Help w/ ice maker disconnect w/pics

Upinsmoke · 08-06-2022, 09:48 AM

I'm once again going back to the knowledge well here. A previous thread suggested taking a look at the ice maker for yuckies in the ice making tray. I did, and there are some. It looks like calcification and not mold, but who knows. However, I'm interested in getting it cleaned up.

I was successful in getting the ice maker off of the wall, BUT for the life of me, I can't get the four wire connector to come loose. The only real reason for taking it off is that it would make it SOOO much easier to clean. Currently, I have it sitting on blocks in the freezer compartment and the tray filled with vinegar.

Please check out the pics and see what you think about removing the four pin plug. Also, the fridge is Norcold but the ice maker looks like it only has a Winnie part number on it.

Thanks for any ideas you might have.

be happy · 08-07-2022, 04:33 AM

I am sure you tried, but it looks like on the sides of the plug are tabs that if squeezed would release the plug.

I would call Lichtsinn RV for help with the part number. Those folks have all the info.
https://www.lichtsinn.com/

Morich · 08-07-2022, 10:26 AM

I might have a different view but not a sure fire idea?
I would expect that wiring to be attached to the icemaker and expect to find a plug on the far end to disconnect!

Any chance an online search of the exact part number would turn up an image of things?

If those are just hard water deposits, vinegar would be my first choice as a try but if it is really hard and not coming off, there is an alternate which I use very well in fishkeeping where hard water deposits is always a problem.

when buyingold gunked up items and wanting toclear the depositsquickly, there is a "safe" alternate to muriatic acid, called "Acid Magic" which is super to use.
Good for the job, quick but does require some extra care as it works very much like acid and it can hurt you. Burns like the dickens if you have cuts or nicks on the fingers and don't wear gloves! Fresh air required and it is about ten dollars a gallon, even though you may only need a half cup!

https://www.google.com/search?q=acid...hrome&ie=UTF-8

Ray,IN · 08-07-2022, 10:22 PM

The ice maker is actually generic, and fits several different brands and models of residential refrigerators.
Anyway, the plug has a tab on the side that must be depressed to remove from ice maker.
The mold tray has a non-stick coating that deteriorates over time from constant exposure to water, frozen water does not affect it nearly as much. This means it's best to remove all water from the ice maker during storage.
Once the coating is compromised nothing will return it to original, replacement is the only solution. The replacements I buy cost approx. $40 from Amazon; one approx. every 5 years due to forgetting to dry out water from the freeze tray..

A side note, these might be useful in the future:
ice maker bulletin, testing and layout:
ice maker troubleshooting procedures

You can see the tabs on the sides of the plug:

Upinsmoke · 08-08-2022, 08:25 AM

OP here, an update.

I was able to figure how to get the plug off - if you remove the big square cover at the far end, the locking tab for the plug is obvious. Duh!

However, the pitting, scaling, or whatever you want to call it is beyond my desire to try and correct it.

After more than an hour online looking, and another hour with Whirlpool (not much help at all), I've ordered one that I hope will work.

Once it's in hand and reinstalled (hopefully) I'll give an update.
I've included a couple more pics of my plug end and a better pic of the scaling. I suspect most ice makers are in this condition - probably better to not look.

Upinsmoke · 08-08-2022, 08:26 AM

Woops, sorry everyone, thanks for the suggestions.
Morich, I'd like to give your stuff a try but not at $10/gal.

Bones2003 · 08-10-2022, 06:29 PM

Upinsmoke, I see that your RV is a 2015 so your ice maker is 7 years old - is that correct? My second question is how much did you use the ice maker? My RV is a 2021 but I only used the ice maker for a total of about 3 months. I'm just trying to figure out when I should start worrying about this problem.
Thanks!

Upinsmoke · 08-11-2022, 01:31 AM

Bones, yes it is 7 years old, actually a little over since it was manufactured in 2014 as written on the nomenclature plate on the end of the unit. We've traveled for at least 3 months every winter since we've owned in - 2017~ a few spring/summer trips but not as long.

We use the icemaker from the time it's turned on, until after we return. And, honestly, we never noticed anything in our drinks (mostly water) nor had any chips in our mouth that we know of but it has to be coming off.

Probably the easiest thing to do would be to stick a small mirror, and/or cell camera (with a good light) and take a variety of pics. With your ice maker having such limited use, it may not be an issue as well. If you end up deciding to take it off of the wall, it's not a biggie, 5-10 minutes, if that.
If I can help further, let me know.

Upinsmoke · 08-21-2022, 08:45 AM

OP w/ a brief update. The ice maker came in and, as reported, looks almost identical to the original. It appears (hopefully) that I may not even need the included adapters.
I won't be able to get it installed right away - recuperating from knee surgery, but once I do, I'll report back. Unfortunately, I won't be able to actually test it until a fall or winter trip.
I've included pics of the comparison between them.
Thanks

Upinsmoke · 10-17-2022, 01:34 PM

OP here, just a quick final post. Everything worked out great. It took about 5+ hours for the freezer to get cold enough to make ice, but now we have plenty.

If you have the replacement ice maker in hand, I suspect it's less than an hours job.

Bones2003 · 10-17-2022, 01:40 PM

Glad everything worked out ok - great job! It looks like the water tray in the new ice maker is made out of a different material. Hopefully it will hold up well.