GE HTR17DBSWW, HTH16BBXLWW, HTR16ABSRCC, HTR16ABSLWW, HTR16ABSLCC Owner's Manual And Installation Instructions

ge.com

Refrigerators

Top-Freezer

197D7799P001 49-60521-1 08-08 JR

Safety Instructions . . . . . . . . . .2–4

Operating Instructions

Automatic Icemaker . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Care and Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Shelves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5, 6

Storage Drawers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Temperature Controls . . . . . . . . . .5

Installation Instructions

Preparing to Install

the Refrigerator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Reversing the Door Swing . . .13–16

Water Line Installation . . . . . .10–12

Troubleshooting Tips

Before You Call For Service . .17, 18

Normal Operating Sounds . . . . . .17

Consumer Support

Consumer Support . . . . Back Cover

Product Registration

(Canadian) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21, 22

Product Registration (U.S.) . 20–22
Warranty for

Canadian Customers . . . . . . . . . . 19

Warranty for U.S. Customers . . . 23

Write the model and serial
numbers here:

Model #______________________
Serial # ______________________

You can find them on a label on
the upper left side of the fresh food
compartment.

Models 16, 17, 18

Owner’s Manual and

Installation Instructions

2

COMMENT VOUS DÉBARRASSER
CONVENABLEMENT DE VOTRE ANCIEN RÉFRIGÉRATEUR

Les enfants pris au piège ou morts d’asphyxie
sont toujours d’actualité. Les réfrigérateurs
abandonnés sont toujours aussi dangereux,
même si on n’attend que «quelques jours»
pour s’en débarrasser. Si vous ne gardez pas
votre ancien réfrigérateur, veuillez suivre les
directives ci-dessous afin de prévenir les accidents.

Avant de vous débarrasser de votre ancien
réfrigérateur ou congélateur :

■ Démontez les portes.

■ Laissez les clayettes en place afin d’empêcher

les enfants de grimper à l’intérieur.

Réfrigérants

Tous les appareils de réfrigération contiennent
des réfrigérants qui, conformément aux lois
fédérales, doivent être enlevés avant toute
élimination de l’appareil. Si vous vous
débarrassez de vieux appareils de réfrigération,
vérifiez, auprès de la société qui s’occupe de
leur élimination, ce que vous devez faire.

DANGER! RISQUES POUR LES ENFANTS

PROPER DISPOSAL OF THE REFRIGERATOR

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.

Refrigerants

All refrigeration products contain refrigerants,
which under federal law must be removed prior
to product disposal. If you are getting rid of an
old refrigeration product, check with the
company handling the disposal about what
to do.

DANGER! RISK OF CHILD ENTRAPMENT

Consumer Support Troubleshooting Tips

Operating Instructions Safety InstructionsInstallation Instructions

Troubleshooting Tips

Installation Instructions Safety InstructionsOperating Instructions

Troubleshooting Tips

Installation Instructions Safety InstructionsOperating Instructions

CORDONS PROLONGATEURS

Nous vous recommandons fortement de ne pas utiliser de cordons prolongateurs à cause des risques
potentiels qu’ils présentent dans certaines conditions.

Toutefois si vous décidez d’utiliser tout de même un cordon prolongateur, il est absolument nécessaire
qu’il s’agisse d’un cordon à 3 fils avec mise à la terre pour appareils électroménagers homologué UL (aux
États-Unis) ou certifié CSA (au Canada), pourvu d’une fiche et d’une prise mises à la terre de 15 ampères
(minimum) et de 120 volts.

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 (in the United
States) or a CSA certified (in Canada), 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.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

Consumer SupportTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Instructions Installation Instructions

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

ge.com

WARNING!

Use this appliance only for its intended purpose as described in this Owner’s Manual.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should be followed, including the following:

■

■ 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 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.

■

■ 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.

■

■ 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.

■

■ 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 0position does

not remove power to the light circuit.

■

■ Do not refreeze frozen foods which have

thawed completely.

MESURES DE SÉCURITÉ IMPORTANTES.
LISEZ D’ABORD TOUTES LES DIRECTIVES.

AVERTISSEMENT!

N’utilisez cet électroménager que pour l’usage auquel il est destiné, comme expliqué dans le
présent manuel.

MESURES DE SÉCURITÉ

Lorsque vous utilisez un appareil électrique, observez toujours les mesures de sécurité de base,
y compris les suivantes.

■ Installez le réfrigérateur conformément aux

directives d’installation avant de l’utiliser.

■ Ne laissez pas les enfants grimper, s’asseoir,

se tenir debout ni se pendre aux clayettes du
réfrigérateur. Ils pourraient endommager le
réfrigérateur et se blesser gravement.

■ N’entreposez et n’utilisez pas d’essence ou

autres vapeurs et liquides inflammables à
proximité de cet appareil ou de tout autre
appareil électroménager.

■ Éloignez les doigts des parties du réfrigérateur

où l’on peut facilement se pincer : les espaces
entre les portes et entre les portes et les placards
sont toujours étroits. Soyez prudent lorsque
vous fermez les portes de l’appareil en présence
des enfants.

■ Si votre réfrigérateur est doté d’une machine à

glaçons automatique évitez le contact avec les

pièces mobiles du mécanisme éjecteur, ou avec
l’élément chauffant qui libère les glaçons.
Ne posez pas les doigts ou les mains sur le
mécanisme de la machine à glaçons pendant
que le réfrigérateur est branché.

■ Ne touchez pas les surfaces froides du congélateur

si vous avez les mains humides ou mouillées : la
peau risque d’adhérer à ces surfaces très froides.

■ Débranchez votre réfrigérateur avant de le

nettoyer ou de le réparer.

REMARQUE : Nous vous recommandons vivement de
confier toute réparation à un technicien qualifié.

■ Lorsque vous réglez la commande sur 0 (éteint),

l’alimentation électrique de l’ampoule n’est pas
coupée.

■ Ne recongelez pas les aliments surgelés qui ont

complètement dégelé.

3

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

WARNING!

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 3­prong (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.

MESURES DE SÉCURITÉ IMPORTANTES.
LISEZ D’ABORD TOUTES LES DIRECTIVES.

AVERTISSEMENT!

RACCORDEMENT ÉLECTRIQUE

Ne coupez ni retirez en aucun cas la troisième broche (mise à la terre) de la fiche du cordon
d’alimentation. Pour votre sécurité, cet appareil doit être correctement mis à la terre.

Le cordon d’alimentation de cet appareil est muni
d’une fiche à 3 broches (mise à la terre) qui se branche
dans une prise murale ordinaire à 3 alvéoles (mise à la
terre) pour réduire au minimum les risques de chocs
électriques.

Faites examiner la prise de courant et le circuit par un
électricien qualifié pour vous assurer que la prise est
correctement mise à la terre.

Si la prise murale est du type standard à 2 alvéoles, il
vous incombe de la faire remplacer par une prise à 3
alvéoles correctement mise à la terre.

Le réfrigérateur doit toujours être branché dans sa
propre prise de courant, dont la tension nominale est
identique à celle indiquée sur la plaque signalétique.

Cette précaution est recommandée pour garantir un
rendement optimum et éviter une surcharge des
circuits électriques de la résidence, ce qui pourrait
créer un risque d’incendie par surchauffe des fils.

Ne débranchez jamais le réfrigérateur en tirant sur le
cordon d’alimentation. Saisissez fermement la fiche du
cordon et tirez droit pour la retirer de la prise.

Réparez ou remplacez immédiatement tout cordon
effiloché ou endommagé. N’utilisez pas un cordon
fendillé ou présentant des signes d’usure.

Lorsque vous déplacez votre réfrigérateur du mur,
faites attention de ne pas le faire rouler sur le cordon
d’alimentation afin de ne pas l’endommager.

4

Consumer Support Troubleshooting Tips

Operating Instructions Safety InstructionsInstallation Instructions

Troubleshooting Tips

Installation Instructions Safety InstructionsOperating Instructions

Troubleshooting Tips

Installation Instructions Safety InstructionsOperating Instructions

VEUILLEZ LIRE ET SUIVRE ATTENTIVEMENT CES MESURES DE SÉCURITÉ.

CONSERVEZ CES DIRECTIVES

READ AND FOLLOW THIS SAFETY INFORMATION CAREFULLY.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

About the temperature control dial.

ge.com

Turning the dial to 0 stops cooling in both compartments—fresh food and freezer. It does not shut off power to the refrigerator.

Temperature Control Dial (on some models)

The temperature control dial has nine
settings plus 0. 1is the warmest. 9is 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 is best suited to your needs.

Allow 24 hours for the refrigerator to
get cold.

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.

Full-Width Shelves

Some models have a steel wire sliding
shelf, a stationary tempered glass shelf,
a spillproof 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.

Half-Width Shelves

One end of the shelf rests on a molded side­wall 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.

2

Lift up and out

1

Tilt up

To remove a full-width shelf when
the fresh food compartment door
cannot be opened fully

Lift rear

Pull forward and down

Lift rear

Pull forward

To remove the full-width shelves

5

Spillproof Shelves

(on some models)

Spillproof shelves have special edges
to help prevent spills from dripping
to lower shelves. To remove or replace
the shelves, see the above instructions.

Consumer SupportTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Instructions Installation Instructions

The snacks drawer can be moved to the
most useful location for your family’s
needs.

Snacks Drawer

Not all features are on all models.

About the storage drawers.

6

Fruit and Vegetable Drawers

Excess water that may accumulate in the
bottom of the drawers should be emptied
and the drawers wiped dry.

About the freezer compartment shelves.

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.

3

2

1

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

1

2

3

Consumer Support Troubleshooting Tips

Operating Instructions Safety InstructionsInstallation Instructions

Consumer SupportTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Instructions Installation Instructions

About storage drawer and cover removal.

ge.com

Not all features are on all models.

Twin Drawer Shelf

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

Drawer and Cover Removal

Drawers can be removed easily by grasping the sides and lifting up slightly while pulling
drawers past the

stop

location.

Full-Width Drawer with
Plastic Cover

To remove the cover,

lift it off its supports,

pull it forward, tilt it and take it out.

Adjustable Humidity Drawer

(on some models)

Slide the control all the way to the

HIGH

setting to provide high humidity

recommended for most vegetables.

Slide the control all the way to the

LOW

setting to provide lower humidity levels
recommended for most fruits.

About the automatic icemaker.

A newly-installed refrigerator may take 12 to 24 hours to begin making ice.

Automatic Icemaker

(on some models)

The icemaker will produce approximately
100–130 cubes in a 24-hour period,
depending on the 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, move the
feeler arm to 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 15°F. A newly-installed refrigerator may take
12 to 24 hours to begin making ice cubes.

Once the icemaker starts to make ice,
it may take up to 48 hours to fill the bin,
depending on the temperature settings
and number of door openings.

You will hear a buzzing sound each time
the icemaker fills with water.

Throw away the first few batches of ice
to allow the water line to clear.

Be sure nothing interferes with the sweep
of the feeler arm.

When the bin fills to the level of the feeler
arm, the icemaker will stop producing ice.

It is normal for several cubes to be joined
together.

If ice is not used frequently, old ice cubes
will become cloudy, taste stale, shrink or
fuse together.

On power switch models, the green power
light will blink if ice cubes get stuck in the
icemaker. To correct this, set the power
switch to

O (off)

and remove the cubes. Set

the power switch to

I (on)

to restart the
icemaker. After the icemaker has been
turned on again, there will be a delay of
about 45 minutes before the icemaker
resumes operation.

NOTE: In homes with lower-than-average water
pressure, you may hear the icemaker cycle multiple
times when making one batch of ice.

Icemaker Accessory Kit

If your refrigerator did not already come
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.

Feeler Arm in
the STOP
(up) position

Feeler Arm in
the ON (down)
position

7

There are 2 types of icemakers:

Power switch model

Feeler arm model

Power Switch

Green Power Light

Icemaker

Feeler Arm

Care and cleaning of the refrigerator.

8

Consumer Support Troubleshooting Tips

Operating Instructions Safety InstructionsInstallation Instructions

Cleaning the Outside

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.

The stainless steel panels and door handles

(on some
models) can be cleaned with a commercially available
stainless steel cleaner. Do not use appliance wax or polish
on the stainless steel.

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.

Cleaning the Inside

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 liter)
of water. This both cleans and neutralizes odors. Rinse
and wipe dry.

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.

Condenser

There is no need for routine
condenser cleaning in
normal home operating
environments. However, in
environments that may be
particularly dusty or greasy,
the condenser should be

cleaned periodically for efficient refrigerator operation.
To clean the condenser, turn the temperature control

dial to 0. 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.

Moving 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.

Light Bulb Replacement

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 0 position does not remove power to
the light circuit.

Preparing for Vacation

For long vacations or absences, remove food and
unplug the refrigerator. Move the temperature control
dial to the

0

position, and clean the interior with a
baking soda solution of one tablespoon (15 ml) of
baking soda to one quart (1 liter) of water. Leave the
doors open.

Move the feeler arm to the

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 to Move

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.

Cleaning the condenser coils.