1976 GE Dispensall

[jons1077]

Been a while since I last posted. Funny how careers can do that on occasion. Anywho...

Last year I picked up this Dispensall for around $25. It wasn't in the worst condition so I figured it could be a fun machine to play around with. Functionality of this machine was fine with the exception of some huge gaping holes in the outer tub due to rust. I disassembled the machine and the holes patched up nicely. It seals great and not a drop anywhere.

The current MAIN issue now is the timer. The teeth are worn down so I needed to replace the knob and plate(?, the disk that the knob locks into and indicates your selection of cycle). In my attempt to do this repair I inadvertently removed a couple of screws I really shouldn't have and my timer came apart. As many of you may know those little contacts inside the timer just fall right out and who knows where they go when that happens. I tried replacing them the best I could but the timer doesn't work. It fills, it spins but when it is supposed to agitate it blows a fuse.

Maybe one of you who is a timer expert could either share with me how to properly repair this timer OR perhaps you know of a good timer repair person that I could send it to? Once the timer is fixed this machine should run 100%.

I've attached photos. Of course any help and guidance is appreciated!

Jon

 

[jeff_adelphi]

The most common reason for fuse blowing is the #4 timer switch, (the left most switch in photo 10 above with 5 terminals) This is the switch that reverses the motor for wash or spin. It has 2 small fiber spacers that hold the contacts in the proper position. If these spacers are broken or missing the switch will cause a direct short. This switch can be removed without taking the timer apart, remove the 1/4" screw, then carefully remove the switch. The fiber spacers can be damaged when removing or installing the switch. Keep the timer positioned with the dial down to prevent any of the cam followers from falling out of position.

[this post was last edited: 9/22/2015-19:31]

 

[jons1077]

Thanks for that feedback Jeff-Adelphi! I pulled the switches out. Terminal 4 is intact with spacers but looks like terminal 2 may be missing one and there other is damaged so that could be part of the problem.

The other issue is knowing where each of the small moveable contacts is supposed to go within the plastic bar and changes contact points as the timer advances. Is there is guide out there that helps with that? I have a repair manual but it is not specific enough to be helpful.

Thanks again!
jon

 

[jeff_adelphi]

Cam follower pins-

Here is a scan from the service manual that shows the position of the cam follower pins. Your washer is a late model.

 

[combo52]

GE Clamshell Timers

Hi Jon, Are any of the contacts in your pictured set of contacts stuck-welded together?, there should be a small space between them, it looks like the contacts on the left are welded together.

 

The little cam followers that fit into the plastic bar are all different and they really only fit in the correct position if you look carefully.

 

Good Luck, you will get it working.

 

[jons1077]

Jeff...thanks for sharing the "Follower Guide." That is exactly what I need because when the timer fell open those little suckers went everywhere! They are different lengths and shapes which totally threw me off. Wrong ones can definitely fit in the wrong direction and wrong slot. I have a feeling I stuck a long one in the wrong place and it's causing a switch to make incorrect contact thus shorting out. At least I hope...

John...I checked on the contacts like you mentioned and none are welded or stuck together anywhere. As Jeff mentioned, on that particular switch for terminal #2, it may be an issue with the spacer being damaged and not holding the contacts apart. I'll find another NOS switch on Ebay and grab a spacer off of it.

I think between the info you've both given me I should have a good shot and making this work. Unfortunately I work the next three days so I won't be able to dive in until this weekend but I will definitely give updates on the progress!

jon

 

[gansky1]

Good to see you posting again, Jon, welcome back.

That's a beautiful GE Dispensall, the timers can be daunting but you'll get it back together. I like working on GE timers, once you have the right info and guide, they're much simpler than some other types. Good luck.

 

[jons1077]

Update...

OK, I was pleasantly surprised to find the part I ordered, a timer switch, had arrived a couple of days early. YAY! I printed off the "Follower Guide" (thank you Jeff-Adelphi!!!) and began the daunting task of repairing this timer. Of course I had the followers in all the wrong spots but with the guide it was easy to place them correctly. However, getting the timer housing all back together is challenging because the timer motor gears all have to lock into place and they just sit there loosely. Anyways, it's a pain in the butt but I got it back together.

Other good thing was I took some photos of the wiring before I removed the timer from the washer. That way I had a reference for when I would reconnect. Whew! Glad I was thinking ahead!

Amazingly, the washer works now! The timer advances correctly and everything seems to be working. All of the old leaks in the outer tub I fixed last year and the machine is water tight now. The only thing is the new pump I installed doesn't seem to have much power. Maybe that's an issue with the newer replacement pumps?

Anyways, it's a functional machine. Slowly I'll gather remaining missing parts and hopefully have a Dispensall!

Enjoy the pics!

 

[gelaundry4ever]

videos

I was wondering if anybody can upload videos of this machine on youtube. I have yet to find videos of this time tested wonder. I'd love to see composite videos! I would love to see it on normal/fast (top speed!)

 

[jons1077]

"One thing leads to another..."

Funny I was just hearing that song on the radio. I go down to throw the whites I washed into the dryer and there is staining and a green film in the laundry sink. Transmission leak... ugh!!! Gotta love trying to fix these old things though!

 

[jetcone]

Jon

thanks for putting this thread up. I have never been inside a GE timer before and it looks daunting to say the least! That guide is invaluable I can tell. Good work and that is a stunner of a machine!

 

Old washers are complex but that makes the challenge. I think Combo52 has a bead on rebuilt units contact him, he was buying them from a rebuilder. 

Some machines want to live again and are easy some struggle to get back and when you put the effort in those machines become gems.

 

And always read twice- I kept reading this thread as 1976 GE Disposall!! And thinking why is it in Imperial LOL -- A duh.

 

jon

 

[jons1077]

Jon

Thanks for the feedback and the heads-up on transmission units. I am not opposed to rebuilding this transmission. I've never done it before so this would be a good machine to gain that kind of experience on. It does have the metal housed transmission which is kind of prefer over the plastic ones. They just seem a little more quiet and perhaps smoother as well. I don't, maybe that's my imagination.

I know from some of Robert's and other's postings in the past they were able to take these things apart and give a good cleaning in turpentine solution and use a blue sealant when reassembling. My main question would be knowing which seals to get as far as the tub seal which, in this case, is likely the failing component.

I'll shoot Combo52 a line and get his input. It may simply be easier to just swap it out but who knows right?

Thanks!

 

[jetcone]

Jon there

is a seal that goes at the top around where the shaft comes out for the tub, its different for different models, thats the trick. I don't have a GE parts book but John probably does.

 

Keep us posted.

 

 

[geextrarinse]

Great Job!

Hi Jon! Been a while!

I was excited to see your post. I had to replace switches in one of my timers a while back and it was certainly a challenge but I did it and I felt SO accomplished by what at first was an intimidating job. GE really did make everything pretty straight forward and easy to repair.

This looks like a nice machine! I'm excited for you and know you will have as much fun with it as I do with mine. As for your pump issue, from the pics, it looks like it runs just fine. I think that the switching mechanism and the reduced size of the nozzle for the recirculating return reduces the flow from what we are used to in the regular machines. You probably noticed that its a much smaller opening than the regular nozzle for the returning water. I don't think you need to worry to much about the pump. Just enjoy it for now!

Good luck with it!

 

[geextrarinse]

Quick question...

So I'm looking at your pics… Have you checked to see if the switching nozzle is working correctly? There are three distinct routes the returning water is supposed to take depending on where in the cycle it is running. When the machine is in the wash cycle, the water should be directed out of the FAR RIGHT side of the return nozzle so it forces water through the powdered detergent dispenser. During the rinse, it should be directed out of the FAR LEFT side of the nozzle, thereby activating the softener dispenser. And ONLY during the Prewash or soak cycle should it come out of the center like it is in your pics. If it only comes out of the center during all of the cycles, you probably have a defective switch. Unfortunately (or fortunately for my sake) I don't have enough experience with this to tell you how to fix it. But definitely check it out - I'm curious to know what you find…

Matt

 

[geextrarinse]

Check out these pics

Here is the link to my original post 9 years ago when i got my machine working - you can see the filter flo pics and the nozzle in action for each cycle...

1974 GE Dispensall

Hi everyone! I though I'd repost some pics of my Dispensall after the wonderful catalog Robert offered in the Dispenser yesterday. I have been fascinated with this machine since I first saw it as a little boy in my neighbors house. I was thrilled to find mine 6 years ago and it was all...

www.automaticwasher.org