Kenmore 596.7238 still dispenses water but ice maker won't function. Ice maker failure or water valve?

You have 2 separate valves, 1 for the water dispenser and 1 for the ice maker. (otherwise your ice maker would overflow every time you got water from the dispenser and your dispenser would flow every time the ice maker went to refill.) They are fed from the same tubing.

The cube/crushed ice motor is completely separate from the ice maker itself and should have absolutely no bearing on the water flow.

You have narrowed down the problem quite nicely to the ice maker water valve. There is one more thing to check though, the connector. There should be a multi-contact connector from the ice maker to the back wall of the freezer, usually 6-9 wires. Pull that apart and check the cord side (ice maker side) for any corrosion. BE CAREFUL NOT TO TOUCH THE OTHER SIDE AS THERE IS LIVE 110V!!! If you don't see any corrosion, still try try disconnecting and reconnecting 5-10 times and see if that solves your problem. If you see corrosion, unplug the refrigerator before working on the back wall part of the connector. [This connector besides powering the ice maker also allows the ice maker to control the water valve which can't be inside the freezer]

Kenmore model numbers look like this example=> 321.1234578 Are you sure that the water in the ice maker is melting and flowing down into the ice bin? What may be happening is the water control valve for the ice maker may be allowing water to continue flowing into the ice maker tray even when off due to the water control valve being defective. If your refrigerator also has a water dispenser and the water is not continuing to leak is because the water control valve has to sides. One side is for the ice maker and the other side is for the water dispenser. I am here if you have questions, Thanks Sea Breeze

Hello Jim czyryca - From what you are describing if the ice maker is not making ice but is dispensing water, sounds like the refrigerator has a frozen water line, faulty ice maker valve or bad component that sends power to the ice maker valve when needed. The ice maker cycles internally to call for water so I strongly suggest contacting a professional to move forward accurately to assist with the repairs.

The ice maker not working: ---

Its the problem of water inlet valve. It's a dual valve. This valve has two tubes in it. One for water dispenser and one for ice maker chamber. The one side of valve is working, but other side of the valve is not working. The valve is got stuck in one position

Click this link below to troubleshoot the problem: ----

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2011/06/ice-maker-stopped-working.html

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This will help. Thanks. Helpmech.

If the water dispenser is working and fill glass function is working but the ice maker section there is no water in the tray then its faulty ice maker valve.This is a twin valve.The valve is one unit,but has two sections one for water and one for ice dispenser.This valve is got faulty and not working for both sections so water is not entering the ice maker tray.
There is a water valve at the back of the ice maker.This valve controls the flow of water in the ice maker chamber.If this valve is not functioning as required then water will not enter the ice maker.This valve is at the back of ice maker connected to the water fill tube.It has to be replaced to clear this problem.

You can get required parts from sears part direct online site or from repairclinic.com site.

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This will help. Thanks. Helpmech.

could be your ice maker or your water valve

your freezer had a heater and a bi metal behind its pannel. if they won't work properly than you would face problem like this.......contact your service authority. it cannot be solved by your own

Check to make sure you freezer is at 0 to 5 degrees. If it is not the water valve to the ice maker will not even open.

Sounds like a water valve problem to me. Force the ice maker to cycle. (turn it off and let it get cold for at least an hour then turn it back on). Test for voltage on the ice maker side of the valve. The valve is usually in the back near the floor. Just follow the water line. Another solution. switch the wires on the water valve. then try the water dispenser and see if it makes the ice maker fill up. See if when the ice maker cycles water comes out the door. If the ice maker causes water in the door , replace the valve, If door switch causes ice maker to fill up replace ice maker again.

1) Check the filler tube which allows water to enter the dispenser through the back wall of the freezer. This tube may be frozen inside. You can pull the tube out gently and clear it.

2) The inlet valve may be faulty/blocked. Where the water connects to the water valves behind the fridge, try to swap the plugs around from the one valve to the other. They should be colour coded. Then try dispensing water. If water runs into the ice-maker then the ice maker valve is faulty/blocked.