FIXED 795.73139.411 KENMORE ELITE WATER LINE TO ICE MAKER FREEZING

[Toppy1]

Model Number

795.73139.411

Brand

Sears Kenmore

Age

1-5 years

Hello, I have a Kenmore Elite french door bottom freezer refrigerator model 795.73139.411
The ice maker is the slim in door type. It stops making ice because the water line to the ice maker freezes. When you press the "test" button, the tray rotates, tries to harvest ice (but its empty), then rotates back to the level position. Then I can hear it try to fill with water, but no water comes out. Local service guy came out and said water line to ice maker frozen. He unplugged from wall, turned water off, took out ice maker, used a hair dryer to blow warm air directly in the water line opening (at fill chute) to thaw water line, plugs back in and turns water on, hits test button and boom, water comes out normally and fills ice maker. Pay service guy, he leaves. Ice maker makes ice until bin is 3/4 full, then line freezes again. I've repeated the fore mentioned steps 3xs and the exact same thing happens. Tired of doing it and/or buying ice. Digital panel says fridge temp is 38 and freezer is 0. Put thermometer in fridge and it checks at 38/40. Put thermometer in freezer and it checks at -5/-7. The water line still dispenses water from the front.

We have very hard water. 9 months ago, had to take out ice maker and clean water line opening {at fill chute} of mineral deposits because water was spraying out instead of just running out and partially missing tray and freezing inside door area.

Could it be that since the freezer is at -6 (avg) its too cold inside the door and freezing the water line? Or could my problem be that the water line going to the ice maker is so full of mineral deposits that just enough stays in the line and freezes?

Sorry this is sooo long but I am at a loss and would appreciate any help. Thank you

 

[Jake]

Hi,

Usually when this happens the water valve is leaking letting a small amount of water get past the diaphragm, thus freezing up the water line to the ice maker.

Here's the primary water inlet valve in the back of your refrigerator for your model:
AJU72992603 Valve Assembly,water


Here's the secondary water inlet valve that's in the front door:
5221JB2010G Water Valve


Jake

 

[Toppy1]

Thx Jake! Will try replacing the secondary water inlet valve in the front door. Do you know of an installation video for this valve?

Thx again!

 

[Jake]

Yes, this video gives you the general idea of how to replace it:

Let us know how it goes.

Jake

 

[Toppy1]

UPDATE!!!!!And possible FIX!!!
Fought with this until mid August. Finally broke down and bought a new secondary water inlet valve that installs in the lower part of the front door. This didn't fix the problem. It would work for a few days then freeze back up. Fought it for a few more weeks. Finally figured out the water was freezing in the tube anywhere from 1.5 to 3 inches from the water line opening at the fill chute by using a piece of .080 stiff plastic weed eater line.

Final Fix. Removed the secondary water inlet valve. Thawed out tube with hair dryer. Plugged tube at the secondary water inlet valve. Used a large syringe and squirted CLR (Calcium, Lime and Rust remover) into tube thru water line opening at fill chute until full. Let set for an hour. Unplugged tube at the secondary water inlet valve to drain CLR. Ran .080 stiff plastic weed eater line all the way thru tube starting at the water line opening at the fill chute to the secondary water inlet valve location. Used the weed eater like a piece of floss, running it back and forth inside the tube. Repeated one more time. Finally put everything back together. Cycled water thru the tube and into cube tray multiple times using the test button to rinse CLR from system.

Observations/thoughts. Water line opening at fill chute is a metal tube and has tinfoil type material around it. Tube at secondary valve is plastic. I'm guessing where the plastic tube attaches to the water line opening metal tube (1.5 - 3 inches from water line opening at fill chute?) is where mineral deposit would build up and would catch some drops of water, not letting the water to completely drain to the fill chute. Then these drops of water would freeze. The next time it cycles, it catches a little more and freezes.....and so on until the tube is totally froze shut.

If you read my original post, you will see that I had a sneaky suspicion that this was maybe the problem. Hard water deposits in the tube.

Its been working non-stop for 36 days and counting....
Hope posting this doesn't jinx me.
Toppy1

 

[Jake]

Hard water deposits in the tube is extremely rare to ever see happen.

Glad to hear that was the problem, good find.

Thanks for the update!

Jake