80s-90s Maytags: Series designations?

[lowefficiency]

Hi everyone. When researching the Maytag washers and dryers of the 80s-90s, how did Maytag designate each series, and what sort of search terms would you use to find information?

For example, if I wanted information on an earlier Maytag washer, I would search the model number (such as "A606"), and get a TON of results, both here and on Google. But looking at newer machines, with model numbers such as "LAT7793AAW"... You really don't find much in searches beyond the online appliance parts websites, even though machines of this type are all over Craigslist and the used appliance stores. Dropping the letter suffix (color?), just using the numbers, etc, seems to find a few more results, but still not many.

Any tips on what I'm missing? How are these machines differentiated, and what would you search for when looking for information?

Thanks

 

[lowefficiency]

... Sounds like I'm not alone in not knowing what they are called?

 

[kenmore71]

Here goes...

1966 to 1990
"A" prefix is washer
"DE" is electric dryer
"DG" is gas dryer
letters in front denote color. No letter = white

Model numbers were three digit.
First digit denotes feature level, second two the overall series.
The higher the first digit the higher in the "line"

"*06" models = 1966-1975
"*08" models = 1975-1980
"*10" models = 1980-1984
"*12" models = 1984-1990

There were minor exceptions to this in that there were a few "*07", "*09" and "*11" models produced. These were mid-series additions that either offered a new feature set or represented a significant reengineering of some component. They were discountinued when the next "even" numbered series was introduced.

From 1990 to about 1993 models went to a four digit model number which I never really was able to decipher any meaning from. The letter prefix stayed the same for the 1990-91 model year

Then in 1991, Maytag went to a 10 digit model number. The 4 digit actual "model" number stayed the same, but it aquired a 3 letter prefix and suffix. There were significant console styling changes in 1993 & 1997. After that things get really blurry as the megers and branding of non-Newton appliances filled the lines.

First letter = Product line (L for laundry)
Second letter = Type (A for washer, D for Dryer)
Third letter = Variations (T for toploader, W for suds saver, E for electric, etc)
Four number model number
Eight letter = series (revisions increased this letter)
Ninth letter = voltage (A for US 120 volts, C for US 240 volts)
Tenth letter = color (A = White, W = white on white)

 

[lowefficiency]

Wow, thanks Mark!! That will be helpful for sure!