10689489998 Kenmore Ice Maker - Instructions

I completely broke down the unit cleaning or replacing any part with rust. The replacement grid assembly (cutter) came from partselect within days of ordering. I was able reassemble the unit with the new grid assemble. Now have fresh ice. Thanks Partselect... you made this do-it-your-selfer very HAPPY! My wife cannot beleive I got the unit back together.

Removed broke wire and replaced new wire. Use gloves to pull the wire tight. That's very important.

(1) Ordered PS371704 from PartSelect! Best advice EVER! (2) Unplugged refrigerator (since the water solenoid on the back of the refrigerator is powered to switch ON the water, you NEVER have to turn off the water!) (3) Pull off the refrigerator's bottom grill. (4) With a small saucer under the fittings, unscrew the black and white tube fitting. There is only one nut to remove on the white tubing side. You'll need to undo the compression fitting on the black tubing and slide off the compression nut. You'll need to MAKE SURE you keep these nuts and replace onto the black and white tubing the SAME WAY you took them off. You'll NOT need to use nut drivers as finger tight is the key. Too hard and you'll ruin these plastic nuts. You should get only about 1/8 cup or less of water during this whole exercise. (5) Cut off the old, broken water nozzle. (4) Find a screw of the appropriate size to fit tightly 1/2 way inside the new tubing (this is to ensure your old and new tubing are connected to feed through the door). If screw is not tight within the tubing, wrap part of a plastic (thin) sack around this screw a couple of times and force into the tubing. You'll, of course, then need to use the hacksaw to cut the head off the screw as you'll be forcing the other half of the screw into the old cut tubing (6) Chase the dog out of the kitchen and cajole your wife (significant other) to push the newly joined tubes through the top of the dispenser, through the door and out the bottom as you will be gently PULLING on this old tubing from the bottom until the new tubing pops through the doors bottom. (7) Once this new tubing is out, you will separate the old tubing and, using the nuts in the proper sequence, connect this new tubing to the white tubing. (8) Plug the refrigerator back in and test flow the water. Check to ensure the plastic nuts have no leakage ... button up the bottom grill ... and enjoy the fresh water! PS> Don't forget to praise the wife (significant other) and give the dog a treat for staying out of your face!!

The real difficulty is removing the screws. Even with a nut driver the space available makes them difficult to remove. I went to the hardware store and replaced the screws with screwdriver slots for re-installation.

I took out old grid and removed the top broken wire. I attached the end of new wire to the terminal screw and carefully threaded the new wire back and forth without kinks. I was not able to get wire as tight as it was originally, but able to get it tight enough with pliers. I attached the other end to the opposite terminal screw. I had plenty of wire for the job and cut off the excess. I re-installed the grid and had ice the following morning. Feeling good about myself and saved a lot of money.

Unplugged the unit. Removed 2 screws to remove front cover to access the cutter grid.removed 2 screws to the cutter grid, unsnapped power connector and removed broken grid. Slid new grid in place, reconnected power connector, replaced screws, plugged in ice maker and slid back in place. Very easy!!!

remove the front cover by removing two screws. then remove two screws with a nut driver on each side. unplug the wireing harness from the top of the unit (may need pliers for this) the pull the unit out. then slide the new unit in, connect the wireing harness, install two side screws, and install the front cover and wham you will have ice in about 30 minutes. thanks parts select. you were very easy to deal with

Open appliance door. Removed access plate at lower front (two screws). Removed two screws holding valve in place. Depressed water line retainers and removed water lines from valve. Inserted water lines in replacement valve, remounted valve, reinstalled access plate. Tested operation. (I did install a water filter during the repair to prevent reoccurrence.)

Removed old assembly by disconnecting 2 wiring harness connections and loosening 2 screws with nutdriver. Installed new assembly using same process. Had ice in about an hour. Very easy.

It was easy to remove the old grid and replace it with a new one.

Bought new wire, strung it end to end and fastened it at each end.

The thumbscrews that hold the cutter grid can only be removed by using a needle nose pliers , you cannot turn them by hand. The electrical connections for the grid and level sensor can be removed by pressing the front side of the connector while pulling down. Re-installing the cutter grid is in reverse to the removal, just follow the instructions. But be aware that all wiring remains outside the grid perimeter when reconnecting. One other thing: While you are at it, remove the lower outside panel to expose the evaporator coils which need to be vacuumed. Replacing these parts is tricky. I had to remove the door then loosely install the upper retainer bracket for the lower panel so I could slide the upper edge into that bracket before installing the lower screws. I used an ice pick to line up the holes while using a blade screwdriver to push the panel in its place to install the retaining screws. It took me about a half hour after I figured out what to do.

Wires in cutter grid were broken and wouldn't freeze/cut ice. Replaced with the new ice cutter grid that came completely assembled. Put it in with a screwdriver in less than 10 minutes. Ice cubes ready in 45 minutes. Repair guy told me it would be $455 for him to repair it. With shipping, mine was $133 and 10 minutes of my time. Well worth doing it myself.

I removed the two screws that hold the shield in front of the grid and put them aside allowing access to the grid. I then removed the two screws that hold the grid in place. I unplugged the connector and then pulled it out. I reversed the process to reassemble and powered up the unit. I now have ice again. This whole process probably took me 15-20 minutes to do the install.

I determined it was the cutter grid because there was a broken wire on the existing one. They have to heat up and cut the ice. I ordered it and the part was at my house in 1 day. The cutter grid part was easy to install. The ice maker is working great now.