how to repair the cutter grid

Instructions

1. Disconnect power. Remove any ice that is in the storage bin of the ice maker and store it in a separate container during this repair.
2. Remove the cutter grid cover. Open the ice maker door and remove the screws from the bottom of the cutter grid cover. ...
3. Remove the cutter grid. ...
4. Install the new cutter grid. ...
5. Reinstall the cutter grid cover. ...
6. Restore power. ...

More items...

Full Answer

Should I remove the cutter grid on my ice maker?

Cutter grid is actually optional: If you want to maximize ice production, but don't need cubes, unplug and remove the cutter grid. Or if your grid has failed and you're waiting or postponing a repair, removing the grid and harvesting uncut slabs is also convenient.

What can I use to cut a wire grid?

Use a hardened type of wire cutter if available, such as aviation snips, or else be prepared to suffer the nick to your ordinary cutters. A C-clamp and wood shims against a workbench surface can serve as a poor-man's bench vise to hold the grid assembly while you work on it.

How much does it cost to replace a whirlpool cutter grid?

If your cutter grid breaks, the replacement part (326566 Grid Assembly) will cost you $224.75 from Whirlpool (2008 pricing), perhaps on top of a service call expense if you didn't diagnose the problem yourself. Yet this is an easy problem to diagnose, and perhaps even fully repair, yourself.

Why does the cutter grid melt the ice?

The cutter grid uses heated wires to melt through the ice, resulting in a loss of some of the ice mass. Even when not cutting, the slight added heat of the grid (it is always on) will slightly increase the melting of the cubed ice in the bin.

Why is my ice maker not cutting ice?

Ensure the cutter grid harness and the ice level sensor harness is plugged in and re-installed correctly after every cleaning cycle. If the harnesses are not plugged in or installed correctly the Ice Maker will not function correctly.

How do I reset my Kitchenaid ice maker?

Ice Maker Reset Press the plastic tab on the door jamb. This signals the light to switch off. Close the freezer door and let it reset for 10 seconds prior to opening the door. Tap the door's switch at least three times and close the door.

Why did my KitchenAid refrigerator stop making ice?

A clogged or incorrectly installed water filter will reduce the water flow to the ice maker and dispenser, which will result in small ice cubes, low ice production or decreased water flow.

How do you run a diagnostics on a KitchenAid ice maker?

0:056:22ApplianceJunk.com - 2007 Whirlpool & KitchenAid Under-The-Counter ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTurn the ice maker on at the user interface. Within 10 seconds of power on press. And hold the onMoreTurn the ice maker on at the user interface. Within 10 seconds of power on press. And hold the on and clean buttons until all the LEDs begin to flash.

How do I reset my KitchenAid French door refrigerator?

How Do I Reset My KitchenAid Refrigerator?Power off your appliance by unplugging it or turning off the circuit breaker.Wait 5-10 minutes, and then power your refrigerator back on.Make sure the cooling function on your fridge is turned on.Test your KitchenAid's control board, and if everything's okay, you're all set!

Where is the ice maker switch on KitchenAid fridge?

Can you turn the ice maker off? To turn the ice maker on/off: Open the freezer door and turn off the ice maker. The On/ Off switch is located on the top right side of the freezer compartment.

How many ohms does a cutter grid have?

My cutter grid has two levels, one that cuts "north-south" and a second that cuts "east-west"; each of these is about 8 feet of wire creating a 10 ohm resistance. These two are wired in parallel to create about a 5 ohm resistance. You can check the resistance with an accurate volt-ohmmeter, and measure the wire diameter with a micrometer or calipers, to make sure you have a similar design. Email from readers of this page confirms that this grid design and wire type is the same across all makes and models. There are two possibilities for the spacing of the grid wires, which correspond to "cubelet" (3/4 inch square cubes) versus "cube" (1-1/4 inch square cubes) size ice, although I've never, ever seen anything but the 3/4 inch version. On some models, the low-voltage transformer that powers the cutter grid also powers a bin light. On recent designs, the transformer also supplies the low-voltage power to the electronic control board.

What is the part number for the electronic control board?

Various versions of the electronic control board (part numbers 2185947, 6100499, 2304016) have slightly different timing in the run sequence chart [1-page PDF file].

What is an under counter ice maker?

The under-counter Whirlpool ice machine is a stand-alone $2000 appliance which makes gourmet clear ice such as for a wet bar. It has been labeled and sold as KitchenAid, GE (General Electric), Sub Zero, Scotsman, Viking, Estate, GM/Frigidaire, Maytag, Amana, Roper, Inglis, Ross Temp, Marvel, and Sears Kenmore brands, and is similar in quality and specifications to the under-counter Jenn-Air 50 lb/day ice machines currently sold. This luxury ice machine should not be confused with the ordinary ice maker that is part of a refrigerator-freezer; the former magnificent engine makes crystal-clear, flavor-free, ice cubes. A refrigerator-freezer ice maker produces cloudy ice in a stale-garlic flavor, typically in odd crescent shapes, and stuck together. The ice machine's product is clear, pure, flavorless ice cubes which are luxuriously wet and loose, like a handful of flawless diamonds scooped from a mountain spring. Owning this machine once in your life will spoil you, like many of my correspondents who say they will never again return to refrigerator ice. Among life's material joys and comforts, the little cubelets are both innocent and enduring.

Is an ice machine good for cold plates?

Besides this delicious indulgence, the ice machine also makes an excellent source for controlled cold-plate chilling necessary to the operation of an even greater luxury, the home soda fountain (see my page on home carbonation ). On this page, however, we are only concerned with the ice and how to keep the machine running.