Turn off Maytag dispenser unit?

[itm]

We have a Maytag side-by-side and are having problems with the dispenser unit – originally it stopped working altogether. Now the light is flashing erratically (but it still dispenses nothing). The other night it did something much worse – we woke up to a flooded kitchen. The dispenser tray was very wet, so it looks as if it spontaneously ejected a massive amount of ice or water. We have now turned off the water supply, but I was wondering if it was possible to switch off all of the dispenser outlets while retaining the ice-making capability?

[kwatt]

Re: Turn off Maytag dispenser unit?

I wouldn’t think so, no. Or at least, not easily.

There are usually two inlet valves that will open to give you ice and water, one for use, one for water. It’s a double inlet valve just one solenoid for each.

Both are controlled by a bunch of electronics or, on older fridge freezers, by timers, switches and thermostats.

Anything in that chain could be the problem.

If I had access to Maytag technical info and if I knew the model number, you could probably pull a connector on the valve to disable one or the other. But, if it’s an electronic controlled dispenser then it may well be extremely unhappy with that solution and throw its teddies out the pram.

K.

[itm]

Re: Turn off Maytag dispenser unit?

It looks like others have had this delightful random flooding problem with Maytags:
http://www.electronicsweekly.com/made-by-monkeys/electricalelectronics/switch-failure-in-maytag-fridg-2007-07/

I’m getting quoted pretty steep call-out charges (c£60) just to take a look and quote for a repair, but actually I just want to disable the water and ice DISPENSER panel altogether as the consequences of this failing and spewing out water/ice again are quite scary. I want to retain the ice CREATION facility however. I’m hoping that there’s some sort of switch in the apparatus in the door that can do this. Does anyone know (a) how best to remove/get at the dispenser apparatus in the door and (b) whether there’s a switch which can disable all of the dispensing outlets?

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