By-passing or eliminating lid switch on our Maytag A407

[charbee]

Hey y'all. Figured one of you Maytag gurus would have an answer for the preferred way of by-passing the lid switch on older Maytag washers. We like to add the liquid soap while it's filling, so we can rinse the little cup we use to measure, and we like to put the washing soda in to dissolve while the fill-flume is running, as well, and then put the clothes in.

We have been sticking the handle of a small plastic coathanger back behind the lid there to keep the switch pushed in while trying to get the soap, washing soda and clothes arranged. Bad thing about that is that it keeps popping out unless you hold the lid at just the right angle. Never did see the reason for killing all the fun when you open the lid...I love to watch the water spin-out, too. Any ideas appreciated! Our old "Maudie" has been a real trooper since we found her on Craigslist for $20...not the prettiest center-dial around, but she gets the clothes clean!

 

[volvoguy87]

Lid Switch...

I bypassed the lid switch on my June 1980 A208 Center-Dial. First, unplug the machine because the contacts are live. Then remove the 2 screws atop the control panel. Find the back of the lid switch and you will see 2 wires connected to it with disconnects (one wire is one of the wires on the cord. Remove these two wires. You then have to attach both wires to each other. You ca simply tape them together with electrical tape, or you can take a short length of wire (of the appropriate gauge) and crimp on some disconnect blades (make ends) onto each end. Try to get the insulated kind for safety. As long as the blades are the right size, you should be able to plug the two wires from the lid switch onto each end of your jumper wire. The total cost of parts might be as high as $2.50. Also, if you use a jumper wire with the proper disconnects, you can remove the jumper and re-connect the lid switch later if you want.
BEWARE! This method of bypassing the lid switch also disables the off-balence switch, which is integral to the lid switch. Watch the machine during spin so you can shut it off if it goes out of balence. Also, take a level and make certain that your washer is ABSOLUTELY LEVEL! Mine is pretty sensative, and it is now dead-on level and it has not gone out of balence at all, and has been so quiet on spin it's amazing. With the machine properly leveled, it doesn't even shake the house (it is on the second floor of a 100 year old wood-framed house).

Enjoy your 'Tag, also, the rollover and wash action is great fun to watch,
Dave

 

[charbee]

Thanks, Dave...

Figured it wouldn't be too difficult. Thanks for the tips about getting her absolutely level, too. That's been difficult to do, as we're using a make-shift "lean-to" on the back of the house for laundry while we finish remodeling (which just seems to keep going "without end"). I have got it as level as I can, but one leg keeps adjusting itself out of whack, so I have to keep an eye on it and adjust it back out about once a week.

Once we have the little laundry nook finished, I should be able to get her completely level and keep it that way. As it is, old Maudie shakes the house pretty good on spin (wood cabin on posts, about three feet off the ground), and has an occassional "incontinence" when doing a really big load. When the laundry nook is done, she'll be atop a rigid framework of 2 x 6's and 3/4" plywood which oughta provide a good, stable platform.

And y'all might remember that sweet little DE606 we found awhile back, well, with all the remodeling dust and debris flying we wanted to find a way to protect it until we can finally install it where it's going. Char got a fun idea and stitched up this "Dryer Coozie" from an extra mattress pad we didn't need anymore, and it fits perfectly. So the 606 dryer is safely tucked in for the duration, until we get its little spot finally fixed up.

Still thinking about using the later "LA512" washer in the house, and keeping old Maudie out on the back porch, or passing both of 'em on if we end up getting an A606 to match the dryer.

 

[laundramatt]

A quick temporary way that doesn't come free as easily as the plastic hanger is a book or two of matches. As a cable repairman, I've had occasion to be in plenty of peoples basements while they were doing their laundry. I was surprised one day years ago to see a Maytag washing away with the lid open, and found that the lady had stuck a book of matches between the lid and the lid switch. It works beautifully, until more permanent fixes can be made.

 

[charbee]

I hadn't thought of matchbooks...that's a great "for right now" idea. Thanks!

 

[brettsomers]

use one half of a wooden clothespin. the kind with the metal spring. the wedge-end of the clothespin-halp is perfect for wedging the switch.

 

[queeny77]

when my mom got her early 86 maytag washer, boy she found that lid switch fast, she used to put a credit card in between the lid and the switch. and to hold the lid up she would put a tide bottle on the bleach despencer and rest the lid on the bottle so she could watch it.

 

[queeny77]

oops dispenser

 

[gadgetgary]

Queeny77

Now there's a screen name

Here's my version of defeating the lid switch
A plastic lid for a round storage container.
Works wonderfully.

 

[hoover1060]

I use a rubber spatula handle

positioned as such

 

[tomturbomatic]

55 cent solution

two quarters with a nickel between them wrapped in sturdy tape (not duct tape) inserted as you raise the lid will fit perfectly. Tom

 

[charbee]

Thanks everybody!

As always, you guys rock...thanks for all the inventive "right now" solutions! I'm probably going to get in there and disconnect the switch by this weekend, but now I have lots of things to try if I don't get to it.

 

[spankomatic]

I use to just use one quarter. I also used the half close pin. I never wanted to by pass the switch because I wanted the unbalanced load feature to work (stop) if the load was unbalanced.

Jim

 

[toggleswitch]

In the years momma had her A206, I'm wanting to say it NEVER went out of balance.