EC5100XEW0 Whirlpool Ice Maker

I removed the cutter grid and unplugged the light bulb and wire heating plug ins. I slid the front cover plate off the cutting grid and loosened the screws on the front of the cutter grid and unthreaded the broken, top grid wire, leaving the bottom wire in place as it was in tact.
I then threaded the new wire through the cutting gri ... Read more d frame starting in the center and threading right and then left. While the threading was not difficult, the wire was easily kinked. The process up to this point was only 15 minutes or so.

Once it was completely threaded, I worked for a couple of hours trying to smooth and straighten the wire so that is was somewhat taut and straight enough to create symetrical ice cubes.
My frustration came in pulling on the wire from the center point to each outside ending point where it was to be wrapped around the screw and the screw tightened back down. The wire was fragile enough that it would break, by the time I was finished I barely had enough wire left to touch the screw let alone hook around the screw.
After 3 or four days of successful opperation, the grid quit cutting again. As I took it apart, it was obvious that the weight of the ice was enough to pull the wire, that was already too short, away from the screw. I refastened it again, but think it is unlikely to hold.
If it won't hold, I would be hard pressed to purchase another wire. I may bite the bullet and purchase the entire grid mechanism with the wires already installed. Even though the cost of the entire grid mechanism is $200 more than the purchase of another wire, it may well be worth the ease of installation!

I removed the three nuts that hold the old pump, easy. Next step was to replace with the new pump, tricky, because it goes real deep in the machine and my arms barely reach it.
After several attemtps, I finally reached one screw and bolt it immediately. Rest was piece of cake.
What I liked most, is that you don't need to do any ... Read more wiring connections, because it uses a simple plug-in connector that goes in at the same time when you bolt the new pump.
What it surprised me, was that my machine it's over 20 years old, and the new replacement water pump it's the very same design !!!
Last night I fixed it, and today I'm enjoying again fresh ice.
One plus for PartSelect : I inherit this machine and didn't have an Installation & Operation Manual,and PartSelect have it On-Line, so I printed it, and I believe I'm ready another 20 year period of fresh ice!
Thanks a lot PartSelect !!!

This is a stand alone ice maker that uses a standard water valve. When the valve fails (usually stuck open) the water never chills enough to freeze because water is constantly flowing into the hopper. The valve is in the very front. Remove the front panel. Turn of the water supply and disconnect the valve. Replace the valve and turn on th ... Read more e water. Let the machine run through 1 cycle before the new valve will dispense water. Done.