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How to Repair the Ice Maker Paddle in a GE Profile

Cecilia Harsch

The GE Profile refrigerator comes equipped with an electronic ice maker designed to make about 105 cubes in 24 hours. The ice maker continues making ice until the paddle, or feeler arm, senses a full ice bucket. The paddle attaches horizontally to the bottom of the ice maker with a spring. Once the bucket fills with ice, pressure is placed on the paddle, raising it and sending a signal to stop ice production. A leak in the ice mold or a broken paddle spring can damage the paddle and the only repair, in this case, is to replace the ice maker assembly.

Troubleshooting the Paddle

Step 1

Remove the ice maker ice dispenser bucket from the freezer. You may need to lift up on the front of the bucket before pulling it from the freezer. Dump any old ice from the bucket.

Step 2

Check the spring on the ice maker paddle. If the spring has come loose, loosen the screw located on the bottom of the paddle. Insert the bent end on top of the spring into the small hole located in the ice maker body above the paddle. Insert the bent end on the bottom of the spring into the small hole located in the paddle. Tighten the screw on the bottom of the paddle.

Step 3

Turn the ice maker off for about 30 seconds. Turn the ice maker on and depress the paddle three times. The ice maker should begin a cycle and fill with water. If it doesn’t, ensure the water supply valve is in the on position. If the ice maker fails to fill with water, you must replace the ice maker assembly.

Replacing the Assembly

Step 1

Remove the ice dispenser bucket from the freezer and turn off the ice maker.

Step 2

Find the three hex-head screws holding the motor assembly to the back wall of your GE refrigerator. The auger motor assembly is located directly beneath the ice maker and hides the ice maker wiring harness.

Step 3

Remove the screws with a 1/4-inch nut driver. Push the auger motor assembly up, and then pull it away from the rear wall of the freezer.

Step 4

Hold the motor in one hand as you squeeze the tabs on the motor’s wiring harness with the other hand. Pull the wiring harness from the rear wall of the freezer, and remove the motor and expose the ice maker wiring harness. Set the auger motor assembly aside.

Step 5

Look for the two hex head screws above the ice maker. These screws hold the black hanging brackets attaching the ice maker to the back wall of the freezer. Loosen these two screws with your 1/4-inch hex head nut driver, but do not remove them.

Step 6

Unplug the wiring harness from the back of the freezer wall that connects to the ice maker. Lift the ice maker from the hex head screws you loosened in the freezer. Discard the original ice maker.

Step 7

Hang the new icemaker on the hex head screws. Plug the wiring harness from the replacement ice maker into the back wall in the freezer. Tighten the hex head mounting screws.

Step 8

Hold the auger motor assembly in one hand, as you plug the wiring harness from the motor into the freezer wall. Slide the motor in place and secure it to the freezer with the hex head screws you removed previously.

Step 9

Turn on the replacement ice maker. Install the ice bucket.