Just bought this thing last November. I'm wondering if I got a lemon as I had to call for service for the ice maker after 2 months (so far, that's working OK now).

Current problem is a random water leak. Happens very fast, too. I'll walk by the fridge and the floor is dry. Maybe an hour later, there will be a puddle of water in the front of the fridge (maybe about a half to one cup of water in volume). This has happened 3x now in one month. Every time it happens, I take the bottom cover off to figure out where the leak is coming from. It looks like it's coming from the defrost drip tray, maybe to the right of that tray. But every time, it's definitely coming from under the fridge. Every time, I'll lay a towel down in front to sop up the water and take it away after 10 minutes. No leaking after that until the next episode.

I've had two different service companies (both contracted out by Whirlpool) out and neither can find the problem. For the first time it leaked a month ago, the first company sent someone who barely looked under the fridge. Since there was no leak, he decided not to look any further. The second time it leaked was Tuesday of this week. The second company that came out was much better, but he still couldn't find the problem. He looked under, took the back cover off and looked back there, checking for valve leaks, etc. He did give me a few ideas and places to look. He thought it might be coming from the ice dispenser (we keep it on crushed ice and some of the ice accumulates in the area above the dispenser in the door). I did tell him that I've never noticed water running down the front of the door under the dispenser, so I didn't think it was that problem. I told him I suspected it might be an intermittent problem w/the defrost cycle and he thought there was a chance it might be a problem there, too. The day he came out, the refrigerator leaked again in the evening. Too bad it couldn't have happened while he was there.

Basically, it's a fairly big leak, but it kind of gushes then stops for a while. It's definitely not from ice that might have dropped on the floor below the dispenser. Too much water for that.

Anyone ever see a similar problem w/a side by side fridge (w/water and ice dispenser--even though I don't think this is causing the problem)?

Hi,

Did any of the techs start the defrost cycle while they were there? Sounds like when its in defrost the defrost drain water is going on the floor instead of in your defrost pan underneath your refrigerator.

This is how you start the defrost cycle on your model:
First Test Method:
1. Turn the thermostat off for 15 seconds.
2. Turn the thermostat on for 5 seconds.
3. Turn the thermostat off for 15 seconds.
4. Turn the thermostat on for 5 seconds.
5. Turn the thermostat off for 15 seconds.
6. Turn the thermostat on for 5 seconds.
7. Turn the thermostat off.
In 3 to 8 seconds the ADC should turn on the defrost heater (with the bimetal closed). NOTE: The test mode will terminate when the bimetal opens. If the refrigerator/freezer is already in defrost, Test Mode can be terminated by unplugging the refrigerator/freezer from the wall outlet and waiting 30 seconds before plugging it back in. The refrigerator/freezer should immediately go into cooling mode if the thermostat is closed.
If this first test procedure fails to make the ADC initiate a defrost cycle, try the following procedure to make the ADC begin the Test Mode.

Second Test Method:
1. Disconnect the refrigerator/freezer from the wall outlet for at least 30 seconds.
2. Turn the thermostat off.
3. Reconnect power to the refrigerator/freezer.

Then while its in defrost get a flashlight to watch for water going on your floor.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

Look-Up & Order Parts

Shop Home Appliances