GE 14 User manual

Models
14, 16, 17, 18
Refrigerators
Owner’s Manual
Par t No. 162D6736P004 Pub. No.39-6424-1 9-99 JR
TOP-MOUNT NO-FROST

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Congratulations!
Welcome to our family. We’re proud of our
quality products and we are committed to
providing dependable service. You’ll see it in
this easy-to-use Owner’s Manual and you’ll
hear it in the friendly voices of our customer
service department.
Best of all, you’ll experience these values
each time you use your refrigerator. That’s
important, because your new refrigerator will
be part of your family for many years. And we
hope you will be part of ours for a long time
to come.
We appreciate your purchase, and hope you
will continue to rely on us whenever you
need quality appliances for your home.
Important!
Fill out and return the Consumer Product
Registration Card that is packed with this
product. If you cannot find it, please send
in the duplicate card printed in the back of
this manual.
Write the model and serial
numbers here.
#
#
You can find them on a label on the
upper left side of the fresh food
compartment.
Staple sales slip or cancelled
check here.
Proof of the original purchase date
is needed to obtain service under
the warranty.

A Service Partnership.
Inside you will find many
helpful hints on how to use and
maintain your refrigerator
properly. Just a little preventive
care on your part can save you a
great deal of time and money
over the life of your refrigerator.
Read this Manual
We stand behind our products with
unmatched quality service. However, did
you know that most questions result from
simple problems that you can easily
fix yourself in just a few minutes? This
Owner’s Manual can tell you how.
You’ll find many answers to
common problems here.
If you review our chart of
Troubleshooting Tips first,
you may not need to call for
service at all.
Review the Section on
Troubleshooting Tips
If you do need service, you can
relax knowing help is only a
phone call away. A list of toll-free
customer service numbers is
included in the back section.
Or you can always call the
GE Answer Center®at
800.626.2000, 24 hours a day,
7 days a week.
If You Need Service
Safety Information
Safety Precautions . . . . . . . . . .4
Proper Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
How to Connect Electricity . . . .6
Use of Adapter Plugs . . . . . .6, 7
Use of Extension Cords . . . . . .7
Operating Instructions
Temperature Control Dial . . . . .8
Shelves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9, 10
Storage Drawers . . . . . . . .11, 12
Automatic Icemaker . . . . . . . .13
Care and Cleaning . . . . . .14–16
Installation Instructions
Preparing to
Install the Refrigerator . . .17, 18
Water Line Installation . . .19–23
Reversing the
Door Swing . . . . . . . . . . . .24–29
Troubleshooting Tips
Normal Operating Sounds . . .30
Before You
Call For Service . . . . . . . . .31–33
Customer Service
Product Registration . . . . . . . .37
Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Service Telephone
Numbers . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover
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Troubleshooting TipsInstallation Instructions Customer ServiceOperating InstructionsSafety Information

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.
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Use this appliance only for its intended purpose as
described in this Owner’s Manual.
■This refrigerator must be
properly installed and
located in accordance with
the Installation Instructions
before it is used.
■Do not allow children to
climb, stand or hang on the
shelves in the refrigerator.
They could damage the
refrigerator and seriously
injure themselves.
■Do not touch the cold
surfaces in the freezer
compartment, particularly
when hands are damp or wet.
Skin may stick to these
extremely cold surfaces.
■Do not store or use gasoline
or other flammable vapors
and liquids in the vicinity of
this or any other appliance.
■In refrigerators with
automatic icemakers, avoid
contact with the moving parts
of the ejector mechanism, or
with the heating element that
releases the cubes. Do not
place fingers or hands on the
automatic icemaking
mechanism while the
refrigerator is plugged in.
■Keep fingers out of the
“pinch point” areas;
clearances between the
doors and between the doors
and cabinet are necessarily
small. Be careful closing
doors when children are in
the area.
■Unplug the refrigerator
before cleaning and making
repairs.
NOTE: We strongly recommend
that any servicing be performed
by a qualified individual.
■Turning the control to the
OFF position does not remove
power to the light circuit.
■Do not refreeze frozen foods
which have thawed
completely.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Operating Instructions
Installation Instructions Safety InformationTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions
should be followed, including the following:
WARNING!

DANGER! RISK OF CHILD
ENTRAPMENT
PROPER DISPOSAL OF THE REFRIGERATOR
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Troubleshooting TipsInstallation Instructions Customer ServiceOperating InstructionsSafety Information
Child entrapment and suffocation are not problems of
the past. Junked or abandoned refrigerators are still
dangerous…even if they will sit for “just a few days.”
If you are getting rid of your old refrigerator, please
follow the instructions below to help prevent accidents.
Before You Throw Away Your Old Refrigerator
or Freezer:
■Take off the doors.
■Leave the shelves in place so that children may not
easily climb inside.
CFC Disposal
Your old refrigerator has a cooling system that used
CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). CFCs are believed to harm
stratospheric ozone.
If you are throwing away your old refrigerator, make
sure the CFC refrigerant is removed for proper disposal
by a qualified servicer. If you intentionally release this
CFC refrigerant you can be subject to fines and
imprisonment under provisions of the Federal Clean
Air Act.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.
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Operating Instructions
Installation Instructions Safety InformationTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
HOW TO CONNECT ELECTRICITY
Do not, under any circumstances, cut or remove the third
(ground) prong from the power cord. For personal safety,
this appliance must be properly grounded.
The power cord of this appliance is equipped with a 3-prong
(grounding) plug which mates with a standard 3-prong
(grounding) wall outlet to minimize the possibility of electric
shock hazard from this appliance.
Have the wall outlet and circuit checked by a qualified electrician
to make sure the outlet is properly grounded.
Where a standard 2-prong wall outlet is encountered, it is your
personal responsibility and obligation to have it replaced with a
properly grounded 3-prong wall outlet.
The refrigerator should always be plugged into its own individual
electrical outlet which has a voltage rating that matches the rating
plate.
This provides the best performance and also prevents overloading
house wiring circuits which could cause a fire hazard from
overheated wires.
Never unplug your refrigerator by pulling on the power cord.
Always grip plug firmly and pull straight out from the outlet.
Repair or replace immediately all power cords that have become
frayed or otherwise damaged. Do not use a cord that shows cracks or
abrasion damage along its length or at either end.
When moving the refrigerator away from the wall, be careful not to
roll over or damage the power cord.
USE OF ADAPTER PLUGS
Because of potential safety hazards under certain
conditions, we strongly recommend against the use of an
adapter plug.
However, if you must use an adapter, where local codes permit, a
temporary connection may be made to a properly grounded 2-prong
wall outlet by use of a UL-listed adapter available at most local
hardware stores.
WARNING!

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The larger slot in the adapter must be aligned with the larger slot in
the wall outlet to provide proper polarity in the connection of the
power cord.
When disconnecting the power cord from the adapter, always hold
the adapter in place with one hand while pulling the power cord
plug with the other hand. If this is not done, the adapter ground
terminal is very likely to break with repeated use.
If the adapter ground terminal breaks,
DO NOT USE the refrigerator
until a proper ground has been established.
Attaching the adapter ground terminal to a wall outlet cover screw does not
ground the appliance unless the cover screw is metal, and not insulated, and the
wall outlet is grounded through the house wiring. You should have the circuit
checked by a qualified electrician to make sure the outlet is properly grounded.
Troubleshooting TipsInstallation Instructions Customer ServiceOperating InstructionsSafety Information
USE OF EXTENSION CORDS
Because of potential safety hazards under certain
conditions, we strongly recommend against the use of an
extension cord.
However, if you must use an extension cord, it is absolutely
necessary that it be a UL-listed, 3-wire grounding type appliance
extension cord having a grounding type plug and outlet and that
the electrical rating of the cord be 15 amperes (minimum) and
120 volts.
REMEMBER…
Your continued health and safety are important to us.
Please read and follow this Safety Information carefully.
We want you to remain a happy and healthy part of our
family.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Temperature Control Dial
The temperature control dial has nine settings plus OFF .
1 is the warmest. 9 is the coldest. At first, set the dial at 5 .
After using the refrigerator, adjust the dial if necessary.
Insert a coin into the slot in the middle of the dial and you can turn
the dial to the setting that’s best suited to your needs.
Allow 24 hours for the refrigerator to get cold.
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Operating Instructions
Installation Instructions Safety InformationTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
About the temperature control dial.
Turning the dial to OFF stops cooling in both compartments—
fresh food and freezer.
5
1
7
9
3
OFF
Control Settings

About the fresh food compartment shelves.
Shelf supports at various levels allow you to custom-space your shelves.
Not all features are on all models.
Troubleshooting TipsInstallation Instructions Customer ServiceOperating InstructionsSafety Information
Half-Width Shelves
One end of the shelf rests on a molded side-wall
support; a bracket on the other end hooks into a track
on the rear cabinet wall.
To remove, lift the shelf up at front, then off the support
and out of the track.
To replace, select desired shelf height. With shelf front
raised slightly, hook the bracket’s top lug into the track,
then lower the shelf onto the support.
NOTE: The shelf to the right of the track is designed to
hook into the right-hand slot; the shelf to the left is
designed to hook into the left-hand slot.
2Lift up and out
1Tilt up
Full-Width Shelves
Some models have a steel wire sliding shelf, a stationary
tempered glass shelf or two steel wire stationary shelves.
These shelves can be moved to another place in the
fresh food compartment.
The full-width sliding shelf has stop-locks. When placed
correctly on the shelf supports, the shelf will stop before
coming completely out of the refrigerator and will not
tilt when you place food on it or remove food from it.
To remove the full-width shelves, lift the rear of the shelf
and pull forward.
To remove a full-width shelf when the fresh food
compartment door cannot be opened fully,
lift the rear of
the shelf, pull forward and down, tilt the shelf and take it
out.
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Operating Instructions
Installation Instructions Safety InformationTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
About the freezer compartment shelves.
Some models have an ice-tray shelf and some have a full-width step shelf.
Ice-Tray Shelf
To remove the ice-tray shelf: Lift the left side of the shelf
off its supports, then pull the shelf to the left to free it of
the plug supports. Pull the shelf to the right to free the
pins from the holes in the cabinet wall.
Step Shelf
To remove the step shelf:
Lift left side of shelf slightly.
Move shelf to the left to free its right ends from holes
in the cabinet wall.
Lower right side of shelf, move shelf to the right and
take it out.
To replace the step shelf:
With shelf tilted as shown, fit left ends of shelf into
holes in cabinet wall.
Lift left side of shelf slightly, swing shelf up, fit right
ends of shelf into holes in cabinet wall, and lower
shelf into place.
2
1
3
2
1
1
2
Plug Supports

About the storage drawers.
Not all features are on all models.
Fruit and Vegetable Drawers
Excess water that may accumulate in the bottom of the
drawers should be emptied and the drawers wiped dry.
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Troubleshooting TipsInstallation Instructions Customer ServiceOperating InstructionsSafety Information
Utility Drawer
The utility drawer can be moved to the most useful
location for your family’s needs.

About storage drawer and cover removal.
Not all features are on all models.
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Operating Instructions
Installation Instructions Safety InformationTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
Full-Width Drawer with Plastic Cover
To remove the cover, lift it off its supports, pull it
forward, tilt it and take it out.
Drawers will stop before coming all the way out of the refrigerator to
help prevent contents from spilling onto the floor. These drawers
can be removed easily by grasping the sides and lifting up slightly
while pulling drawers past the
stop location.
Drawer and Cover Removal
Twin Drawer With Glass Cover
To remove:
Remove the drawers.
Reach in, push the front of glass cover up and, at the
same time, pull it forward as far as it will come.
Tilt it and take it out. Avoid cleaning the cold glass cover
with hot water because the extreme temperature
difference may cause it to break.
Remove the drawer frame. (Always remove the glass
cover before you take out the drawer frame.)
Lift the frame off the supports at each side and back,
pull it forward, tilt it and take it out.
To replace:
Lower the frame until it rests on the supports at each
side and back.
Replace the glass cover, pushing its rear edge firmly
into the rear frame channel and gently lowering the
front into place.
Replace the drawers.
3
2
1
3
2
1

About the automatic icemaker.
Troubleshooting TipsInstallation Instructions Customer ServiceOperating InstructionsSafety Information
A newly-installed refrigerator may take 8 to 12 hours to begin making ice.
Automatic Icemaker (on some models)
The icemaker will produce eight cubes per cycle—
approximately 100 cubes in a 24-hour period,
depending on freezer compartment temperature, room
temperature, number of door openings and other use
conditions.
If the refrigerator is operated before the water
connection is made to the icemaker, keep the feeler arm
in the
STOP (up) position.
When the refrigerator has been connected to the water
supply, move the feeler arm to the
ON (down) position.
The icemaker will fill with water when it cools to
freezing. A newly-installed refrigerator may take 8 to 12
hours to begin making ice cubes.
Throw away the first few batches of ice to allow the water
line to clear.
Be sure nothing interferes with the swing of the feeler
arm.
It is normal for several cubes to be joined together.
If ice is not used frequently, old ice cubes will become
cloudy and taste stale.
Icemaker
Ice Storage Bin
Feeler arm
in the
STOP
(up) position
Feeler arm in the
ON (down) position
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If your refrigerator did not come already equipped with an
automatic icemaker, an icemaker accessory kit is available at extra
cost. Check the back of the refrigerator for the specific icemaker kit
needed for your model.
Icemaker Accessory Kit

The door handles and trim (on some models). Clean with a cloth
dampened with soapy water. Dry with a soft cloth.
Keep the outside clean. Wipe with a clean cloth lightly dampened
with kitchen appliance wax or mild liquid dish detergent. Dry and
polish with a clean, soft cloth.
Do not wipe the refrigerator with a soiled dish cloth or wet towel. These may
leave a residue that can erode the paint. Do not use scouring pads, powdered
cleaners, bleach or cleaners containing bleach because these products can
scratch and weaken the paint finish.
Care and cleaning of the refrigerator.
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Operating Instructions
Installation Instructions Safety InformationTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
To help prevent odors, leave an open box of baking soda in the fresh
food and freezer compartments.
Unplug the refrigerator before cleaning. If this is not practical, wring
excess moisture out of sponge or cloth when cleaning around
switches, lights or controls.
Use warm water and baking soda solution—about a tablespoon
(15 ml) of baking soda to a quart (1 L) of water. This both cleans
and neutralizes odors. Rinse and wipe dry.
Use an appliance wax polish on the inside surface between the
doors.
After cleaning the door gaskets, apply a thin layer of petroleum jelly
to the door gaskets at the hinge side. This helps keep the gaskets
from sticking and bending out of shape.
Avoid cleaning cold glass shelves (on some models) with hot water because the
extreme temperature difference may cause them to break. Handle glass shelves
carefully. Bumping tempered glass can cause it to shatter.
Do not wash any plastic refrigerator parts in the dishwasher.
Cleaning the Outside
Cleaning the Inside

Troubleshooting TipsInstallation Instructions Customer ServiceOperating InstructionsSafety Information
Under the Refrigerator
For most efficient operation, keep the area under the
refrigerator clean. Turn the temperature control dial to
OFF. Sweep away or vacuum up dust.
For best results, use a brush specially designed for this
purpose. It is available at most appliance parts stores.
Clean the condenser coils at least
once a year.
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Behind the Refrigerator
Be careful when moving the refrigerator away from the wall. All
types of floor coverings can be damaged, particularly cushioned
coverings and those with embossed surfaces.
Turn the leveling legs at each front corner of the refrigerator
counterclockwise until the rollers support the refrigerator. Pull
the refrigerator straight out and return it to position by pushing it
straight in. Moving the refrigerator in a side direction may result in
damage to the floor covering or refrigerator.
When pushing the refrigerator back, make sure you don’t roll over the power
cord or icemaker supply line (on some models).
After rolling the refrigerator back into place, turn the legs clockwise
until the legs again bear the weight of the refrigerator.

Care and cleaning of the refrigerator.
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Operating Instructions
Installation Instructions Safety InformationTroubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
For long vacations or absences, remove food and unplug the
refrigerator. Turn the temperature control dial to the
OFF position,
and clean the interior with a baking soda solution of one tablespoon
(15 ml) of baking soda to one quart (1 L) of water. Leave the
doors open.
Move the icemaker feeler arm to STOP (up) position and shut
off the water supply to the refrigerator.
If the temperature can drop below freezing, have a qualified
servicer drain the water supply system (on some models) to prevent
serious property damage due to flooding.
Preparing for Vacation
Secure all loose items such as grille, shelves and drawers by taping
them securely in place to prevent damage.
Be sure the refrigerator stays in an upright position during moving.
Preparing to Move
To replace a burned out bulb, unplug the refrigerator from its
electrical outlet, unscrew the bulb when cool and replace it with an
appliance bulb of the same or lower wattage.
Turning the control to the OFF position does not remove power to the light circuit.
Light Bulb Replacement

Preparing to install the refrigerator.
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Troubleshooting TipsInstallation Instructions Customer ServiceOperating InstructionsSafety Information
Read these instructions completely and carefully.
Water Supply to the Icemaker (on some models)
If the refrigerator has an icemaker, or if you plan to add an
icemaker later, it will have to be connected to a cold water line.
A water supply kit (containing copper tubing, shutoff valve, fittings
and instructions) is available at extra cost from your dealer or from
Parts and Accessories, 800-626-2002.
Do not install the refrigerator where the temperature will go below
60°F. (16°C.) because it will not run often enough to maintain
proper temperatures.
Install it on a floor strong enough to support it fully loaded.
Refrigerator Location
Allow the following clearances for ease of installation, proper air
circulation and plumbing and electrical connections:
Sides 3/4″(19 mm)
Top 1″ (25 mm)
Back 1″(25 mm)
Clearances

Preparing to install the refrigerator.
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Operating Instructions
Installation Instructions Safety Information
Troubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
Read these instructions completely and carefully.
Rollers and Leveling Legs
Leveling legs near each front corner of the refrigerator are adjustable. They
firmly position the refrigerator and prevent it from moving when the doors are
opened. Leveling legs should be set so the front of the refrigerator is raised just
enough that the doors close easily when opened about halfway.
Turn the leveling legs
clockwise to raise the refrigerator, counterclockwise to
lower it.
Rollers
next to the leveling legs allow you to move the refrigerator away from the
wall for cleaning.
Turn the legs counterclockwise until the weight of the refrigerator is transferred
from them to the rollers. After rolling the refrigerator back into place, turn the
legs clockwise until the legs again bear the weight of the refrigerator.

Installing the water line.
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Troubleshooting TipsInstallation Instructions Customer Service
Operating InstructionsSafety Information
Before You Begin
This water line installation is not warranted by the
refrigerator or icemaker manufacturer. Follow these
instructions carefully to minimize the risk of expensive
water damage.
Water hammer (water banging in the pipes) in house
plumbing can cause damage to refrigerator parts and lead
to water leakage or flooding. Call a qualified plumber to
correct water hammer before installing the water supply
line to the refrigerator.
To prevent burns and product damage, do not hook up the
water line to the hot water line.
If you use your refrigerator before connecting the water
line, make sure the icemaker feeler arm is kept in the STOP
(up) position.
Do not install the icemaker tubing in areas where
temperatures fall below freezing.
When using any electrical device (such as a power drill)
during installation, be sure the device is insulated or wired
in a manner to prevent the hazard of electric shock.
All installations must be in accordance with local plumbing
code requirements.
Read these instructions completely and carefully.

Installing the water line.
20
Operating Instructions
Installation Instructions Safety Information
Troubleshooting TipsCustomer Service
To determine how much copper tubing you need:
Measure the distance from the water valve on the back of the
refrigerator to the water supply pipe. Then add 8 feet (244 cm).
Be sure there is sufficient extra tubing [about 8 feet (244 cm)
coiled into 3 turns of about 10 inches (25 cm) diameter] to allow
the refrigerator to move out from the wall after installation.
■
A water supply kit (containing copper tubing, shutoff valve and
fittings listed below) is available at extra cost from your dealer
or from Parts and Accessories, 800-626-2002.
■ Cold water supply. The water pressure must be between
20 and 120 p.s.i.
■
Power drill.
■ Copper tubing, 1/4″outer diameter to connect the refrigerator to
the water supply. Be sure both ends of the tubing are cut square.
Do not use plastic tubing or plastic fittings because the water supply line is
under pressure at all times. Certain types of plastic tubing may become brittle
with age and crack, resulting in water leakage.
■ Two 1/4 ″ outer diameter compression nuts and 2 ferrules (sleeves)—
to connect the copper tubing to the shutoff valve and the
refrigerator water valve.
■If your existing water line has a flared fitting at the end, you will
need an adapter (available at plumbing supply stores) to connect
the water line to the refrigerator
OR you can cut off the flared
fitting with a
tube cutter and then use a compression fitting.
■
Shutoff valve to connect to the cold water line. The shutoff valve
should have a water inlet with a minimum inside diameter of
5/32″at the point of connection to the
COLD WATER LINE. Saddle-
type shutoff valves are included in many water supply kits. Before
purchasing, make sure a saddle-type valve complies with your
local plumbing codes.
What You Will Need
Read these instructions completely and carefully.