GDS18SCRLS General Electric Refrigerator - Instructions

Installing the actual ice maker was quite easy. What takes most of the time is preparing the freezer for the install. Need to remove all shelving, (and the door) to gain access to the unit. The ice maker is simple to install once access is achieved. Putting everything back together takes some time.

Defrost timer is hidden in the control panel in the refrigerator top middle. Turn to off and remove two screws which are hidden behind white tabs. I had to pry the old timer from the plug with a screw driver because it was tight. Try not to short across the terminals. Plug in the new timer. Replace it in the clip where you got old one and reinstall the controls. The freezer was still all frosted up so I had to remove the cover and defrost it with a hair dryer to get it to work. Then I turned it on and it works great.

Had to get behind the refrigerator and clean the drain out first and that took at least and hour. Just unplug the old motor. Took the old parts of the old motor, put them on the new one and plugged it back in.

I watched the video and then read the instructions. Emptied and cleaned freezer compartment. Removed old unit and removed part of old unit to be used in new installation. I then installed the new unit and turned the water back on. I let the unit produce over night and through the first batch of ice away. Because of the various regrigerators this ice maker was used I had a little confusion recognizing our model, but worked through this problem useing some common sense. All around I'm very satisfied with the results.

I took off the front cover of the icemaker assembly and found that the gears were not meshing properly and therefore slipping. I removed the front panel and found that the white plastic cam unit under the large gear wheel had disengaged from the hole in the front plate which is why the gears were slipping. I refitted the cam and wheel and it worked fine but stopped again for the same reason the next day. As the plate appeared to be buckled somehow (not user repairable) and, as the unit was leaking and pooling water (which froze) in the collection unit, I decided to change the whole icemaker.

Ordered about 1300 on a Thursday, it arrived the next day at noon and was fitted straight away. As others have mentioned, the extension cable required to fit into my old fridge made it quite cumbersome however with a bit of juggling and persuasion, I got it to fit into the cut out corner of the ice container so it is completely out of the way. Job done in about 35 minutes, making ice in an hour.

Barry G was right on with instructions and expectations of the process to trouble shoot parts and how to replace. Barry also provide the right part numbers for replacement items. Thanks again Barry.

Went well. Changed the Ice Maker and then the Water Valve. All good and it is making ice.

Followed the video demo and would have been done sooner but for limited work space- narrow freezer compartment and the release tabs on the electrical plug. First home repair that the air was not blue and got done in under time allocated.

-- Hardest part was removing the section to get into the Defrost Thermostat. Used a hand scraper to push plastic piece back wards (39 in parts diagram) once pushed back about 1/4" it then pops up and can come out (towards the front). Noticed that the evaporator was full of ice and the fan was working). Replaced Thermostat after defrosting evaporator... works like a charm.

Watched the video that showed how to disassemble the ice maker. Then went right in and replaced the part and turned it on. It immediately started filling up the ice tray. I still have not been able to find out why it does not make as fast as the original ice maker. The tempeature for the freezer is set pretty cold.

After what I thought was a thorough troubleshooting of said problem I replaced the Water Valve Assy which was really easy as the video shared, but it did not fix my problem. I had forgotten to pull the water line apart at the coupling below the doors (this was a troubleshooting step in another area). The water not dispensing was due to the line being frozen! Putting all items in a cooler with a couple blocks of ice and leaving the freezer door open for the length of watching a movie, the water was flowing again. Still no ice though. Ice maker vs mother board at the rear of the fridge, Hmmmm. Went with the ice maker, watched video, ole Steve makes the plugs disconnecting look easy, I had to use a flat head screwdriver to open the clips (he doesn't mention that) and I had 4 screws where he had 3. Also he didn't mention about the instructions which gives you 3 options with your unit. I had to re-use my Plastic Stripper Plate along with the Fill Cup and Ice Maker Insert. After completion of installation and about a half hour later, I heard ice fall, Wooohoooo!!! Overall the experience will make me think to utilize PartSelect again when needed. Reasonable prices and decent shipping time. Now the freezer light is out...

It was exactly as shown in your instruction video

Went to GE website and researched the problem for the model, determined that it was 90% sure it was the Ice maker, I ordered it and it arrived the next day, installed it and it began working immediately,

Took out one hex screw, disconnect electric couplings, pulled original ice maker out and found that the water supply line to the ice maker was frozen solid as well as the shute cup. Used hair dryer to thaw out the line and the cup reinstaled old ice maker and it worked fine. Did not have to use the new part at all at this time. Am keeping new part for future use.

Checked the defroster coil which is located behind the rear panel in the freezer compartment, it was still working. Followed the schematics down to the defrost timer, which is located in the lower front of the refrigerator and tried that. Plugged in the new part and the problem is solved.