KBSD612ESS00 KitchenAid Refrigerator - Instructions

Repair was replacing motor kit. I did not use the plastic parts - ejector arm and separator. Went same as others described. I had removed ice maker from refrigerator although this was not necessary to replace motor unit(Please unplug refrigerator whether or not you remove the entire ice maker).
Removed three screws, removed old motor unit, inserted new unit making sure the ice level wire arm end was in slot. Ejector is D shaped so can't go in wrong. Replaced screws and replaced ice maker in freezer. Note - be sure the water tube is in the trough before trying to refasten ice maker.
Added note: If for whatever reason you need to remove ice maker note that there are three mounting screws (others have mentioned this) Completely remove one under middle of ice maker. For the two at top of ice maker - just loosen a few turns. The ice maker can be lifted and pulled away from the wall without removing these screws. Also there is a tab on the electrical wire connector for ice maker at back wall of freezer. Tab must be depressed with a flat tip screw driver while pulling out to remove wire connector. Tab is on wide side of connector facing inside of freezer.

Repair worked. Have lots of ice again.

Removed old filter and installed new filter.

Replaced the light that was out.
Problem fixed

unscrerwed the broke part and screwed in the new one---5 minutes

Go first to Kitchenaid web site and download their consumer services Technical diagnostics on the ice maker. Very well written and clear to follow. Instructions step you through interpretation of blinking code lights which is key to finding the real problem and leads you to repair the correct failed part. My diagnosis said to replace both emitter and receiver. I replaced the emitter first and tried it and solved the problem I didn't need to buy the receiver but I have a spare part now. Do the diagnosis and save yourself some money. PartSelect got the parts to me quickly and saved me money compared to our local parts supply companies.

The ice maker would not fill with water. Water was available to in-door water dispenser. All signs pointed to the ice maker control boards. Ordered and replaced the boards. Within a couple hours it was making a new batch of ice every 30-60 minutes. The repair instruction video was a great help....made the repair a snap!

I first turned off the refrigerator. I then used a hair dryer to melt and release the ice by warming the bottom of the mould. Then I turned the fridge back on and let the icemaker discharge the ice. I then turned off the icemaker and ordered the new part. I unplugged the fridge, removed the icemaker (three screws and an electrical connection). Then I replaced the heater/tray with the new one and turned everything back on. Within a couple of hours we began having ice again.

I was amazed when Fed Ex pulled up to our front door the following day after I ordered the parts, I was wondering what they were delivering and to my amazement it was the parts I had ordered from parts select the previous day , thank you so much , you are awesome. My 73 year old husband who is a 5 year cancer survivor had the part installed and we were ready to start making ice within 1 hour.He went by the installation information sent in by your customers. Thank you all, Jo Mesplay

Removing the ice making assembly from the Ice compartment was not difficult except that two of the 3 screws we not visible without a mirror and then my nut driver was 5" long making it very tight quarters, so it was a time consuming process to remove them.
Once the 3 screws were removed the wiring harness was easily disconnected and the whole assembly came out.
The next step was to figure out how to remove the faulty part from the rest of the assembly.
After some strong persuasion the part would not separate from the control Assy. (The front of the unit) To complete the job I had to pull the front cover and unplug the motor and heater assy to expose two additional screws that had to be removed to pull the defective part out. The reassembly went quite easy except the 2 screws that you need a mirror to see. I was also trying to hurry because the frozen items were not holding all that well after the door was open for about an hour and a half. An instruction sheet showing the steps would have cut the time over 1/2!

I did some research on the website and found out that there is a test with the sensor lights. When I looked at mine, they were not turning on or blinking when the door was openned.

The repair was very easy to accomplish and all I needed was a small philiips screwdriver. I unscrewed both left and right side panels covering the circuit boards and pulled the connector off. I'd say the most diffcult part was lining up the connectors to the boards since there's not a lot of room because of the harness length. Once the boards were connected, they set in place easy and I put the covers back on.

A word of warning, it took the system about ten minutes until the cycle started and water started filling the tray. But aside from that, everything is working perfectly well.

I saved about $200 in service fees!!

Removed and disconnected the icemaker, cleaned all areas and disassembled the failed parts. Reassembled with the new parts inlcuded with the purchased package and resinstalled the unit. Started the unit and chedked for proper operation. Successful repair.

diagnosed the problem to be the emitter and receiver boards. replaced in about 15 minutes. works like new!

Remove the ice bucket and check that the auger that turns in the ice bucket is free to turn. Cover the open freezer with cardboard or whatever to retain most of the freezer temperature. Remove the holder that supports the top of the motor shaft. Check the splines on the upper part of the motor shaft and also check the seal under the holder. Open the access the door to the motor, remove wiring connector and unbolt the motor. Check the lower splines on motor shaft for condition, clean the shaft and apply new grease to the splines. Before installing, connect the wiring to the new motor, push the door switch in, press the ice dispenser arm outside the door to make sure the motor runs. If all ok, check the motor shaft for fit in the new motor. Be careful not to install the motor shaft too deep in the motor splines, otherwise there may not be enough spline showing on the top end to engage the auger. Bolt the motor in place, close access door and install the holder and ice bucket and make sure everything works. If there is not enough spline showing thru the holder to engage the auger, take pliers and pull the shaft up a bit. This seems to be a hit or miss fit on the shaft but you can adjust the height of the shaft without taking every thing apart again. That's all, not difficult at all. But do check parts and pieces for anything else you might need, parts wise, before ordering the motor by itself like I did. Shipping is high, so try to order any associated parts needed when you order the motor. By the way, This site are great to work with!

Watched the video...easy!

Watched video of similar model repair for filter housing. But the model KitchenAide refrigerator requires enter and replacing housing from the back. My model has a metal facing which has doors attached to it also. It was simple repair though from the backside of the appliance.