FIXED 106.51133213 Kenmore/Coldspot Ice maker not working

[mazman73]

Model Number

106.51133213

Brand

Sears Kenmore

Age

6-10 years

Kenmore/Coldspot 106.51133213 Side by Side.
The ice maker stopped making ice. Easiest fix was to replace the icemaker. Did that but it wasn't the problem. Searching forums like this I learned that wires at the bottom of the door have a tendency to break. I found a few wires that were broken and so I spliced in to repair the broken areas. All wires going up to icemaker now have continuity now as they travel under the fridge. But ice maker still not working.

I've checked the solenoid by activating it manually and it pushes water in through the hose into the door. Temperature in the freezer set at, and reads 0 degrees.

Interestingly, in diagnostic mode it skips over #15 (goes from 13 to 17) which is the ice level sensor. It also skips over #25 (goes from 24 to 26) which is the water dispenser and icemaker fill test.

Water dispenser works fine. Replaced the filter just because.
I have run out of things to check. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Jake]

I'm attaching your tech. data sheet below. I think your reading the wrong tech data sheet.

Step 15 says--->N/A (This step is bypassed automatically).

Step 25 says the same thing.

Steps 44 through 48 deal with the ice maker and bucket detection tests.

Here's the OEM ice maker for your model:
W10873791 Ice Maker


Here's the troubleshooting guide for this ice maker: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MsX6lS6vM7MwRkKl7yvr_BT7YabzQOuo/view?usp=sharing

 

[mazman73]

Wow! Super helpful information! Thank you very much! I will study this and hopefully it will solve the problem!! Thanks again!

 

[Jake]

Your welcome, let us know how it goes.

 

[mazman73]

You wouldnt by chance have a link to the list of diagnostic routines would you?
At present, the ice tray is facing diagonally downward and appears to be 'twisted'. As if it dumped the ice cubes and stopped right there.

 

[Jake]

You wouldnt by chance have a link to the list of diagnostic routines would you?

Its all in the tech. data sheet and ice maker troubleshooting guide I posted above, that's all there is.

At present, the ice tray is facing diagonally downward and appears to be 'twisted'. As if it dumped the ice cubes and stopped right there.

If your getting correct voltage to the ice maker and the ice maker will no longer function, then the ice maker itself is the culprit.

I know you said you already replaced the ice maker, but many times ice makers can come faulty right out of the package, contact the place where you got it from and they should be able to send you another new ice maker for free under warranty.

 

[mazman73]

Well its been a while but I finally got the time to go through all the diagnostics. When I run test 44 and check the voltage at the IM, I'm getting 12.8v where the tech sheet says it should be 14. I would think the 12.8 would be enough to make it work, no?
Everything else appears A-OK.
I've also attached a photo of the IM and it's stuck position in case that helps.

 

[Jake]

When I run test 44 and check the voltage at the IM, I'm getting 12.8v where the tech sheet says it should be 14. I would think the 12.8 would be enough to make it work, no?

No, it needs 14 volts DC or a little higher to operate. DC Volts is very particular. Check your wires underneath the freezer door again to make sure they have TIGHT connections.

Look at your tech. data sheet I posted above and you can measure the DC Volts from the main control board itself that powers the ice maker.

 

[mazman73]

The result of my voltage checks: Image1 is where the power comes out from the bottom of the fridge. The pins I've marked as 5&6 seem to be the power to the IM. The voltage across that registers as 13.53. (Other readings, if relevant are as follows: #2 & #5=8.53v, #3 & #5=13.53, #1 & #5 =8.57, #4 & #5 = 13.53).
Image 2 shows the voltage at 13.53 before it goes into the IM.
Image 3 shows reading the voltage on the other side of the plug while plugged into the IM at 11.7v.
There is continuity in all the wires going from the plug in image1 to the plug in image 2.
All tests taken while unit was in #44 test mode.
Is this information at all useful? I don't know where to go from here.
Thanks for your continued help.

 

[Jake]

Image 3 shows reading the voltage on the other side of the plug while plugged into the IM at 11.7v.

That seems to be the problem, 11.7 volts DC seems too low.

Something is making that voltage drop to low when plugged in, where did you buy the ice maker from? Possibly a defective ice maker.

Put your old ice maker back in place and see if the volts are 11.7 volts DC when plugged in.

 

[mazman73]

Unfortunately, I trashed the original one like a dummy. I bought the replacement on Amazon from Clima Tek.

 

[Jake]

Ok, then I'd get a replacement OEM ice maker and return that one to Amazon, that Amazon ice maker is a aftermarket one, and we see many problems with those.

I posted your OEM ice maker in post #2 above.

 

[mazman73]

One "final" thought. If the IM is operational, and I remove it from the fridge and put 14v on those 2 pins, would it move if it were operational?
Also, if I were to order it from your company and that was not the problem (ie it still did not work) would I be able to return it for that reason?

 

[Jake]

One "final" thought. If the IM is operational, and I remove it from the fridge and put 14v on those 2 pins, would it move if it were operational?

I don't know, I've never tried that before.

Also, if I were to order it from your company and that was not the problem (ie it still did not work) would I be able to return it for that reason?

No, once any electrical/electronic part is installed you can't run it.

You have a couple chooses, get the seller to send another ice maker, saying the one he sent is defective, or get a refund on it and get it from my link above.

Because if your absolutely sure you have no more shorted/frayed/broken wires, then it has to be a faulty ice maker, that's all it can be.

 

[mazman73]

I would like to thank you for all of your efforts on this case! I finally ordered a new ice maker from your company. I now have plenty of ice!! Works like a charm. I was hesitant because I had installed a "new" one, but it was an off-name brand and you were right...that it was defective.
So just thought I would drop a line and let you know it all worked out. Thanks again.

 

[Jake]

Excellent, glad to hear the OEM ice maker I posted the link to in post #2 above fixed it.

Thanks for the update!