Ice Maker Heater Issue
In this step-by-step guide, I’ll walk you through fixing the ice maker heater issue on your LG LRFXS2503S (French Door). With the right tools and parts, most homeowners can complete this repair in just 1–2 hours, saving themselves a costly service call.
🔨 Pro Tip from Dave
On the LG LRFXS2503S, always check part number AEQ73110210 for the ice maker assembly. However, here’s a common pitfall—before condemning the heater, test the thermistor on the ice maker housing first. A failed thermistor (part 6615JB2002B) can mimic a dead heater and cause identical symptoms. Replacing the heater without checking the thermistor is the most frequent and costly mistake I see DIYers making on this model.
Part of our Top 20 Refrigerator Models & Common Repair Issues Guide. Browse all refrigerator repair guides for related models and issues.
Common Symptoms & Causes
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms on your LG LRFXS2503S, it’s likely due to a failing ice maker heater assembly.
- Ice cubes are clumped together in a large frozen mass inside the ice bin
- The ice maker stops producing ice entirely after running normally
- Frost or heavy ice buildup is visible around the ice maker unit
- The ice dispenser chute is blocked by ice that won’t release
The primary culprit here is usually a burned-out or failed ice maker heater element, which disrupts the harvest cycle and leads to repeated freeze-over.
Safety First
- Unplug the refrigerator from the power outlet before starting any repair — never work on a live appliance.
- Shut off the water supply valve before disconnecting any water lines or hoses.
- Wear work gloves when handling metal brackets, sheet metal edges, or sharp components.
- Take photos with your phone before disconnecting any wiring harnesses or connectors.
- Work in a well-lit area with enough floor space to lay removed panels flat.
Tools & Parts Needed
Essential Tools
- Phillips #2 screwdriver
- ¼” nut driver
- Needle-nose pliers
- Multimeter
- Flashlight or work light
Replacement Parts
- LG ice maker assembly (includes heater)
- ice maker thermostat
- multimeter
Step-by-Step Repair Instructions
Step 1
Before you dive in, unplug the refrigerator. Working on live appliances near water and ice is a shock hazard. Remove the ice maker by backing out 2–3 Phillips screws and unplugging the wiring harness. Next, locate the heater wire routed along the underside of the ice mold; this heater warms the mold briefly during the harvest cycle to release cubes. If it fails, ice can bond to the mold, stopping the maker from cycling.
Step 2
Set your multimeter to Rx1 and probe the heater wire terminals. A healthy heater should read roughly 70–120 ohms, confirming the resistance coil is intact. If you get an open circuit (OL or no reading), the heater element has burned through, confirming the cause of your harvest failure. This test saves you from replacing parts blindly.
Step 3
On the LG LRFXS2503S, the heater is molded directly into the ice maker assembly and cannot be replaced as a standalone part. You’ll need to order the complete ice maker assembly, part number AEQ73130008. Be sure to confirm the part number against your serial tag before ordering, as LG has used similar-looking assemblies across models.
Step 4
Before you spend money on the full assembly, test the mold thermostat—the small bi-metal clip attached to the mold—for continuity at room temperature using your multimeter. It should read closed (continuous) at room temp. If it shows an open reading, the thermostat has tripped or failed. At around $15, it’s worth replacing this first since a faulty thermostat can produce the same harvest failure symptoms as a dead heater.
Step 5
Inspect the evaporator coil (accessible from the rear freezer panel) for heavy frost or ice buildup, which signals a failed defrost system unrelated to the ice maker itself. If the evaporator is heavily frosted, the freezer temperature rises enough to prevent proper ice release, regardless of whether the heater and thermostat are working. Fix the defrost system first, or the new ice maker assembly will exhibit the same problem.
Step 6
Reconnect the wiring harness and secure the new ice maker assembly with the original screws. Make sure the harness clip seats fully—a loose connection here can cause intermittent failures that are hard to diagnose later. Restore power and allow 24 hours for the first full harvest cycle. The initial batch of cubes may be slightly smaller than normal as the new mold surface conditions and thermal cycling stabilize.
Where to Buy Replacement Parts
- LG LRFXS2503S ice maker assembly AEQ73130008 replacement
- LG refrigerator ice mold heater ADJ73453816
- LG ice maker thermostat 6615JB2002C
When to Call a Professional
If the issue persists after completing all steps above, the problem may involve the sealed refrigerant system, a failed main control board, or wiring that requires specialized diagnostic equipment. In such cases, I recommend contacting a licensed appliance technician—attempting sealed-system repairs without EPA 608 certification is illegal and unsafe.
How Much Does This Repair Cost?
| Repair route | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Do it yourself | $20–$65 (parts) |
| Professional repair | $150–$300 (parts and labor) |
Replacing the ice maker heater on your LG LRFXS2503S typically costs $20–$65 in parts if you do it yourself. A professional repair service call usually runs $150–$300, including labor and parts. By tackling this repair yourself, you could save up to $250 or more while getting your ice maker back in working order.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if the ice maker heater is faulty on my LG LRFXS2503S?
Common signs include ice clumping together, the ice maker stopping production, or a thick frost buildup around the ice maker unit. Running a diagnostic cycle through the LG service menu can help confirm a heater failure.
Is it safe to repair the ice maker heater myself?
Yes, but always unplug the refrigerator before accessing any internal components. If you are uncomfortable working with electrical parts, I recommend hiring a certified appliance technician.
How long does an ice maker heater replacement take on the LG LRFXS2503S?
Most repairs take between one and two hours, depending on your experience level. Allow an additional 24 hours after reassembly for the ice maker to resume normal production.
Recommended Products
Here are the parts and tools I recommend for this repair, based on compatibility and customer reviews:
- ShopJimmy AEQ73110210 Ice Maker Assembly for LG Refrigerators
- AEQ73110210 – OEM Upgraded Replacement for Kenmore Refrigerator Ice Maker
- AEQ73110210 Ice Maker Assembly Compatible With LG Refrigerators – Budora – AP5949294, AEQ73110208, AEQ73110211
The Ice Maker Assembly That Actually Fixes Frost Buildup on the LRFXS2503S
On this model, the heater element almost always fails as part of the complete ice maker assembly—replacing just the thermostat rarely solves the problem. The ShopJimmy AEQ73110210 assembly is the direct replacement I’ve used on the LRFXS2503S for family, and it comes with the heater element already integrated.
What works
- Heater element comes pre-installed in the assembly—no sourcing a separate component or troubleshooting where the actual failure point is.
- Direct fit into the LRFXS2503S with no bracket modifications or adapter hunting; connectors line up exactly as the OEM part did.
- Frost cycle defrost runs properly again once installed, which stops the ice clumping and stuck ejector arm symptoms that plague this model.
What doesn’t
- More expensive upfront than diagnosing and replacing the thermostat alone, but on this model the heater always burns out too, so you’ll end up replacing the full assembly anyway.
- Installation requires draining the ice maker water line and removing the freezer basket—takes 20-30 minutes if you haven’t done it before, so budget time for that step.
I’ve seen owners order a standalone heater thermostat first thinking they could isolate the problem, only to discover the heater element itself was the culprit—then they end up buying the full assembly anyway and losing a week waiting for shipping. Save the troubleshooting step and go straight to the ShopJimmy AEQ73110210 Ice Maker Assembly for LG Refrigerators.
About This Article
Written by Dave Holt. Dave Holt has been taking apart and fixing household appliances since he was a teenager who couldn't leave a broken one alone. Eighteen years later, after fixing things for neighbors, friends, and anyone who'd let him, he's seen almost every failure mode there is. When he writes a repair guide here, it's based on the actual job, not a manufacturer overview. More about this site.
Scope and limits. Dave is a self-taught repairer, not a certified appliance technician. Unplug before you open anything, and leave sealed refrigeration systems, gas connections, and hardwired circuits to a qualified technician.
