Ice maker displays EC50 or service code 50 and stops mid-cycle or fails to harvest ice.
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.
Possible Causes
How to Fix / Troubleshooting
Safety: Disconnect power and shut off water before servicing. Surfaces may be sharp; wear cut-resistant gloves.
Steps to address EC50:
- 1. Clean the ice thickness sensor: The sensor is typically a probe or paddle near the evaporator plate that detects slab thickness. Remove the front panel and carefully clean the sensor with a soft cloth and a mixture of warm water and Sub-Zero-approved ice machine cleaner to remove scale.
- 2. Check alignment: Verify the sensor is positioned at the correct distance from the evaporator plate as specified in the service manual. Gently adjust if it has been bent or knocked out of place.
- 3. Inspect wiring: Follow the sensor wires back to the control board. Look for kinks, cuts, or loose connectors. Reseat the connector firmly.
- 4. Test the sensor (if applicable): Some thickness sensors can be tested for continuity or resistance according to the tech sheet. If readings are out of spec, replace the sensor with an OEM part.
- 5. Control board evaluation: If a known-good sensor and wiring still result in EC50, the control board's sensor circuit may be defective. This typically requires professional diagnosis and replacement.
Tip: After cleaning or replacing the sensor, run a full cleaning cycle and then a production cycle to confirm proper harvest operation.
Repair Difficulty
Required Part
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