Almost brand new Whirlpool washer with bad control board

[phillymatt53]

I'll be in my grave before I buy any washer that's got electronics in it.
That's because my 1985 Maytag will probably still be churning my dirty underwear.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

One that switches on the drain motor might just have a welded contact in a relay. If you ohm it out and it's stuck, it's usually not a really tough job to find a replacement on Amazon for a few bucks and replace it. Then you'll have a spare for a non-warranty fix down the road.

Are you sure?

 

[gelaundry4ever]

I'll be in my grave before I buy any washer that's got electronics in it.
That's because my 1985 Maytag will probably still be churning my dirty underwear.

And I bet a plastic tub GE could clean better than this!

 

[phillymatt53]

Are you sure?

I've come across relays that have stuck in the ON position on many things - stereo amps, etc.
The contacts weld together and in some cases can be burnished.
But the ratings of relays must be high enough in order to survive the current going though them, along with the return springs tension.
Cost cutting on things like that WILL eventually take it's toll.

 

[joncoates]

One that switches on the drain motor might just have a welded contact in a relay. If you ohm it out and it's stuck, it's usually not a really tough job to find a replacement on Amazon for a few bucks and replace it. Then you'll have a spare for a non-warranty fix down the road.

It is not a welded contact, That is the design so that it fails safely (hence a Failsafe circuit) When there is any question on the reading from the pressure switch on the board, the pump is turned on to prevent any overflowing or flooding. There are, as others have mentioned, a huge batch of bad switches from Panasonic. It has nothing to do with the design of the board. I have repaired many with the same part removed from nearly identical boards built 10 to 15 years ago. ( machines that died from other reasons. )

 

[phillymatt53]

It is not a welded contact, That is the design so that it fails safely (hence a Failsafe circuit) When there is any question on the reading from the pressure switch on the board, the pump is turned on to prevent any overflowing or flooding. There are, as others have mentioned, a huge batch of bad switches from Panasonic. It has nothing to do with the design of the board. I have repaired many with the same part removed from nearly identical boards built 10 to 15 years ago. ( machines that died from other reasons. )

One of the things that has annoyed the hell out of me is the use of "tact" or "Tac" momentary contact switches in electronics.
Sure, they're compact, they control signals to the microprocessors, etc.
And they only require a light press to operate.
But they're not as durable as old school switches.
And they're a pain to replace if they become faulty.
Careful unsoldering and replacement is mandatory.
Believe me, I must have replaced hundreds of them over the years, in stereo equipment, among other modern equipment using them.
But they're cheap enough to purchase. (part of the cost-cutting of manufacture)
They also come in different length buttons for a given design panel.
Mouser, along with other parts distributors carries replacements, Panasonic being one supplier they carry.
I have to put an order in to them when I get the time.

The internal contacts eventually build up tarnish on them, or corrosion due to airborn issues, causing them to become difficult or impossible to actuate.
People then push them harder to force them to work, causing other problems with the equipment their in.

I'd assume the humidity level in a washing machine or dryer can accelerate this problem with them.

A short button version....

 

[gelaundry4ever]

One of the things that has annoyed the hell out of me is the use of "tact" or "Tac" momentary contact switches in electronics.
Sure, they're compact, they control signals to the microprocessors, etc.
And they only require a light press to operate.
But they're not as durable as old school switches.
And they're a pain to replace if they become faulty.
Careful unsoldering and replacement is mandatory.
Believe me, I must have replaced hundreds of them over the years, in stereo equipment, among other modern equipment using them.
But they're cheap enough to purchase. (part of the cost-cutting of manufacture)
They also come in different length buttons for a given design panel.
Mouser, along with other parts distributors carries replacements, Panasonic being one supplier they carry.
I have to put an order in to them when I get the time.

The internal contacts eventually build up tarnish on them, or corrosion due to airborn issues, causing them to become difficult or impossible to actuate.
People then push them harder to force them to work, causing other problems with the equipment their in.

I'd assume the humidity level in a washing machine or dryer can accelerate this problem with them.

A short button version....

View attachment 318234

I want real switches. I mean, what the heck?

 

[phillymatt53]

I want real switches. I mean, what the heck?

Me too!
That's why I bitch about the weak points of electronics in products.
And those plastic digital rotary controls are just as bad.