Kold-Draft Ice Machine Error Codes When it comes to making ice, Kold-Draft manufactures some of the best equipment in the foodservice industry. From Cocktail and X-Series models to undercounter and stackable units, you can find their commercial ice makers in a wide variety of establishments.
Kold-Draft Ice Machine Error Codes Solutions
Kold-Draft Ice Machine Error Codes In the rare case an issue pops up, our guide gives you troubleshooting tips and error codes for Kold-Draft ice machine. Below are common codes and ways to diagnose any problem quickly.
Error Codes & Troubleshooting Steps
Code: 10
If you see this code, this means the evaporator temperature is over 120°F. Below are possible causes and solutions:
- Bad evaporator probe or wiring – The probe or wiring will need to be repaired or replaced.
- Hot gas valve or cuber stuck open – See if the hot gas valve closes after the water plate shuts. Repeat the process with the hot gas valve coil disconnected. If the valve doesn’t close, it needs to be replaced.
- Faulty control board – If the control board is broken, replace it.
- Actuator motor doesn’t raise the water plate – If this occurs, the actuator motor needs to be replaced.
Code: 20
This will display if the water plate fails to close after three attempts. On models with software revision 1.2 and 1.3, the ice machine goes into shutdown mode for 30 minutes with the plate open. This process typically repeats itself four times before going out completely. Check for the following:
- Broken cam arm or pin – If the cam arm or pin is broken, replace it immediately.
- Disconnected or broken cam spring – Fix the disconnected spring or replace it if it’s broken.
- Stuck or non-actuating plate-up switch – If the plate-up switch is stuck open or not actuating, the switch actuator needs to be adjusted or replaced.
- Ice sticks to water plate from over-freezing – The short water level probe will need to be lowered in 1/16″ increments until ice cubes have a small, pea-sized dimple.
- Worn silicone coating on the water plate – This plate will need to be replaced. In the interim, use a food-grade silicone spray on the plate as a temporary surface.
- Evaporator probe reads too warm or broken – If the evaporator probe is out of adjustment and read a warm temperature, adjust the probe to colder. If the probe is broken, have it replaced.
- Arms-up switch stuck and plate stays down – If the arms-up switch is stuck closed and the plate stays down, the arms-up switch is shorted or stuck. Adjust or replace it. If that’s not the issue, you might have to have the wiring repaired.
- Bin probe out of position – The bin probe will have to be adjusted or replaced.
Code: 30
If this code displays, that means freezing has exceeded its set time. The freeze time will exceed an hour on models with software revision 1.1. On models with software revisions 1.2 and 1.3, it will exceed 45 minutes three consecutive times. Look for possible causes below:
- Low air or liquid flow through condenser – Clean the condenser if it’s an air-cooled unit, or check for low water or coolant supply if it’s a liquid-cooled unit. If neither is the issue, the high-pressure safety might have tripped and needs to be reset.
- Shorted low-level harvest probe – See if the wiring to this probe needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Low-level harvest probe touching glass tube – If the probe is touching the glass surface, power down the machine and gently move it away. When moving the probe, make sure it’s not pushed up or down when out of vertical adjustment.
- Faulty water pump – Check the pump by unplugging it and seeing if the impeller isn’t jammed. If not, consult an authorized service technician for more assistance.
- Not refrigerating – Contact a certified technician to see if the refrigerant charge is low and needs to be fixed.
- Compressor is off – If the compressor is off, the contactor typically has malfunction and will need to be replaced.
- Controller won’t shut off the water valve – If the controller isn’t shutting off the water valve, the controller will need to be replaced.
- Overflowing water tank – If the water tank overflows, this usually occurs if the inlet water valve sticks opens. The valve will need to be replaced.
- Opened hot gas valve – If the hot gas valve is partially open on an air-cooled model or fully open on a liquid-cooled compressor, the valve will need to be replaced.
Code: 40
If error code 40 displays, this means the freeze time is under five minutes for three consecutive times. Check for these possible issues:
- Slushing in pump, water lines or water tank – If this happens, it typically occurs if the expansion valve (TXV) fails, is incorrectly adjusted or isn’t wrapped insulating foam. Adjust the valve accordingly or have it replaced.
- Opened low-level probe circuit – See if the wiring to this probe needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Faulty water-level probe assembly – If the water-level probe is damaged, replace it immediately.
- Water leaking causing premature harvesting – Check the hoses, tank, pumps, water plate and water probe assembly for a leak. Make sure the source of the leak is repaired or replaced.
- Evaporator probe warm and out of adjustment – If the evaporator is too warm and out of adjustment during a harvest cycle, adjust the temperature setting so it’s colder.
- Short fill and hollow cubes – If the high-level probe short circuits during fill, the cubes will be hollow. The short circuit will need to be repaired.
Code: 50
Error code 50 displays when the harvest cycle exceeds 20 minutes. If this occurs, look for the following:
- Evaporator temperature probe too warm or broken – If the probe is too warm, adjust to a colder setting on the controller. This will help the water plate close about five seconds after ice releases. If the probe is broken and the actuator motor is working, replace the probe.
- Water plate not raising or lowering – If the actuator motor won’t raise or lower the water plate, have the actuator motor replaced.
- Faulty controller – Replace the control board.
- Arms-down switch stuck open or closed – If the arms-down switch is stuck in the opened or closed position, clear the area or adjust it. If the issue persists, you’ll need to have the switch replaced or the open/shorted wiring repaired.
- Hot gas valve not opening – Have an authorized technician check power from the controller to valve coil to determine if the issue is electrical or the valve is just stuck.
- Evaporator probe out of adjustment or broken – If the evaporator probe is out of adjustment during harvesting, the temperature will read too low. Adjust the probe to a warmer setting. If the probe is broken, ice production will be low. It will need to be replaced.
- Compressor off – The compressor typically shuts down due to a bad contactor. Have the contactor replaced.
Code 60
If code 60 displays, that means water is filling over its set time. The water fill time will exceed five minutes on models with software revision 1.1. On models with software revisions 1.2 and 1.3, it will exceed three minutes. Look for possible causes below:
- Major leak or water supply is off – Check for a leak in the water tank or lines. If there is no leak, see if the water supply needs to be turned on.
- External water filter clogged – Unplug any blockage in the external water filter.
- Defective water solenoid valve – A service technician will have to test the valve to see if it needs to be replaced.
- Loose wire connection in water-level probe assembly – Check for a loose wire connection at the upper probe (short) or common probe (longest) in the water-level probe assembly. Wire connection for either should be securely crimped on the top of the probe and back of the controller.
- Fault controller – If the controller is broken, it will need to be replaced.
Code 70
Error code 70 displays for different reasons depending on the model. On models with software revisions 1.1 and 1.2, the evaporator temperature is less than 31 degrees Fahrenheit. For models with software revision 1.3, the arm-up and arm-down switches are closed at the same time. Check for the following issues:
- Incoming water temperature is too low (Rev. 1.1/1.2 only) – If the incoming water temperature is too low, this can impede ice production. Make sure to increase incoming water temperature to more than 45 degrees Fahrenheit for best result.
- Loose or mis-wired switches (Rev. 1.3 only) – Tighten the switches if they’re loose. If they’re mis-wired, turn off the unit and rewire them. Check the equipment’s manual for proper connections.
- Bent switch bracket (Rev. 1.3 only) – If the switch bracket is bent, the switches won’t be in proper position. Straightening the bracket will help remedy the issue.
- Switch cams loose or incorrectly positioned (Rev. 1.3 only) – The cam flats should be opposite of each other. An authorized technician will need to resolve the issue.
- Arms-up or arm-down switch stuck (Rev. 1.3 only) – If the arms-up switch is stuck open, the plate will stay down. If the arms-down switch is stuck closed, the plate will stay up. In either case, the switch will need to be replaced.
Code 80 (Rev. 1.3 Only)
Error code 80 only displays on models with 1.3 software revisions. This occurs if the machine is in full-rinse mode, and the left jumper is pulled on the controller. While the mode is optional, it’s not energy efficient. To restore to a more energy-efficient rinse more, have the jumper replaced by an authorized technician.
Code 90 (Rev. 1.3 Only)
If error code 90 displays on models with 1.3 software revisions, it means the ice bin is full. A cold probe will shut off the ice maker after the next harvest cycle concludes. This is normal procedure. If the code displays when bin isn’t full, it could be due to a broken bin probe, bad wiring to the probe or a defective controller board. If any of those are the cause, have them repaired or replaced accordingly.