How to Install Refrigerator Dispenser Ice Chute Door Hinge Spring 241688901 in a Kenmore Refrigerator
Quick answer: Unplug the refrigerator, remove the drip tray and dispenser facade, then lift the chute flap off its hinge pins. Slide the old spring off, fit new spring 241688901 with one leg on the frame stop and the other behind the flap, preload it a quarter turn as you seat the flap, and confirm it snaps shut.
The ice chute door hinge spring 241688901 is the small torsion spring that sits on the hinge pin of the ice chute flap inside the dispenser of a Kenmore side-by-side refrigerator. Its only job is to snap the flap shut the moment you release the dispenser lever. When the spring fatigues or a leg breaks, the flap sags open, warm kitchen air flows up the chute, the ice bin fills with fused cubes and frost forms around the chute and dispenser front.
This spring supersedes a long list of earlier part numbers, which is why our fitment data lists it for 1034 refrigerator models across Kenmore, Frigidaire and related brands. The repair is quick, but it has one fiddly moment: loading the spring while you drop the flap onto its pins. Set aside a clear workspace, keep a flashlight handy and confirm your model number on the rating plate before ordering.
See part details and every compatible model: 241688901
- Unplug the refrigerator before opening the dispenser; the paddle switches and auger motor are powered while the cord is connected.
- Move ice cream and other delicate food to a cooler if the job runs long.
- Wear work gloves and eye protection; a torsion spring under load can jump when it slips off the pin.
- Do not pry the facade until every hidden screw is out.
Tools and Parts You Need
- Phillips screwdriver
- Plastic trim tool
- Needle-nose pliers
- Flashlight
- Work gloves
- Soft towel
Step-by-Step Installation
- Unplug and open the dispenser Disconnect power, remove the drip tray and take out the screws that hold the dispenser facade, then release its clips with a trim tool and rest it on a towel without pulling the control ribbon.
- Observe the flap and spring Shine a flashlight on the ice chute flap. Note which hinge pin carries the spring, how its legs sit against the frame and the flap, and which way the coil winds before you touch anything.
- Release the flap Flex the chute frame gently or slide the flap sideways to free one hinge pin, then lift the flap out. Keep the old spring and flap together so you can compare them with the new part.
- Remove the old spring Slide the spring 241688901 off the hinge pin with needle-nose pliers. If a broken leg fell into the chute, retrieve it so it cannot jam the auger later.
- Clean the hinge area Wipe the pins, the flap edges and the chute seal with a damp cloth. Frozen residue on the pins makes the flap bind and hides a weak spring.
- Load the new spring Slide the new spring onto the pin so the coil winds the same way the old one did. Rest the long leg against the frame stop and hook the short leg behind the flap.
- Seat the flap under tension Preload the spring a quarter turn with your thumb, drop the flap onto both pins and release. The flap should swing shut and rest against the seal.
- Reassemble and test Refit the facade, screws and drip tray, restore power and dispense ice a few times. The flap must snap closed each time you release the lever.
Fit Checks Before You Call the Job Done
- The flap closes fully and quickly on its own from any open angle.
- Both hinge pins are seated and the flap does not rock sideways.
- The spring legs sit on their stops and are not trapped between the flap and the frame.
- No gap is visible around the flap edge when closed.
- Ice clears the chute without the flap catching on cubes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Winding the spring the wrong way A spring loaded backwards pushes the flap open instead of shut. Match the coil direction to the old spring before seating the flap.
Losing the spring into the chute A dropped spring can land in the ice bin or the auger. Work with the ice bin removed and a towel across the chute opening.
Forcing the flap onto bent pins If the pins are bent or the frame is cracked, the new spring cannot hold the flap true. Inspect the frame and replace it if needed.
Skipping the seal check A weak spring often hides a compressed or torn chute seal. Replace the seal while everything is open.
Troubleshooting After Installation
Flap closes but does not seal Check the spring preload and confirm both pins are seated. If the flap sits flat but leaks air, the chute seal or the door cover is worn and should be replaced.
Flap sticks open in cold weather Meltwater freezing on the pins is holding it. Dry the pins and hinge area, then dispense ice more often so frost does not build up.
Spring popped off after a few days The legs were not on their stops. Reopen the facade and reposition the spring so the long leg bears on the frame stop and the short leg hooks the flap.
Dispenser makes a rattling sound A broken piece of the old spring is probably in the chute or bin. Remove the bin, empty it and inspect the auger before running the dispenser again.
Care Tips After the Repair
- Wipe the flap and hinge pins monthly so scale and frost do not slow the spring.
- Do not hold the lever pressed for long periods; the flap is designed to close between uses.
- Keep the ice bin seated so cubes do not press against the flap.
- Replace the spring at the first sign of a slow-closing flap before frost damages the bin.
Compatible Models (Sample)
This part is listed for 1034 Kenmore models in our fitment data. Always confirm your exact model number on the appliance's rating plate.
Replaces or is replaced by: 195373, 241682003, 241688401, 241688501, 241688601, 241689001, 241689301, ABF72989901
Repair Difficulty and Time
Difficulty: Easy. Typical time: 20 to 40 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this spring fit my Frigidaire refrigerator?
The spring 241688901 replaces several earlier numbers and is used on many Frigidaire, Kenmore and related side-by-side dispensers. Confirm your model in the compatible list.
Do I need to remove the freezer door?
No. Everything is reached from the front of the dispenser once the facade is off.
How do I know the spring is the problem and not the flap?
Open the flap by hand and let go. If it drifts shut slowly or stays open, the spring is weak. If it snaps shut but leaks, the door cover or seal is the issue.
Can I stretch the old spring instead?
No. A fatigued torsion spring will not hold tension for long and the flap will sag again within weeks.
Final Checklist
- Refrigerator unplugged before facade removal
- Spring orientation noted before disassembly
- Old spring and any broken pieces removed from the chute
- Hinge pins and seal cleaned
- New spring 241688901 loaded with correct coil direction
- Flap snaps shut and sits flat on the seal
- Facade, screws and drip tray reinstalled
- Dispenser tested with power restored