Frigidaire 1-18 WIC-A and DECI dryer

[philr]

Hi,

I'd like to have more information on my new Frigidaire washer/dryer set.

I think they were manufactured in 1977. The washer has a console which is identical to the WCI with the exception that it says "two speeds" instead of 3 speeds. Anybody has a list of the different models available in 1977?

 

[philr]

Like the 3 speed model, it has an 8 position fabric selector. I'm wondering what's different since all the controls seem to be the same...

 

[philr]

The only other difference I noticed is that it lacks the fabric softener dispenser.

 

[philr]

The dryer lacks the drum light bulb and cover. Anybody knows where I could find the cover?

 

[philr]

The console view that I saw in another thread shows the very similar WCI washer model.

 

[philr]

Here are the controls on the dryer

 

[philr]

I'm wondering what's the "Lint Guard"? Does that light comes on when the lint filter is clogged?

 

[goatfarmer]

Nice set!
First number in the serial number is year of manufacture, if they are GM Frigidaire.

 

[retromania]

Ohh - weee!

ENJOY!!

 

[combo52]

1-18 WCI MODELS

 In the mid and later 1970s all the manufactures that made three speed washers dropped this very expensive to build feature. Florescent lights porcelain tops on washers and dryers were also among the many things that started to disappear after the energy crisis of the 1970s. The lint guard light reminded you to clean the lint filter, it could tell if the filter was getting clogged by means of a small pressure switch that could sense when the suction was increased on the blower side of the lint filter which would indicate a clogged filter. It was a good idea that some LKMs also had, MT even had a system on thier electronically controlled dryers in the 1990s that had a little magnet imbedded in the dyers filter and a reminder would come on when you started the dryer if you hadn't moved the filter. 

 

[philr]

The notes in the washer lid still specifies "normal", "slow" and "gentle" speeds for the different fabric settings on the control panel. The other 2 speed models I have seen have 6 fabric settings, this one still has 8. I'm wondering why?

 

[laundromat]

great set!

 

[philr]

I looked again and slow applies to spin and gentle to wash... So it's certainly a 2 speed, but I still don't understand why there are 8 settings on the fabrics selector since some settings provide the same combination of temperatures and speeds...

For example, I'm wondering what could possibly change between the Permanant Press delicate and Knits settings?

 

[appnut]

Phil, although the Knits setting and the Permanent Press Delicate setting appar to be the same, they are very different.  The Knits setting provides alternate agitation and soaking periods throughout the wash time slected (I'm 99% sure of this) whre as the Delicate setting would provide gentle agitation for the entire wash time selected without any pause/soak periods during the wash.  My GE Filter Flo from the late 1970s also did this.  If you will notice on the Model WIA above, there is a separate Knits cycle on the control dial than Permanent Press Cycle.  That as also comon on the Custom Delux model and maybe one or two others in the 1/18 series. 

 

[joelippard]

Congratulations on some beautiful looking Frigidaires!

 

[washerlover]

Beautiful! Another place to verify year of manufacture on these is usually printed on the schematic on the outer tub.

 

[mixfinder]

Flooded

<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>

[COLOR=black; font-size: 10.5pt]Seeing your machines and apparent affliction with Frigidaire brings back floods of happy memories and some not so much. I hate to admit being this shallow but I will never forget how I felt in December 1979.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  [/COLOR]Buying new appliances for a kitchen remodel, bit inside the store, was like a set from Twilight Zone. They said Frigidaire on the back splash but why are the coils so skinny. The dishwasher said Frigidaire on the label, but inside the racks seemed askew. I didn't even have to open the lid. I saw the shape and the agitator icon on the water level switch and my heart sank. I asked if Frigidaire had launched a value added line up like GE and Hotpoint. It <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>felt like the day the day the President was shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Eerie and too quiet. When the salesman avoided my eyes and launched into the schpeil about improvements in design Frigidaire was making in their appliance line, I looked past him and saw a GM Frigidaire range in the clearance room. I bought the stove there, Frigidaire found a GM side by side in Kentucky and I bought the first of many Maytag dishwashers.</span>

<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>

<span style="font-size: small;">Since that day in 1979 I have scrounged, found and rehabbed Frigidaire ranges and refrigerators so I would always have a back up in case we moved are I needed parts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I took a hiatus from 2002 until 2006 and here I am today still scrounging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span>

<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>

<span style="font-size: small;">Your Frigidaire washer is from time in space when the customer recognized, appreciated and was willing to pay for it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I’m a sucker for anything that lights up and they are shining on all the time.</span>

<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>

 

[philr]

Here are the model numbers and serial numbers. I can't read one of the numbers on the washer but they both appear to be from 1977.

 

[philr]

I'd like to get a cover for the drum light. Anybody knows where to get one?

 

[aldspinboy]

Theres nothing like lighted consoles !

Congratulations on that pair of Frigidares very nice !

 

 

 

 

 

Darren k

 

[swestoyz]

Hey Phil, beautiful Frigidaire set! Yes, they were both made in '77. I pulled the parts books out last night and confirmed that the WIC-A did indeed come with a two speed motor. In previous production years, GM would use a -A version of a model and reduce down features but still offer an Imperial model. It appears the -A for your model meant it received the two speed motor, and more than likely, a non-windowed lid. Who cares though - you've got lighted panels! Enjoy this wonderful washer.

For the dryer drum light cover, you're at the mercy of a parts donor, or someone here who may have one on hand. I wish I could help you out but I don't have many 1-18 parts.

@ Kelly - do I spy an Iowan-made microwave there in your GM Frigidaire kitchen? ;-)[this post was last edited: 4/18/2011-10:46]

 

[combo52]

1-18 DRYER DRUM LIGHT COVER

I did manage to find a used one for my poppy custom imperial dryer some years ago. It would best to look up the part # and search, if I come across another I will try to remember you. Unfortunately these covers were plastic and they were installed in the middle of the heat inlet for the dryer drum. You may be better off getting a piece of round glass from an older WP-KM dryer and gluing it in place with clear RTV sealant and changing the LB from the rear as needed. You should not use this dryer without the light cover in place as it will increase the drying time and cause heater element fatigue and early failure because not enough air is being drawn across the heater..

 

[philr]

Ben,

Do you have the part number for the drum light cover in my dryer?
When I got these, I thought about your video on YouTube and your comment "Using this washer makes you feel like you are sitting at the helm of a 1975 Buick Electra - acres of wood grain!" since I do have a 1975 Electra!

I was hesitating between buying these or some of the Rollermatics there but the green Rapidry didn't have a matching dryer (and it seemed noisy) and the white one had a matching dryer and seemed in better shape but I liked the idea of having a 1-18 set from 1977 as I was born on 1-18-1977! And I really like lighted consoles!
If I had more space and more money, I would have bought other ones too. There was another Harvest Gold 1-18 washer with a window lid but it didn't have the lighted console or matching dryer to go with. And there was a 1961 Custom Imperial dryer but, as you might expect, no matching Multimatic washer for it...

John, If you ever find another lens for the dryer, let me know! I'll follow your advice and I'll try find something to block the hole until I find the correct lens.

Today, I carefully removed paint drops from the control panels. I think that someone had tried to do it previously but stopped after removing just a few and scratching the black part near the timer motor. I used a soft cloth and automotive wax and it didn't hurt the finish. Even the small scratches from the previous attempt are gone now.

 

[turquoisedude]

Phil, if you do get the part number for the drum light lens, let me know.  There's a part shop in St-Hyacinthe that I make hubby go to fairly often and they have a surprising number of parts still....

 

[autowasherfreak]

Nice Frigidaires congrats!

 

 

[strongenough78]

PhilR

Could you PLEASE post some pics of the Electra? I love the 75 model year of that car. So huge and beautiful. My Great-Grandmother had a 75 Riviera until she passed in the mid 80's. It was given to my Uncle who used it quite a bit until it's demise. I'd love a 75 Electra to go with my 72 Imperial I'd love to get my hands on.

 

[steved]

part number

Frigidaire drum lamp cover for DCI, DCIG, DECI or DGCI is 1125577. I might have a pic of it somewhere

 

[philr]

Vern,

I have emailed you...

Steve,

Thanks for the part number!

Phil

 

[steved]

same

It seems like all 1/18 dryers with drum lamps use the same cover. I guess you twist it to be able to remove it. That help?

 

[philr]

Thanks for the picture, I'll have to do some research!