Whirlpool Modular Ice Maker Kit Installation Guide

Requesting Assistance or Service

If you need assistance, contact your dealer, or call the Whirlpool Experience centre toll-free, 1-800-253-1301, 24 hours a day.

Important Information

The following information is used throughout this installation Guide. Read it carefully so you are familiar with it.

Your safety and the safety of others are very important. We have provided many important safety messages in this manual and on your appliance. Always read and obey all safety messages.

⚠️ This is the safety alert symbol. This symbol alerts you to potential hazards that can kill or hurt you and others. All safety messages will follow the safety alert symbol and either the word “DANGER” or “WARNING.” These words mean:

DANGER: You can be killed or seriously injured if you don't immediately follow instructions.

WARNING: You can be killed or seriously injured if you don't follow instructions.

All safety messages will tell you what the potential hazard is, tell you how to reduce the chance of injury, and tell you what can happen if the instructions are not followed.

• This Installation Guide gives you complete instructions on how to install the Ice Maker Kit in your refrigerator-freezer and connect a water line to it. Please read the guide thoroughly and follow the instructions exactly as described. Also, make sure that you observe all of the "safety" instructions.
• IMPORTANT: A qualified service technician must install the water line and ice maker.
• Before you start to install your Ice Maker Kit, you will have to purchase a copper tubing kit that contains a "Regular Valve and Clamp Assembly" (for refrigerators with an automatic ice maker, or self-filling trays). The kit contains all of the hardware necessary to connect your ice maker to the water supply. You can purchase one at most hardware or plumbing supply stores.

NOTE: Do not use piercing-type, or 3/16" shut-off valves. They reduce the flow of water to the ice maker, and are easily clogged. Do not use polyethylene tubing to connect the ice maker to the water line. Use only 1/4" (O.D.) copper tubing.

CUSTOMER INSTALLATION IS NOT WARRANTED BY THE REFRIGERATOR OR ICE MAKER MANUFACTURER.

Before You Begin

Tools

Gather required tools and parts before starting installation. Read and follow the instructions provided with any tools listed here.

1. Regular screwdriver
2. Phillips screwdriver
3. 7/16" and 1/2" open-end wrenches (or an adjustable wrench)
4. Pliers
5. 1/4" nut driver
6. Level
7. Ruler
8. Electric screwdriver

Installation Notes

For each set of steps shown, refer to the diagram immediately beside or below the text for clarification. Some illustrations may contain labels A, B, or C, which are referenced in associated steps. Some illustrations also contain "DETAILS." DETAILS are contained in bubbles alongside the larger illustration.

Install the parts as instructed in each step and corresponding illustration.

Components

Remove the contents from the shipping carton and set them on a table where they can be easily identified and located. Do not discard any of the packing material until all required parts are identified.

Installing the Ice Maker

Making Preparations

1. Pull the refrigerator away from the wall so that you can easily access the rear panel.
2. Unplug Refrigerator or disconnect power.
3. Open the freezer door and remove all of the food items from inside the freezer compartment.
4. Remove all baskets, shelves, ice cube trays, and the ice cube tray holder (if necessary, refer to your User Guide for the procedure). Set these items aside.

NOTE: The work areas are shown below. [Diagram shows the relative positions of the rear wall, freezer compartment, power cord, and work areas.]

✋ Electrical Shock Hazard

Disconnect power before installing ice maker. Failure to do so can result in death or electrical shock.

5. Remove the water connection cover from the back freezer wall by inserting a flat blade screwdriver into each of the slots on the face of the cover and prying off. [Diagram shows a flat blade screwdriver being used to pry off the water connection cover.]
6. If present, locate tube inlet sticker on the back of the unit and remove. Cut through any tape under the sticker.
7. Insert the fill tube through the hole in the back of the unit with the spout facing down. [Diagram illustrates the fill tube being inserted into the rear opening of the unit.]
8. Install water line cover over the fill tube using two of the 5/8" screws provided in the kit. An electric screwdriver may be used. [Diagram shows the water line cover being attached over the fill tube with two screws.]

Mounting the Water Valve

NOTE: When using this kit to replace an existing ice maker or valve, the new valve and the new ice maker from this kit must both be used.

1. Remove valve cover screw (A) using 1/4" nut driver. Retain screw. Detach harness from the inner side of cover by removing the clip. Discard cover. [Diagram shows the valve cover screw and the harness connection.]
2. Remove 6-9 screws (B) from rear panel. Remove strain relief from slot (C). Remove panel. [Diagram shows rear panel screws and the strain relief clip.]
3. Locate the 2-pin water valve connector inside the machine compartment. Determine which of the two included water valves has the appropriate connection to mate with this connector. Discard the other water valve. [Diagram shows matching harness connector to valve.]
4. Insert top of valve chosen in step (3) through slot in rear panel, then rotate so the bracket is flat against the panel. [Diagram illustrates inserting the valve into the panel slot.]
5. Assure water valve bracket is placed into retainer tab (A) and secure to panel with screw (B) removed in step 1. [Diagram shows securing the water valve bracket to the panel.]
6. Slide water line guide into rear panel slot below valve, as shown in illustration. [Diagram illustrates water line guide installation.]
7. Insert water line from fill tube into water line guide opening. Loop tube under the bottom of rear panel and insert into water valve nozzle. NOTE: Make sure tube is fully inserted into valve, past the first marking on the tube. [Diagram shows inserting the water line into the guide and towards the valve nozzle.]
8. Pull excess water line tubing taut against the U-channel (A) in the water line guide. [Diagram shows the inside view of the rear panel with the U-channel for securing tubing.]

9. Snap plastic shield over water valve nozzle. [Diagram shows water valve shield installation.]
10. Plug connector from the refrigerator machine compartment into connector/terminals on the water valve.
11. Insert strain relief clip on power cord back into slot in rear panel and reinstall panel using 6-9 screws removed in step 2 (refer to illustration in step 2 for screw locations B and strain relief location C).
12. Secure excess water line tubing to cabinet with small plastic adhesive clip included in ice maker kit. Position clip (A) approximately halfway between fill tube and valve. [Diagram shows the placement of the adhesive clip.]

Mounting the Ice Maker

NOTE: When using this kit to replace an existing ice maker or valve, the new valve and the new ice maker from this kit must both be used.

1. Screw two 5/8" ice maker mounting screws into upper holes present in left wall of freezer section. Leave head out approximately 3/8" for the slot in the icemaker hanger to slip over the screws. Remove phillips screw (A) if present and discard. [Diagram shows screw locations with measurements.]
2. Determine which of the two provided jumper harnesses mates with the connector housing in the back of your freezer. A 5-pin housing requires the jumper with the matching 5-pin plug (A). A 4-pin housing requires the jumper with the matching 4-pin plug (B). [Diagram illustrates determining the proper jumper harness.]
3. Connect the jumper chosen in step 2 to the harness on the ice maker. Confirm the locking fingers snap into place. Route jumper over the guide (A) and through the wire clip (B) on the side of the ice maker.
4. Connect the other end of the jumper to the housing in the back of your freezer, making sure the locking fingers snap in place.
5. Slide ice maker hangers over screws. IMPORTANT: Make sure the top of each screw touches the bottom of the hanger on the ice maker (see illustration). This ensures the ice maker is oriented correctly. [Diagram shows mounting the ice maker on the top screws, highlighting the importance of screw contact with the hanger.]
6. Tighten down top mounting screws, making sure the hangers remain flush against the screws as the screws are tightened. Insert remaining mounting screw into bottom of ice maker and tighten. Note: The top front screw is slightly lower than the rear screw, so the ice maker should tilt slightly so that water flows from the fill cup. [Diagram shows keeping hangers against screws while tightening.]
7. Confirm water fill tube is aligned with the fill cup on the ice maker. If needed, loosen mounting screws to correct alignment of ice maker with fill tube, then repeat steps 5-6. [Diagram illustrates aligning the fill tube with the ice maker's fill cup.]

8. Route ice maker wire harness and jumper away from moving parts and fill tube. Confirm the bail arm can move freely between the lowered and horizontal positions. [Diagram shows incorrect harness position restricting the bail arm.]
9. Install air diverter by inserting 2 tabs into openings (A) in freezer air grille then snapping the clip into slot (B). [Diagram shows air diverter installation with tabs and clip.]
10. If your ice maker has an ON/OFF rocker switch, flip the switch to the OFF (O) position until water connection is complete. [Diagram illustrates turning the ice maker off using a rocker switch.]
11. If your ice maker does not have a rocker switch, raise wire shut-off arm to the OFF (up) position until water connection is complete. [Diagram illustrates turning the ice maker off using a shut-off arm.]

Connect the Water Supply

Read all directions before you begin.

IMPORTANT:

• Connect to potable water supply only.
• Do not use with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after the system. Systems certified for cyst reduction may be used on disinfected waters that may contain filterable cysts.
• Plumbing must be installed in accordance with the International Plumbing Code and any local codes and ordinances.
• Copper and PEX tubing connections from the household water line to the refrigerator are acceptable and will help avoid off-taste or odor in your ice or water. Check for leaks.
• If PEX tubing is used instead of copper, we recommend the following part numbers: W10505928RP (7 ft [2.14 m] jacketed PEX), 8212547RP (5 ft [1.52 m] PEX), or W10267701RP (25 ft [7.62 m] PEX).
• Install tubing only in areas where temperatures will remain above freezing.

Tools Needed:

Gather the required tools and parts before starting installation.

• Flat-blade screwdriver
• 7/16" and 1/2" open-end wrenches or 2 adjustable wrenches
• 1/4" nut driver

NOTE: Do not use a piercing-type or 3/16" (4.76 mm) saddle valve, which reduces water flow and clogs easier.

Connect to Water Line

IMPORTANT: If you have turned the refrigerator on before the water was connected, turn off the ice maker.

1. Unplug refrigerator or disconnect power.
2. Turn off main water supply. Turn on nearest faucet long enough to reduce water pressure in the water line.
3. Use a quarter-turn shut-off valve or the equivalent, served by a 1/2" household supply line.

NOTE: To allow sufficient water flow to the refrigerator, a minimum 1/2" (12.7 mm) size household supply line is recommended. [Diagram shows water supply connection points: Sleeve (A), Nut (B), Copper tubing (C), Household supply line (D).]

4. Now you are ready to connect the copper tubing to the shut-off valve. Use 1/4" (6.35 mm) O.D. (outside diameter) soft copper tubing to connect the shut-off valve and the refrigerator.
5. Ensure that you have the proper length needed for the job. Be sure both ends of the copper tubing are cut square.
6. Slip compression sleeve and compression nut onto copper tubing as shown. Insert end of tubing into outlet end squarely as far as it will go. Screw compression nut onto outlet end with adjustable wrench. Do not overtighten. [Diagram shows compression sleeve (A), compression nut (B), and copper tubing (C).]
7. Place the free end of the tubing into a container or sink and turn on main water supply to flush out tubing until water is clear. Turn off shut-off valve on the water pipe.

NOTE: Always drain the water line before making the final connection to the inlet of the water valve to avoid possible water valve malfunction.

Connecting the power/Leveling the unit

✋ Electrical Shock Hazard

Connect to a 3-prong grounded wall outlet. Do not remove the ground prong. Do not use an adapter. Do not use an extension cord. Failure to follow these instructions can result in death, fire, or electrical shock.

1. Plug the power cord into its AC outlet, and push the refrigerator back against the wall.
2. Place a level on top of the refrigerator cabinet. If you need to relevel, follow the procedure outlined in your refrigerator's User Guide. [Diagram shows copper tubing connection to the refrigerator valve, with labels A, B, C, D for tubing, P-clamp, compression nut, and compression sleeve.]

3. Open the water supply to the refrigerator and check for leaks. Correct any leaks.

Starting the Ice Maker

1. If freezer basket does not already have a Shut-Off Arm Lift, install the one included with the kit to the back of the basket. [Diagram shows installation of the shut-off arm lift.]
2. Reinstall the freezer baskets into the freezer compartment (if necessary, refer to your User Guide for the procedure).
3. Wash out the ice pan, then place in the upper basket, directly under the ice maker. Slide the pan as far back as it will go. [Diagram shows ice pan location.]
4. If ice maker has an ON/OFF switch, move the rocker switch to the ON (I) position. Close the freezer door. [Diagram illustrates turning the ice maker on with a rocker switch.]
5. If your ice maker does not have a rocker switch, lower wire shut-off arm to the ON (down) position and close the freezer door. [Diagram illustrates turning the ice maker on with a shut-off arm.]

NOTE: Usually it takes approximately 24 hours for the ice maker to begin producing ice. Once ice is available, you may notice that it has an "off-taste". If this happens, make two or three batches of ice and discard them. After that the "off-taste" should be gone. If you have any problem, refer to "Troubleshooting" section.

Troubleshooting

Operational Notes

1. The Ice Maker valve contains a flow washer that acts like a pressure regulator to control the water flow. For the Ice Maker to work properly, the water pressure in your home must be between 20 pounds per-square-inch (psi) and 120 pounds per-square-inch (psi). If you encounter problems with your Ice Maker's ability to produce ice, call your water utility company and have the water pressure checked.

Troubleshooting Chart

The following chart lists several common problems that could occur with your Ice Maker.