Ice makers are a popular feature on refrigerators today, based on technology that is fairly simple. When it comes to ice maker repair, that simplicity is questionable. Based on how these units work and what can go wrong with them, the repair of a Sub-Zero appliance is often a viable option. It would help consumers to learn about the parts of this machine and better understand why the ice machine is not working and if it needs to be replace or repaired.
Main Ice Maker Parts
Following are the main parts of an ice maker that will be examined an ice maker repair technician:
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Control Module and Motor – The control module is an electronic part that controls the motor and is the main control for various ice maker mechanical components. The motor contains gears that rotate to turn the mechanical parts of the ice maker so it functions properly.
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Water Valve – This is a feed line from the filtered water supply in the refrigerator. Since contaminants can destroy the coating on ice molds, only filtered water is used.
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Thermostat and Mold Heater – These parts control the ice maker’s cooling mechanism to make ice. When the thermostat turns off, the motor is mechanized which activates the mold heater and harvesting arm. When the thermostat turns off, the mold heater activates to loosen the ice cubes from the mold so they are released.
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Ice Mold – This is an ice tray thinly coated with Teflon or a similar coating. Water is frozen into ice cubes that are released and dumped into a storage container in the freezer. If the coating is damaged, ice can get stuck in the mold and fail to release.
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Sensing, Harvesting and Bail Arms – The sensing arm knows when ice is ready by touching the ice to be sure it is frozen. The harvesting arm activates at the same time as the mold heater, releasing ice cubes from the mold. When ice is released, the bail arm pushes open a door so the cubes can slide through. If the bail arm cannot open because the bin is full, the process stops until it can open.
Ice Making Problems
Technicians who perform Sub Zero and other appliance repair state the biggest problem with ice machines include:
- Mold coatings flake off the ice mold, affecting ice cube release.
- Mold heaters do not turn on.
- Thermostat malfunctions to prevent ice making or fails to stop the process.
- Harvest problems such as blocked chutes.
Some of these things can be easily fixed with minor adjustments. Others, such as a bad control module or motor, require replacement of the entire ice maker.
Since these machines are actually small appliances within the refrigerator, ice maker repair is not always convenient or easy, considering this is a very small machine with many moving parts. Due to the amount of time to take the unit apart and put it back together as well as the added cost of parts and service fees, Sub Zero and other appliance repair technicians suggest that replacing an ice maker make be a reasonable option.
In order to know whether repair or replacement is needed, finding the best Sub-Zero appliance repair service is the first place to start. A technician who is trained on Sub-Zero appliances can examine the ice maker, advise which option is the best one, and take care of either option!