GE WR30X28702 ice maker not harvesting

[Bubicus]

Hello everyone,

I've got a very strange situation here.  The electronic ice maker in my GE side-by-side (GSS25XSRESS) stopped harvesting ice and was always presenting with the blinking LED.  So I ordered up a new ice maker since most topics stated that if the water valve was working and power was present, the ice maker needs replacement if it doesnt harvest.  I had to order the electro-mechanical ice maker (WR30X28702) replacement since GE no longer makes the electronic one with the LED.  So I figured I just have an easy swap but that isnt the case.

Odd story begins.  When I installed the new ice maker it instantly opened the valve and filled with water when I plugged it in.  However over 24 hours later I have frozen cubes in the tray and the rake seems to have moved to the straight up position and stopped.  Funny thing is the old ice maker would do the exact same thing.  It would fill, rake would move until pointing straight up and then the LED would start blinking.  I can manually advance the rake so its not frozen in place.

I cant figure this one out due to the following.

1) Power exists since the rake is moving.

2) Water valve is working since the ice tray fills completely.

3) Freezer temp is below -10 F

4) If I remove the ice maker and manually remove the ice with hot water I can reinstall it and click the rake forward until the valve opens and it fills again.  However same issue after fill exists.  Rake moves until upright and then stops.

 

Is it true that the ice maker draws power directly from the mains and therefore as nothing to do with the motherboard?  At any rate the motherboard seems OK because refrig/freezer temps and fine and the defrost cycle works.  I have seen the defrost heater glow, etc.

 

Really at a loss here since I cannot figure why this brand new ice maker will not cycle.

 

Thanks so much in advance for any help!

 

 

 

[MrApplianceMatt]

When I pull up the ice maker for your fridge, I get WR30X10093, which is very available and replaces original part number WR30X10061. 

[Bubicus]

Yes, welcome to my world of ice maker part number confusion.  I ordered WR30X10093 from Appliance Parts Pros and they sent a WR30X28702 which they state is compatible.  It looks the same anyway.  Furthermore, you are correct, my refrigerator does show that WR30X10061 is the original part but it came with a WR30X10044 from the factory.  Confused yet?

Anyway, I dug a little deeper into the ice maker Appliance Parts Pros sent and I found the thermistor that is in series with the heater is completely open at room temp.  I am freezing it now to see if it closes below 39 degrees.

Do you or anyone else know what should be found OHMs wise on the ice maker thermistor?  The thermistor on my original ice maker shows 92~ OHMS at room temp and is definitely not open.

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

[MrApplianceMatt]

If the thermistor is open then it has failed. Thermistors fail either open, shorted, or most frequently, they go out of spec. Typically room temp is around 10K ohms depending on the application, but if your thermistor is reading OL then it has failed. I would recommend getting the WR30X10093. Did they charge you for the wr30x10093? There is a considerable price difference between the two ice makers, as in the one they sent you is about $100, retail, cheaper than the wr30x10093.

[MrApplianceMatt]