Ice maker limit switch

There is a heater that is supposed to thaw just the surface of the cube so that it pops out. Mine has failed several times.

Don't know... maybe ;-)

...Jim Thompson

How hard/easy is the repair to do? I have to do something about mine - it's making ice a lot slower than it used to.

Ed

Careful. You could start a new ice age and reverse all the progress we've made toward warming the planet up.

;-)

Actually, its' not quite this simple. Several things could be going wrong. (I've fixed a few of these over the years....)

First, the problem is the cube gets stuck, not the arm. This entire gadget actually works off a simple timer/switch mechanism. (Sort of like those used on an old washing machine).

The heater will turn off, even if the ice cubes are not ejected. (Remember it's based only on time.) And of course, if they don't eject properly, the ice will then re- freeze when the heater turns off, only now, the ice is stuck to the little plastic white parts and will never un-stick because the plastic isn't heated.

What actually causes this is micro-imperfections in the plastic tray. (Could also be dirty, so disassemble and try to clean, if possible.) Most icemakers install with just 3 screws, and 1 Molex type connector way in the back. There's also an overflow drain. Believe it or not, the tray fills via timer also. No float mechanism!

Anyway, when the plastic tray gets worn (hard to believe water alone can do that, but I guess solid ice has more friction), the ice won't budge. Usually, these are half-moon shaped ice pieces, and they just get pushed out - the tray itself is not heated, just the metal parts that separate the cubes. (The metal parts actually slice the ice AS it is being pushed out of the tray.)

I suppose it is possible that the motor switch (all 1 piece, which typically uses contact brushes) could be failing to engage the heater for a portion of it's "On" time, in which case, you would probably have ice stuck in a different position. Not as you described - i.e., between arm and motor housing. So my guess is the heater is just fine. Esp. if subsequent batches eject correctly.

I would take the whole unit out, let any ice in it melt, then clean the tray and re-assemble. That might get you another year or so of life, but you're best bet is to either replace the white platic ice tray part, or the whole damn thing. Whichever is cheaper.

The limit switch is very likely NOT what is causing the ice cubes to stick. FWIW.

Referigerator Repairman - One of my many undocumented talents! Good luck!

-mpm

I just call Subzero service ;-)

...Jim Thompson

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, Because of the Brave- Hide quoted text -

I'm officially envious now.... SubZero makes some really, really nice ice makers!!

Mine (part of fridge) makes this half-moon shaped cubes, which I loathe. The conform almost perfectly to the size and shape of a tall Collins glass. Before too long, you're typically wearing a portion of your drink. Sooner, if the drink involves a good quantity of alcohol. :)