Why is my whirlpool refrigerator water dispenser so slow

Hi,

First Pull your refrigerator out away from the wall, turn off your water supply line that goes to it, then take off your water supply line from the water inlet valve, then get a bucket, cup, bowl, etc to catch the water, then put your water supply line in the bucket and turn it on, your water stream should be really good with good water pressure, if not then the problem is in your plumbing water supply line.

Let us know how the water pressure is.

A very LARGE problem in the last few years has been the self piercing shut off valve clogging up with calcium and junk! Replace the self piercing shut off valve with a drill type shut off valve. You drill a 1/4" hole into the pipe and install the shut off valve the same way you would with a self piercing valve.

Jake

I saw a similar post, but that is a different model, so I want to be sure.

The water dispenser has really slowed down (just over a trickle) over the past few months. I replaced the inline water filter to no avail. From the other post I'm thinking it is the water inlet valve, but want to be more certain before I order. I do hear the "hum" when the paddle is depressed, so the motor seems to be working. There is no issue with the ice maker. Help!

1,000,000 thanks!

Of the two plastic water lines coming from the water valve, the one for the dispenser is the larger of the two. Disconnect the dispenser water line from the water valve. Have something to catch the water in and push the lever for the dispenser. If the water pressure is good reconnect it. The water line runs up into the refrigerator section and into one end of the reservoir. The line comes out of the other end of the reservoir, back down through the refrigerator section under the bottom and across to the freezer door lower hinge. There is a quick disconnect there . Disconnect it and do the same test by pushing the dispenser lever. That will test the water lines to the reservoir, the reservoir, and the water line out of the reservoir. If you have good pressure there, the only section left is the water line in the door, to the dispenser.

Of the two plastic water lines coming from the water valve, the one for the dispenser is the larger of the two. Disconnect the dispenser water line from the water valve. Have something to catch the water in and push the lever for the dispenser. If the water pressure is good reconnect it. The water line runs up into the refrigerator section and into one end of the reservoir. The line comes out of the other end of the reservoir, back down through the refrigerator section under the bottom and across to the freezer door lower hinge. There is a quick disconnect there . Disconnect it and do the same test by pushing the dispenser lever. That will test the water lines to the reservoir, the reservoir, and the water line out of the reservoir. If you have good pressure there, the only section left is the water line in the door, to the dispenser.

Rick:

Thanks for taking the time to reply. Going into the back of the fridge in the bottom right as you face it, is the coiled copper water line. It goes into a "box". I'm a little unclear as to where you are referring "f the two plastic water lines coming from the water valve". I can send a picture if that will help.

Again, thanks.

The copper coil is your water supply line. It connects to the water valve. The water valve has two solenoids on it and under each solenoid is a plastic water line. One is for the ice maker (the smaller diameter) and the other one is for the water (the larger diameter). This is the first place to check your pressure by disconnecting that water line from the valve. When you push the dispenser, water will come out of the valve. That will tell you if the valve is restricting your water pressure. Make sure you have something to catch the water in. It's an easier job with two people. One on the dispenser and the other observing the flow.

The copper coil is your water supply line. It connects to the water valve. The water valve has two solenoids on it and under each solenoid is a plastic water line. One is for the ice maker (the smaller diameter) and the other one is for the water (the larger diameter). This is the first place to check your pressure by disconnecting that water line from the valve. When you push the dispenser, water will come out of the valve. That will tell you if the valve is restricting your water pressure. Make sure you have something to catch the water in. It's an easier job with two people. One on the dispenser and the other observing the flow.

Again, you're awesome. I had to take off the back cover (cardboard really). I then disconnected the connection to the water dispenser. When the paddle is depressed water will come out of the solenoid, but very slowly. Does this point to a bad water valve?

Thx
Paul

. Does this point to a bad water valve?

Yes, if the water flow into the ice maker is good. If the ice maker fill cycle is also slow, no pressure, Take the copper water supply line off and there is a small screen where it connects. Mineral deposits and corrosion can block the screen and cause slow flow. Most of the time it's the water valve. Here is the water valve for your machine:
Water Inlet Valve 4318046

Sir you are soooooooooooooo wonderful. I will do so and post the outcomes.

THANKS!

The part has been ordered and will arrive next week. anything I should know about replacing the old one?

Thanks again.

It's a real easy replacement. After you replace the valve and turn the water back on, run the water through the dispenser until you bleed the air out of the system. That's it.

Outcome: The part was easy to replace as described. Everything works like a charm. You, sir, are a hero. ApplianceBlog.com and RepairClinic.com forever!!!