Tech Tips

**NOTICE**
Due to the danger and complexity of electronic equipment repair, the following technical tip is intended for professional reference only. Please refer to manufacturer’s recommendations as Encompass does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability or safety of this information. 

Many people rely on dryer buzzer alerts to keep laundry moving efficiently, while others find the sound annoying and keep it turned off.  If you find the alerts more of a help than a hindrance, read on to see how easy it is to replace a broken Whirlpool-style dryer buzzer.

Get It Together

The first step to any appliance repair is to gather all necessary tools and the correct replacement buzzer. Be sure to double check the part number for your dryer’s make and model before placing an order. Here’s what you need:

• Replacement Buzzer
• Screwdriver (flat head and Phillips)
• Hand Towel or Cloth
• Work Gloves (optional)

Repair Steps

1. Unplug Dryer — Because this is an electrical repair, start by unplugging the dryer. This prevents shock when changing out the electrical components.
2. Pull Dryer from Wall — Move the unit away from the wall and/or turn it to have enough room to stand behind it while accessing the upper back panel.
3. Open Back Panel — Remove the mounting screws attaching the back panel to the control panel housing and set aside. Use the towel to fully pull away the back panel as the edges can be sharp. Work gloves can also keep your hands safe from an accidental cut. Set the panel aside next to the screws.
4. Remove Broken Dryer Buzzer — Take off the buzzer knob or button. Trace the button to the exact location in the back of the dryer. Different dryer models often place the buzzer in various locations, so this is the most reliable way to find the right part. You can also match it to the appearance of your replacement part.
5. Disconnect Wiring Clip — Pull wiring clip free from existing, broken buzzer [you may need to press a release catch].
6. Unfasten Mounting Screw(s) — The existing buzzer should be mounted with one or two screws, which need to be removed and set aside. Now, remove the buzzer and discard, or preferably recycle.
7. Install New Part — Start by connecting the wiring clip to the back of the new buzzer, just as the previous buzzer was connected. This is easier to do while the buzzer is not yet fastened.
8. Align New Buzzer — Align the new buzzer into place. There may be a second screw point or a small lip or clip that slots into a hole where the top of the buzzer should go. Make sure that one or both screw holes are aligned with the mounting points inside the control panel. Then, fasten the mounting screws firmly to hold new dryer buzzer in place.
9. Return Knob & Reassemble Dryer — Finally, if you removed the knob or button, return it to the front of the dryer panel. With the new part installed, close the back panel, aligning it into place and ensuring the mounting screw holes line up with the dryer panel housing. Fasten the back panel mounting screws and push the dryer back toward the wall. Be careful with the dryer duct tubing, which will need to remain uncrumpled while you push the dryer.
10. Test New Buzzer — Plug the dryer back in and set a short timed drying session to ensure the buzzer sounds.

Special thanks to Fred’s Appliance Academy for this helpful tip!

**NOTICE**
Due to the danger and complexity of electronic equipment repair, the following technical tip is intended for professional reference only. Please refer to manufacturer’s recommendations as Encompass does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability or safety of this information. 

Click, click, click – it’s the sound you expect to hear for a few seconds when turning on a gas stove.
However, you definitely don’t expect to hear this well after the burners are lit or after you
shut them off. If a clicking sound continues when the stove is supposed to be off, it’s actually not as big of a problem as you would expect.

The clicking sound is caused by the spark electrode on a gas stove creating small sparks. During normal function, these sparks meet with released gas and ignite to create a flame. When it clicks outside of ignition, it may or may not be releasing sparks.

Regardless, if the gas is not turned on or there is no gas leakage, it’s not particularly
dangerous, just noisy. If you do suspect there may be a gas leak, stop what you’re doing immediately and call for emergency service.

How to Stop Clicking Before Repair

To stop the clicking sound, disconnect the gas stove from electricity — in most cases, this will
be done at the circuit breaker. Without electricity, the spark electrode will stop sparking or clicking.
When investigating further, be sure to shut off the gas as well for safety.

What Causes Gas Stove to Click?

When troubleshooting a gas stove that won’t stop clicking, the cause likely isn’t something that needs to be repaired, but there are a few parts that can go faulty and will need to be replaced.

Stove is Dirty or Damp

This is probably the most likely cause of clicking issues, and luckily, it’s usually the easiest fix. The stove may have accumulated food particles during the cooking process over time, which can work their way into the burner head. This is also the case if a pot boiled over or excess water dripped onto the stove. If food or moisture reaches the spark electrode, it will click. In many cases, the food and moisture will just burn away, and the clicking will stop. If clicking starts or even stops in the middle of cooking, this is the likely cause.

If the clicking didn’t stop, unplug the stove and start cleaning. Dry the stove and inside the burners as much as possible. For food particles, clean the burner head thoroughly, including inside the slots that release gas. To clean these, use a bit of sturdy wire or something that doesn’t have a risk of breaking and getting lodged.

Unfortunately, if the burner got wet, it might take awhile for clicking to stop. The stove needs to dry completely by leaving it unplugged for a few hours to allow moisture to evaporate naturally.

Spark Ignition Switch is Faulty

The switch that controls the flow of electricity to the spark electrode is located immediately behind the control knob for each burner. If this switch is not functioning properly, it can cause continuous clicking or stop working in an electrode. If it clicks, the flow of power is stuck on.

While each burner has a separate switch, it is usually connected via a harness, requiring every switch to be replaced. However, it’s a simple repair usually just involving removing the knobs and lifting the cooktop to access the inner workings.

Spark Module is Faulty

Once the switch allows the flow of power, the next step in the spark-producing chain is the spark
module, which directs voltage to the electrode. This part can also malfunction and result in  constant clicking. If the switches have been tested with a multimeter and they check out, this is the next part that should be tested. Unlike the switches, there is only one spark module for all gas burners. If it’s faulty, resulting in constant sparking, it’s likely that each burner is sparking. If this is the case, the small module will be located under the gas cooktop or in the back of the gas range.

Spark Electrode is Faulty

The spark electrode is the final part of the chain. It’s the part that actually creates the spark that ignites the gas and is usually the least likely to go faulty. If clicking has been continuous, a malfunction here becomes more likely. The more your gas stove clicks, the more worn this particular part becomes. Although this is the least likely part to go faulty, it is also the most difficult to replace. The gas burner must be disassembled to access and remove the spark electrode and install a new one.

Special thanks to Fred’s Appliance Academy for this helpful tip!

**NOTICE**
Due to the danger and complexity of electronic equipment repair, the following technical tip is intended for professional reference only. Please refer to manufacturer’s recommendations as Encompass does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability or safety of this information. 

If the ice maker bucket of a Whirlpool, Kenmore, Kitchenaid or Maytag freezer breaks, it can be replaced without having to buy a new refrigerator or ice maker.  Fortunately, the refrigerator panel doesn’t have to be opened to perform this fix. If you’re handy with a pair of needle-nose pliers, you can replace the bucket of a Whirlpool ice maker.

Supplies

In addition to a replacement ice maker bucket for the correct product model number, needle-nose pliers and a screwdriver are needed for this job. The type of screw cap differs by model, so a combo wrench or socket screwdriver kit is recommended.

● Replacement Ice Maker Bucket
● Needle-nose Pliers
● Towel
● Screwdriver or Combo Wrench
● Flat Work Surface

Remove the Ice Bucket

1. Pull Out Entire Bucket Assembly
   Removing the ice bucket is easier than it looks. Simply grasp it firmly and pull the entire
   assembly out and away from the freezer back panel, detaching it from mechanical coupler.
2. Place On Flat Work Surface
   Lay towel over work surface, and position ice bucket upside down. The opening should be facing table showing a thin metal post secured along underside of ice bucket.
3. Detach Actuator Arm
   The actuator arm is the metal bar across the now top of the ice bucket assembly. It attaches bucket to rest of assembly and will need to be detached from bucket before continuing.
4. Release Arm Spring 
   Use needle-nose pliers to grasp small spring wire in groove of plastic arm stand. Pull wire away to release spring. Twist spring to release other side.
5. Remove Retainer Bracket and Screws
   Unscrew screws holding bracket onto arm stand. Pull entire retainer bracket away and set  aside with the screws. This will release actuator arm.
6. Remove Screws Inside Ice Bucket
   Flip ice bucket up on heavy end, with auger tip pointing up. You should be able to see two screws inside bucket that are securing it to the auger assembly. Remove these screws and the ice bucket will loosen.
7. Pull Out Old Ice Bucket
   Removing the ice bucket is tricky. Carefully guide it out around the metal auger until it can be
   pulled away free. Discard ice bucket once it’s loose.
8. Install New Ice Bucket
   Unpack new ice bucket, ensuring removal of all small pieces of packaging that may be fitted around small, thin or protruding pieces.
9. Guide Bucket Around Auger
   Installing new bucket requires same maneuver in reverse. Carefully guide new ice maker bucket in and around auger spiral until it can set into housing.
10. Screw into Assembly Housing
    Settle new ice bucket into assembly housing, and retrieve screws just removed. Tighten screws firmly to ensure bucket does not come loose later when it’s full of ice.
11. Align Actuator Arm with Mounting Stand
    Move actuator arm back into place to rest on arm stand of new ice bucket. The spring should be on outer side of stand as it was before.
12. Set Retainer Bracket over Actuator Arm
    Retrieve actuator arm retainer and place over arm on new stand. Reinstall screws and tighten securely.
13. Wind Actuator Spring into Place
    To get spring back into place, turn actuator spring counterclockwise. Carefully set securing wires into place. Use needle-nose pliers if needed.
14. Return Ice Bucket
    The final step is placing entire ice bucket assembly back into the refrigerator. Once this is
    done, the ice maker should return to normal function.
15. Slide Ice Bucket Assembly into Place
    Once new ice bucket is fully secured to assembly, put the entire assembly back into the fridge. Fit assembly back into its slot, but don’t press in yet.
16. Rotate Auger to Seat Coupler
    If assembly doesn’t fit perfectly at first, manually turn auger until the mechanisms fit together. Because this is an entirely mechanical piece, line up gears for assembly to fit into place.

Special thanks to Fred’s Appliance Academy for this helpful tip!

**NOTICE**
Due to the danger and complexity of electronic equipment repair, the following technical tip is intended for professional reference only. Please refer to manufacturer’s recommendations as Encompass does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability or safety of this information. 

The freezer temperature control thermostat, or cold control thermostat, regulates the temperature inside the freezer compartment. When the thermostat senses the freezer is too warm or too cold, it cycles the compressor on and off. The control thermostat is found in the control housing inside the fresh food compartment of the Frigidaire refrigerator model FRS26R4CW.

The sensor bulb, which monitors the temperature, stretches from the control thermostat to the
freezer interior. If the freezer runs too cold or too hot, there’s a good chance the
temperature control thermostat has failed and is no longer switching the compressor on and off
at the appropriate time. Unfortunately, a damaged control thermostat cannot be repaired and
will need to be replaced.

Appliance Repair Safety Tips

• Always unplug refrigerator and turn off its water supply before starting work to prevent electrocution injury.
• Keep hands and eyes safe by wearing gloves and safety goggles during repairs.
• Stop what you’re doing and contact an appliance repair specialist if ever a repair job feels unsafe.

Tools Needed

• 1/4″ Nut Driver
• Flat head screwdriver

Steps to Removing Control Housing Assembly from Refrigerator

1. Open fresh food compartment door and either lower or remove top shelf. Once
   shelf is out of the way, unscrew refrigerator light bulb.
2. At front of control housing assembly, depress water filter release button. When filter pops out, remove it.
3. Using 1/4″ nut driver, unthread screw that secures water line cover to top and rear wall of  refrigerator. Then, carefully pull cover off wall and ceiling, and disconnect from back of control housing assembly.
4. Now, unthread screws that hold control housing assembly to compartment ceiling and sidewall. There are several screws, so ensure all are removed, including the one behind the damper grill. Once all screws are removed, lower control housing and disconnect wire plug from ceiling.
5. Next, pull out the two water lines that run to the back of the control housing. Some water
   may leak out of the lines, so have a towel nearby.
6. Finally, pull out the temperature control sensor bulb from freezer compartment. Move control housing assembly to flat, sturdy work table.

Uninstall Freezer Temperature Control Thermostat

1. Start uninstalling temperature control thermostat by removing control knob. To do
   so, insert flat head screwdriver behind knob and push off the control thermostat shaft.
2. Next, remove control thermostat from mounting bracket by using flat head screwdriver to depress locking tab holding component in place. Then, lift thermostat up and disconnect wires running to it.
3. Before completely uninstalling control thermostat, free the sensor bulb, which runs along side the damper control. To get to the part, pull top of damper control off control housing. Then, carefully slide sensor bulb out of the plastic installation tube.

Installing New Freezer Temperature Control Thermostat

1. Take new control thermostat and straighten out sensor bulb. Then, thread bulb through plastic installation tube attached to side of damper control. Stop sliding sensor bulb forward once tip of the bulb reaches the end of the tube.
2. Reinstall damper control by pushing it back onto control housing assembly.
3. Insert rest of the sensor bulb into clips running along the inside of the control housing. Then, near the temperature control, bend the sensor bulb to fit the component back into mounting bracket.
4. Before pushing control thermostat into bracket, reconnect wires to terminals. Then, use flat head screwdriver to pull back bracket locking tab while pushing down on control thermostat until the component locks in place.
5. To complete installation, slide control knob onto thermostat shaft. Test knob out by twisting it around a few times to ensure it rotates freely.

Reinstalling Control Housing Assembly

1. Begin installing control housing assembly by threading sensor bulb through opening near back of fresh food compartment. Then, insert control housing plug into refrigerator ceiling. Next, push water lines into back of the control housing assembly.
2. Line up screw holes on control housing assembly with screw holes in fresh food compartment ceiling. Then, using 1/4″ nut driver, rethread screw closest to water filter housing. Once that screw is secure, reinstall the rest of the screws. Before finishing, insert screw near water lines and behind damper grill.
3. Retrieve waterline cover and reinstall by inserting tabs on front of cover into slots on back of water filter housing. Then, push up on cover to insert locking tabs into the refrigerator ceiling. Finish installing cover by rethreading single screw holding it to rear wall.
4. Slide the refrigerator water filter back into its housing. Replace fresh food compartment light bulb, and readjust top shelf.
5. Finally, plug in the refrigerator and turn on water supply. Open refrigerator door and set control thermostat to desired temperature. Give some time for the new part to start working and then check to ensure the temperature is now working correctly.

Special thanks to Fred’s Appliance Academy for this helpful tip!