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Refrigerator Freezer Ice Maker Replacement Guide
How to replace a standard freezer
icemaker unit in a home refrigerator with picture illustrated instructions and
steps.
Please note, I am not a professional home appliance technician. I take no responsibility for any damage to your property, persons, or pets. If you have any doubts, do not proceed and consult with an appliance repair company that is authorized and/or certified to repair your brand of refrigerator. Be sure to unplug the refrigerator before disassembling any part of it. | ||
GE Hotpoint Freezer |
GE Hotpoint Icemaker |
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This home
repair guide was specifically written to assist owners of a GE
Hotpoint "Top-Freezer" type home refrigerator in replacing a faulty
icemaker assembly or the icemaker electronic solenoid water supply
control valve. Owners of other similar refrigerators from manufacturers such as Maytag, Whirlpool, Kenmore, Frigidaire, Amana, Fisher & Paykel, KitchenAid, LG, General Electric, Bosch, Dacor, Marvel and Samsung may also find this guide to be useful. Before you purchase a replacement refrigerator ice maker machine, try setting your refrigerator freezer to a colder temperature, check that the power plug below the icemaker is in securely, and verify that the water supply valve behind the refrigerator is open. The only tool needed to replace the icemaker is a Phillips head screwdriver. Your unit might be held in place instead by small hex head bolts, Torx screws, or flathead screws. |
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Remove Phillips Screws |
Two Screws Removed |
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New or used
replacement icemaker units sell on eBay or
Amazon.com for anywhere from about $40 to over
$80.
To be sure that you are purchasing the correct type of icemaker, look for the model number in bold black lettering that starts with "WR" located on the sticker attached to the black plastic part of the icemaker facing the rear of the freezer. The sticker on your icemaker might be located on the underside of the unit. This GE Hotpoint refrigerator was originally equipped with a model no. WR30X0318 CAN 5 (DR. NO. 470269G37) icemaker. It's a good idea to double check with the eBay seller about whether their icemaker unit will work in your particular brand and model of refrigerator. |
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Lower Icemaker |
Icemaker Power Plug |
Power Plug Removed |
If you haven't
already, unplug the refrigerator's power plug from the wall socket.
To remove the old broken ice maker unit, unscrew the two screws or bolts that secure it to the side wall of the freezer. Gently lower it away from the water supply hose on the rear wall of the freezer. |
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Icemaker Power Socket |
Water Supply Inlet Tube |
Replacement GE Icemaker |
Unplug the
icemaker's power plug by gently pulling the base of it away from the side
wall of the freezer.
If it doesn't come off easily, try slightly wiggling it while pulling it away from the wall. Take note of what your icemaker power plug looks like to be sure that it matches the one on your new icemaker or that the new icemaker came with an appropriate adapter. This refrigerator's icemaker had a four prong power plug arranged in a cross pattern. |
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Model WRX30X0318 |
Clean Freezer Walls |
Plug In Ice Maker |
With the old ice
maker out of the way, I took the opportunity to thoroughly clean the walls
of the freezer that are partially hidden when the icemaker is attached.
Before installing the new (or used but known to be working) ice maker, carefully clean out the ice tray area with warm water and shake or towel it dry. If you forget to clean it, just don't use the first few sets of ice that it creates until any debris or dust is flushed out of the ice tray. |
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New Icemaker Plugged In |
Line Up Water Supply Hose |
Attach Two Screws |
To install the new
ice maker, first line up the power plug's prongs with the holes in the
socket on the left side wall of the freezer and gently push it into place.
Then line up the two mounting brackets with the screw holes on the freezer's wall and thread the screws in part of the way with your fingers. Tighten the screws with a screwdriver or the bolts with a socket and ratcheting wrench. |
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Tighten Screws |
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Double check to
make sure that the icemaker power plug is in securely and that the screws
are just past hand tight.
Verify that the icemaker's on/off or on/stop arm raises and lowers easily. Put it back in the down position to turn the unit on. To test your new icemaker, plug the refrigerator's power plug back into the wall socket, check that the water supply valve is turned all the way to the open setting (usually counter clockwise) and wait a few hours. If it doesn't produce any ice, try lowering the freezer and/or refrigerator's temperature dial to a colder setting and wait a few more hours. If it still doesn't work, you may need to replace the icemaker water supply electronic solenoid valve located at the lower rear corner of the refrigerator. |
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Test On/Off (Stop) Arm |
Lower Rear Cover |
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To access the icemaker water supply solenoid valve, you may need to remove a cover on the lower rear of the refrigerator held in place by a few screws (Phillips, flathead, or Torx) or some hex head bolts. | ||
Remove Flathead Screw |
Remove Hex Head Bolt |
Water Supply Valve |
It's usually easy
to identify the icemaker water supply valve by it's light blue plastic parts
and the clear plastic tubing exiting from the top of it and heading up along
the rear of the refrigerator towards the freezer.
A replacement icemaker water supply solenoid valve can be purchased on eBay or Amazon for anywhere from $15 to $50 depending on whether or not your refrigerator has a drinking water dispenser. |
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Close Valve - Clockwise |
Remove Single Bolt |
Pull Out Solenoid Valve |
To replace the
valve, first unplug the refrigerator and wiggle off the two prong power plug
on the side of the valve.
Then turn off the refrigerator water supply valve located on the wall behind the refrigerator or inside an adjacent cabinet. Before disconnecting the inlet or outlet water tubing, get a bucket or pot to catch any water that may leak out. Twist off the brass compression connectors that hold the tubes in place on the valve. Then twist the tubes back into place on the new solenoid valve, attach the two pronged power plug, bolt the valve back into place on the refrigerator and replace the cover. Open the main refrigerator water supply valve by turning it counter clockwise until it stops. It may take a few hours for the icemaker to start making ice. |
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Valve Power Plug |
Compression Tube Fitting |
Tray Full of New Ice |
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