Stop 9 of 14 Into the ice maker
The Ice Container and Auger on Dispenser Models
| Blamed | Found |
|---|---|
| The auger motor, because no ice comes out | A block of fused ice the auger cannot turn through. |
| The dispenser, because it makes no sound | The dispenser lock left on, or the ice maker switched off. |
| The motor, right after the container was cleaned | The container not pushed all the way back, so the auger never engages. |
When the complaint is an ice dispenser that whirs and delivers nothing, what we usually find is a container of cubes fused into one block, or a container that stopped short of its seat so the auger never met its drive. When it stays silent, it is usually the lock. Less often the auger motor has stopped. Sub-Zero Repair Bothell rules out the container before the motor, (206) 202-2799.
- Ice container and auger, in one line
- The removable ice container on dispenser models, with the metal auger inside that turns to feed cubes toward the chute when ICE is pressed. Sub-Zero Repair Bothell tests the motor behind it once the container checks out.
- Filed
- Written by
- Marta Fennimore
- Works on
- ice systems and water supply
- Years at it
- 12
- Holds
- EPA 608 certified
How the container feeds the chute
Only dispenser models have one: Classic models with an ice and water dispenser, and the older 500 Series Model 590. Pressing ICE runs a motor at the back that turns the auger, so the container must sit right at the back for the motor to catch it. Ice left unused fuses into one mass, as can ice after a freezer door is left open.
When the motor is the fault
Lock off, container seated, auger free by hand, and still no motor sound after the five-minute wait and retry the Model 590 guide gives: that points to the motor, its drive or the switch. No band on our price list covers it, so it is quoted after the diagnosis.
Check it yourself, or call
| Check | Who | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| Dispenser lock off | You | On Classic external dispensers LOCK is held for three seconds. |
| Container out, fused ice tapped loose, auger turned by hand | You | The metal auger should rotate freely; refit with an even gap all round. |
| Motor, drive and switch tested | Technician | Once the container is proven good; not an owner job. |
| Anything behind a panel, and any wiring | Technician | Stop there and call Sub-Zero Repair Bothell on (206) 202-2799. |
What it costs
Service call, including the diagnosis $89
$89 gets a technician to the unit and pays for finding the fault; agree to the repair and that $89 is taken back off its price.
Questions about the ice container and auger
- Why does my Sub-Zero ice dispenser run but give no ice?
- The motor is running but the cubes cannot move: they have fused, or the container is short of its seat. Take the container out, break up or discard the block, then push it fully home with an even gap around it. If it still runs empty, call Sub-Zero Repair Bothell on (206) 202-2799 to test the drive.
- Should I empty the ice container before going away?
- Yes. The Model 590 guide suggests switching the ice maker off before you go away, then emptying the container and putting it back. Ice left sitting shrinks and sticks together over time, and a container of welded cubes is one of the ways a dispenser model ends up with no ice at all.
Where this repair is filed
- Repair Sub-Zero Ice Maker Repair in Bothell
- Repair Sub-Zero Refrigerator Repair in Bothell
- What it costs The $89 no-ice visit
