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Posted on Jul 24, 2011
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My LG refrigerator has the ice maker hooked up to the hot water heater, is this right. MY HOT WATER HEATER HAS SLUDGE IN IT THAT IS GOING INTO THE ICE MAKER AND MAKING FOUL SMELLING AND TASTING ICE. SHOULD THE ICE MAKER BE HOOKED UP TOTHE COLD WATER LINE?

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Cindy Wells

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  • LG Master 6,688 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 24, 2011
Cindy  Wells
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Most refrigerators have the ice maker connected to the cold water line (as long as it's potable water). See the installation section of this LG Side By Side refrigerator for the normal procedure: http://www.managemylife.com/mmh/owner_manuals/17224/LG-Side-by-Side-Refrigerator-L0601225?brand_name_search=LG+refrigerator . Page 9 has the appropriate diagram. Cold water holds fewer dissolved materials and the ice maker doesn't have to cool the water as much.

Your water heater should be drained regularly to avoid the sludge building up to the level of the water out line. (For a standard tank water heater, annually attach a hose to the drain. Turn off the inlet water valve. Open the drain valve and the pressure release valve. Let all the water drain out then close the valves. Then reopen the shut-off for the water into the water heater.)

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

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  • Expert 275 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 24, 2011
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Having ice maker hooked up to hot water side is common practice...because the water is heated before it gets to be sent to the ice maker, it would have less air in the ice...kinda like a crude way to distill the water.

The sludge is from mineral deposits in your water...sometimes called hard water.

One of the best investments in areas of hard water is a water softener system, in-line water filters, or a combination of both.

Ya might look to see if there is a filter in the refrigerator to filter water before it gets to the ice maker as well.

Hope this helps...

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1answer

Ice machine not working

Ice dispenser doesn't work
  1. Dispenser control board
If the ice dispenser is not functioning at all the most likely cause is going to be the dispenser control board. The dispenser control board governs the major portion of the systematic functions of the dispenser and is less likely to be the issue if only certain components are malfunctioning. If the dispenser control board is at fault, it will need to be replaced.
  1. Water inlet valve & low water pressure from house supply
If the ice dispenser on your refrigerator is not working properly, one of the first things to consider as an issue is the water pressure to your appliance. The ice dispenser cannot properly function with a psi less than 20. If psi is appropriate, proceed to replace the water inlet valve to correct the issue. You may also be dealing with low household water pressure. This low flow can be examined by using a water pressure test gauge. Once the household water pressure is resolved, you can double check your refrigerator connection to ensure it is now flowing properly and that the ice dispenser is functioning.
  1. Water tube in door is frozen
If the ice dispenser is not working on your refrigerator, the issue could be a frozen water supply tube located in the door. Although this may be a tricky problem to locate, the first thing to do is find a connection point in the tube. After this has been found, attempt to blow air through the tube. If the air flows freely through the tube, it is not frozen and this is not the issue. If it does not, the tube is frozen and needs to be removed to thaw out. As it thaws, attempt to ascertain why it froze and correct the positioning of the tubing to prevent the issue from occurring again in the future.
  1. Dispenser switch
If the refrigerator ice dispenser is not working properly you could be dealing with a defective dispenser switch. Activated by the dispenser actuator, the switches are responsible for numerous actions including ice cube disbursement, type of ice, and water controls. The switch can be tested using an ohm meter and should be replaced if it does not reveal continuity.
  1. Door switch
If the refrigerator ice dispenser is not working, the functionality of the door switch can be inspected. This switch is responsible for turning on the light in the freezer and simultaneously turning off the ice dispenser when the freezer door is opened. If this switch malfunctions, it will show no continuity on the ohm meter and will require replacement.
Ice maker not functioning or producing ice cubes
  1. Check connections
Check all hose connections to ensure that water is being transmitted through your appliance and there is no frost build up.
  1. Feeler arm
Double check to make sure your feeler arm is not stuck or that ice cubes are not blocking the feeler arm's motion to produce more ice.
  1. Ice maker heater
The heater may be stuck on. The heater comes on for 1-2 minutes to break cubes free from mold. If the heater stays on too long ,the ice maker will get hot and stop making ice. Carefully feel around the ice maker mold; if it is hot to the touch, the heater is on. This indicates that the ice maker is jammed, and it is better to replace ice maker than to try and repair it.
  1. Water inlet valve
The water valve supplying the ice maker is a key component of the ice-making system. When the ice maker calls for ice, its switch closes an electrical circuit and energizes the solenoid-operated water valve. This allows water to flow through the valve and into the ice cube tray. The water is frozen into cubes, and the cubes are dumped into the ice bin. When this part is not operating correctly, a repair/replacement part may be needed. Refrigerator Repair Help Troubleshooting and Parts
0helpful
1answer

The fan at back does not come on. The fridge make a clicking noise, The fan tries to run... Also it does not pump water anymore. It does make ice

Ice dispenser doesn't work
  1. Dispenser control board
If the ice dispenser is not functioning at all the most likely cause is going to be the dispenser control board. The dispenser control board governs the major portion of the systematic functions of the dispenser and is less likely to be the issue if only certain components are malfunctioning. If the dispenser control board is at fault, it will need to be replaced.
  1. Water inlet valve & low water pressure from house supply
If the ice dispenser on your refrigerator is not working properly, one of the first things to consider as an issue is the water pressure to your appliance. The ice dispenser cannot properly function with a psi less than 20. If psi is appropriate, proceed to replace the water inlet valve to correct the issue. You may also be dealing with low household water pressure. This low flow can be examined by using a water pressure test gauge. Once the household water pressure is resolved, you can double check your refrigerator connection to ensure it is now flowing properly and that the ice dispenser is functioning.
  1. Water tube in door is frozen
If the ice dispenser is not working on your refrigerator, the issue could be a frozen water supply tube located in the door. Although this may be a tricky problem to locate, the first thing to do is find a connection point in the tube. After this has been found, attempt to blow air through the tube. If the air flows freely through the tube, it is not frozen and this is not the issue. If it does not, the tube is frozen and needs to be removed to thaw out. As it thaws, attempt to ascertain why it froze and correct the positioning of the tubing to prevent the issue from occurring again in the future.
  1. Dispenser switch
If the refrigerator ice dispenser is not working properly you could be dealing with a defective dispenser switch. Activated by the dispenser actuator, the switches are responsible for numerous actions including ice cube disbursement, type of ice, and water controls. The switch can be tested using an ohm meter and should be replaced if it does not reveal continuity.
  1. Door switch
If the refrigerator ice dispenser is not working, the functionality of the door switch can be inspected. This switch is responsible for turning on the light in the freezer and simultaneously turning off the ice dispenser when the freezer door is opened. If this switch malfunctions, it will show no continuity on the ohm meter and will require replacement.
Ice maker not functioning or producing ice cubes
  1. Check connections
Check all hose connections to ensure that water is being transmitted through your appliance and there is no frost build up.
  1. Feeler arm
Double check to make sure your feeler arm is not stuck or that ice cubes are not blocking the feeler arm's motion to produce more ice.
  1. Ice maker heater
The heater may be stuck on. The heater comes on for 1-2 minutes to break cubes free from mold. If the heater stays on too long ,the ice maker will get hot and stop making ice. Carefully feel around the ice maker mold; if it is hot to the touch, the heater is on. This indicates that the ice maker is jammed, and it is better to replace ice maker than to try and repair it.
  1. Water inlet valve
The water valve supplying the ice maker is a key component of the ice-making system. When the ice maker calls for ice, its switch closes an electrical circuit and energizes the solenoid-operated water valve. This allows water to flow through the valve and into the ice cube tray. The water is frozen into cubes, and the cubes are dumped into the ice bin. When this part is not operating correctly, a repair/replacement part may be needed. Refrigerator Repair Help Troubleshooting and Parts
0helpful
1answer

My LG Freezer is pooking water at the base and then freezing. I do not have an ice maker hooked up and am wondering how to fix. It is steadily increasing in frequency. Thanks for anyones help. R

the water is off the cold coil and it is doing this during the defrost cycle . it should be going down the drain in the back of freezer . to fix you need to clean the drain . use hot water and a turkey baster and clear the ice and ect from the drain . and if problem comes back you will need to add a drain heater . hope this helps mm . ps a very common problem with many brands ..
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1answer

I have Magic chef Model # CTB1923ARW. We find water all over the refrigerator section. This unit does not have Ice maker

Remove the food and the ice maker from the freezer ( if equiped ) . Remove the rear freezer panel . Using a hair dryer , start in the middle , below the coils , defrosting , until you see the drain hole . Use hot water to help defrost the hole . Once water starts going thru the hole , use a small hose inserted into the hole , and blow thru , to remove any unseen debris in the drain line . Use an ALUMINUM or COPPER solid wire , 14-16 guage , with the insulation completely off , and insert one end into the drain hole as far as possible without any force . Lightly hook the other end over the glass rod (defrost heater) , above the hole . When refrig goes into defrost , the heat will transfer from the heater , to the wire , keeping the hole from freezing up again .
9helpful
2answers

Water is dripping into the bottom of my fridge. I have cleaned and vacumned the coils. How do I access the drain to see if it is frozen?

Remove the ice maker and back panel in freezer.1/4 inch nut driver to remove screws. there are 3 screws for the ice maker 2 on the back wall and 2 on the bottom panel. Use a hair dryer to melt ice block.All water will flow down into drip pan under fridge. May overflow use a turkey baster to remove water from pan. Pour hot water onto drain until the water flows freely into the pan.
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Icemaker isn't working. Hot water pouring out

Most ice makers do have a defrost element below the ice maker. The problem you described is strange. I would like the model of the refrigerator and brand name. Unplug refrigerator and remove ice maker from freezer compartment now. If water continues to flow you may need the service line that feeds refrigerator turned off until I get your model number. Thanks, Sea Breeze
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The freezer floor of my refrigerator freezer (top freezer) has ice on it. There is some water in the refrigerator section.

First what you have to do is unplug it and leave door open over night, tto let the ice melt down. Then when you go back the next day, you need tto check if the defrost timer is working, if it is you need to check the heater and if thats ok you need to check the thermostat, One of these 3 things are gone.
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GE TFH27PRSA ice maker water fill tube and receving bucket on ice maker keeps freezing closed. No other problem with unit including water despenser to door. Once the tube freezes closed, water is leaking...

all is normal with the defrost heater getting red hot.

as far as the inlet tube freezing, you most likely need a new water inlet valve. it may not be closing all the way and water is slowly dripping into the icemaker and freezing up right away. a new valve should fix your issue. here is the part that you need. http://www.repairclinic.com/SSPartDetail.aspx?s=t-TFH27PRSA-%3d%3di1032629&PartID=1032629
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I have the exact same problem, curious if you have any answer...

If the ice melts in the ice maker I think something strange is going on with the heating element below the ice maker. It comes on only for a few seconds before the ice drops. And is used to loosen the ice. But if water continues to flow from the water control valve while the ice maker is full it has no where to go but into the freezer and refreeze. Sometimes the water control valves have trash buildup inside the valve and will not shut and allows the water to continue to flow. About the only way to solve that is replace the water control valve and place a pre-filter in the line before the water reaches the valve. Thanks, Sea Breeze
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