Hoshizaki Ice Machine Troubleshooting
Hoshizaki is one the best ice machine manufacturers in the foodservice industry, making everything from crescent cubes to chewy cubelets. So when your ice machine is on the fritz, we understand it can be very frustrating.
Sometimes, a Hoshizaki machine beeps to give you a helpful hint with what's wrong, but that doesn't identify every issue. Fortunately, we have some helpful Hoshizaki ice machine troubleshooting tips to get to the bottom of your issue. That way your unit can get back up and running in no time.
Not Making Ice or Cooling
There are many factors that can cause your Hoshizaki machine not to make ice. Here are some common issues to look for.
- Bad power supply or fuse – Before you start poking around inside the machine, check to see if the power switch is on or the unit is plugged in properly. If everything looks fine, you could have a blown fuse. Check the electrical panel for a short circuit and replace it if necessary.
- Defective door switch – If the front panel is not in position or the actuating plate does not push the door switch, there will be no dispensing of ice. Check the position of the switch and the associated contacts and connections to make sure everything is working properly.
- Gear motor issue – The gear motor's thermal protector may have been tripped and would need time to cool. The gear motor winding could also be opened, which requires a replacement part.
- Faulty float switch – Check if dirt or grime is keeping the float switch from moving. Try to clean the area. If it's broken or has bad contacts, replace it.
- Bin control thermostat assembly – If the assembly is disconnected, out of position or has an open bin with filled ice, readjust properly via instructions in your owner's manual. Issues with the bin control thermostat assembly also can be due to a bad thermostat heater or contacts. In these situations, you might need to replace the entire assembly.
Not Making Enough Ice
In some cases, your machine might still make ice but the production is too low. This often can lead to a long freeze cycle. Check for the problems listed above for "not making ice," and also look for the following issues.
- Water problems – A long freeze cycle can be caused by a variety of factors related to your water. Check if the temperature is too high or the pressure is too low. If neither is a problem, look at the water quality. Poor quality could be causing a buildup of lime or other contaminants, means you need clean your ice machine and add a filter.
- Refrigerant line – Any problems with the refrigerant line can halt the production of ice. Check for gas leaks, clogs or overcharging. Make sure that any work involving refrigerant is conducted by a certified technician.
- Low-side pressure issues – Check if the expansion valve has low-side pressure that is too low or high. If low, replace the valve. If too high, see if the valve's bulb is mounted properly and replace if necessary.
- High-side pressure too high – Check if the unit's air filter or condenser needs to be cleaned, and remove anything that could be blocking the vents. The ambient temperature could also be too warm, causing high pressure. Consult your owner's manual for the correct temperature.
Abnormal or Thin Ice
Whenever you notice misshaped, cloudy or thin ice being produced by your machine, look for the problems below.
- Water system issues – Check for clogs in the water valve, plate or supply line. A buildup of scale or other contaminants can cause issues and should be cleaned immediately. If the problem persists, see if the supply line has low pressure.
- Defective thermistor or controller board – Look at the machine's thermistor or controller board. If either is malfunctioning, replace it as soon as possible.
- Worn out pump motor – If you notice leaking or worn out bearing from your unit's pump motor, replace it immediately.
- Dirty Air filter or condenser – In some cases, a clogged air filter or condenser can hinder the look of your ice. Try cleaning them before replacing. If you notice damage on either, change it.
Making Noise
A soft humming noise is normal in any machine. However, loud or abnormal sounds can be caused by the following issues.
- Bad gear motor or head – Check the gear motor on your machine for a damaged or worn out gear motor bearing or gear head. Cleaning or oiling either the part could help, but you will have to replace them if there is obvious damage.
- Solenoid – The solenoid can be overloaded due to loosened screws. Tighten the screws, and apply sealant if necessary. Also, other matter like dirt and grime could be covering the plunger. Try cleaning this part and the surrounding area to stop or reduce the noises.
- Mechanism – There could be a bad setting or poor alignment of the sprocket. These can be fixed by cleaning, oiling and readjusting the mechanism. Also, see if there is foreign matter interrupting the agitator. Remove it, and clean the surrounding area.
- Fan motor –Replace the fan blade if you notice it's defective or split. If the fan blade isn't moving freely or has worn out bearings, replace the fan motor
- Compressor – In some instances, the compressor's mounting pad can be out of position. Reinstall the pad so it's mounted properly. Also, check to see if the bearings are worn out. If so, replace the compressor.
Evaporator Freezing Up
When the evaporator freezes up, it can both halt and hinder the production of ice in your machine. Check for the factors below when trying to diagnose the roost cause.
- Incomplete defrost – When the evaporator doesn't completely defrost, there could be a defective defrost heater or an open defrost thermostat. These will need to be replaced. If the machine's defrost thermistor is out of place, try to reposition it (see your owner's manual for specific instructions).
- Control module defects – Whenever the compressor or evaporator fan stays on during defrost, this means the unit could have a faulty control module. Please consult your manual for further instructions, or contact a service technician.
Need a little more help with your specific unit? Check out our selection of Hoshizaki manuals and diagrams to get additional troubleshooting and maintenance tips.