How to Install Refrigerator Dispenser Ice Chute Door Cover 241688501 in a Kenmore Refrigerator

Quick answer: Unplug the refrigerator, remove the drip tray and unclip the dispenser facade to expose the ice chute. Swing the chute flap open, pull the cracked cover out of the flap frame, press the new cover 241688501 in until it snaps flush, then reassemble and confirm the flap closes on its seal.

The ice chute door cover 241688501 is the plastic plate that fits into the center of the ice chute flap on a Kenmore side-by-side refrigerator dispenser. When the flap closes after you release the lever, this cover blocks the opening, so a cracked, warped or missing cover lets room air drift into the ice bin. Typical symptoms are clumped ice, frost inside the chute, drips on the dispenser front and a flap that no longer sits flush.

This is one of the easier dispenser repairs because the cover presses straight into the flap frame. The freezer door stays on, no water lines are touched and no wiring is disconnected. The work is mostly getting the facade off without snapping its clips and seating the new cover so the flap closes evenly. Our fitment data lists this cover for 115 refrigerator models, so confirm your model number on the rating plate before you start.

See part details and every compatible model: 241688501

⚠️ Safety First
  • Unplug the refrigerator before working inside the dispenser housing; the auger motor and paddle switches are live with the cord connected.
  • Move ice cream and other delicate food to a cooler if the door will be open more than a few minutes.
  • Wear work gloves; broken plastic leaves sharp edges and the frame slots can pinch fingers.
  • Never force the facade. If a clip will not release, look for a hidden screw behind the drip tray.

Tools and Parts You Need

  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Plastic trim tool or small flat-blade screwdriver
  • Flashlight
  • Work gloves
  • Soft towel to rest the facade on
  • Warm water and a clean cloth

Step-by-Step Installation

  1. Unplug and clear the dispenser Pull the power cord or switch off the breaker, remove the drip tray at the bottom of the dispenser and wipe out standing water.
  2. Remove the dispenser facade Find the screws under the housing and behind the drip tray, remove them, then release the top clips with a trim tool. Rest the facade on a towel so the control ribbon cable is not stretched.
  3. Study the chute flap You will now see the chute opening with its hinged flap. Move it by hand to see how it pivots and where the old cover sits in the center of the flap frame.
  4. Remove the old cover Hold the flap open and push the old cover 241688501 from the inside toward the front until it pops out. Pick every fragment out of the frame slots.
  5. Clean the frame and seal Wipe the flap frame, the seal around the chute and the chute walls with warm water. Scale and ice residue stop the new cover from seating.
  6. Fit the new cover Line up the tabs on the cover with the slots in the frame and press evenly around the edge until it snaps flush. If it resists, back off and check the orientation instead of bending it.
  7. Check flap travel Open and close the flap several times. It should move freely, shut on its own under spring tension and rest flat against the seal.
  8. Reassemble and test Refit the facade and screws, replace the drip tray, plug the refrigerator in and dispense a few cubes to confirm ice clears the chute and the flap snaps shut.

Fit Checks Before You Call the Job Done

  • The cover sits flush in the flap frame with no edge standing proud.
  • The flap closes on its own and rests evenly against the seal.
  • No daylight shows around the cover edge when you shine a flashlight from inside the chute.
  • Ice passes through the chute without catching on the cover.
  • Every facade clip and screw returned to its original position.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Prying the facade before finding the screws Hidden screws behind the drip tray hold the facade. Prying first breaks the clips and turns a cheap repair into a facade replacement.

Installing the cover backwards The cover has a front and a back. Reversed, the tabs do not engage and the flap hangs open.

Leaving fragments in the frame A shard stuck in a slot keeps the new cover from seating. Inspect the frame with a flashlight before fitting the part.

Ignoring a worn chute seal If the seal is torn or flattened, a new cover alone will not stop frost. Replace the seal while the facade is off.

Troubleshooting After Installation

Flap stays partly open Remove the facade and check that the cover is fully snapped in and the hinge spring is hooked at both ends. A cover that is not flush blocks flap travel.

Frost or drips return within days The chute seal is worn. Replace it and make sure the ice bin is seated so the auger does not push cubes against the flap.

Ice jams in the chute Confirm the cover is not proud of the frame on the inside face, then empty the bin if the cubes have fused from an earlier melt.

Dispenser dead after reassembly Check that the control ribbon cable was not unplugged or pinched when the facade came off, and that the dispenser lock is not enabled.

Care Tips After the Repair

  • Wipe the chute and flap with a damp cloth monthly to keep scale off the seal.
  • Let the auger clear a jam on its own instead of pumping the lever.
  • Keep the drip tray clean so meltwater does not sit against the housing.
  • Check the flap closes fully whenever condensation appears on the dispenser front.

Compatible Models (Sample)

This part is listed for 115 Kenmore models in our fitment data. Always confirm your exact model number on the appliance's rating plate.

Repair Difficulty and Time

Difficulty: Easy. Typical time: 20 to 30 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to remove the freezer door?

No. The cover is reached from the front once the facade is off, so hinges and water lines stay untouched.

Why does a small cover matter so much?

The chute opens straight into the freezer. A cover that does not seal lets room air in, which melts and refreezes cubes into a block and frosts the chute walls.

Will it fit my Frigidaire refrigerator?

The same cover is used on Kenmore, Frigidaire and related side-by-side models. Match your exact model number against the compatible list first.

Should I replace the hinge spring too?

If the flap closes slowly or not at all, the spring is weak. It is cheap and quick to swap while the facade is already off.

Final Checklist

  • Refrigerator unplugged before facade removal
  • All facade screws removed before releasing clips
  • Old cover and fragments cleared from the frame
  • Chute seal inspected and cleaned
  • New cover 241688501 snapped flush with correct orientation
  • Flap swings freely and closes under spring tension
  • Facade, screws and drip tray reinstalled
  • Ice dispensed and flap closure confirmed

Related Repair Guides