GE fridge Icemaker not working.

[CHexclaim]

Hello. I need help on a General Electric fridge model GLP23QTGA that has an Ice maker thing that is not working. Maybe having the Service Manual would help, or if anybody has any suggestions on what could be the cause, it will be appreciated.

Thanks, Carlos

[hermit]

I did service on GE fridges in the states.  GE's attitude was to replace the whole thing.  You don't give enough information to be of much help though.  Many ice maker repairs I did had nothing to do with the unit but instead with the stupid little valve that punches a hole in the water line.  They get plugged or if they are over tightened the sealing gasket mushrooms into the hole it seems. 

You can generally find a parts manual online and it will give you the replaceable parts and that should give you a clue as to what is wrong.  I have no idea if the unit sold out of country is even the same as the ones I serviced in the USA.

[CHexclaim]

hermit, thank you very much for your reply.

I have seen that the whole ice maker unit is available even in amazon and at a reasonable price. Suggestions for a better source for the unit would be appreciated.

Nevertheless, before getting into the task of replaceing the thing (importing the spare, etc.) I would like to rule out any other cause. But, I don't think that the valve you mention is the culprit as the water feature (to fill a glass with water) works no problem (although about an year ago I had to replace a segment of the plastic tubing as it became very brittle and broke in pieces).

Moreover, I am not 100 percent sure but as I can feel, the tray is full of ice at this moment. I will attach a picture of the unit. By the way, how to you remove it from the frigde? with only one screw from the side?

I couldn't find service manuals online...

Thank you once again.

Carlos.

[helius]

If you search for the appliance model at https://www.ereplacementparts.com/ you can see the pages of the service booklet with the exploded parts details.

[CHexclaim]

Thanks!! Looking at it right now!

[floobydust]

Note that mains power to the GE ice maker is in series with the doorswitch. If the fridge door is open, it will do nothing. This makes troubleshooting kind of a mess.
https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=71159&highlight=ice+maker

[CHexclaim]

Thank you for the tip, which can make life a bit complicated. Anyhow, in this fridge, the icemaker unit has a green LED which is on when the door is open, so I guess it is still powered up.

[floobydust]

First I would find the root part number, it will make your search easier. Model number GLP23QTGA I can't find anywhere.
The colour, style etc. in Uruguay I don't know what is special about it.

[CHexclaim]

Thanks for the reply.

I cannot find this model anywhere too. I am attaching a picture of the lable inside the fridge as a picture of the lable on the icemaker unit.
The finish of the fridge is stainless steel and it has two vertical doors, smaller on the left for the freezer and wider on the right for the fresh food.

I think it is similar to this model: GSS23QGTABB

[floobydust]

From the label pic that (entire) ice maker part number is WR30X10078. seems to be replaced by WR30X10081 which is international 220V model.

For USA 120VAC 60Hz is WR30X10093. I would look at that part's repair video.

[hermit]

It's been a while but if I remember correctly if you push the paddle back three times the unit should try and cycle.  If it does then I'd look at the thermostat.

[hermit]

Note that mains power to the GE ice maker is in series with the doorswitch. If the fridge door is open, it will do nothing. This makes troubleshooting kind of a mess.
https://www.badcaps.net/forum/showthread.php?t=71159&highlight=ice+maker

This would be rare on a GE.  The ice auger for through the door ice is hooked up that way but I the only way you would need that for the icemaker is if it dumped ice directly into the door.

[floobydust]

This is the 6th generation GE icemaker I believe, lots of firmware...

Power On Diagnostics {WR30X10093}

When the icemaker is first connected to power and if thermistor temperature is 50°F (10°C) or higher, the control will perform a Power On test before entering the freeze cycle.

The test consists of the following:

• Turn on the motor until it reaches home the next time.
• Turn on the water valve for 1/2 second.
• Tum on the heater for 1/2 second.
• Verify that the feeler arm was in the "in" and then in the "out" position.
• Verify that the motor was not in the home position and then in the home position.
• Verify that the motor does not remain on after being turned off.
• Proceed to the freeze cycle.

Note: The power on test will only add 1/2 second of water, which will not overflow the mold with a normal fill, but may cause a small cube when the refrigerator is first started.

If the temperature is below 50°F (10°C), the control will power up normally.

If in the home position, the control will enter the freeze cycle.

If the motor is not home, the control will enter the harvest cycle but bypass water fill to avoid overfilling the mold.


Service Diagnostics

During the first 15 seconds that power is first applied to the icemaker, the Service Diagnostic Test mode may be entered.

The service mode is entered by pushing the feeler arm from the "out" position to the "in" position and back again 3 times and only 3 times within 15 seconds.

Note: If the icemaker has already started a harvest cycle and the arm is moving, it may be impossible to properly move the arm and enter the service mode without allowing it to reset and powering up again.

The service diagnostic mode consists of a harvest cycle followed by a water fill.

The harvest cycle is entered immediately, regardless of icemaker temperature or arm position.

While in the harvest cycle in the service mode, the heater will remain on for a minimum of 20 seconds.

The water fill cycle will initiate the first fill (5.1 seconds) without waiting for the mold to "prechill".

Only one water fill occurs during the service mode, whether the thermistor has reached 39.2°F (4°C) or not.

The icemaker will exit the service diagnostic test on its own and enter the normal freeze cycle.

[CHexclaim]

Thank you very much!! As soon as I have made these procedures I'll update.

[CHexclaim]

The problem seems to be solved. I ended up replacing the icemaker unit as the diagnostic procedures did not work.

I had trouble removing the old icemaker unit and installing the new one as these wouldn't fit through the fridge door. The units are about half cm wider than the door. Crazy. It was quite a struggle.

Thanks, Carlos.