GE WR49X10173 Genuine OEM Dispenser Water Tube Heater Kit for GE Refrigerators

The media could not be loaded.  This is a great fix, easy and simple to install, and has totally fixed the problem for me on a GE Side by Side. I can now run the freezer below zero for weeks and the water has NEVER frozen. See the linked or attached video for the tips and tricks. Some notes to answer some questions I have seen;This heater wire runs ALL THE TIME.It gets warm to the touch; almost so hot you can't hold a finger on it.the foil is just for heat convection, the foil is not the element. The wire is the element, so minor damage of the foil is not an issue.Most frozen water dispensers on this model are on the tip of the dispenser, not inside the door.A replacement door is over $600.00 if you can get one.A weak ice flapper can also contribute to the problem because if it doesn't close tightly it will let cold air leak out directly onto the dispenser.Here are some good parts diagrams for this specific model.I had links for the parts diagram and install videos but apparently you can't put links in Amazon reviews.[...][...][...]

I give it five stars because it does the job. No problem with water dispenser freezing up since installation. Leaving the light on all the time will do the same thing but I didn't like that idea. Have to say that all the reviews that said the instructions are horrible are from people that don't understand that this is an appliance technicians repair part and the instructions assume you have some skills in that department. They're not written for a layman. If you have what I consider basic repair skills and install it properly, it cures the problem. You might want to study the numerous youtube videos on installation. Contrary to all the posts that say they called GE and talked them into sending one of these to them for free, I had no such luck and was flatly denied any satisfaction. I will make a point of trying to avoid ever purchasing a GE product again and told the customer service person at GE exactly that. However, they obviously would rather loose a customer forever than send them a part that probably cost them next to nothing. Genius. If you need this part, this is the lowest price I could find and they're all the same thing so why pay more?

I've used a hair dryer and tried taping foam board for added insulation to the inside the freezer but the dispenser line would continue to freeze up. I've been reading that this would be the solution to my problems...and low an behold...it was! I installed the heater on a frozen line and in about 14 hours, I had flowing water again....I did not have to thaw it out with a hair dryer!! So far I had it for two months and no frozen line. The installation was not that difficult if your are a little handy. No need to call a repair man to install. The instructions tell you to take apart the control panel and dispenser but do not tell you the step by step procedure to take them off. So let me try to help you...First pry/pull off slowly the outer frame that surounds the dispenser. Next the control panel is snaped in place to the dispenser door. you will see three small holes on the bottom of the control board.The outside holes have a tab inside of them. Use an eye glass screw driver and place in hole to push up on the tab and remove control panel. Now unscrew the four screws that hold the dispenser in place. Once removed follow the instruction that came with the heater. One last note, make sure you follow the part in the instructions about splicing the wires 1" from the grommet. This is important when you put everything back together. There is not much space for the splice tabs to go. You'll see what I mean when your done....So put away your hair dryer and by this heater!!

The product itself works fine, a simple resistor/coil that will produce heat designed to fit into the space by the water dispenser that froze over. The instructions left a lot to be desired, however I am a computer Engineer so hooking this up was child's play for me. I do like that it included the wire splices which saves you a trip to a local electronics part store. When removing the front cover I broke some of the snaps so including extra snaps would of been nice. I'll probably get some nice double sided tape to hold it secure now.Hooked it up and now my fridge dispenses water again (after like 2-3 hours). No issues since.But really the fact that this exists and I had to pay extra for it kind of points to a problem GE Refrigerators considering I live in Texas and my water dispenser froze over. Doubt my next Fridge will be GE.

I have a GE fridge which has the same problem with the water line freezing up. I ordered this part and installed it today. It doesn't seem hot at all and so I'm not sure its going to have any effect on the water line. I called GE Customer Service and they said my refrigerator is not affected by the issue (I beg to differ!). They told me I would have to buy the part, but offered no discount or any other assistance! My last fridge was a whirlpool which lasted 15 years with no issues. GE has had issues since I purchased it with motor vibrating and three service calls later, its still loud and noisy with a reoccurring freezing water line (which doesn't happen according to their customer service). I will never buy a GE product again. Its almost as though they designed the door with this defect on purpose to get residual revenue from the parts. The techs cannot fix their products and their repair parts don't fix the problems either. Fail, Fail and Fail. I'm done!

El dispositivo funciona excelente, brinda un ligero incremento de temperatura para evitar congelamiento del ducto de alimentación de agua.Lo malo es el pegamento para adherirlo esta bastante chafo.Las instrucciones son incompletas, tuve que averiguar que cables tomar con un multimetro ya que lo que venía escrito investigue en youtube no funcionó lo que ahí comentaban.