I have a Kenmore Washing machine that is about 15 years old.
I believe the switch that turns it OFF when the drum is spinning is
broken. The problem is that it washes just fine but will not go into
the drain and rise cycle. The same thing happens when you leave the
door open so I thought maybe the switch is broken.

I removed the screws holding the safety switch and the switch fell
between the drum and the outside of the machine. Someone showed me
how to remove the outer sheet metal of the machine but I don't recall
how. I think they removed 2 screws and flipped the control part
backwards and I'm lost after that.

If you can give me any advice, even telling me where to go (web site
maybe) I would really appreciate it.

Not that is matters or that anyone cares but my problems never come in
ones. If I can't fix it.....Heck, if I can't fix it I have no idea
what I'll do. Wash the clothes in tub I guess.

Thanks for any advice provided.
I will still search the net for helpful web sites incase
I get kill filtered in this group.


RC

"Ron Cliburn" wrote in message
...
I have a Kenmore Washing machine that is about 15 years old.
I believe the switch that turns it OFF when the drum is spinning is
broken. The problem is that it washes just fine but will not go into
the drain and rise cycle. The same thing happens when you leave the
door open so I thought maybe the switch is broken.

I removed the screws holding the safety switch and the switch fell
between the drum and the outside of the machine. Someone showed me
how to remove the outer sheet metal of the machine but I don't recall
how. I think they removed 2 screws and flipped the control part
backwards and I'm lost after that.

If you can give me any advice, even telling me where to go (web site
maybe) I would really appreciate it.

Not that is matters or that anyone cares but my problems never come in
ones. If I can't fix it.....Heck, if I can't fix it I have no idea
what I'll do. Wash the clothes in tub I guess.

Thanks for any advice provided.
I will still search the net for helpful web sites incase
I get kill filtered in this group.


RC

I usually use the "parts" illustrations in the owners manual.If you don't
have the manual, I think you can get one off the internet by going to Sears,
or maybe Kenmore web sites.


--
The doctors have narrowed my condition
down to two ailments. They say I either
have arthritis or rigor mortis.

JC

www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com

In article ,
Ron Cliburn wrote:

I have a Kenmore Washing machine that is about 15 years old.
I believe the switch that turns it OFF when the drum is spinning is
broken. The problem is that it washes just fine but will not go into
the drain and rise cycle. The same thing happens when you leave the
door open so I thought maybe the switch is broken.

I removed the screws holding the safety switch and the switch fell
between the drum and the outside of the machine. Someone showed me
how to remove the outer sheet metal of the machine but I don't recall
how. I think they removed 2 screws and flipped the control part
backwards and I'm lost after that.

If you can give me any advice, even telling me where to go (web site
maybe) I would really appreciate it.

Not that is matters or that anyone cares but my problems never come in
ones. If I can't fix it.....Heck, if I can't fix it I have no idea
what I'll do. Wash the clothes in tub I guess.

Thanks for any advice provided.
I will still search the net for helpful web sites incase
I get kill filtered in this group.


RC

I agree with your diagnosis. I have a Kenmore of that vintage and
replaced the lid switch about six months ago. It was a pain, but I did
it without dismantling the machine. You can physically cock the tub to
one side, and wedge it with a small piece of lumber. That will give you
enough room to reach at least part of one hand in there.

It's possible that you could retrieve the fallen switch with a flexible
grabber, a flashlight, and a mirror. It might even be on the floor under
the machine. But you might just leave it there and put in a new switch.

Your other option is to do what I did for a couple of months until I
gathered up the patience to install my new switch -- short the switch
wires together. Take care to do this well and properly, insulate the
splice, and secure the wires so they don't hit the drum.

They don't call it a safety switch for nothing, so if you bypass it,
take note not to open the lid while it's operating.

Installing a new switch is theoretically simple, but it's a struggle to
get the thing mounted, requiring some degree of patience.

On Jan 16, 11:56 pm, Ron Cliburn wrote:
I have a Kenmore Washing machine that is about 15 years old.
I believe the switch that turns it OFF when the drum is spinning is
broken. The problem is that it washes just fine but will not go into
the drain and rise cycle. The same thing happens when you leave the
door open so I thought maybe the switch is broken.

I removed the screws holding the safety switch and the switch fell
between the drum and the outside of the machine. Someone showed me
how to remove the outer sheet metal of the machine but I don't recall
how. I think they removed 2 screws and flipped the control part
backwards and I'm lost after that.

If you can give me any advice, even telling me where to go (web site
maybe) I would really appreciate it.

Not that is matters or that anyone cares but my problems never come in
ones. If I can't fix it.....Heck, if I can't fix it I have no idea
what I'll do. Wash the clothes in tub I guess.

Thanks for any advice provided.
I will still search the net for helpful web sites incase
I get kill filtered in this group.

RC

The old Kenmore my folks had allowed the machine top to be jerked
forward & tilted up & open.

Open the lid & grab the front inner rim of the lid opening, jerk the
top forward & slightly upward,. Some spring catches will release &
allow you to pivot the top up & back. This will allow access to some
interior parts, at least on their machine, this is how the lid switch
was accessed.

If the switch is still attached to the wires maybe you can retrieve
it.

The machine top can be propped open, just don't let it go over
backwards (the weight of the control panel assembly can pull it over)

HTH

Smiitty's suggestion of bypassing the switch is possible but not
advisable if you have non-tech folks using the machine.

In the old days many machines only shutdown upon lid opening in the
spin stage & I even remember machines w/o a safety switch.


cheers
Bob

In article ,
says...

I have a Kenmore Washing machine that is about 15 years old.
I believe the switch that turns it OFF when the drum is spinning is
broken. The problem is that it washes just fine but will not go into
the drain and rise cycle. The same thing happens when you leave the
door open so I thought maybe the switch is broken.


OK, if your machine is made by Maytag and is their direct drive model (my
Kenmore is), here is what you do:

Remove the two screws in the lower corner of the backsplash.

Tilt the backsplash panel upwards.

There will be two spring clips holding the base to the back. Stick a screw
driver in the first 'loop' and pry it backwards to pop each clip out.

The entire base will now pivot forward and can be pulled off to access the
switch. They stock replacement switches at Sears Repair Centers if you have one
nearby, otherwise go to Sears.com and order it online. Any decent appliance
repair center will also have them, it's a universal switch that covers a lot of
models.

Here is a how-to link, click on "Removing the cabinet..."

http://www.bobvila.com/wwwboard/messages/262243.html

This is also a good time to check the plastic clutch dogs which break over
time. Pop the top off the agitator and look in to see if there are any broken
pieces. A kit to replace the dogs is about $9.00.

--
Dennis