Can't believe everything ya read online.
When did Maytag start to go bad?
- Thread starter whirlpool862
- Start date
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Well, I don't. If it hadn't been for Whirlpool, Maytag would've been worse off.
retromen624
New member
Steve:
For some reason I cannot message you directly - have not been on here in years. I sent you an email that you provided years ago to me. I have a KitchenAid question in that email.
Thank you!
TW from Ohio
For some reason I cannot message you directly - have not been on here in years. I sent you an email that you provided years ago to me. I have a KitchenAid question in that email.
Thank you!
TW from Ohio
Renso Brite
Member
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- Aug 1, 2025
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- 8
- In 2003 these Atlantis beauties replaced a pair of late 70s GEs (GEs came with the house- I knew their age because weirdly this was the same pair my parents had). Atlantis washer was highly rated by Consumer Reports at the time. Washer lid switch failed in 2013. The clutch (?) failed in 2018 leading to hasta la vista for both. I remember that loads would get unbalanced occasionally. Maytag Commercial set replaced them -I think better washer performance (not that it’s hit any Consumer Reports lists
).Btw more Maytag personal history - I bought a Maytag side by side fridge and dishwasher in ‘93. The fridge was the smallest side by side I could find (needed for old house kitchen at the time). Delivery was delayed by a flood at the factory. It arrived with the doors misaligned. The freezer failed about 6 months out of warranty - called Maytag and they honored it. It lasted until 2013, in service as basement backup for about 8 years. The dishwasher was great although sometimes I had to bang the door closed to get it to start. ( also Consumers Reports recommendation).
Renso Brite
Member
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Now remembering the dryer was 2005- after the GE dryer failed. Updated exterior design slightly different from the washer.
phillymatt53
Well-known member
And some people wonder why I hang onto a 1985 GE fridge, a 1970's Kitchenaid DW, and a 1985 Maytag washer-dryer pair.
I simply don't "buy into" that "updating" fad that so many fall victim to.
If my stuff needs any attention, it gets it, and I save money in the bank.
Too many people think that newer is better. That's a lie!And some people wonder why I hang onto a 1985 GE fridge, a 1970's Kitchenaid DW, and a 1985 Maytag washer-dryer pair.
I simply don't "buy into" that "updating" fad that so many fall victim to.
If my stuff needs any attention, it gets it, and I save money in the bank.
phillymatt53
Well-known member
Ain't THAT the truth!
We all know that "newer" doesn't last as long as "older"
And they don't perform as well either! This new stuff is just stupid crap! FAIL!!!!
Older is better as one of the best investments I made was 41 years ago I bought my REAL Maytag washer and dryer. Washer has had one $28 part and they still run just like new out of the box.
There's nothing new under the sun anymore.
vacerator
Well-known member
So accurate! It's all been done before!
phillymatt53
Well-known member
Indeed!
Just because a product is labeled as "New", and has "New" technology, doesn't mean a thing to me these days.
Because in a lot of cases, a "New" product is touted as Improved or better, and glorified in its advertizing campaign, in order to sell said product. - Mind you, this is traditional sales marketing tactics that are centuries old.
And yes, let's include the famed term of "Snake Oil", to be fair.
I can appreciate products that have been carefully designed and manufactured, with the strict Quality Control essential on the assembly line.
These things used to be the norm in the past.
However, somewhere along the way, with the result of cost-cutting, design errors, and potential weaknesses due to faulty materials, this is now what consumers have to deal with.
Add to those things the complexity designed into products that previously had simple design, and were reliable.
And don't forget corporate greed, commonplace these days.
I assume that around the early 1960's was the time that some products started to fall into the catagory of questionable quality as a result of technology "enhancements".
For instance, Transistors came into the scene, with designers and manufacturers struggling to keep up with each other, with this "new" technology.
Some brands held fast to their tried and true simple designs for decades more, like appliances - Maytag, Speed Queen, Kitchenaid, etc.
But look what we've got now!..... Troubles, faults, issues, all due to jumping on the "Solid State" bandwagon of "Improved Design".
When products were previously reliable already, with proven quality levels, why mess with those important things, why risk your once adored reputation of your corporation, just to "keep up" with the Joneses?
And become another chastized "Crap" topic on websites like this one.
And don't even get me started on the performance. That so-called heavy duty cycle with extra power option is just an extension of a normal wash cycle.
phillymatt53
Well-known member
Yes, I should have used that strong term known as "Lies" or "Misinformation", which is pretty common these days with a lot of things.
Electronics failures seem to be one of the more common failures these days, and, as pointed out, electronics are mostly not necessary at all.
Electronic voltage regulators in generators are far and away the most common cause of failure to generate., for example. And electronic controls are far and away the most common reason for a set to not run at all.
As I like to say “you can’t have an electronics failure if you don’t have electronics”.
Keith
Electronic voltage regulators in generators are far and away the most common cause of failure to generate., for example. And electronic controls are far and away the most common reason for a set to not run at all.
As I like to say “you can’t have an electronics failure if you don’t have electronics”.
Keith
^Repeatedly say the folks posting messages via electronic devices to a discussion board that exists as electronics.
Seems a bit ironic using electronic means to spread the word that electronics are bad, no?
Seems a bit ironic using electronic means to spread the word that electronics are bad, no?
And I don't buy that Maytag is built tough. What's inside matters means everything will break from the outside in.
The state of appliances has been abysmal because of them.
We're saying appliances and electronics don't mix. This is especially true when you're dealing with heat and moisture.
phillymatt53
Well-known member
Everything with electronics is prone to failure, that's a fact.
It gave me employment for decades.
Even home computers.
Even that spaceship that the astronaut said: "Houston, we have a problem!"
And add to the fact that Electrolytic capacitors literally have a shelf life. So the moment you purchase anything electronic its the equivalent of purchasing a fruit or vegetable. It will go bad just sitting there no matter how pretty it looks.
Exactly. It was never stated that computers and the Internet and this forum shouldn't be electronic. lol. It's the over "elecronification" of everything, even where it isn't necessary or beneficial, that's the problem. A computer? Sure, that can be electronic. A washing machine? There's no reason for it.
Keith
phillymatt53
Well-known member
Yes indeed, Electrolytic caps are one weak and vulnerable component in almost every product that uses them.
Does anybody here remember back about 2 decades, when a widespread epidemic of electronic failures in products started happening?
This caused many electronic devices to break down or act poorly.
I was SO busy at the shop repairing tv sets, vcr's, cd/dvd players, radios, stereo equip, etc.
It didn't matter what brand it was either.
A good friend of mine runs a computer repair shop and he was pulling his hair out because of the incoming flood of defective computers, monitors, laptops, etc.
I even heard that some military equipment was also affected by this.
The reason behind all this was because a lot of manufacturers bought Electrolytic capacitors from an unaware chinese vendor who sold bad caps to them.
CapXon? among other brands, were some of the critters failing.
Apparently these capacitors were missing a critical ingredient that stabilizes the electrolylite inside the caps that counteracts hydrogen gas buildup whenever any voltage was applied to them.
Additionally, any external heat near the caps radiated from nearby parts like power transistors, resistors, would speed up the cap failure.
The formula used in them was counterfeit, stolen from another company and missing that critical additive.
The tops of the caps were popping off from the internal pressure build-up, some even leaked their electrolyte fluid on the circuit boards, making a real mess of things.
Some caps merely shorted out, others would lose their rated value, screwing up operation of a product.
This started happening in the early 2000's, and products started failing within a few years, up to about 2005 or so.
I'm not quite sure of the actual timeframe.
And around that time, I think Volvo, perhaps others, autos started having issues with their electronic throttle control modules, causing rapid acceleration and loss of control.
This caused deaths from cars plowing into things. lawsuits, etc. - sad, but true.
The media didn't provide much info on this, strangely.
So the bad caps syndrome was hushed-up for the most part.
I caught a picture of a damaged throttle control module, and it was clear that several capacitors were bulging and leaking inside.
So all you guys here, if you can properly determine if a bad cap is in something you're working on, great.
If not visible leakage or bulging, then a cap-checker meter is required to diagnose the problem.
Welcome to the world of electronics, with all its wonderful gadgets!
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phillymatt53
Well-known member
And like I've stated a million times, I love my old RELIABLE 1985 Maytag, with it's mechanical timer and real switches!
To be very honest and blunt this would be my ideal washing machine:
If everyone was like me this specific model would have already sold in the millions.
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Too many people still believe that high tech is better when this isn't the case.
Computers aren't the issue. It's the fact that electronics and humidity don't mix, especially with washers, dryers, dishwashers, and other appliances.
Shame on him! At least they were better when the direct drives were around!
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