Successful DIY Norcold 1200 Icemaker Replacement

[Bill Sprague]

The ice maker started leaking a while back.  The clue was large chunks of ice in the bin.  

This week it stopped making ice.  Usually defrosting would get it going.  This time, defrosting caused the motor to run continuously.

Lowe's stocks a replacement, branded Whirlpool Model ECKMF94.  http://www.lowes.com/pd_57773-46-ECKMF94_0__?productId=1093235&cm_mmc=search_google-_-Appliances_RTC-_-Whirlpool_ECKMF94-_-eckmf94.  The price is $100.

It is an exact replacement except for two parts that I swapped from the old unit.  There are only six screws and one electrical connection to change it out.

When I got it out, I could see the leak came from a corroded spot near the heating element.  The leak let water get to the electrical parts.  

I never tried to buy one from Norcold, so don't know the price difference.  Lowe's was too convenient.

It was an easy DIY job.

[John Hennessey]

Good Job!!!!!!! Now that we have installed a UV/filter system for water I might finally try the ice maker.

[Bill Sprague]

......... I might finally try the ice maker.

Are you replacing a broken one?  Or is it entirely new?

[John Hennessey]

So after installation of our UV water sanitation system I decided to tackle the ice maker.  Got a new in line filter, opened up the back panel, checked the water flow, electrical all checked out OK, then took the ice maker out as per the service manual instructions, took it through the room temp test cycle, and everything worked.  Put it back together, let it get back to freezing and no ice.  My wife who thinks anything can be fixed with knocking  it with her hand or other object then proceeds to take the handle of a knife and starts knocking on the thermostat.  Eureka!!! the thing starts working!!!

[Carol Moffett]

Bill,
   What, exactly, were the 2 parts that you swapped out from your old ice maker to your new ice maker?  I'm looking to do this change out myself as our ice maker is making huge icicles on either side and seriously hampering my ability to remove the food from the freezer!  lol!  I could use all the info I can get!
Thank you!
Carol

[Bill Sprague]

Bill,
   What, exactly, were the 2 parts that you swapped out from your old ice maker to your new ice maker?  I'm looking to do this change out myself as our ice maker is making huge icicles on either side and seriously hampering my ability to remove the food from the freezer!  lol!  I could use all the info I can get!
Thank you!
Carol

If you look at the icemaker from the front, there are plastic parts on the right that catch the water that pours out of the feed tube that comes through the back wall.  The new one from Lowes had different plastic parts there than the old one.  I thought about modifying the new one, but decided it would be more reliable to use the old plastic parts.  

It required a full disassembly of the new one to get where I could swap the parts.

All of the working mechanical parts were the same.  

If you don't use much ice and just want to turn off the water to the icemaker, there should be a valve for that.  Mine is near the water pump.

[Carol Moffett]

Thank you, Bill!  This should be interesting!  

[Bill Sprague]

The hardest part for me was getting it in and out of the confined space with my big hands.  The wires are short, but the plug from the Lowes model was an exact fit to the Norcold model.

[Carol Moffett]

Ha ha, yea it is a tight spot for sure!  I inspected mine today and discovered that the plastic is actually broken on on the right side.  Also, the hex head bolts holding it in are rusted to the point of no return and the one that actually looked ok fell right off as soon as I looked at it!  Gaaaar!  Contemplating removing it all together and hooking up a portable unit in the basement, as I don't think the old bolt holes will be usable after removal.  Choices...too many choices!
Thank you for your help!
Carol