Frigidaire Refrigerator Water Inlet Valve Parts — Models & Compatibility

Your Frigidaire's ice maker stopped producing ice overnight, or maybe water's pooling under the crisper drawers for no obvious reason. Nine times out of ten, it's the water inlet valve — the mechanical gatekeeper that controls water flow to your ice maker and dispenser. This hub covers the 242252603 replacement valve compatible with dozens of Frigidaire, Kenmore, and Electrolux refrigerator models.

Is This the Right Part for Your Model?

Check your model number before ordering. On most Frigidaire french-door and side-by-side units, you'll find it inside the fresh food compartment — either on the left wall near the top or on the ceiling. Look for a string like FFHI1817LB0 or LFHT1817LFA. Cross-reference it with the compatibility list below. If your model appears, you're good to go.

About This Replacement Part

The 242252603 water inlet valve sits at the back of your refrigerator where the household water line connects. It houses dual solenoids that open and close electronically when your ice maker needs water or you press the dispenser paddle. Failure typically happens one of two ways: either the solenoids burn out and stop responding to electrical signals, or a frozen water line damages the valve's internal mechanism. When it fails, you'll see symptoms like no ice production, water not dispensing, or water leaking onto the floor behind the fridge. The good news? This is one of the easiest refrigerator repairs you can tackle. Most people complete it in 15-30 minutes with basic hand tools — one installer reported it was "a simple 5 minute job that anyone can do," and another mentioned her husband was impressed she fixed it solo. You'll need an adjustable wrench, screwdrivers, and pliers. The critical step is disconnecting both water and power before you start, then noting which wire connects where when you remove the old valve.

Common Failure Scenarios

Here's what triggers valve replacement. You wake up to find your ice bin empty after weeks of normal operation — the valve's solenoid died and won't open to let water through. Or you notice water dripping from behind the fridge onto your kitchen floor — a cracked valve body or loose connection is letting pressurized water escape. Sometimes the dispenser works but the ice maker doesn't (or vice versa), indicating one of the two solenoids failed while the other still functions. Frozen water lines can also damage the valve's inlet screen or internal components, especially if you live in an area with hard water or your fridge sits in an unheated garage.

Installation Quick Tips

• Disconnect water supply at the wall shutoff valve, then unplug the refrigerator completely
• Take a photo of the wire connections before removing them — saves headaches during reassembly
• Cut off the plastic water line flare if present by sliding the compression nut up and slicing just above the flare
• Push the new water line firmly into the valve orifice until it bottoms out to prevent leaks
• Turn water back on slowly and check for drips before pushing the fridge back into place

Compatible Frigidaire & Kenmore Models

This valve (part number 242252603) replaces AP5671756, 241803703, 241803701, and 218475600. It fits the following models:

• FFHI1817LB0, FFHI1817LB1 — 18 cu.ft. french-door series
• FFHI1817LS0, FFHI1817LS1 — stainless steel variant
• FFHI1817LW0, FFHI1817LW1 — white cabinet version
• FFHI1826LB0, FFHI1826LB1 — 18 cu.ft. counter-depth
• FFHI1826LK0 — black stainless finish
• FFHI1826LS0 — stainless counter-depth
• FFHI1826LW0 — white counter-depth
• LFHT1817LFA — Gallery series french-door
• LFHT1817LBA — Gallery black stainless

For a complete compatibility list covering over 50 models across Frigidaire, Kenmore, Electrolux, and Crosley brands, check the full specifications on the product page.

What You'll Need

Tools: Adjustable wrench, nut drivers, Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, needle-nose pliers, socket set (optional but helpful for tight spaces)

Time: 15-30 minutes depending on how easily you can access the rear panel

Difficulty: Easy — this ranks among the simplest refrigerator repairs, even for first-timers

Why This Part Fails

Water inlet valves don't last forever. The solenoid coils inside generate heat every time they energize, and after thousands of cycles, the insulation breaks down or the coil shorts out. Sediment and mineral deposits from hard water can also clog the screen or jam the valve mechanism partially open, causing constant dripping. If your home has low water pressure (below 20 PSI), the valve struggles to close completely, which accelerates wear. Frozen water lines put mechanical stress on the valve body — when ice expands inside the inlet, it can crack plastic housings or deform the rubber seal. Finally, power surges occasionally fry the electronic components, leaving the valve stuck in the closed position.