KUIC18PNTS1 KitchenAid Ice Maker - Instructions

my sensor was stuck because of age, so I had to remove the water bucket to pry it out. It is easy to see what you have to remove to get to it. I used the mirror and rachet, extensions, 1/4 socket to remove screws. Tips - Remove the plastic door-inner to help working inside the bin. Also plug the drain because you will drop screws. Magnet sockets don't work on stainless steel. Later I found it is much easier to work inside the bin by pulling the entire unit out (shut off water and power, remove lower panel and disconnect drain tube). It sounds hard, but actually is easy. REMOVE THE TOP (4 screws). it stays connected because of wiring, but it allows full access and makes all kinds of repairs easy, especially pump replacement and even the circuit board behind the front panel buttons if you ever get to that point.

BTW Partselect is awesome, I have used a number of times for ice maker and dishwasher. My next project is the washing machine! Always the right part shipped very quickly.

The pump was making noise, so I decided to replace both pumps. I had to remove the water bucket to get to the pumps which are easy to change out once there. It is easy to see what you have to remove to get to it. I used the mirror and rachet, extensions, 1/4 socket to remove screws. Tips - Remove the plastic door-inner to help working inside the bin. Also plug the drain because you will drop screws. Magnet sockets don't work on stainless steel. Later I found it is much easier to work inside the bin by pulling the entire unit out (shut off water and power, remove lower panel and disconnect drain tube). It sounds hard, but actually is easy. REMOVE THE TOP (4 screws). it stays connected because of wiring, but it allows full access and makes all kinds of repairs easy, especially pump replacement and even the circuit board behind the front panel buttons if you ever get to that point.

The pumps weren't the problem. The water bucket was only parially filling causing the pump to make noise. The problem was the WATER INLET VALVE. It is super easy to replace. Just remove the lower panel, and the valve is right there. Shut off power and water. To disconnect the hoses you PULL on the little fittings attached to the valve and then pull out the hoses. Took me 15 minutes.

BTW Partselect is awesome, I have used a number of times for ice maker and dishwasher. My next project is the washing machine! Always the right part shipped very quickly.

un screwed the hex screw holding the thermostat and installed the new thermostat and pluged the new part int its place. I undid the front shield so i could get to the plug.

I completely broke down the unit cleaning or replacing any part with rust. The replacement grid assembly (cutter) came from partselect within days of ordering. I was able reassemble the unit with the new grid assemble. Now have fresh ice. Thanks Partselect... you made this do-it-your-selfer very HAPPY! My wife cannot beleive I got the unit back together.

I thought the water bucket wasn't holding water because the icemaker continually was running - however, the crack didn't go through. The real issue was the Thermostat.

You've got to be able to sit or kneel and fit both arms in the unit for a while, so if you've got patience and ability, you can do it. If you have a battery operated screw driver with a nut and 6 star nut remover, this goes quicker.
Do not throw your old plug away, it doesn't come with a new one.

The hard part was getting the black thing (that attaches to the icebucket) back on. I had to go to Lowes and get a gasket and silicone grease to replace the one on it. I thought this was the reason it wouldn't go back on, because the gasket wouldn't fully fit back into the white hole.
I measured the diameter of that hole compared to the old one. It was slightly smaller and was not as smooth as my old one (it had manufacturing form lines and excess plastic that hadn't been removed)
I Dremeled it to increase the diameter, especially where the gasket was buckling out when trying to fit it on.
I finally got the black part back on.

I found later that it was cheaper somewhere else, however shipping charges are less and most parts are next day delivery.
I just ordered the thermostat. Wish me luck!

Removed and replaced sensor

Just install the new valve by reversing the process of removing the old valve. Only possible nance is with the quick release hose fittings - the collar is pushed down to release the hose. Also, be sure to FULLY reinsert the hose in the new valve. Best to twist the hose a bit when inserting so it goes through the o-ring inside the valve. If not fully inserted, it will leak.

Removed broke wire and replaced new wire. Use gloves to pull the wire tight. That's very important.

stopped the fan and noise stopped ordered fan motor and fan with interface cable. Using 1/4 inch nut driver to remove screws from motor bracket installed new motor and runs like new.

The real difficulty is removing the screws. Even with a nut driver the space available makes them difficult to remove. I went to the hardware store and replaced the screws with screwdriver slots for re-installation.

I suggest following video supplied with order confirmation perfect fit

I took out old grid and removed the top broken wire. I attached the end of new wire to the terminal screw and carefully threaded the new wire back and forth without kinks. I was not able to get wire as tight as it was originally, but able to get it tight enough with pliers. I attached the other end to the opposite terminal screw. I had plenty of wire for the job and cut off the excess. I re-installed the grid and had ice the following morning. Feeling good about myself and saved a lot of money.

Found fault with recirculating pump. Found hot spot on pump circuit board . Replaced pump

I was anticipating that the fan would be facing the back of the refrigerator. It actually was perpendicular to the back. There was some difficulty removing the bolts of the fan. I persevered and was victorious.

Unplugged the fridge first then took the bottom panel off with a 1/4 inch nut driver. Disconnected the wiring & used my ratchet to reach the 3 screws that held the motor. Took me longer to clean the bottom of the fridge then the installation.