How to Repair a Malfunctioning Ice Maker in Your Frigidaire Refrigerator

A malfunctioning ice maker won’t stop your Frigidaire refrigerator model FFHD2250TS from keeping your food fresh or frozen, however, it will become a huge inconvenience when you’re craving a large glass of ice cold water. Luckily, once you figure out which component is faulty, fixing a broken ice maker is a fairly simple repair. Most ice maker malfunctions are due to a faulty water inlet valve, or a damaged door switch. If you’re looking to replace one or more of the suggested components, the repair guides provided below will walk you through the process.

Before you begin repairing your refrigerator, unplug the appliance and switch off its water supply to avoid electrocution. Staying safe is your number one priority, meaning work gloves and safety goggles must be worn at all times. If you feel as though the repair is beyond your skill set, please stop what you are doing and contact an appliance repair technician to finish up the replacement process.

The Water Inlet Valve

The refrigerator’s water inlet valve regulates the water traveling to the appliance’s ice maker. A malfunctioning valve is caused by either a mechanical defect, such as mineral deposits, preventing the valve from opening, or electrical failure. To determine if the electrical failure is the catalyst, you’ll need to test the valve’s solenoid coils with a multimeter. A reading of negative continuity indicates an electrical issue. Unfortunately, whether the problem is mechanical or electrical, the faulty water inlet valve will need replacing.

How to Replace the Water Inlet Valve in Your Frigidaire Refrigerator

1. Slide your refrigerator forward a few feet and head to the rear of your appliance. Remove the screw that secures the water supply line to the back of your refrigerator. Next, unthread the supply line from the water inlet valve.
2. After the water supply line is detached, take out the remaining screws that hold the lower rear panel to your appliance. Once the screws are out, take the panel off your refrigerator and set it down somewhere safe and out of the way.
3. Unthread the screws that secure the water inlet valve mounting bracket to the frame of the refrigerator. Then, remove the bracket and water inlet valve from inside your appliance. Before disconnecting the wire harnesses from the valve, take a picture with your phone to ensure you know their proper placement. After you’ve taken the photo, detach the wire harnesses from the water inlet valve.
4. At this point, you’ll want to take another picture of the inlet valve; this time to document the placement of the water tubes. Now remove the retainers from the tubes and use a wrench to disengage the locking mechanism securing the tubes to the valves. Pull the tubes off the water inlet valves. Have a towel close by to wipe up any water that may drip out of the disconnected water tubes.
5. Grab the new water inlet valve and carry it over to your refrigerator. Before you start installing it, make sure you remove the small cap that protects the water supply line valve. After the cap is off, take a look at the pictures you took so you can properly reattach the water tubes to the inlet valves and the wire harnesses to the correct terminals.
6. Now you can attach the water inlet valve to your refrigerator. First, take a look at the area where the water inlet valve sits in your appliance. You should see a screw sticking out of the wall. Slide the inlet valve bracket onto the screw. Once the component is in place, secure the valve and bracket to the refrigerator frame with the screws you removed earlier.
7. Realign and secure the lower rear access panel and reconnect the water supply line to the water inlet valve. Rethread the water line’s retaining screw to hold the part in place.
8. To finish up your repair, plug your refrigerator back in and turn its water supply on.

The Door Switch

When you open your refrigerator door, the door switch stops the water dispenser and the ice maker from turning on. A defective door switch can prevent the ice maker from functioning even when your refrigerator door is closed. Testing the switch with a multimeter will tell you whether or not the part has failed. If the door switch does not have continuity when activated, you’ll need to replace it.

How to Replace the Door Switch in Your Frigidaire Refrigerator

1. To start off your repair, you’ll need a small step stool to stand on. Once you are situated and can easily reach the top of your refrigerator, unthread the screws securing the door hinge cover to the appliance. Then, open the refrigerator door and remove the hinge cover from the top of the refrigerator.
2. Next, take out the screws that hold the door switch console to the top of the appliance. Once you’ve removed all the screws, lift the console up and turn it over.
3. Locate the door switch you’re replacing, and disengage the retaining clips holding the switch in place. Before pulling the door switch out of its housing, disconnect the component’s wire harness. Then, remove the door switch from the switch console.
4. Start installing the new door switch by inserting the part into the door switch opening on the switch console. Before snapping the component in place, reconnect the door switch wire harness. Once the harness is secure, finish installing the switch by pushing it forward to engage its locking mechanism.
5. Now flip the switch console over and realign it on the top of your refrigerator. Then, rethread its screws to secure it.
6. Grab the hinge cover and snap it back into place, and then replace the cover’s mounting screws.
7. With the installation processes finished, you can plug your refrigerator in, and switch its water supply back on. To finish up your repair, test out your new door switch by filling up a glass with ice and water.

If a faulty water inlet valve or a defective door switch isn’t the cause of your ice maker no longer functioning, please contact us today, and one of our highly skilled appliance repair technicians will come to your home to diagnose and repair your refrigerator.