Ice Maker Start Relay / Overload Replacement Cost

How much does a ice maker start relay / overload replacement cost?#

A ice maker start relay / overload replacement typically costs $95 to $190, with most jobs around $143. The start relay / overload is what handles cycling water into fresh batches of ice. When it fails, an empty bin with no fresh batch overnight is usually the first clue, and on a ice maker that is not a fault you can safely ignore for long. What decides the low or high end is part quality, access difficulty, and how much diagnostic time the fault demands. This is a compact, mid-to-low-cost part — the value is a correct diagnosis, since it can mimic a far pricier failure. Against $150–$2,500 for a new ice maker, that keeps a repair the cheaper move on a unit that is otherwise sound.

Ice Maker start relay / overload replacement cost

• What it does: the start relay / overload starts the compressor and protects it.
• Signs it is failing: a clicking sound followed by a warm unit.
• The repair job: replacing the relay and overload and confirming a clean start.
• DIY or pro: often owner-fixable — the relay usually clips onto the compressor.

Against a new ice maker at $150–$2,500 installed, a start relay / overload repair at $95–$190 is usually the cheaper fix — unless the ice maker is already old or has other faults.

Pro note: this cheap part is the first thing a tech swaps before condemning a compressor, since a bad relay perfectly imitates a dead one.

Is replacing the start relay / overload on a ice maker worth it?#

Replacing the start relay / overload pays off whenever the ice maker is otherwise sound: $95–$190 beats the $150 to $2,500 of buying new, and it spares you delivery and haul-away on top. With the ice supply cut off, most owners would rather fix a Scotsman- or U-Line-tier unit than replace it; if instead it is past roughly 10 years and carrying other faults, put the money toward a replacement — a single fix rarely rescues a tired machine.

Ice Maker Start relay / overload replacement cost: FAQ#

How much does a ice maker start relay / overload replacement cost?#

Between $95 and $190 for parts and labor, and about $143 on a typical unit.

Is replacing the start relay / overload on a ice maker worth it?#

Yes on a sound or higher-end ice maker: $95–$190 stays well below $150–$2,500. Once the machine is near the end of its life, buying new is the better spend.

What makes the start relay / overload fail on a ice maker?#

The start relay / overload usually gives out from ordinary electrical aging and heat, which degrade it until it can no longer start the motor.

Can I replace a ice maker start relay / overload myself?#

An experienced DIYer can attempt it, but a technician guarantees the diagnosis and stands behind the repair.

How long does a ice maker start relay / overload replacement take?#

For a prepared tech it is an hour-or-two job — a little longer if the part is buried or the panel is awkward to reach.