🚀 go-pugleaf

deja_bhoot2000@yahoo.com wrote:

> I purchased a side-by-side Sears (Kemore?) fridge in March, 1998,
> which has worked fine all this time (I think it cost about $1200 back
> then). There is no problem with the insides of the fridge itself.

> As most modern fridges do, this also has a waterline hookup
> for cold water, and for ice box. Ice function is working fine.
> For the cold water, for the past 4-5 months, there was a short
> delay between pressing switch, and water coming through in
> the small spigot. This delay got from a few seconds to about
> 1 minute. But once the water started, it was working fine.

Sounds like the valve itself was getting sticky and now is stuck closed.

> Now the water function is not working. The water connection
> is fine, as ice is being made at the same rate as before. It
> seems something simple, a mechanical, or electrical switch
> in the water component, is not functioning.

Doesnt sound like an electrical switch problem with that delay effect,
that sounds much more like a sticking valve that initially took some
time to open and now doesnt open at all when its told to.

> I am afraid to pull out the control box mounted outside,
> as it is not clear if it is just push fit, or some plastic clips
> in a tab, or what, so it might break if not pulled properly.

I doubt its the control box, much more likely to be the valve.

> If I could see someone take it out once, I could do it
> (I have fixed many things myself in the past, including a
> microwave, toaster, electrical circuits around the home, etc.)

> There is no other problem with the fridge (jn fact, not
> even any scratches), but I figure a nine year old fridge
> is probably no more than $300 worth, if that much.

That isnt relevant to the cost of repairing it.

> So, spending $100 to $200 on calling an appliance repairman seems silly.

What matters on that is how likely it is that you will need
other callouts for other problems, not the value of the fridge.

> But I feel awfully guilty throwing away a perfectly functioning fridge.

And so you should.

> What's average life expectancy of a fridge?

Much longer than that.

> What's a reasonable price for an appliance repairman in the SF
> Bay area to fix this? Any referrals would be much appreciated.