Fix Your Stuff Community Store

Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the auger motor in an older Whirlpool side‑by‑side refrigerator. The procedure involves disconnecting the motor assembly, removing the drive blade, and detaching the motor from the assembly.

The auger motor drives the ice auger in the ice bucket to dispense ice through the door.

If the auger motor fails the refrigerator will not dispense ice, either cubed or crushed.

This guide is based on a Whirlpool Model ED5FTGXKQ02 Refrigerator.

What you need

  1. Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Safety precautions: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Before you begin your repair, perform the following:

    • Turn off your main water supply (if connected)

    • Unplug your device

    Edit

  2. Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Open the freezer door: step 2, image 1 of 1

    • Pull the handle of the freezer door towards you to open it.

    Edit

  3. Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Open the refrigerator door: step 3, image 1 of 1

    • Pull the handle of the refrigerator door towards you to open it.

    Edit

  4. Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Lift the ice maker flap: step 4, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Lift the ice maker flap: step 4, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Lift the ice maker flap: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Lift the ice maker flap.

    • Slide the ice maker flap into its slot.

    Edit

  5. Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Remove the ice bucket: step 5, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Remove the ice bucket: step 5, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Remove the ice bucket: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Llift the ice bucket slightly and pull it towards you to remove it.

    Edit

  7. Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Remove the auger motor assembly screws: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Use a nut driver to remove the screws securing the auger motor assembly.

    • For ease of photographing the process, the ice maker has been removed. This is not necessary to complete this guide.

    Edit

  8. Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Move the auger motor assembly: step 7, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Move the auger motor assembly: step 7, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Move the auger motor assembly: step 7, image 3 of 3

    • Move the auger assembly outward and lower it to rest on the shelf below.

    Edit

  9. Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Disconnect the auger motor assembly connector: step 8, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Disconnect the auger motor assembly connector: step 8, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Disconnect the auger motor assembly connector: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • The auger motor assembly connector is secured by a tab at its lower edge.

    • Use your fingers, a spudger, or a small flathead screwdriver to pry and release the tab on the connector.

    • Pull the auger motor assembly connector straight out to disconnect it.

    Edit

  10. Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Remove the auger motor assembly: step 9, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Remove the auger motor assembly: step 9, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the auger motor assembly from the freezer.

    Edit

  11. Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Disconnect the auger motor: step 10, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Disconnect the auger motor: step 10, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Disconnect the auger motor: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the spade connectors on the auger motor to disconnect them.

    Edit

  12. Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement: step 11, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • Use long nose pliers to pull and disconnect the ground connector on the auger motor.

    Edit

  13. Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Remove the drive blade: step 12, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Remove the drive blade: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • The auger motor drive blade is removed by turning it clockwise.

    • Use a hammer to tap the blade clockwise to break it free.

    Edit

  14. Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement: step 13, image 3 of 3

    • Turn the blade clockwise and remove it.

    Edit

  15. Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Remove the auger motor from the assembly: step 14, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Older Model Side‑By‑Side Refrigerator Auger Motor Replacement, Remove the auger motor from the assembly: step 14, image 2 of 2

    • Use a nut driver to remove the screws securing the auger motor to the auger motor assembly.

    • Remove the auger motor from the auger motor assembly.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Repair didn’t go as planned? Ask our Answers community for help.

Take your e-waste to an R2 or e-Stewards certified recycler.

Author

with 2 other contributors

Bill Gilbert

Member since: 06/30/22

29,938 Reputation

213 Guides authored

Badges: 27

+24 more badges

Team

iFixit Member of iFixit

Staff

136 Members

17,298 Guides authored

0 Comments

Add Comment

View Statistics:

Past 24 Hours: 0

Past 7 Days: 1

Past 30 Days: 12

All Time: 108