When Sleep Solves a Technical Puzzle: My Bosch Siemens Refrigerator Episode

Have you ever been stuck on a complicated problem and felt like there was no way to solve it? Well, that's exactly what happened to me with a technical software issue. I couldn't figure it out, and after giving up for the night, I slept on it. As they say, it's wise to sleep on it. I even dreamed about it. The next morning, as I sat at my computer, the solution popped into my head, and the problem was solved. This experience highlights the incredible power of the subconscious mind. Sometimes, letting go and taking a break can help us see solutions in a new light.

Background and the Bosch Siemens Refrigerator

Back in the early 2000s, I was a technician for the renowned Bosch Siemens group. During that time, a high-end refrigerator called the IK300 by Gaggenau Germany was quite popular. This refrigerator came with a water dispenser that could crush or serve solid ice, with an outer trim that customers could customize according to their preferences. The retail price for the top version could reach up to ￡8,000. It was an iconic piece, designed for discerning consumers who had lofty expectations.

As one of the senior refrigeration technicians at my workplace, I had undergone extensive training on this unit. My role included diagnosing and repairing them, and I was known for my expertise, especially in troubleshooting the IK300. One summer, I was assigned a particularly challenging task: to travel to a remote area in England known as "The Wash," where a high-profile customer had purchased this refrigerator. Despite repeated service calls and the replacement of numerous components, the ice maker had consistently failed to operate. The customer was at his wit's end and threatening to replace the unit with a different model.

The local technician could not solve the issue, so I was dispatched to take over and ensure the ice maker started functioning again. It was nerve-wracking but exciting, and with a generous expense budget, I made the three-hour drive to the site. Upon arrival, I booked a room in a local hotel and prepared to address the problem.

The Problem and the Solution

After visiting the customer's house, I found the refrigerator to be grand but not excessive and with stunning views. The customer was initially uptight but became more relaxed as we began to communicate. During our conversation, he casually revealed that he was deeply concerned about water quality and had filtered and distilled the drinking water in his house. Curiously, the refrigerator was also fed by this filtered and distilled water supply.

Upon checking the error codes, I noticed a repeated "ice production aborted" message. To investigate further, I removed the panels in the freezer section, where the ice-making assembly was located. When I activated the ice making process, I discovered that the tray was filling with water, but the electrodes responsible for sensing the water were not registering it. The water was overflowing, and the system was dumping the tray without any ice being produced. The mechanical side of the system was operating correctly, but the electrical component was failing to detect the water.

Frustrated, I used my multimeter to check the electrodes, and I found that they were indeed connected. I then dampened a tissue with water from the ice tray and placed it near the electrodes; the electronics immediately registered the presence of water. The solution suddenly became crystal clear: the refrigerator's ice maker was operating on distilled water, and water without ions cannot conduct electricity. This is exactly why the electrodes could not detect the water.

To test my theory, I filled the ice tray with water from the unfiltered garden tap. To my delight, the unit detected the water and began making ice. The mystery was solved. By reconfiguring the system to use water from the unfiltered tap, I restored the refrigerator's functionality.

Conclusion

This experience not only enhanced my reputation as a reliable and skilled technician but also reinforced the idea that the solution to a challenging problem can often be found in the most unexpected places. Sometimes, the answer may lie within us, waiting to be discovered. So, the next time you're stuck on a problem, don't forget to take a break and let your subconscious mind do the work. You might be surprised by the solution that comes to you in the morning.