Water Dispenser Actuator

I essentially followed the tips from all of the others that did these repairs and took the best from each. For the actuator, it helped to remove the frame of the dispensor from the circuit board that had the ribbon cable attached to it. This way, I could let it dangle loose without the weight of the frame while I replaced the actuator. I did not have the option of a helper to hold the unit while I worked on it. Also, one of the tips about feeding the water line up thru the bottom of the freezer door for slack was very good. I did not need to remove the water line from the dispensing spout which some readers found it difficult to replace if removed. Instead of chewing gum, I had a telescoping magnetic pick up tool that I used to hold the screws and the bracket in place while I fastened the new actuator....but in a pinch, chewing gum will work also. Lastly, the tip about breaking the little positioning hub on the left side of the actuator mouning area was good. If you do not use a needle nose to break this little bump it becomes very difficult to maneuver the new piece into position without breaking the new one.

For the water valve, it was just remove the old. Disconnect the water lines (of course with the water shut off and the refrig unplugged), remove the electrical connnectors and install the new one reversing the removal steps. The water connections are the newer slip on type, so you just need to follow the directions that came with the part and cut off the compression fitting ends of the tube and slip them in.

PartSelect .com is great and their website with the hints and tips is fantastic.

Just as mentioned in other messages, unplug unit, then the front panel is removed via screws on the bottom of the front facing and slid up and out. While the panel was held in place by another set of hands (due to a ribbon cable), the three screws of the inside panel were removed to gain access to the ice and water lever housings. Playing with these carefully as they are attached by wires and the water supply hose the actuator lever can be removed (loosen the two small screws holding the pivots in place) and the new paddle weaseled into place so no additional disassembly has to be done. Note the spring attachment to the side-lever of the actuator too...and easy step.
Reverse disassembly and plug unit back in...good as new.

had to take off the dispenser asembly . removed the little pan that holds excess water which exposed the 3 screws. had to lift up on the outer ring to removethe cover then take out 3 more screws then unhook a wire harness to pull the bracket that holds water dispenser and then replace the part and put back together

e.g. First I removed the two screws that hold the element in place. I then pulled the element out about 3 inches and disconnected the two wires. lay on table. removed 2 screws and small wire. Replaced the new one. Put everything back together like is was.

First I removed the 3 screws holding the front panel in place. Then removed 3 screws holding the board in place. I disconnected the bundle of wires on the left side of board to give me more room to work behind the board. There was enough slack in the water line to tilt the board down to work. I disconnect 2 screws holding the actuator in place, and disconnected it's wire harness. Put the new actuator in, and reversed the process. Took about 20 minutes. Works great.

READ REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS ON LINE AND DID JUST WHAT THEY SAID. I'M HAPPY I DID IT MYSELF.

Had to remove the handles, then take apart the pieces of the water to get to the part. Not too hard - but time consuming.

I can't believe how easy it was to repair the broken part on the fridge. It was broken for two month, until I decided to look into ordering the part, that led into checking out to see if I could do it myself. I didn't ask my husband for help (well I hardly do). I'm a handy woman.

Thanks for the great service. I had the part in two days, and installed it immediate.

MY SON FIRST TOOK IT APART AND TRIED GLUING THE PIECE BACK TOGETHER. IT DID NOT HOLD, SO WE ORDERED THE NEW PART. AFTER WE GOT IT, HE PUT IT ALL BACK TOGETHER WITH THE NEW PART AND IT WORKED GREAT! MY SON IS 19, BY THE WAY.

Unplug refrigerator, remove black tray, unscrew 3 screws to face plate/remove, remove screws to circuit board, unhook clip black/red wires of actuator that are connected to circuit board, disconnect white clip at left end, remove entire housing to get at actuator(be careful not to damage ribbon that connects circuit board to control face plate),pull out water hose if needed as it was extremely tight/awkward fit with little or no play in the line, remove two screws that hold actuator in & replace with new one. Note-once I pulled out water hose there was no play(tried gently pulling to get more play-no budge)-I had just enough to get to the hole entrance but could not get it in(spent 45 minutes with no success), called in local appliance tech, he had to go bottom of freezer door & remove black grill to expose hose & force up 1" this gave enough play to get into & through water dispensing hole. Wish I would of thought of that. reverse process.

Pretty much followed the instructions from the previous Do-It -Yourselfers. It was easier than I thought it would be. I have some technical background, but it wasn't required. The toughest part was reconnecting the water hose to the outlet in the frame housing. I used a thin Allen wrench to reach up through the housing from the outside to guide the water hose back into place. Once it is aligned, it slips back into place. There is nothing but the tension of the fit to hold it in place. If my two yearr old wasn't "helping" me, I would have finished in 10 minutes. Thank You Part Select!

First I removed the two screws that hold the frame in place. Then I had to unscrew the board and pull the plugs so that the actuator could be installed. The most difficult part was to re-insert the water tube in its place. There is very little space. I used long nose pliers to push the tube through. You have to be careful not to touch the electrical board b/c it can shock you. After I replaced the frame, everything worked just fine.

1. remove water despencer
2. remove 3 screw
3. remove broken part
4. install new part