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Kenmore is a popular appliance brand commonly sold by Sears, but Sears does not manufacture any of the appliances themselves. Instead, they source that out and have other manufacturers make their appliances for them. Kenmore refrigerators are made by a variety of different manufacturers including LG, Electrolux, GE, and Whirlpool.

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Kenmore Ice Maker M1 SA8868 won't eject ice, control arm doesn't move

I have a Kenmore Ice Maker M1 SA8868 in my freezer. It previously worked fine for years. I moved to a home without a water hookup, so I stopped using it. I just moved back to a home WITH a hookup, and now the ice maker work right.

It won't eject the cubes it makes, the control arm doesn't move (auto or manual), and manually initiated ejection [cycle] of ice stalls when ejectors hit the cubes, but they eject about an hour later. This likely means that the arm didn't move automatically earlier either (I can't sit and watch it all day). Then water refill not initiated every time.

I don't think anything is working automatically. Initial water fill was after manual turn of the dial to initiate first cycle. After 12 hours, no functions. I initiated manual cycle, ejectors got stuck on ice. An hour later the cubes finally ejected, but control arm didn't appear to move at any point. I cycled manually again, water finally refilled. Arm still apparently unmoving.

I have already replaced the Automatic Water Supply Valve (AWSV) that feeds the icemaker to solve a previous issue, and I tested with a known GOOD icemaker successfully. So I know the problems are within the existing icemaker.

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Freezer temp is 18-32 degrees on lowest setting and DOES make ice. Ejection cycle and refill is the issue. I have a replacement in-hand, but I would like to return it and keep the ~$50, if the original unit can be repaired for a reasonable amount.

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Pictures of the exact unit HERE on alternate thread when I replaced the AWSV:

Kenmore Ice Maker M1 SA8868 drips gallons of water into catch box?

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Icemaker Mold Thermostat

If the ice maker is not working the icemaker mold thermostat might be defective. Inside the control module of the ice maker is a thermostat which monitors the temperature of the ice mold (ice tray). Once the mold reaches the proper temperature the ice maker starts a harvest cycle by ejecting the ice cubes and refilling with water. If the mold thermostat is defective the ice maker doesn't advance. The thermostat can be checked for continuity. Replace it as needed.The freezer temp should be between 0-5 degrees for optimum performance.

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Thanks for the help. My model does NOT have the testing points/holes on the front end of the unit. I can disassemble it, but I won't know what/where to test. Any further suggestions, info or references would be appreciated.

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Block Image

1. end cover, and cover plate removed.

Block Image

2. close up of broken mount point (under/behind blue wire)

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3. inner broken-off arm removed, was completely free

Well, I removed the 3 large screws in the end face of the icemaker, under the cover.

As soon as I got it open, I could see the inner control arm, that operates the external arm, had it's base broken off of the housing. Since this part undergoes pressure from both motor and connected spring, I don't think I will have any luck repairing it (gluing plastic back into plastic), and I'm going to call this part of the repair a total bust, unless I hear recommendations to the contrary.

I don't know enough to say if fixing the arm would remedy the missing cycle initiation or not.

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My ice maker will not drop the ice cubes, there is always one stuck half way out, therefore, I don’t get anymore ice cubes until I dislodge the stuck one. Anyone know what I can do?

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scottbernardis will be eternally grateful.
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