Don't Replace That Broken Ice Machine - Fix It For Less

How to Diagnose a Broken Water Valve on Your Ice Machine or Refrigerator Ice Maker

Ice Machine Problems Heat Up In The Summer

Having a broken ice maker can be a huge inconvenience when you rely on it as part of your business or your home. Scheduling a repair person could take days and replacing your ice maker with a new one is expensive. If you’re looking to save time and money, we’ve got some tips that will help you determine whether or not the issue is something you can identify and repair yourself. One of the most common issues with ice makers is a faulty water inlet valve . Water valves can be easily replaced and are fairly inexpensive when compared to the purchase price of a new ice machine. If you’re not sure whether or not your water valve pump is malfunctioning, we’ve got some information about what an inlet valve does and how you can determine if your water inlet valve should be replaced.

What Does a Water Inlet Valve Do?

When your ice making unit initiates a call for ice, it activates a mechanism that closes an electrical circuit and begins a flow of water. As the water moves through your ice machine, it enters the water inlet valve and funnels into an ice cube tray where it freezes and forms into ice cubes for dispensing. During this process, the water inlet valve acts as a gatekeeper. The inlet valve decides when water can pass through the ice machine. It also filters the water, preventing mineral deposits and debris from entering your ice cube trays.

Symptoms of a Broken Water Inlet Valve

If your ice maker’s water inlet valve is malfunctioning, there are a few telltale signs. Here are three symptoms of a broken water valve pump to consider as you begin to explore and diagnose the issue that’s causing your ice maker to stop working.

1. Your ice maker has completely stopped dispensing ice.
2. Your ice maker is producing inconsistently sized cubes.
3. Your ice maker is overfilling the trays causing icicles to form.

While each symptom varies in nature, they’re all indications of a broken or clogged water inlet valve. Part of the inlet valve’s job is to catch and prevent mineral deposits and other debris from passing through to your ice cube trays. As a result, your valve can become clogged by mineral deposits over time, which impacts the flow of water. If you have a severe valve clog, it’s possible for your water flow to be completely blocked. Valve clogs can also produce the opposite effect if they cause the valve to get stuck in the open position. When this happens, your ice cube trays are overfilled causing icicles to form because your valve is unable to stop the flow of water.

Locating & Replacing Your Water Inlet Valve

If you’ve determined that your water inlet valve is causing your ice maker to malfunction, the next step is to find a replacement and install a new valve. Valves are not universal, so you’ll need to know what type of valve fits your ice machine before purchasing a new one. If you’re not sure how to do this, you can open the unit and pull out the old valve or you can contact McCombs Supply with the model name and number of your ice machine for help. At McCombs, we sell thousands of hard-to-find parts for appliances, including ice makers. We’ve got many valves in stock, including water inlet solenoid valves and other replacement parts for Scotsman ice machine makers .

Visit our website today to search valves for your unique icemaker including replacement valves for Scotsman ice machines, including models 12-2922-01 and 12-2922-02.