Whirlpool Gold WRF989SDAM00 Ice Maker Not Working

[myname]

Hi,

WRF989SDAM00   S/N K22303903   Out of warranty. 

I started a thread last year that related to this issue… the ice maker has worked fine since then, until now.

Here’s the history:

• Bought new April 2013
• May 2015 – Whirlpool replaced the Fresh Food Evaporator and Filter Dryer for free (frig/freezer not reaching temp – covered under s71233).  No issues with Ice Maker prior to this issue.
• Ice Maker began to intermittently stop working after the above repair.  Every week or two it would start working again, then stops.  If we filled the Ice Bin up with ice it would melt.  The intermittent behavior stopped and the Ice Maker has worked fine since December 2015.

Current issue:

We had a power outage in April 2016 – when the fridge came back up ice maker worked for a little while, then stopped again and hasn’t worked since.

• Called Whirlpool Service – paid $96 for service call. 
• They said it needed:
  • New Ice Maker
  • New Auger Motor (Ice dispenser has also stopped working).
  • New Air Tower (part would be free from Whirlpool)
  • New Fascia Heater Kit (part would be free from Whirlpool)
  • Total cost ($618 – including the first $96 service call charge)
• I said NO – and called Whirlpool.  Explained that I understand that there is a manufacturing defect that is fixed by adding a new Air Tower and Fascia Heater Kit.  They agreed and sent me those two parts for free. 
• I installed the new Air Tower, new Adapter (back part behind the ice maker), new rear gaskets, new water line heater, and new fascia plate with heater. 
• There were large chunks of ice on the back of the original Adapter.  I can post a pic if needed.
• While I had it apart, I ran the diagnostic code to turn on the water to the freezer – worked fine. 
• Put it back together and the ice maker began to work fine again. 
• After about it week – Ice Maker has stopped working again.  Ice in the Ice Bin melts. 
• There’s a small amount of frost/ice at the rear of the fridge where the Ice Maker Adapter meets the cold air ports. 

I suspect that I’m getting ice buildup again that’s blocking the cold air flow into the ice maker (or the gasket is leaking cold air into the fridge).  I’m not sure what to try next. 

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

Jeff

[howdryiam]

In my experience, i feel it is highly likely that you're experience a recurrence of the same condition. Confirm that you had the correct and most recent adapter kit for your model number and take care to follow the instructions to the letter. As you are aware, any air leaks in the adapter and gasket assembly will invite moisture penetration and ice buildup and/or ice room temps too warm for ice production. It must be 16 degrees for the icemaker initiate a harvest. When re-installing the icemaker assembly apply some real force rearward to compress gaskets around the cold air ports. Then tighten mounting screws to secure it in place. Use light and mirrors to visually confirm there are no gaps. I've been called in to re-do a couple of careless installations and have had good results.

That being said, Servicematters.com (Whirlpool tech website) has at least 7 or 8 Service pointers and instruction packages to resolve icemaker issues associated with your model number. In addition, this model is prone to the FF evaporating leaking resulting in a low refrigerant charge. One of the symptoms of this is low/no ice production. And don't forget to inspect where the ice bin gasket seals against the icemaker fascia. A poor seal there can result in melting ice in the bin and low/no ice production. 

I hope this helps more than discourages....

[lvasquez11]

Run diagnostics test 56 n 59 n 36

post results 

any issues with deli user interface 

[myname]

Thanks for the response!

 

56 = E2 (motor lost position)

59 = 10, 2-, 30, 0- (and repeats that sequence)

36 = On (I can feel air from fan)

 

Forgot to mention issues with Deli user interface:

• Readout is scrambled
• Each button makes a sound when selected
• Only the Deli/cheese button lights up
• The scrambled readout changes with each button press, but none are legible

Thanks,

Jeff

[lvasquez11]

Take deli interface apart n make sure it does not have any water damage from leaking ice maker. you could also leave it disconnected. a defective deli user will cause int issues 

Cycle power to refrigerator to reset.  

run ice maker again - if it fails you will need a ice maker 

 

 

[howdryiam]

Interesting, Ivasquez11!

Clearly you've seen this before and I need to learn from your approach. I presumed melted ice in ice bin meant that the icebox fan was iced over again and didn't suggest IM diagnostics. 

What is going on with the Deli drawer user interface and how is it causing or playing into the IM issue? Hope you have a minute to respond.

howdriam

 

[lvasquez11]

all info cant be found at servicematters if you have account

do a search on  Technical Service Pointer #: W10666199

 

Symptoms: Erratic dispenser and/or ice maker operation Deli Control display changes Door ajar light won’t turn off Erratic User Interface operation

[howdryiam]

Okay, reading it now. Good catch and thanks for the lesson! I'll be ready when I see this next time.

howdriam

[myname]

The deli board has some corrosion.  I removed it and I’ll just keep it out (I would assume that’s OK).  And the E2 error is back on the IM so I’ll order another one. 

Thanks for the help!

[lvasquez11]

Post a pic of deli board if you can so everyone can see damage.  

It'll every one out