FIXED Whirlpool WRX986SIHZ01 Ice Maker Error Code E5 Timed Ice Making

[dbell1027]

Model Number

WRX986SIHZ01

Brand

Whirlpool

Age

1-5 years

I just replaced the original ice maker W11232541 because it stopped working and the display showed error code E5 on test 56.
I ordered a new ice maker and was sent model W11579560 which installed exactly as the original. Same type plug ins.

I ran it through the Service Test – 56 and still have an E5 = Timed ice making code with the new maker.
Nothing happens. The water doesn’t fill and thus there is no harvest cycle even after waiting 24 hours.

I checked Test 59: Ice Maker Motor and the function worked perfectly in both directions.
I checked Test: 45: Ice Maker Fill Test and it worked perfectly and filled the tray.
I checked Test 57: Ice Maker Harvest and it functioned perfectly after making ice and finished with a 01 code.
I also checked Test: 58 and got a 00 and 10 code.

I rechecked Test: 45: Ice Maker Fill Test and it worked perfectly.
I went back to Test 58 Ice Maker Heater Activation and Thermistor and got a 00 and then 10.

The issue here is that the maker won’t make ice automatically on its own and just sits there.
I checked a YouTube video, and the guy said the E5 code is a faulty thermistor.

Is this possible on a brand-new maker because that’s the same problem I had with the original maker after 2-1/2 years of use. E5 code and no ice making.

Could the problem be elsewhere? This refrigerator is only 2-1/2 years old, and we bought it brand new from Home Depot and they delivered and installed it.

Thank you very much in advance.
Dan Bell

 

[Jake]

E5 = Timed ice making. This code indicates the ice maker thermistor is warmer than 16° and the ice bin thermistor has been below 45° for 3 hours. An E5 can be the result of a defective IM thermistor, bin
thermistor, loose thermistor connection, ice box fan not running or a cooling issue.

What is the temperature in the ice maker compartment?

Do these TESTS below too.

Service Test - 36: Ice Box Fan--->Check for fan operation. Control ice box fan by selecting SW3. Display the status on Temp Display. (01 = on, 02 = off). Verify airflow from the ice box fan.
Service Test - 37: Ice Box Thermistor--->The board will check the resistance value of the thermistor and display the results on the Temp display (01 = pass, 02 = open, 03 = short).

Jake

 

[dbell1027]

Good Afternoon Jake,
I ran the tests as requested with the following results.

Do these TESTS below too.

What is the temperature in the ice maker compartment? 17F

Service Test - 36: Ice Box Fan--->Check for fan operation. Control ice box fan by selecting SW3. Display the status on Temp Display. (01 = on, 02 = off). Verify airflow from the ice box fan. Works normally and turns on and off.
Service Test - 37: Ice Box Thermistor--->The board will check the resistance value of the thermistor and display the results on the Temp display (01 = pass, 02 = open, 03 = short). Shows (01 Passed)

Thanks,
Dan Bell

 

[dbell1027]

Hi Jake,
The ice bin is down to 8F after letting it cool for a few hours to get a true system reading.

Any ideas what might be going on?

 

[Jake]

It should be making ice at 8 degrees F.

You already replaced the ice maker and your other tests passed, so it should be working.

Its best to contact KitchenAid to come out at 800-422-1230, then the KA tech can call the FACTORY HOTLINE from your house to investigate this problem if he/she can't find the problem.

Jake

 

[dbell1027]

Hi Jake,
I just read your message from yesterday, and I was going to call the tech.
I then had an idea of "what if I turn the breaker off and see if the control boards reset".
I did and went back and looked at Test 56 and the error code was E0=No errors.
I'm going to leave it alone for a while and see if it's back working automatically.
I'll let you know if it's working again.

 

[dbell1027]

Hi Jake,
After 12 hours, the maker is still not harvesting automatically.
I ran it through the harvest and fill cycles and every Service test is working perfectly except that it just won't harvest automatically by itself.
I'll call the tech tomorrow and let you know what happens. Test 56 ice maker error code is still E0=No errors.

 

[dbell1027]

I just pulled the base grill off the bottom of the frig and the front of the condenser coils were completely clogged with dust and dog hair.
The system cooled to 8F but probably kept it from cooling down to the between 0 - 5F required to make ice. I'll see if this was the problem and let you know.

 

[Jake]

Ok, sounds good, yes let us know how it does in a few hours.

Jake

 

[dbell1027]

Hi Jake,
Just an update to let you know the maker is working and kicking out ice about every 1-1/2 hours.

So, the following steps eventually resolved the issues;
1. replaced the ice maker due to Service Test 56: E5 error code showing an ice maker fault and Service Test 58 -code 02 showing an open thermistor.
2. Still after no ice; resetting the main controller by turning off the breaker power for 1 minute thus clearing the stored Service Test 56=E5 code and replacing it with code E0=No errors.
3. Still after no ice; removing the base grill and vacuuming the large dust accumulation from the condenser that was blocking air flow.

Jake, I want to thank you for all your help in keeping me on the right track and eliminating the issues.
I've learned that these newer electronic refrigerator freezers are very friendly and help us to identify the problems.
All I had to do was follow the tech sheet and it led me to the problems which were eliminated one by one.

You also helped me several months ago with my dishwasher. The root problem ended up being a faulty controller that was still under warranty, but to save time I just bought one and replaced it myself.

Thank you again and have a great weekend.

Dan Bell

 

[Jake]

Excellent Dan, glad to hear that.

Thanks for the update!

Jake

 

[Santa_Clarita]

This was a great, thorough post. Was getting the E5 after replacing the ice maker and then read this and done what I should’ve done without having to read this which was power cycling the fridge. Ice maker back in business!

 

[MarcDFJ60]

This was very helpful, and I've done all of this as well, buuuut it made ice for a day or so and has stopped again with the E5 error code.

I had the compressor replaced under warranty a month or so ago and the ice maker never worked properly/ consistently again. The unit cools well and freezer is working as it should.
I was thinking I just had terrible luck and Whirlpool was no help on someone coming back out, they just wanted to charge me for a non-warranty call.

This latest E5 error is after I replaced the icemaker, did all the checks, cleaned condenser, cycled power (that seems to help for a little bit sometimes maybe), checked the code 36 ice box fan. (I could feel it blowing out)

There really seems to be no rhyme or reason on when it works and doesn't work. Before I replaced the icemaker (after compressor), it was working, but intermittingly. Maybe because there were power outages/blips in our area and it was resetting? (I didn't make any correlation at the time)

Is there some kind of vent from the lower freezer to the icemaker that may be blocked? I cleaned the whole unit out when the compressor went out, so not sure what would be blocking it.