I have moderate to good mechanical skills, but getting the old switch out was a sizeable challenge. Since this switch suffered some damage during extraction, I was lucky to have ordered a new one to replace it. Reinstall took approximately 90 seconds. PartSelect saved me an expensive service call.
Closed valve to water supply line; Removed contents of top shelf. Removed top shelf by sliding it out. Unscrewed old water filter and screwed in new filter. Replaced to shelf and contents in reverse order. Opened water supply line.
Replacing the middle door shelf on the refrigerator door
Extremely easy. Open the refrigerator door, remove all food items from the damaged door shelf and set them aside. Remove the divider by prying the back curved grip from the back wall of the shelf. Bump the bottom of the shelf with your hand in an upward motion until the shelf is dislodged from its mounting points. Remove the damaged door shelf and install the replacement shell by aligning the door mounting points with the groves built into the door shelf and press downward until the shelf is locked into place. Replace the divider and all the food items removed. Shut the door and you're done
Covered the sidewall with tape to protect. Pried the switch out with knife blade and removed electric plug with needle nose pliers. placed plug in new switch and pushed switch into the hole in the side wall. Took about five minutes.
The 2 minute or so video was not exactly matching the model that we had but the instructions were very good and important. The switch was a little difficult to get out from the side of the refrigerator.
Replace with new switch. this is the third switch i have replaced in 10 years. the only part, besides a light bulb, that has gone bad. obviously this is a problem with this model for Kenmore, or just poor switch design.
Door switch would not turn on interior refrigerator light.
I had previously watched a YouTube video (do this first!!) on a similar Kenmore model so I knew what to look out for: (1) turned off power, (2) took thin putty knife to slip under outer lip of switch (most screwdrivers are too thick), (3) wiggled switch at front end to release the tab, (4) unplugged from the socket, (5) plugged in new switch, (6) popped new switch back into door, (7) turned on power. Voila !! Super easy. I couldn't believe it.
1. Unplug the refrigerator (to avoid shock) 2. With one screwdriver pry open the switch on the side facing the door to a gap of about 1/8 inch 3. Insert a second screwdriver into the gap to press the plastic tab back slightly and this should release the part. 4. pull the part out and unplug it, you may have to pry back some small tabs on the sides, 5. Plug in the new switch 6. plug in the refrigerator the light should come on, if not tighten the connection 7. Insert new switch back into its slot, it should snap in place. Done!
Read previous tips Taped off area around switch to protect surface Used putty knife to extract switch Used screwdriver to separate connector from switch Plugged in connector Pushed switch assembly into opening Removed tape
The switch became intermittent - Possibly a poor designe
Used a small screw driver inserted into the front of the switch (facing the front) and pried until the switch was coming out. When out, I removed the connect harness and replace the switch with a new one.