I AM PISSED OFF!!!!

[bajaespuma]

Well, the honeymoon is over officially. My LG WM2432 Front Loader washer, after 8 years of flawless service has stopped working. I decided to call a local service company who had done good work for me in the past to repair it. The same young technician who came out here years ago on another call took the machine apart and after a short half-hour came upstairs and told me in the same sentence that the LG needed a new stator and possibly a new circuit board, but the circuit board is no longer available. The poor guy was practically apologizing to me because he knew the conundrum he was presenting: I could buy and pay for the installation of the new stator, but I wouldn't know if the circuit board was bad or not without installing a new stator. Only then, after shelling out more than 400 dollars would I find out if all the effort was futile and a large waste of money.

 

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE LAW THAT COMPANIES HAD TO STOCK PARTS FOR MACHINES FOR UP TO 10 YEARS???!?!?! I have to get rid of the best washing machine I have ever used (in this country) because some greedy company doesn't want to maintain a reasonable inventory of parts??? The next person who even implies that corporations "are people too" is going to get bitch-slapped. If I were a rich American with enough money to hire lobbyists I would direct them to resurrect the laws that were on the books in the Sixties that all corporations selling ALL machines to ANY American HAD to keep replacement parts in inventory for 20 years. NO EXCEPTIONS. I am spitting bullets.

 

[mrb627]

CRAP!

Would be interesting to find out exactly when that part went obsolete. Eight years out of an LG is probably better than average, though.

Malcolm

 

[henene4]

So you might feel better...

We had a Privileg (old German brand, sold by Quelle, a, by now bankrupt, delivery ware house) that cost 500€ by that time. Lasted 5 years, so it was trend setter of the 1 year for 100€ rule we have invented.
Next, we baught a Miele. 850€ round about if I remember correctly. After 2 ½ years, the bord died. It was replaced for free by Miele. Just a few weeks later, it broke again. Annoying as f***.
So, to the next shop. Baught the best washer we had till now: A Panasonic. Though some balancing issues, it washed incredible fast and rinsed impressivly good. For 8 months. A production fault caused an infernal hose to rip. Replaced for free under warranty. During that repair, the technician broke the door lock. After takeing a feel of the PCB, he found the true fault and replaced the lock.
Funny enough, after only 1 ½ years, that bord broke. And of corse, we opend the machine and caused that damage. At least Panasonics service told us so.
I could go on about our dryer and our grandmas washer, but I think, you can about imagine how this would sound.

 

[DADoES]

 
Have you researched the parts situation?  I find numerous LG boards on eBay.

CoreCentric Solutions advises that they repair LG boards (among other brands).

CoreCentricSolutions.com

Is your board P/N 6871EC1116B? It's $109.99 on their price list (search it for the number).

 

[frigilux]

Parts no longer available after only 8 years? That's inexcusable.

Could your technician be wrong? There must be a way to check for parts online to confirm the board is NLA.

If he's right, I don't blame you for spitting nails. LG makes great washers, but accounts of problems with service and parts abound.

I've said it a hundred times: Companies want to sell new washers, not repair old ones. New sales show up on the stock market.

 

[alr2903]

Bajaespuma,  Sorry to hear of you difficulties.  Amana pulled an ugly deal on me years ago with a failed center seal. 

 

[henene4]

The main bord is no longer online avaible, though, the display unit is.
I think I saw the stator online for about 140$. And replacing a stator isn't to much of a job.
I guess if they are aible to fix the PCB, this repair could be a gold deal!

 

[bajaespuma]

Thanks for the Tea and Sympathy

The circuit board number is 6871EC1072D.

 

I've seen a couple of similar boards on eBay, but the tech advised me that the board has to be the exact one. My washer was the TOL for that year(1200 rpm spin, heated water and 9 distinct and useful cycles) and I suspect they didn't sell a lot of them.

 

Thanks for the tip about having the board rebuilt; the tech guy mentioned that his company had that done in some cases. I will look into that and was even considering calling my computer-geek friend who might know some other geeks that rebuild circuit boards. What baffles me is that most of the circuit board is still working; the machine turns on, the display works and it evens fills, drains and activates the dispenser solenoids. The tub simply doesn't turn. I guess the circuit that I heard blew was some big deal part that is encased in epoxy and the techs can't get at it. It must be separate enough from the whole panel that when it shorts, the other functions still work. He told me that he looked at the glass fuse on the panel and that it was still intact. I know that when tried to work the machine after getting the "CE" code on the panel that I heard a loud "POP" and could smell smoke. I must assume that the circuit in question fried.

 

I think that what upsets me the most is this totally IDIOTIC philosophy of marketing in this country that victimizes us all. How amazing it is to me that even if I WANTED to buy a new LG washing machine, I can't buy the one I have, the one I liked so much, the one that did the job so well. These fucking companies keep building in obsolescence and, at the same time, changing the models instead of sticking with designs that are successful. What's even more infuriating is knowing that the same companies CAN'T and WON'T do business this way in Europe or other parts of the world were clothes washers are commonly sold. No European customer would tolerate this bullshit of buying new appliances every couple of years. Like people of my Parents' generation, they buy these things with a realistic expectation that they will own these machines for as long as they live in their homes. And if repairs are needed, the manufacturers will stand behind their sales and keep inventories of parts. What the fuck is wrong with the population of this supposedly advanced society that we have come to accept this sleazy and greed-driven way of doing business? This has to stop.

 

[washman]

Been there, done that bajaespuma

I feel your pain.

No, I don't like it any more than you do. Yes, I agree that companies are idiotic for building here-today-gone-tomorrow products but there's another component in that equation.

Go look in the mirror. Yup, it's you. Well not YOU exactly but you get my point.

Why design a sturdy, easy to use, easily repaired widget when the flip flop generation (along with some of us OLD enough to know better) always want the NEW, BETTER, FASTER, and of course CHEAPER!!!!!!

Did I just read that Apple sold out of their latest portable computer, the IPHONE. I forget which model it is but as usual, it went like hotcakes.

I've been laughed at and told "I have my head in the sand" when I defend, staunchly so, my Speed Queen. There is an advantage here; because it is so old school, parts are indeed plentiful and not that expensive compared to the whiz bang models that grace the floors of our local BIG BOX. Not to mention any production issues have long since been ironed out. I'm confident that with a better toolkit, some Marlboros and a fifth of Glennfiddich, I could probably take it apart and put it back together and not have any parts left over.

Sure, I get where you're coming from. I agree too. But there's not that much left anymore that is worked out, proven, and durable. And that is what the moronic American consumer wants. He/she thinks that anything, I mean literally anything new must somehow be so superior, so stellar that they cannot imagine living without it.

Go look at the tv sales. Again this year, I bet the flat screens fly off the shelf as "doorbuster" or Black Thursday specials. What the hell is wrong with these things? Are they so lousy that one has to replace them every year? Are we really that anal about 1080DPI vs 720DPI or 3MS refresh rates? How come I didn't have to research such things in 1999 when I bought my tube type Toshiba? Hell, I looked it over compared it to the made someplace else competition, decided it suited my needs and bought it for 289 or something. I still have it and it still works.

On another thread about tyres I stated, Frigilux pointed out he had a Geo Prizm with 200K miles. Kudos to him (but not the PODS). He's getting the absolute maximum value and use from that car. In other words, he's smart and not going into debt buying these techoladen computers on wheels that, quite frankly, are an abortion of the first order. But of course, the flip flop generation goes ga-ga and will sign on for a 72 year ball and chain or some stupid lease with a massive balloon payment or hard mileage cap. Whatever. If it floats their boat, so be it.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Is that the LG

that was a front load with back controls like the regular TL washers? I wanted one of those so bad......

Sorry to hear.

Just out of curiosity, was your machine plugged into a surge protector? Just curious because I'm wondering if that even makes a difference.....I have mine plugged in just to be safe. Of course I have no way to know if it's actually protecting the board or not...

 

[pierreandreply4]

well for me thats proof engough that a good old fashion topload is better than a front load and gives me more than one reason to go with a top load washer when my duet set breaks but i do a gree that they should keep selling parts for these washers most tech today simply tell to buy a new machine rather than repair methink the only reason they act like this is they do not went to bother ordering the part.

 

[whirlcool]

There is a lot of truth in that. When the agitator dogs in our WP TL machine stopped working after 10 years a repair tech told us it would cost over $350.00 to repair and it would be best to just go out and buy a new machine.

Called another tech and they said the same thing.

Found aw.org and found the repair parts were available for $25.00. Did the job myself in 20 minutes and now I don't call anyone to repair anything here at the house.

A friend of ours had a dryer that had the belt break. Sears repair told them that a belt would be very expensive and it would be cheaper just to buy a new dryer.

When it comes to appliances, I trust only the people here on aw.org!

 

[richnz]

There is no point in replacing the pcb

Until you find out why it died.

Control boards don't fail at random.
Something caused it to fail.

I have found that with some Miele machines they fail when the shock absorbers are worn or if they are run continuously.
(I think they last 20 years when one washes half the rated load once every other day).

If you bother to replace the board and persevere it may be worth investigating other aspects.

Good luck with it all too.

 

[gansky1]

Keep up the research on the new or rebuilt board, Ken.  The LG f/l washer I had was 10 years almost to the day when the board went out on that and I bought one on ebay from a pawn shop in Rhode Island.  $66 and the washer was back up and running perfectly again.

 

The repairs are very simple and straightforward, I'm sure  you can handle them easily with only a few simple tools.

 

[laundromat]

This is why I always buy the service contract. My 2277 only needed a doorlock assembly. It seamed to be the board but the test mode said DL . I ordered the lock from ebay after getting the part number. It took me less then a half hour to fix it. It now works great the part was under $60. My other.steam model needed a complete overhaul. The berrings were so rusted out,they fell apart. Tub seals went causing havoc. My service was honored via L.G. and I paid only the labor charge. After that,I receivit.ed a renewal form for a.3 year service contract directly from LG and grabbed it. The inlet valve became faulty. No hot water. The.guy was out the day I phoned to fix it. Bob is a local tech. We became great friends and sail out together. He likes LG a lot but hates their combos.If I were you, I'd call customer service and explain how happy you were until it took a crap and how well you took care of it. Then,ask if there's any way they could give you any type of discount. I will look for a new mother board for you this weekend during my appliance outages. I'll let you know if I find one. If I do, I'll send it out. I'd also check with the customer service of LG to make sure the part is no longer available. It doesn't sound right.

 

[laundromat]

Another point of interest. For the past seven years now, LG has been the best selling and most popular front loading washer and dryer. They are also the best,most reliable with the fewest repairs . There are numerous reasons these failures happen. Not all people are as familiar in maintaining the front loaders either due to lack of reading the owners manual or just not used to having them. My steam model was at a rental house where hippies there used soap,not detergent and Cold water. The buld.up was so severe,they had to remove and replace both the inner and outer tubs,barings and seals. Once all that was accomplished, all I paid was the labor,$320. I paid nothing for the washer. It was at Smith's where I got a few other nice machines. My 1967 Westinghouse Heavy Duty top loader,my Amana front loader and my 1964 Frigidaire Custom.Imperial electric dryer in turquoise with the water dispenser to pre sprinkle clothes to be ironed. All of which worked. The only issue was the door.on the Amana and the water level adjustment on the Westinghouse. I now get most of the front loaders that show no rust,no baring issues and rebuild and sell them on CL. I gey anywhere from $300 to $700 for them. My first sail eas a Frigidaire Gallery. It needed a new door lock . I got it from the original owner who brought it in for service. The quote wad $149 for repair. He asked me if I'd take it to the dump for him because the renter of his house already bought another one A cheap ass Amana top loader from HD. I replaced the part for $35. Then sold the machine for $400 to a nice couple who still have it and love it. The interesting part of this is ,when I called Sears service,the young lady asked for the model and serial numbers. When I gave them to her,she asked.if I was calling to activate my warranty. I played dumb and said sure. So,the original owner nevrr called or sent in their wartanty card. When it sold,eleven months were left.

 

[arbilab]

To quote a line from Help, ahead of its time, "The answer is in your hands. You, the voter!". Well, also a less cynical time. As if ANYone 'voted for' this mess we have now.

My 7yo $400 Sony TV blew an unobtainium module a couple years ago. Yep, forced to throw away a VERY good TV because Sony refused to sell a little knuckle-size $35 subboard. The actual failed part ON the subboard cost 1/8 of a cent but those parts are not sold or documented and a microscope is needed to replace them.

GE or someone they license will still sell parts for older appliances. BUT one part costs 1/3 as much as a whole new range (for example). Oh, as could be anticipated, the 'whole new range' is a piece of junk. The sheetmetal bends at your touch. Barely stronger than 2 disposable aluminum roaster pans.

I'm just blathering, everybody here knows all these things.

 

[paulg]

I could talk for an hour on the subject

Having worked for foreign TV and appliance manufacturers, I have experienced your plight from both the customer's and manufacturer's perspective.
With the multiple manufacturers I worked for, the concepts were the same: if the customer WANTED the unit repaired (within reasonable age, let's say 10 years), and the part could not be supplied, a REALLY good deal was made to help out the customer and stay with the brand.
In many cases, we (the manufacturer) would call our parts dealers and vendors and BUY the part back from their old stock so we could supply the customer! It can be done!
I did not ever work for LG or any other Korean manufacturer so I cannot comment on their consumer-affairs acumen.
However, I think CUBA has the right idea and I like to practice it. Buy something vintage, beautifully engineered and repairable by yourself. I can save more money by repairing a 1952 Whirlpool over and over rather than buying a pretty glitter-box washer every 8 years for thousands of dollars.

 

[laundromat]

I did some research regarding part number 6871EC1072D . The customer service @ LG Elecgronics says that it is still in production. As I talked to them, they gave me the number of MY nearest parts company,A.drews. They told me (Andrews) it was no longer in production. I said that LG said different. They said they couldn't help me. I called LG back and to verify the age of the unit they need your serial number.