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WPL Ceiling Mount IM hack

Koi Guy

Entry posted by Koi Guy in Field Repairs

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I’ve seen lots of the WPL build units with the ice maker in the ceiling that get a condition where the fill tube freezes up. I’ve been working on a repair for this and I think I have it dialed in.

Before starting, go through the manual and perform the diagnostic steps as outlined by Whirlpool. But what I’ve been finding in some cases is that the components are working properly- including the fill tube heater, but there was a poor installation job done at the factory, and the heater is making little contact with the fill tube itself. Easy enough fix!

Poorly installed fill tube heater.

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Look at the void! Hardly any of the heater is touching the fill tube!

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Peel that sucker off. Start reattaching from under the tube.

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Now wrap it tightly around the tube.

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Add some aluminum tape for good measure. Then layer it with thermal putty. Be sure to fill the voids of the wires. And also be sure the putty is flat with the housing so it will fit flush when reinstalled.

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Add some aluminum tape to cover the putty so it won’t be messy.

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Here’s what I use.

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Bonus tip: use a thin wall nut driver for those stubborn recessed screws. A cheap one works great!

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12 Comments

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Davon

I have run into three of these that aren’t making ice because the fill tube is frozen. In these cases it would melt the ice quickly if I turned the heater on in test mode. It appears cycling power to the refrigerator reset the control board and then it works fine.

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Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Posted

  • Team Samurai

Very nice pictorial tutorial, @Koi Guy!

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Richie Mac

Richie Mac

Posted

This is a great idea!  Perfect illustration as well.  Many thanks there friend!!

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Joe B, Stoughton Appliance Repair

Joe B, Stoughton Appliance Repair

Posted

Nice work. Will check next frozen fill tube for same. I’ve seen fill tubes freeze despite normal operation, and always chalked it up bad design/insulation. Poor manufacturing seems just as likely a reason. 

With no magnets, thin wall nut-drivers, like a jointer, are one of the few tools I actively dislike using. By about the 3rd, or 4th dropped screw I’m stifling curses. By the 5th or 6th dropped screw, I’m in a bad mood.

Only thing that seems to help the mood is collecting payment :)

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David C

David C

Posted

Did one two weeks ago. So far so good!

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goliad

Awesome post!  Great photos and thanks for including the putty material information.

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Budget Appliance Repair

Budget Appliance Repair

Posted

On 3/13/2024 at 7:38 AM, Joe B, Stoughton Appliance Repair said:

With no magnets, thin wall nut-drivers, like a jointer, are one of the few tools I actively dislike using. By about the 3rd, or 4th dropped screw I’m stifling curses. By the 5th or 6th dropped screw, I’m in a bad mood.

Use the same type or any putty material - a small ball on the end of the screw to hold it in the non-magnetic nut driver.

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