Ice Dispenser Not Working

[Paulson5]

We recently had power outages in our area and once the power came back on my ice cube dispenser has quit working. If I press the button for crushed ice it works but the cube does not. There is no problem with the water either. My refrigerator is a Whirlpool Conquest Gold side by side. Could it be a bad switch? If so, is there somewhere I can find a manual on how to change it?

[DIY Guy]

It is most likely a bad switch. If it is mechanical switch (as opposed to an electronic touch pad) it should be very easy to replace. It will probably have two or three wires that can be easily swapped off of the old switch and onto the new one.

If it is a touch sensor, then the entire touch sensor will likely need replacement. It will probably be connected by a ribbon cable which just snaps in or out.

The real difficulty is not the replacement but getting to it. Different models open in a variety of different ways. They often have hidden fasteners and you have to know where they are and what kind they are to open them without breaking them. You can try inspecting for screws around the dispenser and removing them to gain access. However, it is often necessary to remove the inner panel of the door to get to the components.

There are manuals out there, but they usually describe the general method for accessing the dispenser but not the exact method for your model. The manufacturer is also not likely to be helpful with this, they want you to hire a certified repairperson.

Good Luck!