I have a GE side by side model #GSH25JSTA SS. It is 4 years old. The Water disenser stopped working about 6 months ago. We have replaced water filter and that did not seem to work. When we press the dispenser it sounds as though the water should be coming out but nothing actually does. I have read about water lines being frozen but I am not sure how to go about defrosting it without using a bunch of electricity by keeping the door open for hours. Advice?

SOURCE: GE Profile side by side fridge - water dispenser doesn't work

More than likely, your water line is freezing up in the door. You can remove all of the ice cubes and lower the freezer temp to about 3. Leave the freezer door open for about 5 minutes or so and if this does not work, leave the door open a little longer. Also, disconnect the water line at the base of the freezer door, near the floor, and press the dispenser lever. If you have water there, you most likely have a frozen line in the door. Changing the water filter often will help but it is not the answer and is can get quite expensive. By the way, Make sure to hold the dispenser lever forward for at least a couple of minutes each time you test for water flow. If you do not get water at the connector at the base of the door after you have disconnected the line, you have a problem with the valve in the back of the refrigerator.

SOURCE: OUR GE SIDE BY SIDE

Hello.
Can you tell where the sound is coming from, underneath or inside? If it is coming from underneath make sure the coils are clean and the fan below is blowing. Usually the compressor will labor under these conditions. Let me know if these all check out ok and I will go over some other things..

SOURCE: GE GSH25JSTA SS side by side fridge not cooling/freezing

In most cases it is the Defrost timer circuit. One of three things the Defrost time (most likely) it allows the cooling for a 6 to 10 hour period and the defrosting for 10 to 30 minutes to remove ice buildup, ICE BUILDUP is the main problem as it restrict air flow, the cooling air circulation through the system. You see cool air only comes in the freezer side and passes through vents (pass ways) to the refrigerator side. Ice buildup in the freezer side inhibits cooling air to the refrigerator side. You think the freezer is working, but it is only cooler because there is ice in there that you can't see. The Terminator (a LIMIT switch) opens the defrost circuit if the defrost heater gets too hot (second likely) the next is the Heater which heats for those 10 to 30 minutes to melt the ice buildup (least likely) no matter the Unit you have they all have this circuit... Hope this helps, I'm Tango

SOURCE: No water flow

I had the same problem.  The water lines in the freezer door had frozen up.  I defrosted the freezer, and the water flows great now.

SOURCE: I have a GE side

Well, the solution to this problem was posted in this thread
http://www.fixya.com/support/t1295372-ge_profile_ref_ice_despenser_motor_not

It seems that the bulb in the front panel is pulling to much current as it ages and it makes the control panel in not work properly. Removing the bulb will fix the problem - just fixed mine.

Also seems to match your symptoms (works sometimes and then not others - bulb current is inconstent, light dims when dispense lever pressed - again wrong current draw).

Good luck