GE top-mount refrigerator repair and replacement parts

Replacing the water inlet valve in your GE top-mount refrigerator

• Safely store any food that could deteriorate while the refrigerator is shut off. Then unplug the refrigerator or shut off the circuit breaker for the refrigerator. Close the water supply cut-off valve for the ice maker. The valve is often on the wall behind the refrigerator, but could be attached to a water pipe under the kitchen sink or in the basement below the fridge.
• Pull the refrigerator away from the wall far enough so you can access the water line connection and work on the back of the refrigerator. Place a towel under the water valve assembly to catch water. Loosen the nut on the supply water line until the water line is free.
• Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws that secure the lower service panel on the back of the refrigerator. Remove the panel. Remove the screw that secures the mounting bracket to the frame of the refrigerator. Press the back of the locking tab on the wire harness to release the tab. Pull the wire harness plug off the valve. Remove the black plastic C-clip from the collar of the water line connection. Push the collar in and simultaneously pull the water line from the inlet water valve assembly.
• Push the water line into the fitting on the new water valve assembly. Reinstall the C-clip on the collar of the fitting. Push the wire harness plug back onto the spades of the water valve assembly. Push the plug in until the locking tabs snap into place. Position the bracket of the new valve assembly so that the mounting holes line up. Reinstall the mounting screw and tighten firmly. Position the lower service panel on the back of the refrigerator so that the screw holes line up. Insert the screws and tighten firmly.
• Wrap a small amount of pipe thread tape around the water supply line fitting on the back of the water valve. Fit the water line into the water valve assembly and tighten the compression nut firmly. Open the water supply cut-off valve. If the fitting leaks, tighten the compression nut and check again. Plug in the refrigerator or turn on the house circuit breaker to restore power.

Parts that can fail in your GE top-mount refrigerator

• Condenser fan. The condenser fan is in the machine compartment of the refrigerator next to the compressor. It moves air across the condenser coils to help cool the hot refrigerant coming out of the compressor. The refrigerant is cooled before it moves through the expansion device and into the evaporator.
• Defrost bi-metal thermostat. The defrost bi-metal thermostat is a safety device attached to the evaporator coil. The defrost bi-metal thermostat shuts off the refrigerator defrost heater if the heater gets hot enough to damage the evaporator.
• Electronic control board. The refrigerator electronic control board controls the major electro-mechanical components in your refrigerator. When the electronic control board senses the compressor needs to run to cool the refrigerator, it sends voltage to the compressor and fans. It then receives input from temperature sensors to monitor the temperatures inside the refrigerator and freezer sections. With this information, the electronic control board controls the defrost cycle.
• Door gasket. The door gasket seals the gap between the door and cabinet to prevent warm air from leaking into the compartment.