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FFHS2311LBSA side-by-side fridge with water dispenser. Water is not dispensed, and no ice is produced. Common wisdom says the water valve assembly (3 valves, 3 solenoids) is the most likely culprit but I measure ~400 ohms across each coil. In addition, when the water dispenser paddle is depressed, I get 120V across one of the solenoids.

I assume the water runs from the main valve to the filter, then back to the valve assembly, where either the dispenser or icemaker pulls a solenoid to deliver water. This would mean that the main solenoid would have to energize AND also one of the other valves to deliver water. I never see 120v across the main solenoid (when I depress the dispenser paddle).

I could replace the water valve assembly as a shotgun guess but my gut is telling me it's something else. If I'm right about how the valves work, how does the water dispenser send 120V to both the main and the dispenser solenoids? And why would it send 120v to only one of them?

thanks for any help!

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  • Follow up question: Anyone know where I can get a READABLE wiring diagram for this? Looks like the icemaker and dispenser trigger wires both go to one side of the main valve through diodes...? Looks like there is an 'Ice & water control board' but it's so hard to read this low-res JPG! Where would the I&W control board be located?
    – buzzard51
    Sep 26, 2018 at 22:29
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    Before you dig too deep, measure the fridge temperature. I had a similar issue it was a bad thermostat that caused the water line to freeze.
    – mikes
    Sep 26, 2018 at 22:44
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    Are you sure the filter isn't clogged?
    – mike65535
    Sep 26, 2018 at 23:08
  • Is this a model with a filter? I have had trouble with the valve not opening with even name brand filters Finnaly made a shim out of poly propylene and never had any more problems, I was going after electrical because of the intermittent problems more not working than working since getting the shim the right size it has worked for close to a year. (The first 2 times it was under warranty my wife said she did not know what he did, maybe cycle the valves I don't know but it was inside the fridge)
    – Ed Beal
    Sep 26, 2018 at 23:11
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    Is the output of the water (that flows into the ice maker) blocked with ice? A slow flowing source (blocked line, filter etc) will dribble water into the ice maker slowly enough that it can ice up. (This might depend on your specific fridge's design)
    – mike65535
    Sep 26, 2018 at 23:22

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I wanted to close this out: turns out the problem was the filter, presumably clogged (over two years old). Thanks to @mike65535, who hit the nail on the head right off the bat. Did not try this first because I did not have a spare filter on hand...

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