How to figure out what's wrong with your JennAir freestanding ice maker when it makes loud noises
A failing compressor, bad condenser fan motor or faulty drain pump can cause loud noise from the ice maker. If the compressor is making a loud noise, a service technician should repair the ice maker because a compressor repair involves the recovery and recharge of the refrigerant, which is tightly regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If the condenser fan motor is making noise, unplug the ice maker and replace the condenser fan. If the drain pump is noisy, unplug the ice maker and clear any debris you find in the drain pump. If the drain pump is clear, then you'll likely need to replace the pump because the motor is failing.
The recirculation pump can be noisy if water level in the reservoir is low. A problem with the water supply or a failed inlet water valve can cause this problem. If water level in the reservoir is low, check the water supply. Unplug the ice maker and shut off the water supply cut-off valve. Disconnect the water supply line from the ice maker and place the end of the water supply line in a container. Briefly open the water supply cut-off valve and check for water flow from the end of the water supply line. If no water flows through the end of the supply line, have a plumber fix the water supply going to the ice maker. If water does flow through the supply line, you'll likely need to replace the water inlet valve because it's not opening to allow water to flow into the reservoir.
If the recirculation pump is noisy and the reservoir is full, you'll likely need to replace the recirculation pump because its motor is failing or its impeller is damaged.
Common replacement parts for JennAir freestanding ice makers
- Electronic control board. The electronic control board is a circuit board that controls the electrical components of the ice maker such as the compressor, cutting grid, recirculation pump and drain pump. The electronic control board receives a signal from the thermistor in the ice storage bin that indicates how much ice is in the storage bin. When the level of ice is low, the electronic control board starts the process of making ice.
- Compressor start relay. The compressor start relay is attached to the motor voltage supply in the compressor. It applies voltage to the start-and-run windings of the compressor motor when voltage is first applied through that circuit. After the compressor starts, the relay stops voltage to the start relay so that the compressor runs using only the run windings.
- Recirculation pump. The recirculation pump continuously picks up water from the water reservoir and circulates the water over the evaporator plate to form a slab of ice during the ice-making process. When the slab of ice is thick enough to be cut into cubes, the recirculation pump stops, and the slab slides onto the wire cutting grid. Then the recirculation pump resumes operation to form a new slab of ice.
- Cutter grid. The wire cutter grid is a square frame with wires arranged in a grid inside the frame. When a slab of ice falls onto the grid from the evaporator plate, the cutting grid’s wires heat up and cut the slab into square cubes.