Appliance Repair > Ice Machine Repair > Ice Machine Is Not Dispensing Ice Properly

Ice Machine Compressor Is Not Working

If your ice machine’s compressor isn’t working, it can hinder ice production. Key issues include a restricted system, leaks, or frozen evaporator coils. A restricted system prevents effective cooling of the evaporator coil, leading to insufficient ice. Refrigerant leaks can occur from small cracks. Frozen evaporator coils can also stop production if the solenoid valve doesn’t activate, preventing ice release. Our technicians carry parts from major brands for on-site repairs, often the same day. For optimal performance, we recommend regular maintenance every six months. Learn more about our ice machine repair services:

Ice Machine Repair

Main Issues When Ice Machine Compressor Is Not Working

Restriction system
System leak
The compressor is not building pressure
Frozen evaporator coil
Start relay problem
Repair Cost

Description and Troubleshooting of Problems

Restriction System

The compressor in an ice machine is responsible for cooling and heating the coil to make and release ice. Cooling happens as refrigerant circulates, and when everything is working right, the coil cools instantly, allowing your ice machine to produce proper ice. This setup works much like a refrigerator. But sometimes, issues arise where the compressor can’t cool the coil enough or quickly enough, causing the ice to either be too small or not form at all. After inspecting the compressor, we often find the issue to be with a restricted system. This means the system is clogged or partially blocked, so the compressor is working, but the refrigerant isn’t flowing through the entire system. For example, it might only cool 20% of the coil while the other 80% stays too warm to freeze the water fully.

Solution

In this case, it’s necessary to remove all the refrigerant from the system, flush it out under high pressure, and then refill it with fresh refrigerant. This process helps clear any blockages, restores full refrigerant circulation through the coil, and ensures proper ice production.

System Leak

A second issue that can stop ice production is a system leak, which occurs when refrigerant escapes from a tiny hole or crack in the vacuum-sealed system. Often, these leaks are so small that refrigerant can slowly leak over a week or even a month. To identify leaks, the entire system needs a thorough inspection using a leak detector or by adding a special gas to the system. This gas highlights the leak location, helping to identify the crack or hole. Sometimes, however, the leak is so tiny or located in such an inaccessible spot that it can be challenging or even impossible to reach for repairs.

Solution

In these cases, our technicians use a special gas known as stop leak, which is added to the system. This gas circulates along with the refrigerant and can remain in the system for up to 10 years. When it encounters air due to a leak, it seals the crack, allowing the system to work properly again. Based on experience, stop leak is effective only when the leak is very small; in such cases, the gas can resolve the issue. However, if the leak is large, coil replacement is necessary.

The Compressor Is Not Building Pressure

There are also cases where, after checking, the technician finds that the compressor isn’t generating enough pressure to circulate the refrigerant. As a result, it can’t cool the coil or produce ice.

Solution

In practice, compressors tend to last a long time, and in most cases, the issue lies elsewhere. However, if the compressor is indeed the problem, it will need to be replaced.

Frozen Evaporator Coil

The ice machine cools down and causes the evaporator coil to freeze, leading to excessive ice buildup that it fails to release. As a result, you’ll notice that the machine stops producing ice because its safety system detects this malfunction and halts production until you manually restart it. This typically occurs when the solenoid valve does not activate. The solenoid valve is an electromagnetic valve that opens to allow hot refrigerant to circulate instead of cold refrigerant. Here’s how it works: when you start the ice machine, the compressor activates and begins cooling the evaporator coil, creating ice. Once the ice collection cycle finishes, the solenoid valve opens to send hot refrigerant to the evaporator coil, allowing the ice to release and facilitating the discharge of the finished ice.

Solution

When the solenoid valve is not functioning, it needs to be replaced.

Start Relay Problem

Another common issue with a non-working compressor is a problem with the start relay. This relay is responsible for starting the compressor and protecting it from overloads. You may notice that the compressor won’t start, and the ice machine isn’t cooling. In this case, the compressor is functional; it simply can’t start.

Solution

It needs to be replaced with a new start relay, and then the compressor’s operation should be checked.

Repair Cost

Restriction system repairing	$450 — $550
Stop leak repairing	$450 — $550
Compressor replacing	$780-$1150
Solenoid valve replacing	$450 — $650
Start relay replacing	$280 — $420

The price for repairing an ice machine varies based on factors like the brand, model, and complexity of the problem.

Contact Us For Any Ice Machine Repair Service

We’re here to assist with any ice machine issues, whether it’s a cycle error or a complete failure. If a call isn’t ideal, simply fill out the brief form below. Schedule your ice machine repair with one of our technicians today!

Call us today: (863) 594-1784
or fill out the form and we will contact you ourselves.

Teodor Appliance Repair delivers exceptional appliance repair services across Florida. Renowned for our dependability and dedication to excellence, we handle a broad spectrum of appliance maintenance. Our technicians are adept at diagnosing and fixing problems with refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, ovens, and more. For convenient location access, check us out on Google Maps using these links:

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St.Peterburg

Sarasota