Knowledge Builders

what is the feeler arm on the ice maker

by Jamaal Rosenbaum Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

GE Icemaker Repair Guide

  • Fill Tube. The next thing you should do is look at the fill tube to see if it is clogged with ice. ...
  • Feeler Arm. The feeler arm is the wire arm that shuts the icemaker down then it hits the ice. ...
  • Jump-Start. Next thing you should do is jump-start the icemaker. To do this pull on the rake arm as shown below until the feel arm starts to move up.

The ice maker arm is also known as the ice maker feeler. It has one very important job. The ice maker arm senses the current level of ice in your fridge's ice maker. The ice maker arm shuts off ice production if the level gets too high.

Full Answer

What does the feeler arm do on a Kenmore ice maker?

The feeler arm is the wire arm that shuts the icemaker down then it hits the ice. There is a spring inside the icemaker head that will force the arm back down after the motor lifts it up. If this spring is broken the arm will not come back down to push the switch as if it were hitting ice, shutting the icemaker off.

What is the function of the feeler arm on a refrigerator?

The feeler arm is the wire arm that shuts the icemaker down then it hits the ice. There is a spring inside the icemaker head that will force the arm back down after the motor lifts it up.

How does the ice maker know when the ice bin is full?

There is an arm (you might look at it as a paddle) on the side of the icemaker called a feeler arm. This arm moves back and forth to “tell” the icemaker when the ice bin is full.

How to fix a stuck GE ice maker arm?

If you notice that the arm on a GE ice maker is stuck, here is what to do in order to fix it: Check the spring that forces the feeler arm down, after it goes up, to see if there is any damage. To do this, lift the arm up and let it go. If the spring is working well, the arm should fall without any pressure from you.

What does the feeler arm do?

What is the Harvest cycle on an ice maker?

What is the purpose of a switch in an ice mold?

What is an ice mold body made of?

See 1 more

About this website

image

Where is the feeler arm on the ice maker?

Wire Feeler Arm: Non-electronic icemakers have a metal wire feeler arm on the side of the icemaker. This type of icemaker is found primarily on older Top-Freezer and Side-by-Side style refrigerators. To turn ON the icemaker, lower the feeler arm to the ON (down) position.

Should ice maker feeler arm be up or down?

If the wire arm of your ice maker is in the up position, this signifies to the ice maker that the ice storage bucket is full and turns the ice maker off. If you would like your ice maker to continue making ice, the arm lever should be in the down position.

How does ice maker feeler arm work?

Feeler Arm - Sensing cubes: Before the cubes are ejected, the shut-off arm lifts up (or pulls in). After the cubes are ejected, the arm drops down again (or pushes out) to sense the ice.

How do I reset the feeler arm on my Whirlpool ice maker?

0:241:44Whirlpool Side by Side Ice Maker Reset - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipButton i'm going to push and hold for five seconds. The unit is now in test mode. The bail arm willMoreButton i'm going to push and hold for five seconds. The unit is now in test mode. The bail arm will come down and go back up.

How do I reset my ice maker ARM?

How to Reset Almost Any Ice Maker In 3 Easy StepsAdjust the feeler arm.Press and hold the reset button.Unplug (or turn off) the refrigerator and wait 15 minutes before plugging it back in again.

How often should ice maker drop ice?

around 16 times each dayA really good refrigerator ice maker will produce 8 to 10 cubes every 90 minutes. In this case, your ice maker should cycle around 16 times each day yielding around 130 cubes in a 24 hour period. This estimate will vary depending on the ice tray size and actual cycle time of your specific machine.

How does an ice maker know when to dump the ice?

A signal is sent to halt that process when an internal thermostat indicates the cubes have reached 5-9 degrees Fahrenheit. After the cubes have been created, a heating coil is activated to loosen them from the molds.

How do I force my ice maker to cycle?

If your gear has a small notch in it, then you may need a flat-head screwdriver. Use it to turn your gear counterclockwise until you hear the mentioned click. In both situations, the click that is heard will force the ice maker to cycle.

Why is my ice maker taking so long to make ice?

If your icemaker is producing ice too slowly, the problem is likely caused by one of the following: Clogged Filter: On refrigerator models with a water filter, a clogged water filter will restrict water flow to the icemaker. Replace the filter and allow the icemaker to go through several cycles.

Will unplugging refrigerator reset ice maker?

This will force the ice maker to run water and begin the process of creating ice. For models that have an on/off switch, you should turn the switch off and unplug the refrigerator. Leave the refrigerator unplugged for 5 minutes. This will allow the ice system to reset.

Where is the ice maker reset button on a Whirlpool refrigerator?

Locate the reset button. The reset button is usually located at the bottom of the ice maker unit or in some cases at the top or on the bottom of the ice tray. Once located, press the button down for a few seconds until you hear a beep sound.

Why is my ice maker not making ice but water works?

If your ice maker isn't producing ice at all or is producing crescents or cubes that are smaller than usual, it's typically indicative of a clog somewhere along the supply line. Cause: A common cause for a clog is frozen water in the line. Fix: To repair a frozen line, slide the refrigerator and unplug it.

Which way is on for Whirlpool ice maker?

0:001:08How to turn ice maker on & off on a Whirlpool French door refrigeratorYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo turn on the ice maker move the switch to the left or the on position to turn off the ice makerMoreTo turn on the ice maker move the switch to the left or the on position to turn off the ice maker move the switch to the right or off.

How does ice maker lever work?

A shaft separates the tray from the dispenser at the front of the unit, which is opened when the lever or button (depending on the model) is pushed down. This cycle will continue until the shut-off arm installed at the front of the ice maker sends a signal that the ice cubes are stacked to its capacity.

How do I turn on my ice maker?

0:060:51How to Turn on/off Ice Maker in Refrigerator - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRight here I have the freezer door open and I'm going to show you how to turn on. And off the iceMoreRight here I have the freezer door open and I'm going to show you how to turn on. And off the ice maker. I'm going to look this drawer right here as you can see that this is where the ice is made

Why won't my ice maker stop making ice?

Inside every ice maker, there is a plastic paddle that has the sole purpose of discontinuing ice flow once the bin is full. If the feeler paddle is malfunctioning, it will not stop ice production once the bin is full and the ice will then spill out into your freezer.

Frequently Asked Questions About GE Icemakers

The site navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels.

Why Is My GE Ice maker Not Making Ice? [SOLVED] - Let's Fix It - KCSCFM

What do you do when your GE Ice maker Not Making Ice?Searching for a solution can be an inconvenience in itself. But there are a few common problems with GE freezers. We’re going to delve in and take a look at these major issues so you can find the solution.

How Does An Ice Maker Work? (Ice Machines Explained) - Plumbing Lab

You might think that making ice is modern technology, but our ancestors had it figured out as early as 400 B.C. with the use of yakhchāls, an ingenious way to create and store ice in the middle of the desert. Throughout the ages, people learned how to "harvest" the ice during the winter months (does the movie Frozen come to mind?) and store it underground for months to come.

How to check if ice is holding arm up?

You can also check to see if there is ice holding the arm up. If there is, melt the ice by turning the ice maker off and leaving the door open. The ice will melt after some time. Alternatively, you can use a blow dryer but it is not a recommended method.

What position should the arm be when making ice?

And if the ice maker just finished making ice and has dumped the ice into the ice bin, the arm should be up in the off position.

Why won't my Samsung ice maker go down?

The fault is probably because there are gears broken in the ice maker head and you can’t replace the gears.

Why does Samsung recommend replacing the ice maker?

This is because the board and the ice maker use low voltage signals to work together in producing ice. So if the ice maker is bad, it could mean the board needs a replacement. But this is not completely necessary.

What does it mean when you have to manually take the arm up?

Therefore, if you have to manually take the arm up or down, it means that the ice maker is defective and needs to be replaced.

Can you leave an ice maker running?

Unplug the refrigerator if you have issues with the arm of the ice maker and need to replace the ice maker. Don’t leave it running as it could cause electric shock or damage the unit.

Should a Samsung Ice Maker Arm Be Up or Down?

If the ice maker is making ice, it should be on so the arm should be in the down position.

What is the arm on an icemaker called?

There is an arm (you might look at it as a paddle) on the side of the icemaker called a feeler arm . This arm moves back and forth to “tell” the icemaker when the ice bin is full. When the feeler arm touches the ice it’s supposed to stop indicating that the ice bin is full and the icemaker will stop making ice.

How to check if a refrigerator icemaker is bad?

The first thing you should check are the gears on the front of the icemaker. To access these gears; remove the front cover off the icemaker. Note that on some side-by-side refrigerators the icemaker is installed sideways and you will have to unhook it to remove this cover. Once the cover is off, inspect the gears and if any of the teeth are missing they are bad and needs replacing. Also check to see if the small gear has slid forward enough to miss the big gear. If so, put a small drop of lock tight on the shaft and push the gear back on.

What happens if the icemaker doesn't complete the cycle?

If the icemaker completes the cycle and water runs in either the temperature inside the freezer is too warm (should be between 0-12 degrees) or the thermostat inside the icemaker is bad.

What should happen if an icemaker stops?

If it completes the cycle and stops and no water enters the icemaker, the water valve is bad and needs replacing. If the icemaker will not complete the cycle replace the icemaker.

What to do if your refrigerator is clogged with ice?

If it is clogged with ice, pull it out the back of the refrigerator and clean all the ice out with hot water. The water valve causes this problem so replace the water valve or it will happen again. Feeler Arm. The feeler arm is the wire arm that shuts the icemaker down then it hits the ice.

How many icemakers does GE have?

GE has two style icemakers and they are old mechanical style and the newer electronic style. Repairing these two icemakers is very different from one to the other and this GE icemaker repair guide will explain each one in detail. When repairing icemakers it is important to know how much ice the icemaker should produce.

How long does it take to turn off an icemaker?

If its not the spring turn the icemaker off (some have a switch and some you will have to unplug) for at least 30 seconds. Then turn it back on and press in on the feeler arm three times within 15 seconds of turning the icemaker back on. If done correctly the icemaker will go through a cycle and run water.

What is the feeler arm on an ice maker?

Wire Feeler Arm: Non-electronic icemakers have a metal wire feeler arm on the side of the icemaker. This type of icemaker is found primarily on older Top-Freezer and Side-by-Side style refrigerators. To turn ON the icemaker, lower the feeler arm to the ON (down) position.

What happens when the icemaker is turned on?

When the icemaker is turned on the green power light will come on.

How to turn off ice maker on a refrigerator?

To turn OFF the icemaker, raise the feeler arm to the STOP (up) position. See the Owner's Manual for your refrigerator to determine if the icemaker has an ON/ OFF switch or if a feeler arm is used. Download a copy of the Owner's Manual .

How to turn on a refrigerator ice maker?

ON and OFF are labeled on the icemaker. Slide the switch to the right to turn the icemaker OFF. Slide the switch to the left to turn the icemaker ON. When the icemaker is turned ON, the horizontal paddle is extended out over the ice. Turning the icemaker OFF slides the paddle back under the icemaker. When your ice bucket is full the paddle is also under the icemaker since the ice cubes in the full ice bucket keep the paddle from springing forward. This type of icemaker is primarily found in Bottom-Freezer and French-Door style refrigerators, though it can be found in other styles as well.

What happens when the ice bucket is full?

When your ice bucket is full the paddle is also under the icemaker since the ice cubes in the full ice bucket keep the paddle from springing forward. This type of icemaker is primarily found in Bottom-Freezer and French-Door style refrigerators, though it can be found in other styles as well.

Where is the OFF switch on an icemaker?

This icemaker design has an ON/OFF switch similar to a light or power switch. ON is at the top of the toggle switch while OFF is at the bottom of the toggle switch . This type of icemaker is found on many different styles of refrigerator.

Can you power down an ice maker when it is turned off?

Turning the icemaker OFF does not power it down. On slide switch icemakers with the green LED indicator light, the LED light will remain on when the icemaker is turned OFF.

How to check if a feeler arm is working?

Check the spring that forces the feeler arm down, after it goes up, to see if there is any damage. To do this, lift the arm up and let it go. If the spring is working well, the arm should fall without any pressure from you.

What does it mean when your ice maker doesn't fall?

But if it does not fall, it means the spring is damaged or broken . You may have to replace the ice maker if this is the case.

How to get ice maker back into refrigerator?

Turn the ice maker off and remove it from the refrigerator and look inside it. Dislodge any ice cube or cubes stuck in it with your hand. Then, put the ice maker back into the refrigerator and restore power to the unit.

Why is my ice bin stuck?

If you find that the ice bin or bucket is stuck, it is most likely because it is frozen in place. Defrost the unit manually to thaw the ice causing it to stick.

Why does my ice maker shut off?

The ice maker tends to shut off when the ice piles high in the bucket. It won’t eject more ice into the bucket even if it has more to eject, not until you reduce the ice in the bucket.

Why does my rake stick?

The rake sticks because there is a piece of ice in it. Remove the ice bucket and inspect the rake to be sure. If there is any piece of ice in it, remove it with your hand. After this, make sure the rake turns freely and smoothly.

What does it mean when ice doesn't come out of refrigerator?

Try to dispense ice from the ice dispenser if your refrigerator model has one. If ice does not come out, it means something is blocking the chute.

How to reset a portable ice maker?

How to Reset Portable Ice Makers. If your tabletop ice maker doesn’t have a reset button, simply turn it off and unplug it. You can check the water tray, or clean it up as necessary, but wait at least 10 minutes before you plug it back in to achieve the reset.

Why does my ice maker stop dispensing ice?

The primary reason ice makers stop dispensing ice is that the ice chute has been clogged. Usually, cleaning out the bin and manually checking the chute can resolve this issue. If the problem persists, you may have a clogged water line or built-up frost that needs cleaning out. This guide from GE can help.

What to do if your ice maker is not working?

1. If your ice maker is running but not producing ice, check the thermostat.

Why won't my ice maker stop making ice?

If your ice maker has gone into overdrive and won’t stop producing ice, it is usually because the bail arm (sometimes called feeler arm) is off balance. If moving the arm up and down manually doesn’t help, then pushing it to an “Off” position and resetting your ice maker is usually the answer.

Do Americans like ice?

Americans love ice! There is no denying our desire for cold beverages. But sometimes our portable ice makers or built-in counterparts go awry. Learn how to reset your ice maker so that you can get back to the cold drinks in no time.

Do ice makers have reset buttons?

While most ice makers do have a reset button, it’s not a general rule. Smaller ice machines may just have to be unplugged in order to trigger a reset. Look to your specific model for instructions.

Can you reset an ice maker?

Thankfully, resetting your ice maker can go a long way in getting your machine back up and working properly. However, if that doesn’t work, there are still a few other things you can check before calling a professional.

What does the feeler arm do?

After the cubes are ejected, the arm drops down again (or pushes out) to sense the ice. If the arm can't reach its lowest or home position, because there are stacked-up ice cubes in the way, the next ice harvest cycle is halted to prevent an overproduction of ice cubes. The icemaker will not harvest until the feeler arm is ‘free’ to go to the lowest or home position.

What is the Harvest cycle on an ice maker?

Harvest cycle - Heater: Closing this switch turns on the mold body heater underneath the icemaker. As the coil heats up, it warms the bottom of the ice mold body just enough to loosen the ice cubes from the mold.

What is the purpose of a switch in an ice mold?

Fill: A switch opens a solenoid water valve and lets in just enough water to fill the ice mold.

What is an ice mold body made of?

Ice mold body (The icemaker mold-body is made of Aluminum and is coated with a heat-cured Epoxy clear coat that is FDA approved.)

image

1.How Icemakers Work - GE Appliances

Url:https://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-support-search-content?contentId=16978

21 hours ago  · What Is The Feeler Arm On The Ice Maker? The feeler arm is a small metal arm that protrudes from the ice maker. It is used to test the thickness of the ice and to determine when …

2.Samsung Ice Maker Arm - Issues And Fixes - In-depth …

Url:https://refrigeratorsreviewed.com/samsung-ice-maker-arm-issues-and-fixes/

13 hours ago  · The feeler arm is a small metal lever that tells the ice maker when to stop making ice. Over time, the feeler arm can become bent or broken, which can prevent it from correctly …

3.GE Icemaker Repair Guide - appliance-repair-it

Url:http://www.appliance-repair-it.com/GE-icemaker-repair.html

7 hours ago The feeler arm is the sensor inside the ice maker that stops it from making too much ice. It alerts the ice maker when the ice tray is full. If the feeler arm is stuck, it won’t be able to adjust itself …

4.Refrigerator - On/Off Switch on the Icemaker - GE …

Url:https://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-support-search-content?contentId=19081

16 hours ago The feeler arm is the wire arm that shuts the icemaker down then it hits the ice. There is a spring inside the icemaker head that will force the arm back down after the motor lifts it up. If this …

5.GE Ice Maker Stuck [How To Fix] - In-depth Refrigerators …

Url:https://refrigeratorsreviewed.com/ge-ice-maker-stuck-how-to-fix/

24 hours ago Feeler Arm - Sensing cubes: Before the cubes are ejected, the shut-off arm lifts up (or pulls in). After the cubes are ejected, the arm drops down again (or pushes out) to sense the ice. If the …

6.How Do I Reset My Ice Maker Correctly - Plumbing Lab

Url:https://plumbinglab.com/how-do-i-reset-my-ice-maker/

35 hours ago This is because the board and the ice maker use low voltage signals to work together in producing ice. So if the ice maker is bad, it could mean the board needs a replacement. But …

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9