Anyone familiar with ice maker repair?

[KJSmith]

I would be tempted to remove the solenoid and see if it has a partially blocked screen.
Is there a filter in the water line?

I'm not sure how it determines the tray is full.
I believe mine does it based on time.
Some commercial ice machines use a sensor.

I would think the ice cubes would be smaller if it were not getting enough water/water pressure.

 

[RhondaHonda]

How does that water chute attach?
In this picture, it looks like it may be leaking at that point.
It looks like you have water freezing just under that area.



View attachment 233874

The chute is a plastic frame that sits against the back wall of the freezer and that little nub where the water comes out in an earlier pic fits into the back. It’s not a tight seal though.

 

[RhondaHonda]

I would be tempted to remove the solenoid and see if it has a partially blocked screen.
Is there a filter in the water line?

I'm not sure how it determines the tray is full.
I believe mine does it based on time.
Some commercial ice machines use a sensor.

I would think the ice cubes would be smaller if it were not getting enough water/water pressure.

There is a filter, but I’m not sure if it is before or after that solenoid. I just replaced it a few months back because the cubes were getting smaller. It was the original 9 year old filter and must have done its job as the new filter produced bigger cubes. This freezing issue was happening prior to the filter change.

 

[alarmguy]

Our whirlpool fridge was doing this for a while. I finally got fed up and just replaced the whole unit. I watched a couple YouTube videos and ordered parts off Amazon. It was very easy to fix.

Just my $0.02

Yeah, I was going to suggest the OP look at YouTube videos for their specific model.
I repaired our Kenmore some years ago doing that. The heater element in the tray broke and wouldnt release ice. For around $100 I replaced it, YouTube made it easy.

 

[mk378]

I'm not sure how it determines the tray is full.
I believe mine does it based on time.

Yes, and that time is adjustable after removing the front cover of the icemaker unit where the motor and cam system is located.

But if it does not overfill immediately instead it is dripping afterward, that would be the valve. In some cases the valve is behind the grille at the bottom front of the fridge, especially if it is a unit intended for built-in installation.

 

[RhondaHonda]

Yeah, I was going to suggest the OP look at YouTube videos for their specific model.
I repaired our Kenmore some years ago doing that. The heater element in the tray broke and wouldnt release ice. For around $100 I replaced it, YouTube made it easy.

I’ve scoured YouTube, Reddit, and the web with no results. Unfortunately it seems most people that spend five figures on a fridge don’t fix them themselves and there aren’t nearly as many sold compared to a Whirlpool, LG or GE.

 

[RhondaHonda]

Yes, and that time is adjustable after removing the front cover of the icemaker unit where the motor and cam system is located.

But if it does not overfill immediately instead it is dripping afterward, that would be the valve. In some cases the valve is behind the grille at the bottom front of the fridge, especially if it is a unit intended for built-in installation.

Wouldn’t the valve drip with the freezer off? Its been off for 3 days and dry as a bone.

 

[alarmguy]

I’ve scoured YouTube, Reddit, and the web with no results. Unfortunately it seems most people that spend five figures on a fridge don’t fix them themselves and there aren’t nearly as many sold compared to a Whirlpool, LG or GE.

Good point! Also, they are not mainstream America

 

[KJSmith]

What temperature are you running the freezer at?

 

[RhondaHonda]

What temperature are you running the freezer at?

When it’s on, 0F. I’ve had it off since the weekend and it hasn’t dripped at all.

 

[KJSmith]

It makes sense that it would be the solenoid.... that is where the water comes from.
It hasn't dripped since you turned it off.... sometimes solenoids can act weird like that.
Hopefully, the filter is before the solenoid.

If it was a dribbling solenoid.... you would think the water would still enter that manifold and flow out the chute.
If it dribbled it might be possible for the water to follow that nipple back to the rear wall and run down it... but that wouldn't line up with where that water is freezing.

If I couldn't identify any other issue, I would be tempted to put something on that nipple to keep the water from getting back to the rear wall.

However, when you look at the picture of the chute... the water is uphill from the end of the chute.
Look closely at that chute where it attaches...there is a small seam or something right there.
Only thing that looks like a seam on the back of that whole piece.
Fill that with water and see if it leaks...or try to shine a light through it.

type this in your search bar
Thermador freezer ice maker overflowing

 

[RhondaHonda]

Happy to report that after a long thaw I believe it’s working as it should. It’s been a few weeks with no freezing up or dripping.

I put the cover and shelf back on before leaving town for a week so we’ll see if that has any impact but so far, so good. I’m guessing something was maybe just frozen in there somewhere and unplugging for a few days let it all thaw, but who knows.