GE Refrigerator PFE28KMKES - Autofill Error - also code 50 9d ?

[toolazyforalogin]

A few days ago I noticed my GE Refrigerator PFE28KMKES would not autofill anymore.  It kept giving me errors no matter what container I used.  I thought perhaps I messed up the sensor somehow.  I started reading on finding error codes and finally figured out that I had to put the light on before I could enter the service menu.

 

I tried to run command 00 16 to reset all the boards and it did not work.  I ran command 00 00 and it gave me back 3 series of numbers:

50 9d     followed by 00 10    followed by     00 1o

Here is a video of the codes although I believe I've listed them properly. 

I then ended by running command 00 16 again to exit.

If you have any ideas on what I should do next I'd really appreciate any insight you have to offer.  Thank you in advance 

 

[Vance R]

Clean the auto fill sensors with a damp cloth.  The only error code list is 0010 which is for freezer ice maker thermistor. For the diag mode step 00 00 is to read codes,  00 01 is to clear codes. 00 03 is the auto fill container presence test, 00 16 is to exit. Does the manual water dispenser work ok?

 

[toolazyforalogin]

Thank you for your reply.  The manual water does work correctly and it may be coincidence but after I replaced the water filter which was counting down on the screen the autofill went back to working.  Very strange and perhaps a glitch in the software or just coincidence and non related.

As for this error code 0010 freezer ice thermistor.  Can you please give me more information on this?  It seems to make ice just fine.  How hard is it to replace and how necessary would you deem it to replace?  

Thank you so much for your help - I'm sorry for the delay in response.  I thought I had signed up for email notification on the thread and I'll make sure to ensure they are on.

[toolazyforalogin]

@Vance R- I have found a video to replace the thermistor in my refrigerator behind the ice maker and I will order the part.  I just want to confirm that is the thermistor you would suggest as opposed to the thermistor in the freezer itself behind the panel on what I believe is the evaporator coil.

Do I replace the thermistor at the 4:48 mark on this video or behind the evaporator cover at the 20:34 second mark.

Thank you in advance.

[Vance R]

Neither of those thermistors, the first one is the ice room thermistor, the second is the freezer thermistor. The error code 0010 is the thermistor inside the freezer icemaker. 

 I would clear all the error codes first then see if any re-occur.

Edited July 8, 2023 by Vance R
add last sentence

[toolazyforalogin]

@Vance R Oh wow thank you so much for that.  I'm really glad I asked before replacing parts.  I tried to run command 01 to clear fault code but I don't think it actually cleared because it showed up again when I tried command 16 and then 00 again . 

I believe I should run test 31 -FZ Ice Mold Body Thermistor Test to run the test and see what happens?

Based on your last response I should cut power to the refrigerator, take out the ice maker and open it up and I should see a thermistor behind the control board.  I plan to splice it using these UY2 connectors that I believe are sealed with the gel inside and should provide moisture protection.

Thank you again for all of your help.  I truly appreciate it.

 

[Vance R]

4 minutes ago, toolazyforalogin said:

I believe I should run test 31 -FZ Ice Mold Body Thermistor Test to run the test and see what happens?

Would be the logical next step.

Most of us just replace the ice maker. Since willing to service the ice maker those connectors should work good. 

[toolazyforalogin]

Thanks @Vance R .  I'll take your advice and just replace the unit.  Looks like part number WR30X10164 has been superseded by WR49X31524

Do you have a donate button somewhere on your profile?

 

[Vance R]

Never looked, don't think there is one.

[toolazyforalogin]

Just ran test 31 and it showed a bunch of dashes so I would assume something is not communicating with that thermistor and since it could be the board it makes sense to just replace the icemaker and see if that fixes the problem.

[Vance R]

If you have the time and a meter may want to check the connecting wires. They don't show the internal connections for the icemaker thermistor, but there is a chart for resistance. 

 Found another tech sheet for that family of models, here is that picture.

Edited July 9, 2023 by Vance R
added third picture for different tech sheet

[toolazyforalogin]

Thanks @Vance R - I have been looking at the wrong resistance chart.  I was anticipating seeing 16.3 kiloohms at 0 degrees F based on this chart.

I do have both the time and a meter but I'm not 100% sure exactly which wires I would be connecting to check the resistance.  

The pictures online show as follows but I guess colors can change.

[Vance R]

The tech sheet just show the 1 wire for the i/m signal thermistor, white wire. Not sure if the thermistor is part of the 5 vdc input wire or one of the others. 

[toolazyforalogin]

Thanks @Vance R - Once I swap out the new icemaker I'll do my best to test the old one and report back in case others have the same issue and find this thread to be helpful in the future.

[Budget Appliance Repair]

@toolazyforalogin I don't think you would have much luck changing that thermistor in the icemaker - I believe I've opened one of those up before and it's definitely not the standard GE thermistor - it's a tiny little square one that sits against the mold of the icemaker body.

Not saying you wouldn't be able to replace it but would sure have to goto some of the electronic component sites to source one that is the correct size and ratings.

Edited July 10, 2023 by Budget Appliance Repair

[toolazyforalogin]

@Budget Appliance Repair Thank you for your info.  It definitely makes sense to replace the icemaker then.   I took @Vance R advice and just replaced the icemaker and I'm still having the same code 0010 show up though.  I've run command 01 and pushed the light button and I'm not sure what screen I should see next but I don't see a message that codes are cleared.  I will say that when I tried code 00 again it does show 0 days since the code came up so it appears (to me) that I've properly reset the code.  Strangely then the code is back with a new icemaker and when I tried command 31 it still showed a double set of dashes.  I'm tempted to put the old one back and return the new icemaker since I really haven't had any issues with the refrigerator.  I just figured I'd try to do some preventative maintenance to get that code cleared.  Other thoughts / ideas ?  Thank you again for your time and help.

 

[toolazyforalogin]

@Vance R

I hope I did not wear out my welcome with your help.  I've tried researching other issues with code 0010 to no avail.  Should I just let it be?  I don't seem to be having any issues that I notice.  Just the code that I don't seem to be able to clear or reset.  

[Vance R]

8 hours ago, toolazyforalogin said:

Should I just let it be? 

Yup, kinda of stuck with it when it won't clear. 

[toolazyforalogin]

Okay will do thanks @Vance R

[bcc243]

"Strangely then the code is back with a new icemaker and when I tried command 31 it still showed a double set of dashes."

 

Regarding command 31, I believe that is for the freezer ice maker, and will show dashes as not present, if you didn't get the additional freezer ice maker option, that is available on your model.  There is another command to test the fridge door ice maker mold body thermistor, which should return 31 07 or something similar.