I bought a NEW Kenmore Elite He5T Steam washer........ I just wish it worked!!

[revvinkevin]

A couple weeks ago a friend asked me to help him move a new washer he bought into his house. So I helped him move it install it, level it and test it, of course. He got one helluva deal on it too, regular price $1600, his price $680! I asked if the store had any others and he said there were two more there at the same price!

On the way to my house with his old WP Calypso in his van, we stopped at the store (OSH) to take a look. Sure enough, there were two others at the same price. These are the last of the WP built front load KM machines. I though about it but decided I should not be impulsive and wait.

Well a little over a week later I helped this same friend swap the washer and dryer positions... and on the way home I stopped at OSH again. They now had one left AND the price dropped to $612! The sales person explained they lower the price every two weeks until the item sells. I asked him if he could mark it down anymore, but he said "Sorry I can't". However he did say, "We just ended a 10% off sale, I JUST took the tags down, so I can give you that..." SWEET! This now dropped the price to $550, that's $1050 OFF!!! Now how could I pass that up, right?

 

[revvinkevin]

I thought it would be as easy as my friends washer to set up

BUT Noooooooo..........

I brought the washer home the next day and started to set it up. I removed the four shipping braces from the back of the machine and tried to pull the power cord out from the back of the machine. I can't, it's stuck! (It's sucked inside rather then bunched together, like the "old days")

Long story short, after I removed the top of the washer to look inside, I discovered the power cord was sandwiched between the large metal support brace and the back panel of the washer! I had to remove about a dozen screws and spread the two pieces of metal apart just to get the cord out!

 

[revvinkevin]

Here is the power cord sandwiched between the metal pieces....

 

[revvinkevin]

Evidence of the trapped power cord.....

 

[revvinkevin]

BUT I'm not home free just yet…..

So now the power cord is free, I connect the supply and drain lines and plug it in. OK… power on… select cycle… press and hold START….

The door locks and water starts flowing, great! But wait, what is this? The water stops flowing and "SUD" is now flashing on the display panel! It does nothing but just sit there. I learn that "SUD" means the washer thinks there is an "over suds" condition. Hmm, strange because there is NO detergent in it!

Next I press "STOP" to cancel it, the drain pump comes on and pumps the water out. But then the pump doesn't stop… after 4 minutes or so the washer does a triple beep and is now flashing "F21" on the display. I fiddle around with it for a while, trying other cycles and other things, then later I get an "F35" error code. Loverly! This thing is F****d up!

I call the store and talked to the sales guy... He tells me since it's a discontinued model, I have to call Sears service and the have to try to repair it. IF they can't repair it, then I can return it to the store and exchange it for a NEW equivalent model. I think "Hmm, that would work!"

I schedule a service appt. He arrives at 5 PM yesterday and starts checking the machine.

He replaces the water level sensor... but there is no change.

 

[revvinkevin]

He was here for a hour and a half.

He checked a number if different things, he puts the machine into the self diagnostic mode. He then checks the wiring and connectors. He discovers there is one terminal in one connector that is bent and not making contact. He tries to straighten it, plugs it in and tries it. It worked for a minute but then fails again.

The bottom line? It needs the CCU (main computer) and a new wiring harness.

We talk about my options, I tell him what the store told me about a replacement and tell him I don't want him to order the part.

NOW... as he is in his truck closing out the service ticket, I called the store and talk to the sales guy again. He apologizes and tells me the store JUST changed their policy on non-current model exchanges and can now only give me credit for the amount I paid for the washer! ACK!

I'm on my way now to talk to the manager about it! I'll let you know what happens!

Kevin

 

[strongenough78]

This is why I would never buy one of those machines. I've seen so many people on here and on youtube say they've had nothing but problems with them. And for that kind of money the things should work flawlessly for years and years. I can see why you and your friend got such a discount on your machines. Something tells me the store probably knew that there was something wrong with them and unloaded them for a thousand dollars less than the original price. I do hope they can fix it for you Kevvin, I'd hate to see you go through all that just to have to unload that one, exchange it for a new one, just to have the same thing happen again! Good luck!

 

[appnut]

knew that there was something wrong with them and unloaded t

You're complete wrong Vern. The discount is because this is a discontinued product line!!!

 

[strongenough78]

Oh my bad!

LOL Sorry I looked back through and saw that part I missed the first time. My mistake, thanks for the correction Appnut

 

[spankomatic]

I would go for the REFUND. These machines LOOK neat but really do not clean clothes all that well. They just do not have enough water in them for me. I had the Kenmore HE3t and took it back. I use my friends Whirlpool Duet in Ukiah often and have never liked it. Pretty much same machine,different name. The washer and clothes always stink. The clothes are wet and tumble but no splashing due to lack of water. I think you would be lucky to get out of the experience with your money back.

Jim

 

[rp2813]

I had a Duet with first generation styling and I was very pleased with it. It used enough water to get things sloshing around.

When I was doing research on FL machines prior to buying the Duet pair, I found tons of complaints and bad reviews for the Kenmore and mostly good reports on the Duet, even though they are the same machine. I agree with others who have posted here over the years that Kenmores are so loaded down with frills that they have more things going wrong with them. My Duet never had an issue from the first time it was hooked up and plugged in.

I'm getting the sense that there will be a market for the earlier generations of modern day FL machines among people like us, because they use more water than the current models. I really hate the way my Affinity barely gets the contents sopping wet and thinks that's enough water to clean with. I end up adding water, usually at least two full 100-oz Tide containers worth, more if I'm doing a full load of towels.

Kevin, something tells me that your machine probably rolled off the line at 4:55 PM on a Friday. A new board will fix things, or just get your money back and enjoy all of those other beautiful machines you have.

Ralph

 

[imperialmarkxii]

Service Call

'Bet this this was one service call the technician won't soon forget!!! Would have loved to have seen the expression on his face when he saw the LAUNDRY ROOM!!!! LoL. ...

As it was, I pulled up behind the service tech. as he was parking the SEARS fleet service van when my partner & I stopped by to drop something off. As I took a moment to suggest he (Dick) come with me to see Kevins' collection (he's not into washers, but he does a fair job laundering) a few moments had lapsed.

So ooo, I was only a few feet behind the service tech as he approached Kevins' door; when he turned to ask me (with a warm smile) Do you live here?

I replied saying no, but I know the person who does has been expecting you since early this morning! :.) Ha Ha!!

After seeing the posts, I said to Kevin I'll bet that is the first time he as been photograghed while doing his job!

But hey, with full head of soft curls like that, WHY NOT. hehe. Life is too short not to admire beauty. ...

-Russell

 

[revvinkevin]

Update........

I went to the store and spoke with the manager about this. She apologized saying they only thing they can now do is refund my money or credit it towards another machine.

My other option is have the service tech come back and repair the washer.

I've decided that's what I'm going to do... have it repaired. I'll try it out for a while and determine how I like it. If I'm not happy with it I'll jsut put it on Craig's List and sell it!

 

[bertrum]

Ha Ha why the hell were you taking the pictures of the man while he is trying to work?
I had someone do this to me about ten years ago!, customers from hell!.

 

[mark_wpduet]

Yes I would get it repaired and keep it plugged into a surge protector. I have the 2nd (I think) generation Duet (5 yrs old)....I like it (now I have upped the water level a bit)...

Kevin...If you do get it fixed.....I have a request (when you get a chance).....I think that machine has "skincare rinse"..I would love to see how much water that uses. Supposedly it's supposed to be a DEEPER rinse...(some of the current Duets have it now) but I have no idea what skincare rinse or max rinse means on these machines.....Not sure if it's just an additional EXTRA rinse or it actually uses more water. Let me know when you get a chance.

Thanks

 

[imperialmarkxii]

Skincare Rinse

marc wpduet;

As a former Sears associate (Div. 26 washers & dryers), we were taught that the Skincare Rinse feature was a built-in sensor that was supposed to detect if there was still soap suds remaining in the water.

...If there was, the machine would repeat the rinse cycle til the suds were eliminated; NOT necessarily use more water.

-Russell

 

[spiralator60]

CCU and New Wiring Harness

Kevin,

How much would such a repair, replacement, and service call cost? Were you quoted a price?

 

[revvinkevin]

How much would such a repair, replacement, and service call

Hi Darryl! Even though this is last years, discontinued model, I bought new from the store, so it's covered by the full, factory warranty! So to answer your question, zip, zero, nada! YAY!

Kevin

 

[randycmaynard]

Asked this before - Since it came up here, will ask again...

On these newer FLs - is there anyway possible to reprogram, add a part etc to these things to get the water level up to acceptable cleaning levels? I have a 2008 GE FL and while I've had no mechanical trouble to this point I would still like a higher water level. As has been mentioned, I have and do from time to time add water to the machine - esp on larger loads such as towels, king comforter, large load of sheets etc. The smaller loads seem OK but the larger ones just don't do so well without the high water level.

Any suggestions on reprogam or parts that might correct the problem?

Thanks much!

Randy
Knoxville,TN