2006 Whirlpool Duet FL Washer

[losangeles]

I have a 2006 Whirlpool FL washer Model GHW9400PWO. I have read several threads here on Increasing the water level on these machines. I have followed the instructions to the letter and have even researched Google for similar articles and DIY videos. I have spent the better part of two days trying to get the washer to fill with enough water to effectively clean my laundry without success. Am I missing something here or is it just not possible? I was sucessful in getting the water level up to the glass in the door. This might be ok except that is if wanted to add an item after the washer completes the fill, and cannot open the door with taking a bath in the water that spills out. My preferred water level would be just below the boot.
If anyone out there has experience with this problem, please clue me in. Thank you, Tommy (Losangeles)

 

[appnut]

Tommy, what cycle are you using? Normal cycle is the stingiest with water. Use whites cycle and just change the wwash water temp to what you want to use.

 

[losangeles]

Whirlpool washer water level

I am using the Heavy Duty cycle. This is the cycle that I use most often. I thought and most likely wrong that the Heavy duty cycle would use the most water. I will switch to the Whitest Whites cycle and try again. Thank you. Tommy

 

[appnut]

Tommy, here's a link to the user manual. The principle behind Heavy Duty is that the detergent is highly concentrated in the wa4ter used to wash and uses stepped temperature increases to deal with variou8s stains. I find it very helpful.

https://assets.ajmadison.com/ajmadison/itemdocs/8182276.pdf

 

[littlegreeny]

Wow

Whirlpool sure doesn't make them like they used to. The variety of cycles is amazing. Three different delicate cycles, activewear cycle and there is a prewash option. And I bet it uses plenty of water with no modifications. I'd buy this in a heartbeat.

 

[mark_wpduet]

There were 3 of these washers wp made. This is the TOL. Mine is MOL, the BOL didn't have a heater.

anyway, I never use normal cycle. I tried adjusted the water a LONG time ago on mine and I gave up and moved it back to factor. I recommend not doing it. Here's what would happen. You adjust the water level and get water just the way you want it......then then a few loads later, start a cycle and it just kept filling up with water 1/2 way up the freaking door. That's when I moved it back.

These washers use enough water. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[agiflow4]

After having the 6620 I totally agree about not needing more water. The recirculation made sure everything was sopping wet no matter how large the load. I don't think I would have one now that I am living in a mobile..EXCUSE ME.AHEM...manufactured home. The one I had shook like mad but steadied during full speed spin.

 

[appnut]

I believe this is still part of the 1st generation of WP Duets and the Kenmore He3T equivalent. We had our first wash-in in Minneapolis August 2001. We heard the new Kenmore front loaders were at Sears and we all invaded Sears--actually had to go to 2 stores before we could see them on the floor. 20 or 30 of us invading Sears. As was customary with Sears at the time, they still offered exclusive features that WP did not have. In this case, it was a Stain treat option, which allowed multiple cycles to offer selecting a hot wash, but filling with warm and gradually heating the water to Hot or Sanitize. The only ability the Duet had to perform this was only with the Heavy duty cycle, offered stepped cleaning for various protein/non protein stains.

 

[DADoES]

 
Part of the trick with some Duets (and KM HExs) is that there's a flow meter involved in water level control, it's not based entirely/only on the pressure switch.  Some cycles (and rinses) trigger an initial level per the pressure switch, then more water is added based on a count of rotational signals from the flow meter.

 

[losangeles]

Whirlpool Duet water level

Thank all of you for your help, advice and encouragement. Mark (KY), you are right. I either get water way up past the dent in the window or default back to factory settings.
And here is just a thought. What if if disconnected the feedback switch on the flow meter. Would the pressure switch just rely on the pressure of the water setting? Give me your thoughts. I am not a electronics/electrical engineer by any means. But I would appreciate any thoughts or advice on this maneuver. Thank you Losangeles

 

[mark_wpduet]

I have no clue

I remember when I did finally get the water level the way I wanted it...Just below the boot (not too much water, but not too little).. It did let me see what more water wasn't necessarily good because the clothes just rolled...but just below the boot, they lifted/dropped normally. But without me touching anything after that, the water levels were all over the place from load to load. This is when I knew the change was NOT working and moved it back and it's been fine ever since. I love how mine does full spins between rinses and after the interim spins it continues to spin slowly will filling with rinse water. None of the other washers I've seen do this.

Over the years I've grown to LOVE this machine and dread the day I have to get a new one. Who would think one of us would dread having to buy a new washer? Used to, I would look forward to it and be excited about it? Maybe it's because now we can pretty much watch the new ones work on youtube without having to actually buy one? LOL

 

[jerrod_six]

You are right about Youtube mark. I look at the videos and think "no I don't want that that, well maybe that one is not too bad, but it doesn't spin after each rinse." Or "where was the water in that rinse?" In a way, Youtube helps us see what's out there.

 

[losangeles]

I Have No Clue

Mark,
You are so right. I tried for two days to adjust the water level in my 2006 Whirlpool Duet and finally gave up. I have loved my washer since the day I brought it home for many of the same reasons as you. But for some reason, since I gave up trying to change the water level, I have noticed that the level has settled out at rim of the tub, and the wash load sloshes about better than before. Thank you for your thread, advice and encouragement. Losangeles

 

[jaums]

"More Water" button

My Kenmore 44092 bought in 2005 is having problems so I went through the process to decide on my replacement.

Reading about the new HEs left me concerned about a brand new shiny machine that (thanks to the EPA?) uses too little water to really clean and rinse.

I saw the many vids about hacking the water level controller, including 1 that said he increased it to the max and he and his wife were then satisfied. BUT he started to get electrical smells--an over-taxed motor? So he reduced it somewhat.

A nice amount of water, but maybe a voided warranty and an over-taxed motor?

2 of the line of 4 new FL GEs have a More Water button that is said to provide an additional 3 gallons of water to each the wash and rinse.

Interesting that they put this option on the bottom 2 of the line of 4 new FLs.

Maybe they had an empty button and/or maybe they are wanting to see what the reaction is.

Getting a new machine now is a matter of waiting. I've been waiting about a month now for a GFW550SSNWW (2nd from the bottom).

I am interested to see if I think the standard cycles need more water or not and what difference the More Water option makes.

 

[mark_wpduet]

I've said all along

all FL's should have a "more water" button option because they could still be labeled an energyStar washer because it's an OPTION. They base that off the normal cycle anyway without any options, so adding that would be fine...but most won't do it. Why? I'm not sure.

 

[pumper]

And with the polar ice caps melting, there should be no need to conserve water.

 

[mattl]

I played with the Duet water levels too long ago, found more is NOT better. Wash action decreased as water levels went up.   If you want more water just don't use the Normal cycle...

 

[jerrod_six]

More water in a wash is not good, but I think slightly more water in a rinse is good, since you need the water to dilute the detergent.

 

[jaums]

Talking about water levels & rinsing . . .

I have seen videos of some short cycles that seem to skip the spin at the end of the wash.

Is that typical for "time saver" or whatever the name may be?

I understand that could save a few minutes, but I would think that would impact the overall quality since the rinsing has to deal with more of the soapy water with dirt in it, ultimately leaving more of both in the clothes.

I get that these are time not quality cycles.

Are there other cycles that also typically skip the end-of-wash spin?