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Customer Questions and Answers for Micro Switch by Whirlpool

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Manufacturer Part
4.89 (64)
By: Whirlpool
Part Number: OEM18017667
Manufacturer Part Number: WP2162361

The Micro Switch is an OEM part for Whirlpool refrigerators that is responsible for controlling the ice and water dispenser. The switch operates by responding to mechanical actions, like the pressing of the dispenser paddle or button to open or close to allow water and ice to be dispensed. 

Symptoms of a bad Micro Switch include:

  • The ice or water dispenser not functioning  
  • Intermittent operation of the dispenser 
  • Stuck dispenser preventing ice or water from stopping

Causes of a bad Micro Switch can include physical damage from heavy use, wear and tear over time, or electrical issues such as short circuits that impair the switch's function.

This OEM Whirlpool part can also be used on Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Magic Chef, Admiral, Norge, Roper, and Kenmore/Sears brand appliances.

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Questions & Answers

For Whirlpool Micro Switch (Part Number: OEM18017667)

Robert E for Model Number 10657866801

Bought new. Wrong ice auger motor had been installed at Manufact. Had to enlarge shaft at motor end in order to get ice out. After using for 6 months breaker would trip when pushing flapper to get ice. Water works fine. Got correct motor(??) from Sears. Had to buy new shaft. Installed both. Nothing happens when pushing ice flap. Motor does not make ANY noise. No power at motor end of connecting wire harness. Relay problem?? Door opens for ice delivery and light does come on.

1 Answer

Robert, You should check your wiring at the bottom of the door to ensure that you are not getting a short causing the breaker to trip and causing the dispenser to not dispense ice. Also check the bracket that the microswitch sits on to make sure that it is not warped and that the dispenser lever is making contact with the switch when you are trying to dispense ice.

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1 Answer

Hello Mason, It would more than likely be the water valve that burnt up. You can do a voltage check to make sure that you are getting 120vac to the valve when lever is pushed. If there is 120vac then you would need new valve.

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K-Bob for Model Number ED25PQXFW01

I have a intermittent water dispenser issue on my Kenmore side by side frig. Ice maker and dispenser works fine, but water works great sometimes and sometimes not. And again other times if you hold down for 10 or 20 seconds it will dispense the water fine. There's not a flow issue, meaning when it starts the water it comes out in normal stream. I've had it not work at all while holding down for a minute and then come back 5 minutes later and it worked immediately. I have ordered a micro switch, although usually when a switch is bad it stays bad, so I'm not sure that will fix it. Any other reason the problem would be so random?

1 Answer

Hello K-Bob, The control bracket WP2180226 has these plastic tabs that hold the micro-switches in position. I've seen literally hundreds of these fail.

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1 Answer

Hello Clay, Sounds like the auger coupling is probably stripped. Remove the ice bin and turn the auger coupling by hand. If it spins on the motor shaft, you will need to order a new motor WP2188242 and coupling WPW10169511.

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1 Answer

Paul, This appears to be the actuator switch for your WP refrigerator dispenser assembly. so, here are the basic instructions: " 1. Unplug the refrigerator power cord. 2. Remove the overflow grille from the housing. 3. Unsnap front cover at the bottom of the housing. (You'll need to insert the tip of a flat blade tool into the slots molded into the bottom edge of the facade and twist or pry out,you may want to use some type of pad to eliminate damage to the door panel). 4. Disconnect the front cover switch harness connector and set the cover aside. 5. Disconnect the power wire harness connector (BL/BK and W wires) 6. Disconnect the flapper door heater wire harness connector (if one is present). 7. Release the dispenser microswitch retainers and slide the switches off of their locator pins. Carefully handle the switches so they do not come apart." Good Luck and Thanks

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1 Answer

Hello Brian, Most of the time the issue here will be the plastic pins on the bracket WP2180226 that hold the micro switch in position have broken and the micro switch isn't being engaged. This will happen if the dispense paddle is pushed too hard when dispensing the ice. Before you start on this repair, you should unplug the unit from the wall receptacle as there is 120Vac present behind this cover. To access the dispense area where the micro switches are located, remove the drip tray and grasp the lower dispense cover (directly in front of where the drip tray was), with your fingertips and pull down and out at the same time. This will sound as though you are breaking the cover, but it is just the plastic clips disengaging. When the cover is pulled out, you should be able to disconnect the wires so you can set the cover aside. You now have access to the area in question. Before you disassemble anything in this area, I strongly recommend taking a few pictures with your phone for reference during reassembly. Let us know if we can assist you further.

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1 Answer

Holly, The failed ice maker and a no cool situation are not related. There are several components involved in the cooling cycle of a refrigerator, and now a days, the more commonm issue is a failed defrost control board 4388932. Here's some information to test the ADC control board :" With Bi Metal closed 1. Power off to refrigerator for at least 30 seconds. 2. Thermostat OFF. 3. Power on to refrigerator. in 3-8 seconds, control will turn on defrost heater. Defrost heater will turn on for 21 min. or until bi metal opens. To terminate test remove power from refrigerator. Note, if option #2 does not work, try option #1 before replacing control." Thanks and Good Luck

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Tracy for Model Number KSCS25FKSS01

I have an ice dispenser problem. I moved last fall and took ownership of this refrigerator. Since moving in we have had a problem with the ice dispenser. The ice works sometimes but often when pushing a cup up to the ice lever nothing happens. I often push the button from ice cubes to crushed ice but that only works once in a while also. I am eager to resolve this issue now. Im thinking the lever which pushes the micro switch may not be making contact but I do here that familiar click the micro switch makes. Im ready to order two new micro switches but am wondering if this could be the switch assembly mounted to the dispenser cover. Thanks for your assistance, any experience related assistance could save me a hundred bucks. Tracy

1 Answer

Tracy, You'll need to dismantle the dispenser assembly, and check for broken or binding parts, and bad switches. Here's some information that should help you out " SERVICING THE ICE AND WATER DISPENSER The new ice and water dispenser is a simplified design, using half the number of parts as the previous design. Since the new dispenser is ?foamed-in? the freezer door, it cannot be removed as an assembly, however it can be easily serviced. Following are the steps for disassembly: 1. Unplug the refrigerator power cord. 2. Remove the overflow grille from the housing. 3. Unsnap front cover at the bottom of the housing. ( You'll need a flatblade screwdriver and pry out or twist the blade to release the bottom of the panel, using the slots molded in the bottom edge of the dispenser trim, be careful don't scratch the door panel.) 4. Disconnect the front cover switch harness connector and set the cover aside.5. Disconnect the power wire harness connector (BL/BK and W wires) 6. Disconnect the flapper door heater wire harness connector (if one is present). 7. Release the dispenser microswitch retainers and slide the switches off of their locator pins. Carefully handle the switches so they do not come apart. 8. Disconnect the wires from the terminals of the lamp holder. 9. Remove the two 1/4? hex head screws from the control bracket and remove the control bracket. 10. Remove the 1/4? hex head screw to remove the water fitting (fill spout) from the water dispenser lever.11. Unsnap the ice guide and remove it from the ice dispenser lever. 12. Remove the air pot by sliding the rear of the air pot out of the slot molded to the dispenser housing and slip the linkage out of the flapper door mechanism assembly. 13. Unsnap the flapper door and remove it from the ice dispenser lever. While you remove the flapper door, carefully guide the flapper door heater wire and connector over the door mechanism assembly. 14. Remove the 1/4? hex head screw securing the dispenser levers pivot retainer to the dispenser housing and remove the retainer. 15. Remove the water dispenser lever.16. Remove the ice dispenser lever by maneuvering it around the door mechanism assembly. 17. Pull the pin from the door mechanism assembly and remove the spring and mechanism assembly. 18. Reassemble in reverse order. " You may also need this kit assembly 8201756 it'll have all the mechanical parts you may need. Thanks and Good Luck.

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