Hello All!
We have a Maytag Refrigerator/Freezer with a bottom freezer, model MBF1958XEW. It's part of their "Something's Always Going Wrong" collection.
Inside is Ice Maker W10190978.
The unit stopped completing the harvest cycle. It would progress until the cubes were pushed to the top of the mold, just short of falling out. (Photo Attached) They'd then freeze there.
I think the machine was trying to eject the ice, as there was a rhythmic clicking sound, as though the motor was trying to rotate. The arm is found partially raised & held, the water has not yet refilled; telling me the cam-dial didn't get to finish its rotation.
On the bench, it tested fine. (6+ bench test cycles) The cycles completed with voltages at the test ports at the proper times (per technical sheet). The arm moves up, then down when it is supposed to fall, the water fill is called at the proper time. The ejection fingers complete a full rotation. The heater tested good at 78 Ohms and heats when told to heat (jump test ports H-T).
Back in the freezer, installed empty, the unit will eventually initiate a dry harvest, I assume when the thermostat decides the not-there ice is ready. This cycle completes fully. Then it fills & freezes like normal.
When harvest begins with real ice in the tray, it won't complete the cycle. The ice is on top (photo), motor clicking & water tray is empty, so it doesn't make it to the Fill Stop position on the cam.
The only things I can think of are:
A) The drive shaft is slipping inside the motor socket. (I apologize, but I could not find the correct part names)
B) Something is turning of the heater too early. (This one I doubt because the ice makes it all the way out of the tray.)
Do any of you know what is wrong with the unit?
And, if it must be replaced, do the generic "fit all"units work in this machine? (The OEM part number ones are more than 3 times the price of generics.)
Thanks or helping me figure out this puzzlement. It's got me stumped.
Paul
PS- Here's A Bit Of Irony:
Some decades ago, part of my employment included installation, diagnosis and repair of commercial Manitowoc & Scottsman ice machines- even the Scottsman screw-auger flakers I could handle. No Problem.
Way back in the early 1970's I was a repair man in a commercial ice factory that had 2 acres of ammonia chilled freeze molds, 20 feet high. No Problem.
Odd how this little refrigerator guy has me so completely stumped!
