Can Front Loader under-fill over time?

[imperial70]

I have a Frigidaire GLTF2940FS that is about 5.5 years old.
I have a suspicion that it is filling with less water than it did when I first got it. I also remember it pausing to fill with more if as it washed the level dropped down. It no longer does that. Is it possible that the pressure tube is clogging up? Is this something I should be able to rememdy easily?

 

[toggleswitch]

I dont see why not as some Kenmore / Whirpool top-loaders were notorious for short-filling over time.

I'd say the pressure actualted control-switch is maturing and becoming more "brittle".

Sounds like it needs tweaking.

 

[passatdoc]

Agree. I have a 4.75 years old 2140. When a large, highly absorbent load is washed (say, towels), the machine will pause to add more water up to three more times beyond the initial fill, if needed. Even with a full load of less absorbent clothing (say, perm press cottons), it's not uncommon for the machine to pause and fill at least once during the initial wash cycle. About the only time I don't notice additional water being added is when I wash a small load (very rare), in which case the machine does not add extra water beyond the initial fill.

Filling, tumbling, and then sensing that more water is needed seems to be an integral part of this machine's functions. My guess is that whatever switch or device that senses water level must be on the blink.

 

[nurdlinger]

Dont forget

The 2140 and the 2940 have different water level sensing devices. The 2140 has the switch (deep enough? OK) while the 2940 has the analog sensor which presumably detects differing pressures and infers the depth from them.

To me it seems counter-intuitive that a clogged tube could cause a false *higher* pressure reading resulting in less water depth. I should think that almost anything going wrong with the tube (leak,clog, ???) would result in lower pressure and too much water. Of course, I Could Be Wrong.

 

[passatdoc]

Agree, nurdlinger. My 2140 always seems to fill to the correct level, though it may take the initial fill plus up to three additional fills to reach that point. I have never adjusted the water level (I've read there is a screw inside front cover that can be adjusted, but my machine seems to wash with sufficient water in the tub). The depth switch seems simple but effective, and after nearly five years of service there have never been any problems.

 

[3beltwesty]

WOW, reviews are really mixed about this machine

The link gives a massive number of comments by end users!

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/feed-resources/power-reviews/pwr/product-reviews/Front-loading-washing-machines/Frigidaire/p/142__99017796-Gallery-GLTF2940F-S.html

 

[3beltwesty]

OPTION A and B on schematic on page 8 of pdf

Item 17# is a Pressure Switch 134762000 pages 2 in lower right and page 3 on the list and page 8 on the schematic.

PAGE 8 shows option A having a level 3 terminal sensor, and option B having a dumb switch.

http://www.specsserver.com/CACHE/FRANUHNSFHJW.PDF

 

[imperial70]

Thanks for the help. I don't know about those reviews.
Yes the machine is inexpensively put together. Cheap hinges on door, plastic bezel cracking from spin vibrations. But overall the machine does large comforters and 6 loads of wash per weak. I don't pamper it either. I do remove the detergent drawer and leave the tub door open after done for the day. One other thing. One commenter says they have had this machine for 7 years. I believe this to be impossible because the machine was introduced in 2005.

I do remember the machine doing more pausing and filling than it does now. I thought it was getting smarter with age ;-)

I don't know about the schematics. All I can think of is one option is for the 2140 and the other is for the 2940.

 

[nurdlinger]

one option is for the 2140 and the other is for the 2940

Bingo!