostat, heater, motor or switch contact withing the ice maker module. You could simply replace the ice maker and save the expense of the service call.

Its the water valve.
Wake up one morning and Boom no ice left in the bin. What happened and What can I do to fix it without calling someone? Some ice makers will get a piece of ice in the wrong place and jam the extraction. Get a hair dryer and heat up the ice maker to release the fouled ice cube and that baby will start going. No water in ice mold?Do this easy test: pour some water in the ice maker mold and wait. If it kicks out a batch, but it has no water in it, most likely the water valve is bad. Watervalve for SxS box Since it is the cheapest part and you can do it yourself replace it. If it turns out you need a new ice maker then you have a new water valve already to go with it. What if the ice maker has ice in it but won't harvest any? One cheap and easy item for the do it yourselfer to replace is the ice mold thermostat. Check for voltage between T and H if you have 120 volts then the bi-metal (inside that ice mold thermostat) is bad. If it's good you will have 0 volts. Ice mold thermostat Located in the plastic housing and seated against the ice mold is that thermostat. This looks intimidating but is easily fixed by anybody who could change a spark plug. There is no wiring. One more thing to look for: You can put a jumper between L and V and this will activate the watervalve. Have rags ready! If you are a cheapskate and want to be frugal and not buy a new ice maker or a new head(brain) modular crescent ice maker you may want to remove the main gear and clean the copper plate behind it. That plate gets dirty and won't allow for a good contact with the water valve connection and does not power up the valve...Shhh! They will all be doing it! Modular crescent Icemaker test points: With NO power to the icemaker, and ice ejection fingers in the freeze position: Your ohm meter should read 8800 ohms between L and M, and 72 ohms between L and H. With power ON to the ice maker: If meter reads 0 volts between L and N you have no power to the ice maker. If the meter reads 120 volts then you have power to the ice maker. If you have 0 volts between L and H heater is off if you have 120 between L and H the heater should be ON. If you have 0 power between L and M the motor is off. If you have 120 between L and M then the motor should be ON. If you have 0 volts between T and H the thermostat is closed If the meter reads 120 between T and H then the thermostat is OPEN. If the voltage is 0 between N and V the water valve is closed. If the meter reads 120 water should be filling the mold.

Wake up one morning and Boom no ice left in the bin. What happened and What can I do to fix it without calling someone? Some ice makers will get a piece of ice in the wrong place and jam the extraction. Get a hair dryer and heat up the ice maker to release the fouled ice cube and that baby will start going. No water in ice mold?Do this easy test: pour some water in the ice maker mold and wait. If it kicks out a batch, but it has no water in it, most likely the water valve is bad. Watervalve for SxS box Since it is the cheapest part and you can do it yourself replace it. If it turns out you need a new ice maker then you have a new water valve already to go with it. What if the ice maker has ice in it but won't harvest any? One cheap and easy item for the do it yourselfer to replace is the ice mold thermostat. Check for voltage between T and H if you have 120 volts then the bi-metal (inside that ice mold thermostat) is bad. If it's good you will have 0 volts. Ice mold thermostat Located in the plastic housing and seated against the ice mold is that thermostat. This looks intimidating but is easily fixed by anybody who could change a spark plug. There is no wiring. One more thing to look for: You can put a jumper between L and V and this will activate the watervalve. Have rags ready! If you are a cheapskate and want to be frugal and not buy a new ice maker or a new head(brain) modular crescent ice maker you may want to remove the main gear and clean the copper plate behind it. That plate gets dirty and won't allow for a good contact with the water valve connection and does not power up the valve...Shhh! They will all be doing it! Modular crescent Icemaker test points: With NO power to the icemaker, and ice ejection fingers in the freeze position: Your ohm meter should read 8800 ohms between L and M, and 72 ohms between L and H. With power ON to the ice maker: If meter reads 0 volts between L and N you have no power to the ice maker. If the meter reads 120 volts then you have power to the ice maker. If you have 0 volts between L and H heater is off if you have 120 between L and H the heater should be ON. If you have 0 power between L and M the motor is off. If you have 120 between L and M then the motor should be ON. If you have 0 volts between T and H the thermostat is closed If the meter reads 120 between T and H then the thermostat is OPEN. If the voltage is 0 between N and V the water valve is closed. If the meter reads 120 water should be filling the mold. Confused yet? LOL

Wake up one morning and Boom no ice left in the bin. What happened and What can I do to fix it without calling someone? Some ice makers will get a piece of ice in the wrong place and jam the extraction. Get a hair dryer and heat up the ice maker to release the fouled ice cube and that baby will start going. No water in ice mold?Do this easy test: pour some water in the ice maker mold and wait. If it kicks out a batch, but it has no water in it, most likely the water valve is bad. Watervalve for SxS box Since it is the cheapest part and you can do it yourself replace it. If it turns out you need a new ice maker then you have a new water valve already to go with it. What if the ice maker has ice in it but won't harvest any? One cheap and easy item for the do it yourselfer to replace is the ice mold thermostat. Check for voltage between T and H if you have 120 volts then the bi-metal (inside that ice mold thermostat) is bad. If it's good you will have 0 volts. Ice mold thermostat Located in the plastic housing and seated against the ice mold is that thermostat. This looks intimidating but is easily fixed by anybody who could change a spark plug. There is no wiring. One more thing to look for: You can put a jumper between L and V and this will activate the watervalve. Have rags ready! If you are a cheapskate and want to be frugal and not buy a new ice maker or a new head(brain) modular crescent ice maker you may want to remove the main gear and clean the copper plate behind it. That plate gets dirty and won't allow for a good contact with the water valve connection and does not power up the valve...Shhh! They will all be doing it! Modular crescent Icemaker test points: With NO power to the icemaker, and ice ejection fingers in the freeze position: Your ohm meter should read 8800 ohms between L and M, and 72 ohms between L and H. With power ON to the ice maker: If meter reads 0 volts between L and N you have no power to the ice maker. If the meter reads 120 volts then you have power to the ice maker. If you have 0 volts between L and H heater is off if you have 120 between L and H the heater should be ON. If you have 0 power between L and M the motor is off. If you have 120 between L and M then the motor should be ON. If you have 0 volts between T and H the thermostat is closed If the meter reads 120 between T and H then the thermostat is OPEN. If the voltage is 0 between N and V the water valve is closed. If the meter reads 120 water should be filling the mold.

Wake up one morning and Boom no ice left in the bin. What happened and What can I do to fix it without calling someone? Some ice makers will get a piece of ice in the wrong place and jam the extraction. Get a hair dryer and heat up the ice maker to release the fouled ice cube and that baby will start going. No water in ice mold?Do this easy test: pour some water in the ice maker mold and wait. If it kicks out a batch, but it has no water in it, most likely the water valve is bad. Watervalve for SxS box Since it is the cheapest part and you can do it yourself replace it. If it turns out you need a new ice maker then you have a new water valve already to go with it. What if the ice maker has ice in it but won't harvest any? One cheap and easy item for the do it yourselfer to replace is the ice mold thermostat. Check for voltage between T and H if you have 120 volts then the bi-metal (inside that ice mold thermostat) is bad. If it's good you will have 0 volts. Ice mold thermostat Located in the plastic housing and seated against the ice mold is that thermostat. This looks intimidating but is easily fixed by anybody who could change a spark plug. There is no wiring. One more thing to look for: You can put a jumper between L and V and this will activate the watervalve. Have rags ready! If you are a cheapskate and want to be frugal and not buy a new ice maker or a new head(brain) modular crescent ice maker you may want to remove the main gear and clean the copper plate behind it. That plate gets dirty and won't allow for a good contact with the water valve connection and does not power up the valve...Shhh! They will all be doing it! Modular crescent Icemaker test points: With NO power to the icemaker, and ice ejection fingers in the freeze position: Your ohm meter should read 8800 ohms between L and M, and 72 ohms between L and H. With power ON to the ice maker: If meter reads 0 volts between L and N you have no power to the ice maker. If the meter reads 120 volts then you have power to the ice maker. If you have 0 volts between L and H heater is off if you have 120 between L and H the heater should be ON. If you have 0 power between L and M the motor is off. If you have 120 between L and M then the motor should be ON. If you have 0 volts between T and H the thermostat is closed If the meter reads 120 between T and H then the thermostat is OPEN. If the voltage is 0 between N and V the water valve is closed. If the meter reads 120 water should be filling the mold.

I usually replace icemakers as a unit. It sounds like the mold heater is out. The system cycles like this: Fill, freeze, mold heat, eject, and start over. The mold heater not working will prevent ejection.

Top 2 possiblities

1/ The motor that ejects the ice is shot.

or

2/ the heater element that melts the ice into pieces.

Here is where you can probably pinpoint problem.

Making Ice When everything is hooked up, the icemaker begins its cycle. The cycle is usually controlled by a simple electrical circuit and a series of switches. In the diagram below, you can see how the icemaker moves through its cycle.
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• At the beginning of the cycle, a timed switch in the circuit briefly sends current to a solenoid water valve. In most designs, the water valve is actually positioned behind the refrigerator, but it is connected to the central circuit via electrical wires. When the circuit sends current down these wires, the charge moves a solenoid (a type of electromagnet), which opens the valve.
  
• The valve is only open for about seven seconds; it lets in just enough water to fill the ice mold. The ice mold is a plastic well, with several connected cavities. Typically, these cavities have a curved, half-circle shape. Each of the cavity walls has a small notch in it so each ice cube will be attached to the cube next to it.
  
• Once the mold is filled, the machine waits for the water in the mold to freeze. The cooling unit in the refrigerator does the actual work of freezing the water, not the icemaker itself (see How Refrigerators Work for details). The icemaker has a built-in thermostat, which monitors the temperature level of the water in the molds. When the temperature dips to a particular level -- say, 9 degrees Fahrenheit (-13 degrees Celsius) -- the thermostat closes a switch in the electrical circuit (see How Home Thermostats Work for details on this operation).
  
• Closing this switch lets electrical current flow through a heating coil underneath the icemaker. As the coil heats up, it warms the bottom of the ice mold, loosening the ice cubes from the mold surface.

-->The icemaker has a heating coil underneath the ice mold.

• The electrical circuit then activates the icemaker's motor. The motor spins a gear, which rotates another gear attached to a long plastic shaft. The shaft has a series of ejector blades extending out from it. As the blades revolve, they scoop the ice cubes up and out of the mold, pushing them to the front of the icemaker. Since the cubes are connected to one another, they move as a single unit.

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• At the front of the icemaker, there are plastic notches in the housing that match up with the ejector blades. The blades pass through these notches, and the cubes are pushed out to a collection bin underneath the icemaker.
  
• The revolving shaft has a notched plastic cam at its base. Just before the cubes are pushed out of the icemaker, the cam catches hold of the shut-off arm, lifting it up. After the cubes are ejected, the arm falls down again. When the arm reaches its lowest resting position, it throws a switch in the circuit, which activates the water valve to begin another cycle. If the arm can't reach its lowest position, because there are stacked-up ice cubes in the way, the cycle is interrupted. This keeps the icemaker from filling your entire freezer with ice; it will only make more cubes when there is room in the collection bin.

This system is effective for making ice at home, but it doesn't produce enough ice for commercial purposes, such as restaurants and self-service hotel ice machines. In the next section, we'll look at a larger, more powerful icemaker design.