Community Corner
Maybe This, Maybe That
Troubleshooting a problem? Sometimes the solution is as plain as the nose on your face.
The water dispenser in my refrigerator stopped working. No icy water sloshed into my glass when I pushed the gray button inside the door. It was hot and I was thirsty.
What to do? Troubleshoot, that’s what to do; use logic and problem solve.
Maybe a leak somewhere.
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I grabbed my trusty flashlight. No visible sign of water anywhere–nothing underneath except dust. Momentary relief. Think again.
Maybe a kink in the plastic line that runs from the back of the refrigerator to the water pipe under the sink.
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My refrigerator stands between a wall and a cabinet so to look behind it meant pulling it forward. Not an easy task–it kept turning catawampus every few inches. Once it was out far enough, I climbed on top of the side counter to inspect the space behind it.
I could only follow the water line for a few feet before it disappeared behind a row of kitchen cabinets and my gas stove. I didn’t find a kink, but I did find more dust and a small spider paused mid-web–I swear it was watching me. Next?
Maybe a failed water connection.
Since I’m the only person who might have turned the water off, that seemed an unlikely scenario. However, determined to find the problem and fix it, I would eliminate no step in my quest. The water was on; there was no leak under the sink.
All systems go, at least on the surface.
I retried the button hoping for a different outcome. Still no water but I could hear the muffled sound of the pump motor. That was reassuring though replacing a motor would be a costly fix. That’s when I thought about checking the manual. Surely, the problem would be referenced in the troubleshooting section.
Wrong. It listed a dozen suggestions for solving various problems, but not a single mention about a lack of water after pushing the button. I was running out of ideas. It was time for reinforcements.
I called my son-in-law. How long ago had I changed the filter he asked?
Filter? What filter? I didn’t know there was a filter. (I’m guessing many of you out there don’t either.) I felt foolish admitting that, but it was encouraging to think there might be a simple fix.
Apparently, a clogged or dirty filter blocks the flow of water from the tube, so filters should be changed every six months.
Bingo! In the back right corner of the refrigerator–as plain as the nose on my face–I found the filter. It even had the words Water Filtration System printed across the front of the cartridge. So much for awareness.
I removed it and looked inside–a little water but nothing else obvious. Before replacing it, I poured out the water and wiped off the top, then gingerly attempted to dislodge any dirt that might be inside using a chopstick wrapped with paper towel.
Presto! One tap on the button and I had icy cold water! But wait–barely a small half-filled glass and it stopped. Nothing but the muffled motor sound again. Drat! (That’s not what I actually said at that moment.)
The cartridge had a web address and an 800-phone number on the back. I called and explained the problem, the voice on the other end asked, “How long ago did you change the filter.”
The new one hasn’t arrived yet, but I’m confident it will solve the problem, and I’ll have cold water on demand again.
One problem down! Now for problem two.
Minutes after ordering the filter, the hinge on one of my kitchen cabinet doors broke. The door fell off in my hand when I opened it. I haven’t been able to locate a hinge that matches, but I solved the filter problem, right? Surely, I can solve a tiny hinge problem.
I refuse to believe what they say about bad things coming in three’s.
By the way, how long ago did you change the filter in your refrigerator?