LG Refrigerator Ice Dispensing Switch Testing and Replacement

Written By: Bill Gilbert

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LG Refrigerator Ice Dispensing Switch Testing and Replacement

Difficulty

Moderate

Steps

Time Required

1 - 2 hours

Introduction

Use this guide to test and replace the ice dispensing switch on your LG refrigerator.

This guide will work for most LG refrigerators. This guide is written with an LG model LFX25973 refrigerator. If you have a different model, you may encounter some minor disassembly differences, but the overall repair process will be the same.

The ice dispensing switch causes the ice-making system to feed either cubed or crushed ice through the ice dispensing chute, as well as triggering the ice dispensing door to open.

If the switch malfunctions, the refrigerator will not dispense ice or will dispense a large quantity, likely unwanted.

The most challenging part of the repair is removing the dispenser assembly from the door of the unit.

Tools

Step 1

Unplug your refrigerator before you begin your repair.
If you are testing or repairing the following items, you may also need to shut off and disconnect the water supply:
Condenser fan motor
Compressor motor and thermal overload device
Water supply valve assembly

Step 2

To remove the left door handle, first open the right door.
Use a 2 1/2 mm hex wrench to loosen the set screws in the top and bottom of the left door handle.

Step 3

Pull the left door handle straight off to remove it.

Step 4

The dispenser assembly is secured by very strong clips, making it very difficult to remove. Take note of the clip location examples shown in the photos:
Right side clips
Top clips
Left side clips (Note, the dispenser is being held upside down for the photo, so the upper left side clips are at the bottom of the photo.)
During disassembly, you may break some of these clips. If you do, don't worry; the assembly does not need all the clips to be properly secured.

Step 5

Use a spudger to pry out the top edge of the dispenser assembly.
Once you've created a gap, use your fingertips to pull the edge downward.
Use additional spudgers to unfasten the clips securing the dispenser assembly to the refrigerator door.
Optionally, you may use a flat-blade screwdriver to assist in this process. Be careful not to damage the door; you may scratch the door surface or dent the rim of the dispenser opening.

Step 6

Grasp the top edge of the dispenser assembly in the middle and pull outwards.
Continue prying and pulling around the perimeter of the assembly to release it.

Step 7

Grasp the assembly firmly and pull it out of the refrigerator door.
Don't try to pull the assembly completely off the refrigerator door. The assembly is still connected with numerous wires. These are mainly connected to the left side of the dispenser.

Step 8

Squeeze the multiple wire connectors and pull them straight off to disconnect them from the various PC boards.
Some of the connectors may be permanently attached to the PC board and can't be removed.

Step 9

Squeeze and separate the various connectors in the wiring harness. The photo shows two examples.

Step 10

Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screw securing the circuit board holder to the dispenser assembly. Many, but not all, units will have this PC board and holder.
Lift and remove the circuit board holder from the dispenser assembly.

Step 11

You can now remove the dispenser from the refrigerator.
The circuit board holder, if present, can be suspended from the harness wires, as its weight is minimal.

Step 12

If you have a multimeter, you can test to see if your ice dispensing switch is good or not.
Set your multimeter to the continuity function with beeper.
Touch one probe to each of the switch terminals at the same time.
Use your finger to press the operating lever connected to the switch; the meter should sound and read 1Ω or less.
Release the lever, and the meter should not sound and should read OL for open loop.
If the switch does not operate as described in the steps above, follow the next steps to replace it.