[ca702]

I have a GE side-by-side refrigerator purchased new in 2005. Recently, the ice dispenser began to work only intermittently. Now, it doesn't work at all. The water will dispense, but neither ice mode (cubed or crushed) will work. For the short time when ice was dispensed intermittently, it would only dispense crushed - not cubes.

Now, when you activate the switch in either ice mode, the light in the door dims, the flap in the door opens, but the auger motor does not run. It doesn't even make a sound. I've also noticed that the fan motor in the freezer stops. A local appliance parts retailer advised me that he did not believe the auger motor was at fault, as it rarely has trouble. He tested the selenoid which operates the arm which alternates cubes & crushed ice and found it working normally. Per his advice, I replaced the electronic panel (WR55X10438), but that did not fix the problem.

Any advice?

[PS Staff - Sheila]

If the light in door dims then it sounds to me that the motor may be trying to turn.

I would have the motor tested.

Is the fridge working normally other than the ice dispensing?

[ca702]

Yes, everything is working normally, except for ice dispensing. There is no noise, motion, or any other hint that the motor is trying to turn, but I guess it is possible. There is certainly some kind of drain that makes the freezer fan stop and the exterior door light dim ....

[PS Staff - Sheila]

Was the electronic board that you replaced in the door?

[ca702]

Yes, it was part number WR55X10438 -- the 5 button touch panel that contains the electronic board that processes the signals to the light, motor, switch, etc.

[PS Staff - Sheila]

There is another board in the freezer section that may be causing your problem.

Unfortunately I do not have the wiring diagram.


Here is a link to your parts breakdown.

Partselect.com - GE Appliance Parts And All Brands of Appliance Parts

[rjammm]

I had the same problem; it is the main board that is bad, it dosen't supply enough voltage to the icemaker. GE has a recall notice on the part depending on the date of manufactuer. New board (?WRX55) runs like a champ.

[ajvbtate]

do you have proof of this recall? I have searched the web and cannot find anything on this. I am going through the same thing right now but my fan in the freezer is having problems starting as well. I would like to resolve this before the repair man shows up on wed. (going to cost me alot due to where i live unless it is covered somewhere else).

[rjammm]

This link describes the recall;

Fixitnow.com Samurai Appliance Repair Man » Blog Archive » Motherboard Recall on GE Refrigerators

call the ge repair 800 number, tell them you want to set up a service call to replace the mainboard that was a part of their product recall (above), give them your model# serial number and date of maufactuer and they will verify yours is part of the recall and set up the appt and cover it free of charge.

good luck

[ajvbtate]

Thanks for the help, GE came bye today and changed that out at no charge, He new what I was talking about when I told him about the recall but of course the operator had no idea.