How to Troubleshoot the Ice Maker on the Kenmore Ultra Fresh

June 15, 2023

The Kenmore Ultra Fresh is a side-by-side refrigerator with an automatic ice maker sold at Sears stores. The ice maker can produce up to 8 lbs. of ice, which is stored in a plastic hopper below the unit. If your Ultra Fresh refrigerator stops making ice, try troubleshooting the appliance to correct minor problems without calling for a repair technician. With a few common tools, you may be able to fix the problem yourself.

Step 1

Close the valve in the water line connected to the back of the Ultra Fresh. Turn the valve knob clockwise to stop the flow of water to the appliance. The knob may be under the sink where the line hooks into the pipe or behind the Ultra Fresh itself.

Step 2

Unscrew the line coupler from the back of the Ultra Fresh with pliers and lower the line into a bucket to catch the water. If water does not drip from the line, it may be frozen both inside the line near the refrigerator connection and at the nozzle on the appliance.

Step 3

Remove and empty the plastic hopper full of ice, then replace the hopper back in the freezer.

Step 4

Press the power switch on the ice maker inside the Ultra Fresh to the "Off" position. Wait one hour for the nozzle on the back of the appliance to thaw out.

Step 5

Push the plastic tube on the top of the ice maker so the end fits inside the cup below it. The ice maker does not operate normally if this tube pops out.

Step 6

Pull the sensor wand downward to the locked position. The wand extends from the right side of the ice maker.

Step 7

Wipe the coupler on the water line and the nozzle on the back of the Ultra fresh with a rag to remove any grime that could cause a leak.

Step 8

Wrap the nozzle on the back of the Ultra Fresh with plumber's tape and reconnect the water line, tightening with pliers.

Step 9

Unscrew the knob on the water line and check for leaks behind the Ultra Fresh. Tighten the coupler on the water line to stop any minor dripping. If the line connection remains dry, continue troubleshooting.

Step 10

Press the power switch on the ice maker to the "On" position. With the ice hopper empty, water from the tube should begin to flow into the fill cup. Adjust the water-level control knob next to the fill cup to the midway mark for testing ice production, then close the freezer door and wait two hours.

Step 11

Dial the water-level control knob clockwise to a higher setting if your ice cubes are smaller than normal or not fully formed. If the Ultra Fresh still does not produce ice, contact a repair technician to test the internal motor and gears inside the unit.

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