Replacing water inlet valve on whirlpool refrigerator

A Whirlpool refrigerator with an ice maker and water dispenser comes equipped with a dual inlet valve that allows water to feed from the supply line to the appliance. The water dispenser side of the valve opens when you depress the water lever in the door of the refrigerator. The ice maker side of the valve opens at the beginning of the ice-making cycle to fill the ice tray. If your refrigerator fails to make ice, dispense water or begins to leak water from the rear of the appliance, the ice and water valve needs replacing.

1. Pull your Whirlpool refrigerator far enough away from the wall so you can unplug the appliance and access the water supply line. Rotate the ice and water supply valve to the “off” position. Continue to pull the refrigerator from its original position until you can fit behind the appliance.

2. Loosen the water supply line compression nut with pliers, if applicable. Turn the nut counterclockwise with your fingers until you can remove the supply line from the ice and water valve near the bottom of the refrigerator. Some water may drip from the line once you remove it.

3. Look for the 1/4-inch hex-head screws holding the access panel to the bottom of the refrigerator. Use a nut driver to remove the screws. Pull the heavy cardboard panel from the appliance and set it aside. Your Whirlpool model may have a smaller access panel that does not require removing the entire panel from the back of the refrigerator. Remove the screws from the smaller area, then fold the panel back along the perforated line. Do not tear the panel along the perforation.

4. Remove the two hex-head screws holding the valve to the body of the refrigerator. Pull the original valve from the refrigerator to access the wire harnesses. Pull the harnesses off the valve. The harnesses have two different-size connectors, so you cannot mix them up when installing them on the new valve.

5. Disconnect the water and ice maker lines from the original valve by twisting the connectors on the ends of the lines counterclockwise. Discard the original ice and water valve.

6. Push the original ice and water lines in the replacement valve. The lines and connectors are different sizes, so you cannot install the lines incorrectly. Twist the connectors clockwise with your fingers. Use pliers to tighten them. Do not overtighten the connectors, as this could strip the threads.

7. Connect the two wire harnesses to the terminals on the side of the replacement ice and water valve. Line up the screw holes in the valve bracket with the screw holes in the body of the refrigerator. Secure the replacement valve with the hex-head screws you removed from the original valve.

8. Replace the access panel on the back of the refrigerator. Secure the panel with the hex-head screws you removed earlier.

9. Connect the water supply line to the replacement valve. Tighten the connector with pliers. Rotate the water valve to the “on” position.

10. Plug the Whirlpool refrigerator back into the wall outlet. Slide the appliance back into its original position.

If you see leaking water at the back of your refrigerator or your refrigerator’s water dispenser isn’t working, check the dual water inlet valve. This part receives a lot of wear, and failed solenoids can stop the water from flowing. Cracks can also result in leaking water inside and under the fridge. Order a replacement valve assembly (#WP67006531 for most Whirlpool refrigerators) and follow these steps to install it.

1. Prepare your refrigerator for the part replacement.

Always unplug your refrigerator before you remove or install a new part. For this repair, also turn off the water supply and pull the refrigerator away from the wall. 

2. Access and remove the dual water inlet valve assembly.

First, pull the water line out of the inlet valve at the bottom rear of your refrigerator. To start, loosen the screw that clamps the water line against the back of the fridge. Then press down the collar that secures the end of the water line inside the water inlet valve to pull the line out and to the side. Have a towel ready to catch any excess water still in the line.

Next, loosen the screw above the valve that secures it against the back panel. After that, remove all of the screws holding the back left panel in place.  Pull it up and out of the bottom groove. Then slide it slightly to the left before wiring it open to access the inside of the refrigerator.

Remove the brown and yellow wire harnesses from the back of the valve. Then remove the two water lines at the bottom ports.

Slide the part out of the back panel.

3. Install the new dual water inlet valve assembly.

Orient the new dual water inlet valve so the one port slides through the cutout on the panel and the side with the two solenoids will face the interior of the refrigerator. Hold it in place with the inlet valve slid through the cutout.

Attach the two water lines. You should hear them click into place. Also, plug in the wire harnesses with the yellow harness attaching to the yellow solenoid and the brown harness to the brown solenoid.

Next, swing the panel around while holding the valve in place so you can retighten the screw that holds the inlet to the panel. Then slide the panel flush with the back of the fridge and slide it both under the panel to the right and down into the bottom groove. Retighten the screws around the perimeter of the panel.

After that, reattach the water line to the inlet valve. Then resecure the clamp to the back panel with the last screw.

Turn on the water and look for any signs of leaks. If there are no water leaks, then plug the refrigerator back in and push it into place.

For more appliance repair tips and procedures, go to Jerry’s Appliance Repair here.