Comments on: The Washer Sunset Approaches

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 19:16:07 +0000

Rob,

After replacing our second set of washers and dryers over a 20 year period, I wanted to find ones that could possibly last the 20+ years that most of them used to last.

That’s when I found Speed Queen. Most people have never heard of them, but have seen them. Speed Queen makes most of the washers and dryers in commercial laundromats. Surprise of surprises when I found out they make a home model of each. All metal, no plastic. Over-engineered. Now, we’ve only had them for two years, but so far, so good.

Just a little nugget for future consideration…

By: HomerSimpson

HomerSimpson — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 15:50:49 +0000

Even if it was the MB, you could pull it and see what the caps look like. You’d be surprised at how many “modern appliances” stop working because one cap is bulging or blown. Put your arcade game troubleshooting skills to use. :) No sense spending $900 on a MB if it only needs a $0.03 cap to fix the issue.

By: eduard

eduard — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 17:55:18 +0000

Hi, as Zeno says, it may very well be the input panel: were it faulty, the movement of the load inside the washer could trigger the “Pause” button. Once you find that your machine is unuseable, you could disassemble the input panel and make sure that you get rid of the pause button (maybe by cutting a track in the panel). Also, check the connections and loose wires. Washers tend to shake when spinning, and some connection could have gone loose. If you are going to get rid of the machine, then there is little to loose anyway, and it may be worth having a look inside. Who knows, it could end up being your next hardware project: write a piece of software for one of your Commodore 64’s so you run the machine by software, having the input panel connected to a joystick port and controlling the motor via relays activated from the user port. It is technically feasible!

By the way, the pause button can be used if you start the machine and after that you realize that you want to put more clothes into it. If the washer is not full of water then it will probably unlock the door as to allow you to top up. The button can also be used in case of trouble, like when you discover a disconnected sewage pipe that would flood the laundry room would the water pump run.

Regards, and good luck!

By: Mom

Mom — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 14:35:11 +0000

I too bought those front loaders (the set plus drawers) and lets just say I’m less than impressed. Already had one service call for a broken plastic door latch, and they underperform my old set in every way. (The dryer not so bad, but the washer in EVERY way!) Smaller loads, frequent off balanced loads, no way to reset, you have to take some wet clothes out and do the complete load again, then a second load with the remaining clothes. Wash cycles take about twice as long. The list goes on and on. When mine goes out I’ll turn it into a compost bin and get an old style top loader!

By: Zeno

Zeno — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 13:26:23 +0000

I recently had a very similar problem with my dishwaher abruptly pausing in the midst of every wash cycle. My own online troubleshooting efforts revealed that while this could be caused by a faulty main board, it was also possible to be a problem with the input panel itself. The parts were more or less the same price, so I gambled that it was the panel and not the main board and I turned out to be right.

Secondly, at about this same time I had to replace the water pump in my mother’s front-loading washer which necessitated a breakdown of that unit to a point where either the panel or board could have been replaced if needed. That being said, and knowing younas I do, I believe that your washer is a repair job well within your personal range of capability. You should look online to see if you can find a replacement board (or panel) cheaper than you were quoted and try replacing them on your own. At the very least you won’t have to pay for labor.

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 13:22:56 +0000

I just so happen to have some experience with that style and very nearly that same model of washer.
You gave me a coin door once and I’d be happy to return the favor now if possible. Send me a snapshot of the serial number sticker and let me go see what the real cost of a motherboard is.

Those mobos are usually in the back at the bottom towards the right side (as you face the back). Easily installable.

By: Dave Farquhar

Dave Farquhar — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 13:17:53 +0000

Something to keep in mind: Whirlpool top-loaders are pretty dependable, and the parts are cheap. Whirlpool sells their stuff under multiple brands, so check the off-brands that your local stores sell. Roper and Crosley are two you may see that are made by Whirlpool and use the same parts.

I don’t think I’ve ever needed parts for a washer, but the last time I needed Whirlpool dryer parts, they cost me $25.