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Home/Refrigerator Parts/Dispenser Parts/Dispenser Water Tube Heater/WR49X10173
WR49X10173 Dispenser Water Tube Heater Kit Compatible with GE Hotpoint RCA Kenmore, Replaces AP4318572 PS1766223 1381601
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Aftermarket Replacement · Factory Direct
OEM-compatible part built to original specifications. Not manufactured by or affiliated with the original equipment brand.

WR49X10173 Dispenser Water Tube Heater Kit Compatible with GE Hotpoint RCA Kenmore, Replaces AP4318572 PS1766223 1381601

SKU: WR49X10173
Order within --:-- to ship today
Repair Time25-35 Minutes
DifficultyEasy
DIY FriendlyYes
Tools Needed
Phillips ScrewdriverFlat Pry Tool or Putty KnifeMultimeter (optionaloptionalfor voltage verification)
Qty
Ships from China · 10–20 business days
No sales tax outside CA
or
WR49X10173 Dispenser Water Tube Heater Kit Compatible with GE Hotpoint RCA Kenmore, Replaces AP4318572 PS1766223 1381601
In Stock

This Part Fixes These Problems

Frozen Water Line

The dispenser water tube freezes inside the all-metal liner freezer door on qualifying GE side-by-side models (serial AF–AM), causing the water dispenser to stop working entirely while the ice maker continues to function normally.

No Water from Dispenser

Pressing the dispenser lever produces no water flow (and no sound from the water valve) due to a solid ice blockage in the door tube — resolved by installing this low-voltage heater element to keep the tube above freezing.

Recurring Dispenser Freeze-Up

Water dispenser works intermittently or requires periodic thawing with a hair dryer. This heater kit provides a permanent factory-recommended solution to prevent the freeze from returning.

Ice Buildup Inside Freezer Door

Moisture and condensation accumulate around the frozen water tube inside the door, potentially leading to ice buildup near the dispenser chute area — corrected by maintaining tube temperature with the WR49X10173 heater.

Repair Guides

GE Refrigerator Dispenser Water Tube Heater Kit Parts — Models & Compatibility
May 29, 2026
GE Refrigerator Not Dispensing Water — 5 Causes & How to Fix WR49X10173
May 28, 2026
How to Replace WR49X10173 Dispenser Water Tube Heater Kit on GE Refrigerators — Step-by-Step
May 23, 2026

Product Description

Why Choose Our WR49X10173 Dispenser Water Tube Heater Kit?

🔧
Built to OEM Specifications Engineered to exact GE specifications — low-voltage DC heater element (12V DC) splices directly into the dispenser wiring harness at pins 2 (red) and 6 (black/white). No guesswork, no modifications needed.
🧊
Stops Frozen Water Lines for Good This kit is specifically designed for all-metal liner side-by-side GE refrigerators built January 2003 through January 2007 (serial numbers AF–AM) where the dispenser water tube is known to freeze inside the door.
📦
Complete Kit — Everything Included Kit includes the peel-and-stick heater element, pre-wired leads, and wire splice connectors. No additional hardware or crimping tools required for installation.
🏷️
Broad Cross-Reference Coverage Directly replaces OEM part numbers AP4318572, PS1766223, 1381601, AH1766223, EA1766223. Compatible with GE, Hotpoint, RCA, and Kenmore side-by-side refrigerator models in the BSS, DSS, ESH, GSH, GSS, GST, HSS, and SSS series.
⚡
Peel-and-Stick DIY Installation The heater mounts in the recessed area of the dispenser housing with adhesive backing. Average install time is approximately 30 minutes following the included illustrated instructions.
✅
Verified Serial Number Compatibility Before ordering, confirm your refrigerator's serial number begins with AF through AM. This ensures the wiring harness has the required 6-wire configuration (pin 2 red + pin 6 black/white) needed for the heater to function correctly.

💡 Pro Tip: Is Your Dispenser Water Tube Frozen?

Your part is likely the culprit if you notice any of the following:

⚠️ Water dispenser has stopped working entirely but ice maker still produces ice normally

⚠️ You need to thaw the door with a hair dryer periodically to restore water flow

⚠️ Water flows freely from the refrigerator-side connector at the bottom of the door, but not from the dispenser spout

⚠️ The issue recurs seasonally or when the freezer temperature is set below 0°F

🔍 Quick field test: Disconnect the water line at the bottom door connector, press the dispenser lever, and check if water flows from the fridge-side tube. If yes — the line is frozen inside the door and WR49X10173 is your fix. Also verify your freezer is set to 0°F; temperatures colder than this can overwhelm the heater element.

📦 What's in the Box

✅ 1× Dispenser Water Tube Heater Element (peel-and-stick, 12V DC low-voltage)

✅ 2× Pre-installed wire leads for harness splice (pin 2 red / pin 6 black-white)

✅ Wire splice connectors (included, no tools required)

✅ Illustrated installation instruction sheet

Questions & Answers

How do I know if my refrigerator is compatible with WR49X10173?
Answered by Support Team  ·  Mar 15, 2024
Compatibility depends on your serial number, not just the model number. Your refrigerator must be an all-metal liner side-by-side unit built between January 2003 and January 2007, with a serial number beginning with AF through AM. Compatible model series include BSS, DSS, ESH, GSH, GSS, GST, HSS, and SSS. Check the serial number label inside the fresh food compartment door jamb before ordering.
My water dispenser stopped working but my ice maker is fine — is this the right part?
Answered by Support Team  ·  Nov 20, 2023
Yes, this is the classic symptom of a frozen dispenser water tube inside the freezer door. When the tube freezes, water cannot reach the spout, but the ice maker (which draws water before it enters the door) continues working normally. To confirm: disconnect the water line at the lower door connector and press the dispenser lever. If water flows from the fridge-side tubing but not from the spout, the line is frozen in the door and WR49X10173 is the correct fix.
What voltage does the WR49X10173 heater operate on, and will I feel heat from it?
Answered by Support Team  ·  Jan 8, 2025
The WR49X10173 operates on 12V DC, sourced from the main control board (measured between the red wire at pin 2 and the black wire). Because it is a low-wattage element, it typically warms to approximately room temperature — it will not feel hot to the touch. This is normal. The gentle, continuous warmth is sufficient to prevent the water tube from freezing without affecting freezer temperature.
Can I install WR49X10173 myself, and what tools do I need?
Answered by Support Team  ·  Jul 22, 2024
Yes — this is a straightforward DIY repair that most homeowners complete in about 30 minutes. You will need a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 4 dispenser housing screws, and a flat pry tool or putty knife to unsnap the interface panel. No soldering or crimping tools are required; the included splice connectors squeeze onto the wires by hand. Detailed illustrated instructions are included in the kit.
The heater is installed but the water line keeps freezing again — what should I check?
Answered by Support Team  ·  Feb 10, 2026
First, verify the splice connections are fully seated on pins 2 (red) and 6 (black/white) of the wiring harness, and use a multimeter to confirm approximately 12V DC is present at the splice points. Second, check your freezer temperature setting — if it is set colder than 0°F (−18°C), the heater may not be able to overcome the extreme cold. Set the freezer to exactly 0°F and allow 24 hours to stabilize. If the line still freezes, inspect the dispenser door flapper seal for gaps that may allow cold air to reach the tube.

We typically respond within 1 business day. Include your appliance model number for the fastest answer.




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    Disclaimer: Compatibility information, part numbers, and model fitment data on this page are sourced from manufacturer databases and third-party references. While we strive for accuracy, please verify your appliance model number before ordering. Heima is not responsible for errors or omissions in compatibility listings.

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