79558813900 Kenmore Refrigerator - Instructions

After checking the prices of new refrigerators, I decided that I had nothing to lose trying to repair the sticking ice/water dispenser. I followed the previous instructions by prying off the panel with a screwdriver working my way around. Some effort is needed, but it will come loose before it breaks. You should remove the funnel first. If you have an older model, the funnels are fragile and should come out with a gentle back and forth jiggle. I broke mine. After pulling the face off the frig,I noticed that the plastic piece the activates the dispenser was partially out of its cradle in the rubber piece. Apparently pushing too hard on it can dislodge this piece and cause the unit to stick. Check this out before going for a new actuator. It only took a few minutes to clean and reassemble and reinstall. Works perfectly. Received new funnel and it was different than the one I took out. I missed the note that said if you order the funnel, you should also get the bracket to be sure they go back together. Two lessons learned. Don,t be afraid of this repair and don't push too hard on the dispenser.

Detected noise as coming from top freezer department, and tips and part diagram clearly pointed to evaporator fan. You go in through the freezer (you have to empty top half of freezer); removing the side rails holding the ice bin, and then the 4 outer screws (only 2 each side - not the middle ones) holding the 'auger' that turns the bin. From there it gets interesting in trying to disconnect the wires. You might consider taking some pictures of the connected wires - perhaps it doesn't matter, but several of them can be hooked up in reverse. After the ice marker is out, remove light and light cover, side rails/mounts that hold hold up ice maker. This leaves a large white cover that pops out (seam at bottom of it has two tabs that you can pop out) holding the fan; and then only a few more wires to disconnect to be able to get at the fan. Mine clearly had a wobble to it confirming the source of the squeak and need to replace. Install was just reverse -- a bit tricky to get some of the wires connected given the tight spaces. Overall, not difficult - but a lot of wires and screws to connect/disconnect. I didn't take any pictures as I disassembled, and found myself having to take some extra time to figure it out as I reassembled. In the end -- a silent and functioning refrigerator Good luck!

Shut off water supply. Disconnect main supply line. Remove rear lower panel on back of refrigerator. Remove all tubing clamps on back. Disconnect leaking tubing from water supply valve. Remove water filter and unscrew/remove water filter housing. Replace tubing - connect to water filter housing then to water supply valve. Reconnect filter housing and filter. Reinstall lower panel, then main water supply line, then all tubing clamps. Turn water back on and check for leaks after discarding several glasses of water to fill filter. Job complete!

To replace the warped tray, I found the service manual (pg. 124 below) which took some interpreting.
Removed the lever. Then removed the assembly by two screws that are forward to the unit and go upwards.
The insulation, sensor, and sensor cover are simply pulled down and off and the unit separated to removed the tray, and then insert the new tray. Proceed in reverse. Takes only a few minutes.

/Users/grf/Desktop/fridge ice tray.pdf

The heavy work is moving the fridge, then take off the lower plans. Use a bowel or cup for screws and the water line connector spacers so you don't loos them.
undo connections holding water line, including the bottom brakes for the solenoid. Reuse the spring around the lower waterline to prevent external wear on the line.

NOTE: remove the waterline connector spacers and save!
NOTE: you must compress (not pull) the connect to then pull the waterline out of the connectors.
NOTE: You must also remove the water filter and housing inside the fridge but this is easy.
MOTE: Test the line for leaks by turning on the water and then using the door water. The filter will need to refill so it may take a minute before water comes up. This line only have pressure when the door water is used or the ice maker needs to make ice.


After replacing the line, test the line for leaks by using the door water so the solenoid fills the lines

The replacement gasket does not have as strong a magnet as the original one. I removed the old one carefully so as not to cause more damage in case I have to put it back. Using Tongue suppressor I pushed new gasket into place and put a thin coating of protelem jelly on the gasket. I just have to make sure the door is closed each time to be sure of good seal.

An easy way to get a refrigerator out from the wall is to use a tow strap or 1/2 to 3/4 in. rope. Throw a loop behind refer while keeping both ends in your hands. Let it settle down to the lower half of unit and pull using both hands. Comes right out.
Remove lower panel. Unscrew water valve from cabinet. Remove all tube holders Lay some rags down to catch a little water drainage.
Turn off water supply valve at wall. Unplug Power. Remove filter and filter holder. (one screw).
remove tube from valve by removing plastic C clip. Push plastic ring towards the valve and pull out tube at same time.
With the tube free, remove filter, then mount screw to remove the inside filter holder. When it is out, pull the tube doing the same process as the lower end. Pull tube out and replace with new one putting everything back in reverse order.
Before placing tube holders back on, turn on water to check for leaks.
After turning water back on and plugging in power, push refer back into place.
While I was there, I also replaced the hose from the wall to the refer.

This site was awesome! I was able to very quickly look up my refrigerator model, find the proper part number, and order the part. The only suggestion I would make is to update the cut sheet with a more clear version, it was a little difficult to make out the part number because the scan/drawing was fuzzy, but I was still able to make it out. Got the part in the mail very quickly and it was super easy to remove the old rail and install the new one. Take out the screws from the old one, remove the old rail, line up the holes, install the new one, and put back the screws. It's so nice to have a site like this to fine parts and order them! Too cool! Thank you so much!

Replaced old hose and installed the new one. Was very simple with the instructions in your email..... step by step, could not of been any similar.... you guys rock

I found a crack in the pex line from the valve up the back of the refrigerator to the water filter. I could not find the correct 5/16" size line locally to replace it. A guy in plumbing at Home Depot said he always repaired them by cutting out the crack and finding a piece of clear vinyl line that would fit tightly over the cracked pex to splice in a fix with hose clamps. I did that and it was a really bad idea. The line was obviously fatigued and failing because it just cracked further up and leaked again. I then looked up and ordered the correct line (actually both the supply and return since they were available). Installing the new lines was a breeze. The pex connectors are simple to disconnect and reconnect. Wish I had done that to start with. I looked for a youtube video for the proper replacement steps but all I found was a video of a guy who cut out a crack and stuck a pex connector in to replace the cracked section. By doing that he pulled slack from the valve end of the line which didn't exist and cracked the line again. I don't know why anyone would mess with patching one of these lines. The correct parts are available, cut to the right length, and removing and replacing them at the valve and the filter is dead simple.

Ordered part from part select. Received part with out instructions. It took only one screwdriver for 1 screw removal and then removing cover to replace switch. Pretty simple

Very easy to replace right and left rail 3 screws on each side

Just replaced the old shelves with new

It was a "snap to complete it" inasmuch as the part just snapped in.

Remove two screws on top of the fridge; removed old switch and inserted new switch. Worked like a charm. Replace casing and screws.