Kitchen Large Electric Appliances - GE Refrigerator/Freezer: No Water Flow at Ice Maker

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qwertmonkey
07-10-09, 11:52 AM
Hello all! I am new to this forum and would like to thank everyone involved in solving these problems.

I have a GE model GSS (side by side fridge/freezer) That will not make ice.

The fridge has always had a low water flow problem. Water would barely even drip out of the dispenser on the door. I made some adjustments and now it's better. It takes about 15-20 seconds to fill a high ball glass. Still, no ice. I also tried emptying and defrosting the freezer. I even hit the ice maker with the hair dryer for a few minutes. Still, no ice.

Heres what I've discovered. If I flip the power switch for the ice maker, water will flow for about 2 seconds, then stop. It will be a short burst, trickle, then stop. :madhell: This must be why I still have no ice. Why would this be happening?

Thanks in advance,
William

daddyjohn
07-10-09, 12:04 PM
You're saying that the fridge has always had a low water pressure problem, Does the entire house have low water pressure? How is the water supply for the fridge connected at the source? Did you use one of those clam pon piercing type saddle valves?
qwertmonkey
07-11-09, 08:04 AM
You're saying that the fridge has always had a low water pressure problem, Does the entire house have low water pressure? How is the water supply for the fridge connected at the source? Did you use one of those clam pon piercing type saddle valves?

I believe it is a saddle valve. It hooked up to the supply for the hot water heater.

I'm not entirely sure, but I don't think it's always had a pressure problem. My house certainly doesn't. The water pressure in my house is very high.

Thanks,
William

qwertmonkey
07-11-09, 08:12 AM
I believe it is a saddle valve. It hooked up to the supply for the hot water heater.

I'm not entirely sure, but I don't think it's always had a pressure problem. My house certainly doesn't. The water pressure in my house is very high.

Thanks,
William

Here are a few pictures I snapped of the valve.

Thanks again.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h268/qwertmonkey/Photo11.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h268/qwertmonkey/Photo12.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h268/qwertmonkey/Photo122.jpg
ray2047
07-11-09, 08:38 AM
Turn the saddle valve off. Disconnect the line and turn the saddle valve on. If no water comes out turn off water to line saddle valve is on. Remove the top nut under the saddle valve handle. Have a helper slowly turn on the water and see if water comes out through the top.
qwertmonkey
07-11-09, 11:23 AM
Turn the saddle valve off. Disconnect the line and turn the saddle valve on. If no water comes out turn off water to line saddle valve is on. Remove the top nut under the saddle valve handle. Have a helper slowly turn on the water and see if water comes out through the top.

I disconnected the line and opened the saddle valve. Water certainly didn't shoot out like I had imagined. It kind op sprayed. What I noticed that was strange to me was that the flow would vary up and down when I continued to turn it counter clockwise. It seems like a bad saddle valve? I didn't disconnect the saddle valve to test the supply because it's tapped into the supply for the hot water heaters and I've got plenty of hot water.

Thanks again,
William
ray2047
07-11-09, 12:25 PM
Probably a clogged saddle valve. Some times if you pull the valve stem as I suggested you can clear it. I wouldn't pull the valve off unless your prepared to replace it because sometimes they may not reseal to the pipe.

Depending on your skill level you may want to remove the saddle valve, install a tee and install a supply valve for ¼" tubing to the tee..
qwertmonkey
07-11-09, 04:25 PM
Probably a clogged saddle valve. Some times if you pull the valve stem as I suggested you can clear it. I wouldn't pull the valve off unless your prepared to replace it because sometimes they may not reseal to the pipe.

Depending on your skill level you may want to remove the saddle valve, install a tee and install a supply valve for ¼" tubing to the tee..

I reread your previous post and now understand what you mean by removing the valve stem. I'll do that before I decide to install a tee.

Ray, thank you very much for your expertise! It saved me a bunch of time, trouble, and $.

Thanks again,
William