Ice Maker Solenoid

[Buzwick]

Hi all,

I'm new to the site and wanted to pass on a recurring problem I had with my oldie but goodie Kenmore (made by GE) side by side fridge. This thing was getting old when I bought it 10 years ago and I have had it on life support ever since. I have replaced the ice maker water solenoid 3 times since I bought it! I was thinking it was a voltage spike that was taking the first two out and I put a varistor across the coil hoping that would keep it from burning out but it didn't. The fridge resided in the wash room and I was putting down tile and moved it into the dining room and plugged it back in but, of course, did not connect water since there was none available.  When I told the parts counter salesman about my problem he asked me if I had ran it without connecting the water line? When I told him yes, he said that was probably what burned up the coil. he said I could've also raised the arm on the ice maker to turn off the unit. Does anybody have any similar experience with this?

Buzwick

 

[Lighthouse]

8 hours ago, Buzwick said:

he said I could've also raised the arm on the ice maker to turn off the unit.

You should shut off IM anytime you do not have water going to it. 

[Buzwick]

Thanks for the feedback Lighthouse. I am a novice and a DIY'er and haven't had formal training. Turning off the IM never crossed my mind. The counter-person said it was in a continuous loop asking for water, thereby applying voltage to a coil that is meant to be intermittent. An expensive way to learn a lesson!

 

[Lighthouse]

Happens often