ice maker makes a loud grinding noise when it's trying to harvest ice, sounds terrible

Diagnosis

The grinding noise during the harvest cycle on the Avalon Bay AB-ICE26S is almost always caused by "ice bridging." This occurs when water splashes or leaks onto the evaporator plate during the freezing phase, creating a solid sheet of ice that welds the individual cubes to the metal prongs. When the harvest motor engages to push the ice cubes off the plate, the plastic pusher arm meets excessive resistance. The grinding sound you hear is the motor straining against this ice bridge, or in worse cases, the plastic gears slipping under the torque load.

This typically happens due to two factors: using mineral-heavy hard water that creates crystalline buildup on the prongs, or operating the unit in an environment that is too warm, which causes partial melting and re-freezing. You can confirm this by opening the lid during the noise; if you see a solid block of ice that refuses to drop despite the motor running, the evaporator is frozen over.

How to Fix It

To resolve this, you must perform a deep defrost and a system purge to clear the mineral deposits causing the adhesion.

1. Initiate the Clean Cycle: While the unit is plugged in and powered on, press and hold the 'Power' button for exactly 5 seconds. The indicator light will flash, signaling that the unit has entered its automated cleaning mode.
2. Run the Thermal Purge: Allow the unit to run its full 15-minute warm cycle. Do not interrupt this process. The machine will circulate water and use internal heating elements to thaw the evaporator plate and loosen the ice bridge.
3. Hard Reset: Once the cleaning cycle completes and the unit shuts off, unplug the power cord from the wall outlet. Leave the unit unplugged for at least 30 to 60 minutes. This ensures any remaining "invisible" ice films between the prongs and the plate are completely liquefied.
4. Manual Debridement: Open the lid and use a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth dampened with warm water to wipe down the evaporator prongs. Gently remove any white calcium scale or mineral residue. Do not use metal scrapers or knives, as scratching the plating will cause the ice to stick even worse in the future.
5. System Prime: Refill the reservoir with fresh, filtered water. Plug the unit back in and run one full cycle without adding ice to the basket to ensure the mechanism moves smoothly.

If That Didn't Work

• Vinegar Descaling: If the grinding persists, you likely have heavy calcium carbonate buildup. Mix a solution of 50% white distilled vinegar and 50% warm water. Pour this into the reservoir and run the 'Clean' cycle three times in a row. The acetic acid breaks down the mineral bonds that cause the ice to weld to the plate.
• Check the Pusher Arm Alignment: With the power off, gently inspect the plastic harvesting arm. If it is bent or skewed, it may be hitting the side of the evaporator housing instead of pushing the ice. Carefully nudge it back into alignment if it has shifted.
• Ambient Temperature Adjustment: If the unit is placed next to a heat source (like a toaster or oven), the evaporator can fluctuate in temperature, causing "wet" ice that sticks. Move the AB-ICE26S to a cool area with at least 6 inches of clearance on all sides for proper ventilation.
• Water Filter Replacement: If you are using an external filter, replace it. Clogged filters can cause erratic water flow, leading to uneven freezing and the "bridging" effect that causes the grinding noise.

Heads Up

• Water Quality: Always use filtered or bottled water. Tap water with high mineral content is the primary cause of evaporator scaling and subsequent motor strain.
• Avoid Manual Forcing: Never try to pry ice off the evaporator prongs with a screwdriver or metal tool; this will puncture the refrigerant line and permanently destroy the unit.
• Regular Maintenance: Run the cleaning cycle once every two weeks even if the machine is working perfectly to prevent the buildup of biofilm and minerals.
• Empty the Basket: Do not let the ice basket overfill. When ice piles up too high, it can press back against the evaporator, creating a physical block that the harvest motor cannot overcome.