Kenmore refrigerator water dispenser sometimes sticks open, water continues to flow after filling cup? What part do I need to replace? Model 36350222000 serial 03126417. Thanks D

Your unit has a inlet valve that the supply of water flows to..This valve splits between allowing water to either the dispenser or the icemaker..This valve may be sticking open allowing water to keep flowing to dispenser..Google Model # w/problem to find location and part#..or call your local appliance repair company

Hello John;

My name is Peter. I am a retired field service refrigeration technician.

Neither your ice maker or water dispenser work off your main control board.

There is only one reason that the ice maker will not fill and you water dispenser does not shut off immediately after the contact switch disengages.

Your problem is low water pressure. You have a bad water valve.
After time the water valve seals fail, metal form the water line or corrosion plugs the water supply valve. You need at least 60 PSI water pressure to shut off the water dispenser solenoid valve and at least 60 PSI to open the ice maker water valve and fight the long fill tubing resistance.


Check - Pull your unit out where you can get behind it. Turn power off to your unit. Turn the water valve off. With towels under the unit water connection and a large bucket ready, disconnect the water supply line. With the water valve shut off you will probably get a steady stream of low water flow. The valve is bad. If not, open the water valve with the water line in the bucket. Is the water flow 60 PSI? Probably not.

Use a hair dryer to completely dry the solenoid valve and electrical area before you plug your unit back in

You need to replace the valve.

Before you do the above. Just in case you move your unit check for a bend or closure in the water line.

On the front bottom of your unit you have a grill. On the grill there is a round knob. Turn the knob 1/4 turn counter clockwise and pull the filter out. Note the slot on the back of the knob that holds the old filter. Slide the old filter out of the slot and replace with the new filter.
Reinsert the filter with the knob into the filter housing. Turn the knob 1/4 turn clockwise to lock it in.
Now, the new filter has air in it. At your water dispenser, fill cups with water. There will be a lot of air and water coming out. Continue this until all of the air is out of the filter and there is just water fill.
When to change your water filter - Your unit has a water filter change light. This light is not tied into water pressure. It is like a egg timer. Every 6 months it will light. This does not mean you need to change your water filter. Change your water filter when your ice cubes start to get small or the water coming out of your dispenser is of a low flow. Depending on your family size, you may not need to change your water filter for several years.
My name is Peter. I am a retired Sears Home Services refrigeration technician.

Here is a link to the page in the owners manual depicting the process:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/722607/Whirlpool-Refrigerator.html?page=22#manual

Which from the keypad touch the options and lock together for 3 seconds, a "1 cup" will display, get a measuring cup and locate the 8 ounce or 1 cup mark, place the empty cup under the water dispenser, press the water dispense paddle to fill the cup to the 8 ounce or 1 cup mark, (if you accidentally overfill, touch the back/ice type button, empty cup, and start process over), when cup is at the 8oz/1 cup mark stop filling and touch the measured fill button. You can pour out the water from the cup and test to see if water dispenser is calibrated now (should be as this works for my whirlpool refrigerator, if not attempt process again)

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-number/Kenmore-Parts/Refrigerator-Parts/218658000/0046/253/Model-25357672790/0582/0165000?keySuffixId=NA&pathTaken=partSearch&pathRender=modelComponent&documentCompId=10048814&diagramPageId=00005&productTypeId=x&searchModelNumber=25357672790&subCompDesc=Controls&brandDesc=KENMORE&modelDesc=REFRIGERATOR&blt=11

If you have good water pressure at your house water outlet, then the above part, a water inlet valve is the most likely problem. Follow your water lines to it.

It is possible that the switch at the dispenser switch is defective but not as likely as the water control valve=> W10408179 found on the rear of your refrigerator. The coil may be burned out or weaking and not allowing water to flow when you press your cup to dispense. Have someone ohm both coils and the resistance should be close to the same. Applying 120 volts to the water dispenser side of the dual valve should cause water to flow. They just sometimes burn out and yes the dispenser components wearout too.Large View=> 10656356500_Dispenser_Parts To remove the Face of the dispenser follow the instructions in red at bottom of photo=> HERE Use care and mark and remember were the screws go when you replace the facade. If you have any other questions I will be here, Thanks, Sea Breeze

I had the same problem. Sometimes the tray overfills and freezes in the little line that fills the ice cube tray.

I solved the problem by taking an ice pick and clearing the ice from the end of that little waterline until the water started flowing again.

Sounds like your water valve may need changing, and has filled up with sediment, slowing the water flow.

Detergent cup, itself The detergent cup itself can become clogged with old dried detergent that prevents it from opening. Sometimes just cleaning the cup takes care of the problem. If not, you probably need to replace the entire cup assembly
try cleaning it out with hot soapy water make sur its releasing freely ..Hope this helps if not let me know

You may have air in the system. When you actuate the dispenser it opens an electric valve in back to start the flow of water. When you release the dispenser air in the system expanding will cause the water to continue to flow until the pressure equalizes.