Hi everyone, I have a 1979 Whirlpool LFA7900 which recently started to shut itself off in the middle of a regular wash cycle. It doesn't happen each time, and I can turn the power switch back on and it starts operating again. But just yesterday it wouldn't start agitating after filling with water. Eventually it started working by itself. I'm wondering if the control board is going bad. Anyone know how I can access it to take a look? Would appreciate any documentation, manuals or help. Thanks very much.
1979 Whirlpool LFA7900 shutting off
- Thread starter duck1850
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vacerator
Well-known member
I have never seen this washer console before. If it were an older mechanical rapid advance type timer, that'd be the problem, but it's probably a control board issue. An overheating capacitor, resistor, etc, can trip the safety.
LFA 7900 and LFA 9800 whirlpool super capacity top load belt drive washers
These were the first electronically controlled automatic washers sold in the United States. It was whirlpool‘s first such machine as well, of course.
The LFA 7900 was a slightly less deluxe version of the LFA9800, it’s an incredibly rare washer they didn’t sell many of these. There was very little price difference between the top-of-the-line model, the biggest difference in fact was the fact you didn’t get the electric softener and bleach dispenser instead of just one shot dispensers mounted on the agitator and where the bleach had a little place to pour it at the top of the machine.
These early electronic machines, the control was broken down into more parts, the first thing I would suspect is the power relay that’s the switch you turn on to activate the machine. There was also a separate micro computer and a membrane touch panel, and I believe there were two relays for the high and low speed of the motor, and a power transformer to reduce the 120 volts for the micro-sumpter, Any of these parts could be failing. The micro computer may be failing to keep the relay activated in the start control.
If you open up the console, there should be a checkout chart in there that shows how to figure out what might be wrong with it.
We still have some parts around for these machines, but as I mentioned, it’s a very rare washer
Let us know what you find
John L
These were the first electronically controlled automatic washers sold in the United States. It was whirlpool‘s first such machine as well, of course.
The LFA 7900 was a slightly less deluxe version of the LFA9800, it’s an incredibly rare washer they didn’t sell many of these. There was very little price difference between the top-of-the-line model, the biggest difference in fact was the fact you didn’t get the electric softener and bleach dispenser instead of just one shot dispensers mounted on the agitator and where the bleach had a little place to pour it at the top of the machine.
These early electronic machines, the control was broken down into more parts, the first thing I would suspect is the power relay that’s the switch you turn on to activate the machine. There was also a separate micro computer and a membrane touch panel, and I believe there were two relays for the high and low speed of the motor, and a power transformer to reduce the 120 volts for the micro-sumpter, Any of these parts could be failing. The micro computer may be failing to keep the relay activated in the start control.
If you open up the console, there should be a checkout chart in there that shows how to figure out what might be wrong with it.
We still have some parts around for these machines, but as I mentioned, it’s a very rare washer
Let us know what you find
John L
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