Whirlpool W11518245 Modular Ice Maker Kit W11518245 Modular Ice Maker Kit Instruction Manual

Whirlpool W11518245 Modular Ice Maker Kit W11518245 Modular Ice Maker Kit

Important Information

The following information is used throughout this installation Guide. Read it thoroughly so you are familiar with it.

Your safety and the safety of others are very important.

We have provided many important safety messages in this manual and on your appliance. Always read and obey all safety messages.
This is the safety alert symbol.
This symbol alerts you to potential hazards that can kill or hurt you and others.
All safety messages will follow the safety alert symbol and either the word “DANGER” or “WARNING.” These words mean:

DANGER: You can be killed or seriously injured if you don’t immediately follow instructions.

WARNING: You can be killed or seriously injured if you don’t follow instructions.

All safety messages will tell you what the potential hazard is, tell you how to reduce the chance of injury, and tell you what can happen if the instructions are not followed.

• This Installation Guide gives you complete instructions on how to install the Ice Maker Kit in your refrigerator-freezer and connect a water line to it. Please read the guide and follow the instructions exactly as described. Also, make sure that you observe all of the “safety” instructions.
• IMPORTANT: A qualified service technician must install the water line and ice maker.
• Before you start to install your Ice Maker Kit, you will have to purchase a copper tubing kit that contains a “Regular Valve and Clamp Assembly” (for refrigerators with an automatic ice maker, or self-filling trays). The kit contains all of the hardware necessary to connect your ice maker to the water supply. You can purchase one at most hardware or plumbing supply stores.

NOTE: Do not use piercing-type or 3/16″ shut-off valves. They reduce the flow of water to the ice maker and are easily clogged. Do not use polyethylene tubing to connect the ice maker to the water line. Use only 1/4″ (O.D.) copper tubing.
CUSTOMER INSTALLATION IS NOT WARRANTED BY THE REFRIGERATOR OR ICE MAKER MANUFACTURER.

Before You Begin

Tools
Gather required tools and parts before starting installation. Read and follow the instructions provided with any tools listed here.

1. Regular screwdriver
2. Phillips screwdriver
3. 7/16″ and 1/2″ open-end wrenches (or an adjustable wrench)
4. Pliers
5. 1/4″ nut driver
6. Small hand level (optional)
7. Ruler

Components

Remove the contents from the shipping carton and set them on a table where they can be easily identified and located. Check all of the components in the kit against the following list to help you become familiar with them. When you identify a component, place a check mark ( ✔ )after it. The KEY numbers correspond to the “Component Illustrations.”
Do not discard any of the packing material until you account for all of the components.

Installation notes

1. Follow the instructions thoroughly. Read through the entire step so that you understand it before you perform it.
2. The illustrations in this Installation Guide are meant to clarify the installation steps you need to perform. For each set of steps shown, refer to the diagram immediately beside or below the text for clarification. Some illustrations also contain “DETAILS.” DETAILS are contained in bubbles alongside the larger illustration. A DETAIL shows a close-up illustration of a certain portion of a diagram or an illustration of a specific step you are to perform. DETAILS are labeled A, B, or C and are clearly referenced in each step.
3. When you are instructed to install a part, position the part as shown in the illustration.

Component Illustrations

Installing the Ice Maker

Making preparations
Refer to the illustration below for the following steps.

1. Pull the refrigerator away from the wall so that you can easily access the rear panel.
   IMPORTANT: Make sure to protect the floor from any damage.
   WARNING: Electrical Shock Hazard
   Disconnect power before installing the ice maker.
   Failure to do so can result in death or electrical shock.

2. Unplug the Refrigerator or disconnect the power.

3. Open the freezer door and remove all of the food items from inside the freezer compartment.

4. On top-mount models without a full-width freezer shelf, remove the ice tray shelf. Place the shelf aside, as you will use it later to support the ice bucket.
   NOTE: The work area for the refrigerator-freezer is shown in DETAIL A below.

5. Remove the screw from the ice maker connector & tube cover. Retain this screw for ice maker installation. Remove cover.

6. Insert the end of a small-bladed screwdriver under the edge of the ice maker mounting hole plug in the side of the freezer liner, and pry it out of its hole. You can discard the plug.
   NOTE: Verify the shoulder screws are in position.

7. Take the two jumper harnesses included in the kit and determine which one can connect to the connector in the rear wall of the freezer compartment. Discard the other jumper.
   Mounting the ice maker

8. Connect the compatible jumper harness to the ice maker wiring harness. Route the wires over the guide and through the wire clip on the ice maker.

9. Position the ice maker inside the freezer compartment and connect its wiring connector to the freezer compartment connector so they lock together (the locking arm will snap over the raised tab). The connectors will fit together only one way.

10. Hang the ice maker from the tabs on the shoulder screws. Make sure that the bracket mounting hole is aligned with the mounting hole in the freezer liner.
    NOTE: Guide fill tube through hole in fill cup.

11. Mount the ice maker to the freezer liner mounting hole with the 1/2″ hex-head sheet-metal screw removed from the ice maker connector & tube cover.

Connecting the Water Supply

Read all directions before you begin.

IMPORTANT:

• Connect to potable water supply only.
  Do not use with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after the system. Systems certified for cyst reduction may be used on disinfected waters that may contain filterable cysts.

• Plumbing must be installed in accordance with the International Plumbing Code and any local codes and ordinances.

• Copper and PEX tubing connections from the household water line to the refrigerator are acceptable and will help avoid off-taste or odor in your ice or water. Check for leaks.

• If PEX tubing is used instead of copper, we recommend the following part numbers: W10505928RP (7 ft [2.14 m] jacketed PEX), 8212547RP (5 ft [1.52 m] PEX), or W10267701RP (25 ft [7.62 m] PEX).

• Install tubing only in areas where temperatures will remain above freezing.
  Tools Needed:
  Gather the required tools and parts before starting installation.

• Flat-blade screwdriver

• 7/16″ and 1/2″ open-end wrenches or 2 adjustable wrenches

• 1/4″ nut driver
  NOTE: Do not use a piercing-type or 3/16″ (4.76 mm) saddle valve, which reduces water flow and clogs easier.

Connect to Water Line
IMPORTANT: If you have turned the refrigerator on before the water was connected, turn off the ice maker.

1. Unplug refrigerator or disconnect power.

2. Turn off main water supply. Turn on nearest faucet long enough to reduce water pressure in the water line.

3. Use a quarter-turn shut-off valve or the equivalent, served by a 1/2″ household supply line.
   NOTE: To allow sufficient water flow to the refrigerator, a minimum 1/2″ (12.7 mm) size household supply line is recommended.
   A. Sleeve
   B. Nut
   C. Copper tubing (to refrigerator)
   D. Household supply line (1/2″ minimum)

4. Now you are ready to connect the copper tubing to the shut-off valve. Use 1/4″ (6.35 mm) O.D. (outside diameter) soft copper tubing to connect the shut-off valve and the refrigerator.

5. Ensure that you have the proper length needed for the job. Be sure both ends of the copper tubing are cut square.

6. Slip compression sleeve and compression nut onto copper tubing as shown. Insert end of tubing into outlet end squarely as far as it will go. Screw compression nut onto outlet end with adjustable wrench. Do not overtighten.
   A. Compression sleeve
   B. Compression nut
   C. Copper tubing

7. Place the free end of the tubing into a container or sink and turn on main water supply to flush out tubing until water is clear. Turn off shut-off valve on the water pipe.
   Note: Always drain the water line before making the final connection to the inlet of the water valve to avoid possible
   water valve malfunction.

8. Bend the copper tubing to meet the water line inlet, located on the back of the refrigerator cabinet as shown. Leave a coil of copper tubing to allow the refrigerator to be pulled out of the cabinet or away from the wall for service.

Connect to Refrigerator
Follow the connection instructions specific to your model.

1. Remove the plastic cap from water valve inlet port. Attach the copper tubing to the valve inlet using a compression nut and sleeve as shown. Tighten the compression nut. Do not over tighten. Confirm copper tubing is secure by pulling on copper tubing.

2. Create a service loop with the copper tubing. Avoid kinks when coiling the copper tubing. Secure copper tubing to the rear panel with a “P” clamp, using the original screw in the panel slot above the valve.
   A. Copper tubing
   B. “P” clamp
   C. Compression nut
   D. Compression sleeve

3. Turn on water supply to refrigerator and check for leaks.
   Correct any leaks.

Final Installation

Forming the copper tubing

1. Loop the copper tubing coming from the water valve as shown. Position the coiled copper tubing near the center of the unit so that it forms an “accordion-fold” (as shown in the diagram below) when it is moved to and from the wall.

Connecting the power/Leveling the unit

WARNING

Electrical Shock Hazard

• Plug into a grounded 3 prong outlet.
• Do not remove ground prong.
• Do not use an adapter.
• Do not use an extension cord.
• Failure to follow these instructions can result in death, fire, or electrical shock.

1. Plug the power cord into its AC outlet, and gently push the refrigerator back against the wall.
2. Place a level on top of the cabinet. If you need to re-level the refrigerator, follow the procedure to adjust the front casters, as outlined in your refrigerator’s “User Guide.”
3. Check the position of the ice maker. If it is crooked and needs to be adjusted, loosen the bottom mounting screw and position the ice maker as desired, then tighten the screw.

Starting the Ice Maker

1. IMPORTANT: Make sure freezer lights are on and freezer door switch remains open when performing this step. Manually rotate ejector fingers 60 degrees towards a vertical orientation. To avoid damaging ice maker, ejector fingers should only be rotated in a clockwise direction (see illustration).

2. Wash out the ice bucket, and then slide it under the ice maker (see illustration) as far as it will go. The ice bucket will be sitting on top of the freezer shelf.
   IMPORTANT: On top-mount models without a full-width freezer shelf, you will need to place the ice bucket on top of the inverted ice tray shelf. First, position the ice tray shelf face down so that the shorter side is alongside the freezer wall (see DETAIL A). Then insert the tabs on the shorter side of the shelf into the slots on the edge of the freezer floor. This will hold the shelf in position. Next, place the ice bucket on top of the inverted ice tray shelf and slide it under the ice maker (see illustration). The ice maker will not function properly if the ice bucket is placed directly on the freezer floor.

3. Place the items back into the freezer compartment.

4. Lower the arm on the ice maker (see illustration) to its “on” position, and close the freezer door. The ice maker will begin to make ice within 24 hours.
   NOTE: It usually takes approximately 24 hours for the ice maker to begin producing ice. Once ice is available, you may notice that it has an “off taste.” If this happens, make two or three batches of ice and discard them. After that, the “off-taste” should be gone. If you have any problems, refer to
   “Troubleshooting” section.
   This completes the installation of your Ice Maker.

Troubleshooting

Operational notes

1. The Ice Maker water valve contains a flow washer that acts like a pressure regulator to control the water flow. For the Ice Maker to work properly, the water pressure in your home must be between 20 and 120 pounds per square inch (psi). If you encounter problems with your Ice Maker’s ability to produce ice, call your water utility company and have the water pressure checked.
2. The Ice Maker’s water valve is equipped with two strainers: a plastic basket type and a wire-mesh screen. Both of these can be cleaned by turning off the water and disassembling the water valve (your service center should be able to provide this service). If local water conditions require periodic cleaning, or if you use a well as a water source, you should consider installing a second water strainer in the water line. You can obtain a water strainer from your local appliance dealer.

Troubleshooting chart

The following chart lists several common problems that could occur with your Ice Maker.

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