How to replace Whirlpool ice machine drain pump W11542868

The drain pump in a freestanding automatic Whirlpool ice machine circulates water through the system to the mold and ejector areas so ice can continuously be produced.

Over time, the drain pump may experience wear and tear or become clogged with debris, which can cause poor draining and other issues.

The good news? You can replace this part yourself with a few instructions and simple tools.

You can find a replacement drain pump W11542868 right here. If you need other replacement parts for your Whirlpool ice machine, just enter your model number at AppliancePartsPros.com to find them. It’s that easy! Most orders arrive in just two business days, and we have thousands of guides to show you how to install your new parts.

Disclaimer: The part replacement information provided in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. While we strive to offer helpful advice for DIY appliance repairs, variations in models and configurations can lead to differences in troubleshooting steps, error codes and part replacements. For the most accurate guidance, we strongly recommend consulting the technical sheet for your specific appliance model.

Why you might need to replace the drain pump

There are a few problems that can be caused by a bad drain pump. Here are some of the most common:

• Slow or reduced ice production
• Irregularly shaped or clustered cubes instead of individual cubes
• Water not filling or draining properly from the mold
• Slime or dirt appearing on new ice cubes

What you need

• 1/4-inch nut driver
• T15, T20 and T25 torx driver
• Straight blade driver
• Phillips head driver
• Needle nose pliers
• Channel-lock pliers
• Replacement drain pump (make sure it’s compatible with your specific ice machine model BEFORE installing!)

Disclaimer: The specific tools required may vary depending on the model of your appliance and the type of fasteners used on it. Always consult the user manual or refer to any specific instructions provided by the manufacturer for the recommended tools for your appliance model.

Read more: Must-Have Tools for Appliance Repair – DIY For Beginners

Safety precautions

When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of injury from electric shock.
• Turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs to any appliance parts that hold water. Have towels ready for any residual water in the system when removing parts.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts, pinching hazards and debris.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access the interior parts.
• Clear your workspace of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with bare wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check your user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions for your part or appliance.
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause injury.
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time for any heating parts to cool down before working on it.

Test the drain pump

If the drain pump isn’t obviously damaged in some way, you can test it to make sure it’s faulty before replacing it with a new one.

1. Turn the ice machine off and unplug it.
2. Disconnect the wire harnesses from the drain pump.
3. Set a multimeter to the resistance setting (has a symbol Ω).
4. Place the multimeter probes on the terminals of the drain pump. One probe should touch each terminal.
5. Check the meter reading.

A good drain pump should measure around 3.6 Ohms of resistance. If the reading is significantly different from this value or shows infinite resistance (OL), then you know the pump is faulty and needs to be replaced.

If the drain pump measures within the expected range, then the pump is likely functioning correctly and something else is causing the problem.

How to replace the drain pump

1. Make sure the ice machine is turned off and unplugged from the power supply.
2. Find the two screws on the bottom of the reservoir cover and remove them.
3. Lift the ice scoop storage compartment while pulling out the bottom of the cover to detach it from the machine.
4. Remove the left and right side hex head screws while holding the circulation pump assembly in place and set them aside.
5. Disconnect the wire harnesses connected to the left and right sides of the circulation pump assembly.
6. Slide out the heater assembly, which is usually located near the pump assembly.
7. Remove the screw holding the thermistor in place and remove the thermistor from the machine.
8. Find the water tube that’s connected to the left side of the cover. Remove it carefully and then roll the cover up and out.
9. Take a note or photo of the wire harness connections to the old drain pump assembly so you can reinstall them later.
10. Disconnect the wire harnesses connected to the drain pump assembly.
11. Use a pair of pliers to remove the two wiring retainers that hold the wires in place.
12. Remove the mounting screw to detach the old drain pump from the machine.
13. When the drain pump is removed, it’s normal for the impeller and stator to separate. Check that the seals are intact and in good condition.
14. Align the new drain pump and secure it by inserting and tightening the mounting screw that was removed earlier.
15. Use pliers to reattach the wiring retainers that secure the wires.
16. Put the reservoir assembly back into position and make sure it’s secure.
17. Reconnect any wire harnesses that were detached earlier.
18. Install the cover by rolling it down and connecting the water tube to the left side. Make sure the cover is correctly aligned and secured.
19. Connect any remaining wire harnesses to their respective positions.
20. Slide the heater assembly back into place and make sure it’s aligned correctly.
21. Attach the thermistor by inserting and tightening the screw that was removed earlier.
22. Align the circulation pump assembly and insert and tighten the left and right side hex head screws.
23. Lift the ice scoop storage compartment and slide the bottom of the cover into place.
24. Insert and tighten the two screws at the bottom to secure the reservoir cover.
25. Plug the ice machine in and reconnect the water supply.
26. Turn the ice machine on.

Additional information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the drain pump on your Whirlpool ice machine. And don’t forget to regularly clean your ice machine with an ice machine cleaner!

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over two million parts and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

While you’re waiting for your new part to arrive, you can explore our DIY blog and watch thousands of video tutorials on our YouTube channel.

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