E3
Igloo Ice Tray Position Sensor / Motor Fault

Display shows E3 and the ice maker stops; ice tray may be stuck in one position.

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Safety Warning

This repair may involve working with high voltage components or water connections. Always unplug the appliance before removing any panels.

If you are not confident in your ability to perform this repair safely, we strongly recommend contacting a professional technician.

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Possible Causes

Jammed ice tray, failed tray rotation motor, broken tray position sensor, stripped gear in tray drive mechanism

How to Fix / Troubleshooting

Safety first: Unplug the unit before attempting to move the ice tray or remove covers. Moving parts can start unexpectedly if powered.

  • Check for physical jams: Open the lid and inspect the ice tray/evaporator area. Look for mis-shaped ice, large ice blocks, or foreign objects preventing the tray from rotating or tilting.
  • Defrost the tray: If ice is built up around the tray, leave the unit unplugged with the lid open for 30–60 minutes to melt the ice. Do not use sharp tools to chip ice off the evaporator or tray.
  • Manually move the tray: Gently try to move the tray by hand. It should move slightly without grinding. If it is completely locked, the motor or gear may be seized.
  • Inspect the tray motor and sensor: Remove the side or bottom panel to access the tray motor assembly. Check for loose connectors, broken wires, or cracked plastic gears.
  • Test the motor (advanced): With the motor disconnected, measure its resistance with a multimeter. An open circuit (OL) indicates a failed motor. Some models allow applying low AC or DC voltage (per service manual) to verify rotation; only do this if you are qualified.
  • Replace damaged components: If the motor is burnt or gears are stripped, replace the ice tray motor assembly or tray drive kit specific to your Igloo model. If the position sensor (often a small switch or Hall sensor) is broken, replace it as a set with the motor if available.
  • Recalibrate: After replacement, power the unit and allow it to complete a full cycle so the control board can relearn the tray home position.
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Repair Difficulty

Hard 4/5

Required Part

Ice Tray Motor and Position Sensor Assembly
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