Whirlpool WPW10217917 Ice Machine Water Inlet Valve OEM Part

The water flow during the fill step appeared extremely low. Confirmed the unit would make proper ice if I manually added more water. Through online research, found this was a common fail mode for this valve (low flow, continuous flow or no flow). During this search, the following video (https://youtu.be/By-i3gVMOdI) outlined how to use the onboard diagnostics which indicated the water level sensor wasn't working. The sensor hangs down in the water reservoir and is accessed by removing the water reservoir, then the bracket that holds the sensor and recirculation pump. The water inlet valve is located in the front left corner of the unit, below the ice bin, next to the condenser. The valve has one inlet and one outlet connection. To remove the lines, push on the ring that surrounds the line. Only a little water comes out when you disconnect the lines, assuming you turned the water off! Take note of how far the lines were inserted into the valve, reinsert these into the new valve by the same amount. After replacement the water flow was strong and filled the reservoir near the top of the overflow. Unit is back to making thick, clear ice again. I haven't tested the sensor, but I know it's working because the reservoir now fills in 35s whereas before it would run the max 2m and still not completely fill. A 1/4" nut driver removes all screws, but I did need a wrench to loosen the bottom door bracket to remove the protective panel to access the condenser/water inlet valve area. I removed some of the plastic from this panel to eliminate the need for a wrench the next time this needs to be removed for cleaning, etc.

After some light investigation I found that the ice cutter wire broke without the ice cutter wire, the sheet of ice will just build up and not drop ice cubes. I also noticed some calcium buildup around the water inlet valve where it has been slowly leaking over time. To bring this appliance back to life, I decided to replace the entire ice cutter wire with new wire and replace the water actuator and water supply tubing.

I took all of the cleanable parts out and cleaned them. I found lots of mineral deposits in both pumps. since the ice machine was 9 years old I decided to replace both pumps and the valve. We have hard water and have problems from time to time with the water. Replaced both pumps in the machine and replace the main water valve. Put it back together and it works just like it did when it was new. Keep the pumps clean and free of minerals.

Got help from a repair man to identify the exact part. Found AppliancePartsPros online ordered part it was here in two days. Easy part in and out. No leaks.

Shut off the water, unplug. remove lower louver screws, remove louvers. fill valve is on the left toward you. push down on plastic pieces that the tubing goes into, then pull out tubing. remove the hex screws holding the valve down. then unplug wires. better to mark hoses so you don't mix them up. Usual parts that go bad on these icemakers--inlet valve, circulate pump, bin thermostat. this is my 3rd inlet valve--on my 2nd circulate pump--2nd bin thermostat. unit is 8 trs old. all of these parts are easy to replace.