Sonic
UltraDork
12/12/20 9:15 p.m.
My Sub Zero 685 model fridge, which is wonderful in every single way, has developed a problem. Yesterday I was trying to turn off a breaker to add an outlet in a line and in doing so (when you always have to try several to get the right one) I cycled the power for the fridge. After doing so, the buttons for the through the door ice and water dispenser no longer worked. I gave it another hard reset and the buttons on the dispenser now show that they have continuity (lights in the dispenser area go on and off when pushed) but the water and ice dispensers no longer work. The ice auger and cute work as when I use the "bulk ice" button inside the unit it will turn, and the water valve still works as the ice dispenser keeps getting water to refill it as it keeps making more ice. The problem is that when I push the "water" button on the front no water comes out, only a change in the lights on the button panel. The same thing happens with the "ice" button. The "light" button works as normal.
I've tried making sure it isn't in sabbath mode and have verified that the dispenser isn't locked (as I can lock and unlock it with the "light" button. At this point my guess is that I've fried something in the dispenser control unit with the power cycles.
With the amazing variety of knowledge here, does anyone have knowledge of Sub Zero appliances?
I have a 650 but without dispensers. Do you have the manual? I can check mine tomorrow and see if there is a way to "reset" it.
I have a different model of fridge that goes into a weird mode when the power goes out. The only way to get it to go back to normal are to hit two buttons at the same time for 5 seconds (neither of which are labeled to that effect) Which of course in only mention in the user manual.
I guess they didn't think of putting a label on there to show how to reset it, or hey, maybe have it automatically reset after a power cycle!!
I can only guess it's some stupid plan to increase dependence on techs?!?
I remember watching The Secret Life of Machines (great old series btw) where he referred to the refrigerator as one of the most reliable machines ever made... but that was the old days, now they have computer screens! Yeah!
In reply to Sonic :
Hi. Call subzero. Let them know your handy. There is a dispenser kit for that model. See if they will give you the part number for that kit. Chubzero is very proprietary with information and parts. You normally have to be a tech to get info like this. Make sure you have your serial number when you call. This failure is common. Besides the dispenser kit, there is also the possibility of the door switch being bad. There are THREE door switches.
Yes door switches.
No dispensing if the door switches don't show closed.
Also if the water filter isn't fully seated, water won't dispense. I don't know how the power cycle would've changed that, but still an easy check.
In reply to Robbie (Forum Supporter) :
Not entirely true. Some models have a built in bypass. In case you don't want to run a filter.
Sonic
UltraDork
12/13/20 5:05 p.m.
Thanks all. I'll call Sub Z tomorrow.
Sonic
UltraDork
1/7/21 5:40 p.m.
Update: I haven't called SubZ yet, busy with the holidays.
I checked all the switches (a fan and light switch for each door), both work fine both in and out of the fridge.
The ice maker still works and the bulk ice button inside the fridge will activate the ice auger.
The buttons on the front that activate the ice and water dispensers do change the lights on the display when pushed, so that connection is going somewhere. It has been reset several times and it is not in sabbath mode. The water valve does work for the ice maker, but not the dispenser.
So, it seems to me like the control board for the dispenser control is likely the problem. I"ll give SubZ (and/or one of the parts sellers) a call with this info and see what they say and ask about the dispenser kit.