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Posted on Oct 18, 2007
Answered by a Fixya Expert

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Frost buildup in ice-dispenser tube

We have a Kenmore Cold Spot 59592990 side by side refrigerator/freezer.

It's been extremely ok. Much of the workmanship is disappointing, but it has met our needs.

Recently, the ice dispenser has been causing problems. The bottom of the
freezer-part-dispenser (the part that feeds the ice to the
door-part-dispenser) gets a coating of frost (thick-type frost), as does the
top of the door-part-dispenser.

The frost accumulates inside the freezer (door-part) dispenser to the point
where it blocks ice from being dispensed. Then we open up the door and the blocked ice spills all over the place.

As far as we can tell, the freezer door closes properly, and we're not
seeing any obvious gaps in the dispenser tube/flap (obviously, I'm not a
real technical person when it comes to refrigerators, so I hope I'm painting
a clear enough picture).

Do we need a repair person, or is there something we can try ourselves?

  • 2 more comments 
  • Groucho1062 Oct 21, 2007

    Hi Mike/Watugot,
    (sorry if I'm not using the right mechanism to post a follow-up; I can't find a "button" for that).
    Looking down the chute from inside the freezer door, it's pretty obvious to us that the flap's not closing properly - we didn't even need a flashlight to see daylight down there.
    So what's the next step?
    Thanks for your help.
    Mark

  • Groucho1062 Oct 21, 2007

    Mike/Watugot,

    Thanks for posting & following up. We had blocked off the tube with rags & tape, & unblocked it this morning.

    When looking down the tube from inside the freezer door, we found that
    we didn't even need a flashlight to see "daylight" at the other end of
    the tube.

    So what's the next step?

    Thanks again.

    Mark


  • Groucho1062 Oct 23, 2007

    Mike,
    Thanks for following up - haven't had a chance to try it out yet. We'll shoot for this evening.

    Mark

  • TMEG Mar 05, 2008

    I'm having the exact same problem and the flap is obviously loose. I have a Whirlpool ED5FHEXNQ side by side frig. Is this a part I can by to replace??

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  • Posted on Oct 20, 2007
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Open the freezer door and look down the ice chute while you shine a flashlite up the dispenser cute from the outside. If you see light around the chute door, it needs to be replaced. The problem you describe is almost always air laekage around that flap. Post back if you need more help.

  • 3 more comments 
  • Anonymous Oct 21, 2007

    Just wanting to follow up on your fridge problem and see if you need further assistance. Thanks/Mike

  • Anonymous Oct 21, 2007

    Mark



    You posted in exactly the right location.



    Now we need to find out why the door is not sealing off. Look up inside the dispenser and see if the clear plastic chute is out of place and not allowing the actuator to come all the way back. If that is ok, move the door around with your finger. If it is loose and floppy then most likely something in the hinge system is broken. Look closely at the white plastic hinge that the door is mounted to and see if it is broken from the hinge pin. Look at where the metal hinge pin connects to the dispenser housing and see if the ear on the housing is broken off allowing the whole mechanism to drop on the right side.



    Your model number starts with 106 as in.. 10659592990. You can go to sears,com, click on parts, enter the model number in and view a diagram of all the parts which will give you a better idea of what you are looking for. The image on the site is to big to see it all on the screen, but if you save it to your computer you can see it a little better. At least it works for me.



    If you need to get into the dispenser to see it better,



    remove the cover over the top freezer door hinge and unplug the wiring harness connection going to the dispenser.



    Look at the very bottom edge of the dispenser front where it meets the freezer door. You will see 2 small slots. Insert a screwdriver just into the edge of the slot and twist while you apply a little downward pressure on the trim and it should pop loose. The are hooked in pretty tight and when they come loose you will think something broke but don't be alarmed.



    When you get the front off you can remove the screws that hold the switch holder and see the  mechanism clearly.



    I don't usually remove any wires until I see what needs to be done. If parts have to be ordered you can stick it back together until you have what you need.



    Post back to let me know what you find.



    Thanks/Mike

  • Anonymous Oct 23, 2007

    Groucho,



    How you coming on the dispenser?



    Thanks/Mike

  • Anonymous Oct 29, 2007

    Mark

    Just wanting to see what you found out about the dispenser.

    Thanks/Mike

  • bjackso1 Jul 27, 2017

    yes

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  • Posted on Apr 03, 2010
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You need to replace the soleniod assembly to the door that dispenses the ice. I had the same problem with my old refrigerator and am having the same problem with my current one. The last one GE gave me $500.00 to replace the old refrigerater as long as I bought a new one from them. I think I am going to change brands this time. I don't feel like buying refrigeraters every 3-4 years because of this.

  • Ed Fahney
    Ed Fahney Dec 11, 2013

    There is no ice dispenser in door. This fridge is only 3 months old, still under warranty, how do I get it serviced?

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