No Water In Water Trough January 08 2015, 19 Comments
For a Manitowoc ice machine to make ice, it needs water. No water in a water trough can be caused by a number of issues and I’ll cover the most common issues in this guide. Although some of these solutions may seem simple, it’s important to start with the basics, to ensure your commercial ice machine is working optimally.
Start with ensuring you have water supply to the machine. Just because you have a water line hooked up, does not mean that water is always available. It’s possible that another piece of equipment has been added to the line, that robs the ice machine of water. Another reason could be that the lines are clogged with debris, due to a line breakage.
Next, check the water filter, if your Manitowoc ice machine is equipped with one. Water filters should be changed at least every 6 months, but may need to be changed more frequently. Part of an ice filters job is to take debris out of the water, which will eventually clog the cartridge. If in doubt, change the water filter and check pressures.
If you are sure you have water supply to the ice machine, next check the water inlet valve. A water inlet valve can get trash in it, causing it to clog. Or, the water inlet valve could have failed, not opening at all or not enough to fill the water trough. A Manitowoc water inlet valve is normally closed, which means it will only open when power is supplied to the coil. Check voltage during the water fill cycle, if the valve does not have power, then you may have a control board problem.
Losing the water that is supplied to the ice machine can also cause an empty water trough. This can be caused by a leaking dump valve or a water trough that is damaged or not properly installed. Check the dump valve by removing the drain and see if any water is coming out during the freeze cycle. In addition, a water trough that is hanging loose or cracked, will leak water into the ice storage bin. Look for signs of water outside of the foodzone.
Last, look at your water level probe, to ensure that it’s sensing properly. The board will only tell the inlet valve to open when the water level probe is not satisfied. If the water level light is on, then it’s telling the ice machine that there is water in the trough. If no water is visibly touching the probe, then check for cleanliness or signs of water tracking from the bottom of the evaporator. In most cases, replacement of the water level probe is necessary, if it’s there is too much limescale to get thoroughly cleaned.
If you are still having water problems, feel free to contact us at sales@icemakerpartsshop.com for diagnostic assistance. We will do our best to help get you back in ice.
Comments
GARY on August 13 2026 at 02:24PM
Manitowoc UD 0190A: NOTE: Ice maker has not been used for some time. PROBLEM: While performing cleaning maintenance cycle for start up the water continues to come out of the water inlet tube but does not fill the trough. The water continues to run. The water is coming from underneath the ice maker onto the the floor.
Byron Stann on August 13 2026 at 02:23PM
My ice do not come on
Tom on August 13 2026 at 02:23PM
I am working on a large Manitowoc ice machine. Had a bad compressor. Long story short replaced everything in the refrigerant cycle new compressor. Everything is working fine probe sensor for water level ice thickness sensor. I am still having the song pump shut off in the middle of making ice and stars for water, which gives a long freeze in a long harvest. I am thinking the water diverter do to it is kind of leaning down word and water, splashing off of it back into the bin, which in turn is lowering the water level in the reservoir am I on the right track and what would cause that other than the water diverter not being securely up to let the water completely go back into the reservoir. Thank you kindly been on the phone with Tech Support I feel with the water diverter it had dropped the water level a quarter inch within seven minutes of the reservoir just from splashing back down into the bed bed.
Kyle Landers on August 13 2026 at 02:23PM
Having a hard time with water inlet issues on Manitowoc SY0854A, replaced water level probe, have water at inlet solenoid but no power to the solenoid. Assuming board issue but want to run it by before purchasing. Also looking for pricing on a new board. Thank you! Can call me at 413-668-7852 if that’s easier. Thanks again
roy ruiz on August 13 2026 at 02:22PM
is there a way to by pass or check the float valve to check if thats the problem no water,but pump keeps pumping
Nick on August 06 2026 at 01:26PM
My machine doesn’t have even flow coming down over grid, lines are clean etc.
Parker Jones on August 06 2026 at 01:26PM
My ice maker will fill with water when you first turn it on and when the water in the trough hits the water probe it shuts it off but when it needs water again it won’t let the water come back on what should I replace or check first??
No ice Kev on August 13 2026 at 01:23PM
Same prob at Don -
Replaced water inlet valve that worked fora while- maybe two full bins –
Now it will only let in a little water at a time then chokes out /
Will make ice fine if I fill tray w hose water lol
Bud Cromwell on August 11 2026 at 09:38AM
Q machine 1998 450lb worked perfect put away for winter summer start up won’t make ice complete
Starts up as normal but 1 or 2 min in stops adding to tough water water level light 💡 is not on and Functions properly. pump continues to run even after water runs out of trough, then ice starts to crackle but not thick never falls everything continues to go on as normal or as it seems but never adds any more water 💧
I did notice when I turn on red light blinks two times before everything starts not sure what that means I have read that it’s a safety issue but cannot figure out why
Thank for you anticipated help
Bud
Michael Espinosa on August 11 2026 at 09:37AM
I changed the water filter and it put out black charcoal in the water , can that hurt the inlet vale
Michael Espinosa on August 11 2026 at 09:37AM
When I changed the filter black charcoal dumped in the trough , could that stop up in let vale
Steve Wilbanks on August 11 2026 at 09:25AM
Water holding tray overflows……water still runs with machine turned off…..about half of tray makes ice…..could the water inlet be the problem?
Darryl Dotson on August 11 2026 at 09:24AM
I have the same problem i think its. the board water will come in only at start up
Kevin on August 11 2026 at 09:23AM
Bought a brand new Neo ice maker. The clean light is on and no water is going into the trough. Was wondering why?
Robbie Jones on August 11 2026 at 09:23AM
water valve opens lets water in but for a short time. then close and there is very little water in the trough. and no water level light on.The dump valve is working no water down the drain.could this be the control board ??
Robbie Jones on August 11 2026 at 09:23AM
just put in a new water probe and a new water inlet valve. water valve opens lets water in but for a short time. then close and there is very little water in the trough. and no water level light on.The dump valve is working no water down the drain.could this be the control board ?? I need help asap
Kenny strachan on January 03 2018 at 07:28AM
I purchases a new board to c whether or not it was my board .it was not the board! It was the. Water Level probe that send signal to the board in order for board to allowed power coming outta board to start vale opening
John on November 04 2016 at 11:32AM
My manitowoc model sy0304a calls for water and sometimes it will fill and most of the time when it calls for water there is no power at the water valve. I am thinking it’s the board. When I power the water valve separately it works. Do you agree or is there something else to look at. The light will go on and off on for water on the board.
don on September 06 2016 at 06:02PM
just put in a new water probe and a new water inlet valve. water valve opens lets water in but for a short time. then close and there is very little water in the trough. and no water level light on.The dump valve is working no water down the drain.could this be the control board ??