Customer Questions and Answers for Water Valve by Whirlpool

Hello Texaskeller. It sounds like the switch in the dispenser is sticking and is bad and will need to be replaced.

Hello Mike. Make sure the filter is good and if so, replace the water valve 4318046 on the unit.

Hello Jerry, The water inlet valve listed for your model is WP2188542. Before you order any parts though, you should check the water pressure coming into the unit at the back from the home plumbing. If this checks out good, you should consider changing the water filter a this can stop up and restrict dispense pressure. If you have the by pass plug that comes with the unit when it's new, you should remove the filter and install the plug for troubleshooting purposes. Also the last thing to check before ordering parts, the water reservoir is in the bottom of the fresh food compartment. This can freeze slowly and cause the same complaint. I usually remove the crisper drawers and set a hair dryer in the unit for about 15 minutes. Then I try the water dispense. If this was the issue, the water will come out much faster. If not, the water inlet valve WP2188542 will be the issue.

Hello Gary, If you look at the water lines you will notice that there are two different sized water lines that cannot be crossed. The red solenoid is the one for the ice maker. It is 1/4 inch and the 3/8 inch water dispense line will not fit into the 1/4 inch hole.

Hello Ken. You need to check and make sure the icemaker is cycling and sending power to the water valve. If so, check and see if the fill tube for the icemaker is frozen over and is not allowing the water to come into the icemaker.

Hello Elden. This is most likely caused by a frozen water reservoir. Try putting a hair dryer in the bottom of the fresh food compartment for 10 to 15 minutes and if it thaws it out and dispenses, set the fresh food compartment to one setting colder to increase air circulation. The freezer can be set to one setting warmer. Basically what we are trying to achieve by doing this is to prevent the cold air from settling to the bottom and freezing the water tank.

Hello Bob. The water valve WP2188542 is located on the back of the unit.

Hello Elizabeth, The owners manual has only this to say about the filter: Interior Water Filter Installation (on some models) The interior water filter cartridge is located in the upper righthand corner of the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator.The interior water filter cartridge should be replaced every six months or earlier if the flow of water to your water dispenser or ice maker decreases noticeably. (See “Replacing an interior water filter cartridge” in the features section of this book.) Installing the interior water filter cartridge NOTE: Do not use with water that is microbiologically unsafe or of unknown quality without adequate disinfection before or after the system. 1. Carefully remove the interior water filter cartridge from its packaging. Remove the red cap from the cartridge. 2. Apply the appropriate month sticker to the cartridge as a reminder to replace the cartridge within six months. Then apply the “Water Filter Replacement Reminder” sticker to your calendar as a reminder to replace the cartridge in six months. 3. Line up the INSTALL mark on the water filter label with the indicator line that is molded into the filter mounting bracket cover. Push the cartridge into the filter mounting bracket. Twist the cartridge Z\v turn to the right to lock it into place. The REMOVE mark should be lined-up with the indicator line located on the front cover. 4. RUN WATER THROUGH THE DISPENSER UNTIL THE WATER RUNS CLEAR (about 2-3 gallons or 6-7 minutes). This will clean the system and clear air from the lines. Additional flushing may be required in some households. NOTE: As air is cleared from the system, water may spurt out of the dispenser. 5. Open the refrigerator door and inspect the filter system for water leaks. If you see water leaks, see the “Troubleshooting” section. NOTE: You can run the dispenser without a water filter cartridge. Your water will not be filtered. Notice the manual says right under the first line "on some models". If the filter isn't found where it says it is, there is none. The issue you are having though, can be caused by the electrical contacts in the ice maker motor module. Check also to make sure the fill tube isn't frozen up. If it is, it can be thawed out with a hair dryer. If the fill tube is frozen up you should also check the water supply line for crimps. If it is connected to the water supply with a self-tapping saddle valve, the manufacturers all recommend to drill the pierced hole out to a full 1/4 inch hole. Please let us know if we can assist you further.

Hello Bill. The original valve has been discontinued. This is the replacement valve. You will need to remove the water hose fitting from the unit and install a 1/4" compression fitting, Ferrel tube and fitting onto the water line and install it onto the valve. Then you can use the correct valve bracket to mount the valve. This is not a simple remove and replace process and will require some altercations to the water lines to install the water valve 4318046 onto the unit.

Hello Fred. If the icemaker is sticking, you will need to replace the icemaker 4317943 and not the water valve.