Whirlpool WTW4816FW3: Bad control board and Lowes warranty issues

[me]

Of course those "advertised benefits" you speak of are just glorified marketing talk used in order to help sell a product.
But the actual "lie" about mechanical timers is just that, misinformation.

When you're dealing with certain products that can perform just fine with standard components, which have a long-time history of reliability, and overcomplicate things with "modern technology", you're bound to see the difference in durability.

But see, the general public isn't aware of those facts.
Dressing up a product with sexy controls, digital displays, colorful lights, doesn't mean it's better, it's generally directed to the humans "superficiality" traits that impress the consumer.
That is something that's been a part of society's teachings from birth.

It was actually a very nice machine, with intuitive controls with appropriate symbols on the nice sized buttons and labels below that attracted me to it, you didn't need to refer to a manual to understand any of the settings or chose the right wash, the first 8 programme numbers corresponded to the numbers on the care labels on garments at the time, so for example programme 1 was a 95°C white cotton wash, 4 was a 50° synthetic wash, and 6 was for acrylics. The higher numbers were for combinations of rinses and or long and short spins. It even had economy options before energy labels were invented, like half load, lower temp, and reduced rinses, plus a Bio button for enzyme based powders, which gave a longer soak.

I pointed the machine out to my mum because I thought it was a good design, easy to use and the future, never expecting or intending her to buy one. The mechanical timer machines of the time had limited programme options, some used letters as I recall, and one we had before had just a confusing dial and a switch labelled A - B. I regretted not repairing it when the bearings eventually went, although when we opened it up, it did have a very, very thick layer of limescale. Ironically, the feature I miss the most on modern machines is the cable operated door release with the door button on the control panel, as the locking mechanism was mechanical and would open instantaneously, and only open if the water level was low enough and the drum was stationary, regardless if there was power or not. So you could stop the machine and add extra items at the start of the cycle.

 

[mrstickball]

Ironically, a confact I have at a distributor makes their own boards for an appliance. I won't say which one, but its a firm that does OEM work for one of the big manufacturers.

When they decided to make a commonly-failing board, the vendor asked if the distributor I know wanted them to add the relay that only lasts for 5 years (like the major manufacturer decided to use intentionally) or go with the longer-lasting one. So I do think the manufacturers have a good idea that a relay will fail within a certain period of time.

 

[phillymatt53]

Ironically, a confact I have at a distributor makes their own boards for an appliance. I won't say which one, but its a firm that does OEM work for one of the big manufacturers.

When they decided to make a commonly-failing board, the vendor asked if the distributor I know wanted them to add the relay that only lasts for 5 years (like the major manufacturer decided to use intentionally) or go with the longer-lasting one. So I do think the manufacturers have a good idea that a relay will fail within a certain period of time.

While I don't particularly like the new tech era we're living in, and have no interest in that "Artificial Intelligence (AI) stuff working its way into our world, here's a bit of information that it generated in a Google search.....

"Planned failure in products, also known as planned obsolescence, refers to the practice of designing products with a limited lifespan or functionality, forcing consumers to replace them sooner than they would otherwise. This strategy is often employed to boost sales and profits...."

This type of Corporate Greed and Manipulation goes well beyond what was once Pride in manufacturing, an honest way to gain a good reputation, and loyal customer base.

At the repair shop, I've seen the TV sets and other equipment come in with various faults.
The sneaky way the designers installed "timer chips" in the circuitry, only available to us repair techs who can access the secret "Service Menu".
These chips run a Real-time clock set to various "out of warranty" stages to initiate or change operating conditions, leading to a failure of the product.
And the installation of parts that are sub-standard quality, along with parts operating on the edge of their "safe operating zone".

I've been in touch with other dedicated professional service techs - we have our own websites such as this one that are only available to us and paid for by us to keep out non-pro-techs.
I've also had the pleasure of meeting and talking with some local company Regional Product Managers who at times made a subtle "slip of the tongue" comment confirming my thoughts on this.
I won't mention brands, other than saying this is widespread across the board.