How do I remove a blown bulb from the front panel beside the ice dispenser

Check the circuit board that controls the dispenser. Also, check the wiring and terminals on the control panel. Also, check ice size adjustment function.

Did you replace the bulb with one of the same voltage rating?

 

Seems strange that a new bulb should blow straight away, maybe it was faulty.

 

This sounds like a blown fuse.

 

Hello Mary;

My name is Peter. I am a retired field service refrigeration technician.

First - Make sure the dispenser light switch is turned off. Now, that you have broken the bulb it is like having a bare 110 volt hot wire.
I recommend that for safety purposes you do not use either the ice or water dispenser and well as the chance of condensate from warm outside air getting into the electrical and burning out the control board or harnesses.

Get some electrical tape. Turn power off to the refrigerator at the breaker box or unplug the refrigerator. Then, tape over the broken bulb. Turn power back on to the refrigerator.

You may have a ice dispenser cup that you can remove or the dispenser frame for more ease of access.

You now may need a pair of needle nose pliers to remove the bulb.

You did not provide a model number so I can see exactly what you have. Your model number is on the inside of your fresh food section on a label on the upper inside wall.

I just figured this out. You have to insert a flat blade and pry down and out to release 4 clips along the top of the panel. Work across the top from one side to the other. Eventually it will come loose. After that, 4 Phillips head screws hold the ice and water dispenser in. You may want to remove the freezer hinge cover and disconnect the wide electrical connector before you do this.

Not sure about the frigidaire,but most front panels can be removed from front. If you look around outer edge of trim piece there might be little screwdriver slot. Carefully pry off trim piece(faceplate),disconnect electrical plug on back,set aside.Once removed you should see you solution for removing paddle.

if its a whirlpoo at the bottom of the trim there are two slots use a flat head pull down and pry out

leaks are usually from valve /dispenser area on top left or from door boot. to check valves open top cover by removing 2 or 3 torx/ 1/4' screws at rear and slide back. check underside of dispenser for cracks, check rubber hose connecting valves to dispenser.
to open front and check around boot, remove top cover, remove screws beside dispenser opening (remove drawer) snap control console off starting at dispenser side. On older non teardrop front disconnect and remove interface cables from ccu at rear (ribbon cable in clips on right side. On new teardrop models remove teardrop by unsnapping at top then work down carefully, then unclip console starting at left, disco cables at right side of interface. remove lower kick panel with 3 screws on bottom. then remove 2 front panel screws. remove 2 door lock asm screws and spring clip around boot, then 2 front panel top screws. panel comes right off, carefull of boot. door lock stays behind.

Well, the solution to this problem was posted in this thread
http://www.fixya.com/support/t1295372-ge_profile_ref_ice_despenser_motor_not

It seems that the bulb in the front panel is pulling to much current as it ages and it makes the control panel in not work properly. Removing the bulb will fix the problem - just fixed mine.

Also seems to match your symptoms (works sometimes and then not others - bulb current is inconstent, light dims when dispense lever pressed - again wrong current draw).

Good luck

you can just unplug the refrig and use a pair of needle noase pliers to remove the base then install a new bulb it can not be over 10watt a night lite one works great (7watt) this will be a better solution that dissably. the panel

The control board is likely gone bad or a wire harness inside the front came loose. With all those indications, I'd lean toward a dead board.