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Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement

Introduction

Use this guide to replace the dispenser solenoid in your Whirlpool Refrigerator.

The dispenser solenoid controls, or actuates, water dispensing. If you're refrigerator won't dispense water properly, then the dispenser solenoid might be broken.

This guide will work for most Whirlpool refrigerators. This guide is written with a model WRS315SDHW refrigerator. If you have a different model, you may encounter some minor disassembly differences, but the overall repair process will be the same.

Note: Some photos show the doors removed for clarity purposes. Removing them is not required and will not change the procedure.

What you need

  1. Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Safety precautions: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Before you begin your repair, perform the following:

    • Turn off your main water supply

    • Unplug your device

    Edit

  2. Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Open the doors: step 2, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Open the doors: step 2, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Open the doors: step 2, image 3 of 3

    • Depending on your repair, open one or both doors.

    Edit

  3. Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Remove the icemaker tray: step 3, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Remove the icemaker tray: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Pull the icemaker tray completely out of its slot in the chassis.

    Edit

  4. Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Unfasten the icemaker assembly: step 4, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Unfasten the icemaker assembly: step 4, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the screw(s) securing the icemaker assembly.

    • The second photo shows the potential screw locations in a removed icemaker assembly.

    Edit

  5. Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Reposition the icemaker assembly: step 5, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Reposition the icemaker assembly: step 5, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Reposition the icemaker assembly: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the icemaker assembly off its slot in the chassis.

    • Let the assembly hang to access its connectors.

    Edit

  6. Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Disconnect the icemaker assembly: step 6, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Disconnect the icemaker assembly: step 6, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Disconnect the icemaker assembly: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Disconnect any connectors attached to the icemaker assembly.

    Edit

  8. Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Remove the icemaker assembly: step 7, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the icemaker assembly.

    Edit

  9. Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Unfasten the icemaker auger assembly: step 8, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the screw(s) securing the icemaker auger assembly.

    Edit

  10. Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Reposition the icemaker auger assembly: step 9, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Reposition the icemaker auger assembly: step 9, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Reposition the icemaker auger assembly: step 9, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the icemaker auger assembly off of its slot in the chassis.

    • Let the assembly hang to access its connectors.

    Edit

  11. Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Disconnect the icemaker auger assembly: step 10, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Disconnect the icemaker auger assembly: step 10, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Disconnect the icemaker auger assembly: step 10, image 3 of 3

    • Disconnect any connectors attached to the icemaker auger assembly.

    Edit

  12. Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Remove the icemaker auger assembly: step 11, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the icemaker auger assembly.

    Edit

  13. Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Remove the dispenser: step 12, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Remove the dispenser: step 12, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Remove the dispenser: step 12, image 3 of 3

    • Slide the dispenser head out of its slot in the icemaker auger assembly.

    Edit

  14. Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement: step 13, image 1 of 2 Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • Remove the dispenser head out of its metal solenoid cube.

    Edit

  15. Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Remove the tape: step 14, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Remove the tape: step 14, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Remove the tape: step 14, image 3 of 3

    • Peel the tape off the solenoid connector.

    • Set the tape aside. You'll reuse it during reassembly.

    Edit

  16. Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Disconnect the solenoid: step 15, image 1 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Disconnect the solenoid: step 15, image 2 of 3 Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Disconnect the solenoid: step 15, image 3 of 3

    • Disconnect the connector attached to the solenoid.

    Edit

  17. Whirlpool Refrigerator Dispenser Solenoid Replacement, Meter the solenoid: step 16, image 1 of 1

    • If you own a multimeter, you can test your solenoid's resistance.

    • A range between 10-500Ω is acceptable. Check your fridge solenoid specs sheet for more details. The pictured solenoid measured at 33.9Ω.

    Edit
Conclusion

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

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

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

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