GE refrigerator -ice/water dispenser problem

[Bill]

Several months ago, my ice/water dispenser stopped working reliably. My refrigerator has a sliding switch with 3 positions. The left most position is for water....this position has worked well and continues to work well. The center position is for crushed ice. At this point in time, I can only get crushed ice if I play with the switch and move it back and forth a few times. The right most position is for whole ice cubes and now does not work at all. However, when I try to get ice, the solenoid does work correctly.

Everthing seems to indicate that it is the 3 position switch that is not working properly. So, I disassembled the dispenser and found that the switch in question is located on a circuit board. I did try to clean the switch with contact cleaner, but that did not fix the problem.

I know that this board is likely going to be expensive. I am pretty sure it is the board that is causing the problem since the solenoid and motor seem to work. However, I am concerned that in the right most position, the switch does activate the solenoid but does not seem to get the motor going??? This has me wondering if there isn't something else wrong.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Bill

[Mad Mac]

That board is a common problem with these in my experience. It will, as you correctly state, be fairly expensive.

[jeff]

Hi,

I agree with MM, the board is a common trouble maker! You would have to test/check the other componants....visual, with test cord, with meter to what will or will not work. Some of the boards are not overly expensive, no model# posted but you can see -one- style from the link below...

jeff.

Appliance Repair Aid

[Dan O.]

Bill wrote

If you can hear a solenoid working when the switch is activated, wouldn't that indicate that the switch is good and that the problem must be elsewhere?

That I would say may be in the switch itself. Maybe you have more than one problem?

You can find out for sure using the model number off the fridge. You can find tips for locating the model number tag on your appliances in the 'Repair Parts' section of my site linked below.

Dan O.

- Appliance411.com

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