How to replace the ice dispenser motor on a Whirlpool refrigerator

Is your Whirlpool refrigerator’s ice dispenser on the fritz, leaving you without those refreshing cubes during warm afternoons? If the once-ice-cold dispenser has gone silent, it might be a faulty ice dispenser motor. Don’t worry—our step-by-step tutorial and must-watch video right below will guide you through a quick and easy fix to get your ice flowing again!

Looking for the right part? Enter your appliance model number below to find the exact match and get your appliance running like new again!

The ice dispenser motor is responsible for rotating the auger inside the ice container, pushing the ice forward through the dispenser. Signs of a bad motor include a lack of ice cubes being dispensed and the absence of any noise when the ice lever is pressed. Fortunately, this repair is relatively straightforward and should only take a few minutes to complete. By following the instructions outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to replace the motor in your Whirlpool refrigerator and restore your ice dispenser.

Watch here: How To: Whirlpool/KitchenAid/Maytag Ice Dispenser Motor WPW10317991

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

What you’ll need

• 1/4″ nut driver
• Flathead screwdriver
• Hammer

Safety precautions

• 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.
• Don’t test wiring with a multimeter for live voltage if you’re unfamiliar with how to prevent short circuiting when testing. 
• 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.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts, pinching hazards and debris.
• Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals, dust or cleaning large debris to prevent injury. 

How to test

To test the ice dispenser motor before replacing it, you can use a multimeter to check its electrical continuity. Here’s how to perform this test:

1. Unplug the refrigerator from the power source to avoid any electrical hazards.
2. Locate the ice dispenser motor
3. Set your multimeter to the continuity or resistance mode. Refer to your multimeter’s user manual for specific instructions on how to switch the mode.
4. Identify the motor’s electrical terminals. There should be two terminals that the wires are connected to.
5. Take the probes of your multimeter and touch them to the motor’s terminals. It doesn’t matter which probe you connect to each terminal.
6. Observe the multimeter’s display. If the motor is in good working condition, the multimeter should show a reading of low resistance or continuity (typically close to zero ohms). This indicates that electrical current can flow through the motor.
7. If the multimeter displays an open circuit or infinite resistance, it suggests that the motor has a broken circuit or a fault and needs to be replaced.

Replacement steps

1. Open the freezer door and pull out the ice bin.
2. To access the motor, remove the mounting bracket. Use a nut driver to take out the four mounting screws and lift off the bracket.
3. Open the cap on the motor with a flat-blade screwdriver and disconnect the wire plug at the back.
4. Bring the dispenser motor and bracket assembly to a worktable surface.
5. Using a flat-blade screwdriver, remove the wires from the two motor terminals and a single green ground wire.
6. Remove the motor coupling. Note that it has a left-handed thread, so it must be turned clockwise. 
7. Use a hammer to knock the coupling in the clockwise direction until it becomes loose. 
8. Unscrew and remove the coupling, setting it aside.
9. Use a nut driver to unscrew the three mounting screws and remove the old ice dispenser motor.
10. Take the new ice dispenser motor and secure it to the mounting bracket using the three screws.
11. Connect the two wires to the motor terminals. The order of the wires is not important. Attach the green ground wire to the small terminal.
12. Screw on the motor coupling, turning it counterclockwise. Use the hammer to knock it and tighten it in the counterclockwise direction.
13. The motor assembly is now ready for installation. Bring it back into the freezer and hold it in place. Connect the plug at the back.
14. Install the bracket on the supports, matching the holes, and secure it with the four quarter-inch screws.
15. Slide the ice bin back into place.
16. Close the freezer door and plug the refrigerator back in. Give it some time to cool down and check that the ice dispenser is working.

Congratulations! You have successfully replaced the ice dispenser motor in your refrigerator.

Additional information

Thanks for reading! We hope this guide helped you replace the ice dispenser motor on your Whirlpool refrigerator. 

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.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to see our latest repair guides!