106.56839603 Kenmore Refrigerator - Icemaker Overfills with Water

[Junkster]

Model Number

106.56839603

Brand

Sears Kenmore

Age

More than 10 years

Ice maker mechanically appears to work, but on refill too much water is coming in and overspilling the the tray and making its way out of the freezer onto the floor. We're turning the ice-maker off to stop the water, but what I don't know is if it would just continue to keep flowing and never shut off or there is some point at which it actually stops...just not sure and glad we caught it before we find out. Aside, because of the too much water I just get a huge unusable block of ice that won't release. so the issue is the amount of water coming in, what I don't know is if its the inlet valve, the ice-maker motor, the entire ice-maker assembly or something else altogether that I have not found in my research. Appreciate any insight anyone may have.

Kenmore - 106.56839603

Thanks! John.

 

[Dan O.]

You could use the process of elimination to narrow the problem area down.

The water valve on the back of the fridge is electrically operated (see the following link).

Appliance411 FAQ: Testing an appliance Water Fill Valve - Including clothes washer, dishwasher, fridge and icemaker

A solenoid is simply an electromagnet. In a water fill valve, the solenoid's actuator is attached to a diaphragm which opens or closes a route through which water can pass. When not engaged the diaphragm is closed and no water should flow. As soon as the water valve's solenoid coil is powered...

www.appliance411.com

If the water valve is getting power when it should NOT be filling, the problem is the icemaker continuing to power the valve when it shouldn't. If there is NO power at the valve but water IS still flowing through it, the problem is the water valve or the water supply to it.

LINK > 106.56839603 Water Fill Valve


Dan O.

 

[Junkster]

Thank you! Great Info! I put the multimeter on the valve today and wasn't getting good readings on one solenoid, so will replace and go from there. I'll update here when done.

 

[Dan O.]

wasn't getting good readings on one solenoid

I'm not sure what you mean by that. The voltage to the icemaker side of the water valve will be less than the full 120 volts as it goes through the icemaker's heater first. The important indicator is if ANY power is getting to the icemaker side of the water fill valve, it is the icemaker which would be responsible for the filling of water.

LINK > 106.56839603 Icemaker Asm.

If the icemaker is sending power to the water valve when it shouldn't, the icemaker is malfunctioning. If water is flowing even without any power to the water valve, the water valve is malfunctioning.

Dan O.