DOMETIC REFRIGERATOR OWNERS WITH ICE MAKERS - WARNING
PROBLEM:
There has been a high incidence of ice maker water supply line failures causing a water leak from the rear of the refrigerator compartment when the icemaker is filling.
CAUSE:
Pre-mature failure of the vinyl water line from the ice maker valve to the ice maker itself. The majority of lines replaced show evidence that the line was overheated by the LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURE heat wire being improperly used.
RESOLVE:
The LOW AMBIENT TEMPERATURE switch should only be turned on when outside temperatures are expected to drop below freezing.
DISCUSSION:
In order to prevent ice maker water valve and line freezing, Dometic usually equips refrigerators with ice makers with a switch labeled LOW AMBIENT TEMP. This switch is usually located under the eyebrow panel below the temperature control selector and is only visible with the refrigerator door open. On some side by side models, the switch is located in the lower left freezer compartment and is visible with the door open. Some newer models are equipped with an automatic thermostat for this function and do not have this switch. In any case, please refer to your refrigerators owners manual for further information.
This system uses an electrical resistance wire which is activated by the switch. This wire is wrapped in foil tape around the ice maker fill valve and can be seen from the rear of the refrigerator by following the water supply line to the ice maker valve. You should make sure that the foil tape is securely attached to the ice maker valve. From the valve, the wire travels up the back of the refrigerator in a vinyl tube which encases the water line and the resistance wire in contact with each other to the icemaker. When the switch is activated, a small amount of electrical current flows through this wire causing it to get warm therefore protecting the water in the ice maker valve and fill line from freezing.
When the LOW AMBIENT TEMP switch is activated improperly with normal to moderate ambient temperatures, the resistance wire heats and causes the fill line to age prematurely and become hard and brittle and eventually causes it to crack or break thereby creating a water leak during the fill cycle. The repair for this condition requires replacement of the fill hose from the valve to the ice maker. In some cases, this can be done by accessing the upper termination from the roof refrigerator vent. In other cases, partial removal of the refrigerator may be required to access and replace this line. Some rare cases require complete removal of the refrigerator from the cabinet to complete the repair.
Some refrigerator models may also be equipped with a CLIMATE CONTROL switch. This switch has a different function and is not associated with the ice maker fill line failure. Its purpose is to reduce moisture (condensation) build up on the front frame of the refrigerator in high humidity conditions.
