I love and hate my new Kenmore Elite washer

[jasonl]

Well, my parents just took delivery of our new Kenmore Elite T/L set. What happened to the black Whirlpools? Well, the stupid appliance dealer kept jerking us around with the ship date so we went to Sears and bought a set of white (ugh) Kenmore Elites.

The Good: It's loaded with options and it would be today's equivalent of a Lady. It has automatic detergent, bleach and fab softner dispensers. The quiet system III, ATC, and Ultra Rinse make for a fun machine.

The Bad: It doesn't have a variable water level control. Umm... Why? I guess it's not the ELITE of the Elites.

The Ugly: The washer WILL NOT agitate, drain, or spin when the lid is open

The Evil: The lid switch is buried under the wide mouth lid and I can only crack it open about an inch before it shuts down.

The Question: What's the easiest way to fix that lid switch?

 

[westytoploader]

Those Kenmore Elites are cool machines. One I saw had the large back-opening lid and rubber guard above the tub ring like the early 50's...and I think they had more of a D-shaped lid opening as well! The current Whirlpools still use the same Dual-Action agitator that was in the late-80's/early-90's DD machines, while the new Kenmores have the "springy" Triple-Action agitator.

I'm trying to remember if these have the magnetic lidswitch. If it does, there should be 1 or 2 "pads" in the front of the lid opening where magnets in the lid line up to trip the switch. If that's the case, find some small (but powerful) magnets and put them on those pads...that should solve the problem. Annoying, but easy to defeat, and you don't have to worry about the screwdriver or yardstick slipping either!

If it's a hidden lidswitch, that's another story...OY!

 

[foraloysius]

Peter and I went to a Sears during my stay in NYC, we noticed that indeed the water level doesn't have an infinite variable control anymore.

Keep us informed about what you think of this machine.

 

[goatfarmer]

I would probably leave the lid switch as is,at least until it's out of warranty.If something goes wrong with the washer,and they see someones been modifying it,that could open a new can o' worms.

kennyGF

 

[toggleswitch]

bypassing a lid switch.

Sometimes low-tech works best....

Is the lid switch a standard plunger in-the-hole thingy.. no jokes OK? LOL.

I once used a plastic molly plug in the switch hole. (Screw fastener for hollow sheetrock walls). Once perfectly located just snap off the plunger on the lid.

 

[jasonl]

It's a mechanical lid switch underneat the control panel. I tried duct taping it but the spring was too strong to hold it.

Whirlpool's already pickin up on Maytag's bad habits.

I never thought I'd see the day a Kenmore wouldn't let me watch.

Still my favorite brand, though.

 

[catalystboi]

i love my washer and dyer set there white kenmore elite catalyst with the touch pad control. after the catalyst cycle is done i open the lid and watch the tub fill and let it go to action (only for a minute or two)
the best part is when i set mine on the timer i wake up at night and see them working at night with the red lights glowing all high tech
they kick ass lol
i love the catalyst action on it and the triple agitator works great, i get my comforters cleaned and the dryer no commemts
great warranty too, i have mine service and its awesome

 

[mrsalvo]

westy,
Whst do you mean by a "springy agitator"?
salvo

 

[westytoploader]

Hi Barry,

The Kenmore Triple-Action agitators are spring-loaded to supposedly increase the tub capacity; the agitator rises as it tries to pull the load down. Another innovation that makes those who don't know one thing about doing laundry correctly think it's perfectly normal to overload. Little do they know...

Next time you're at Sears, open the lid to one of the Triple-Action-equipped washers (higher-end models) and pull up on the agitator. It will move up and down, but it's no Jet Cone!

--Austin

 

[rchris]

From a Proud Owner of a Triple-Action Agitator

Ohhhh, and Triple Actions do more than just rise/get pushed upward!

Lemme see if I can quote it like the Sears literature:

When a load of wash is at its heaviest, the top portion of the agitator shaft switches from spiraling continually downward to a back and forth motion. If you have ever seen a broken Dual Action where the top of the shaft has been jammed down on the lower portion, that's what it looks like.

Since there is a spiral, moving back and forth gives the effect of...TA DA...an up-and-down pumping motion.

The first time I saw it working, I added a piece of clothing late in the cycle about a year after I bought my machine new. The speed was set to Extra Slow, and the water level was just under half full.

The agitator was jigging back and forth, then it would ratchet in one direction normally until the laundry in the tub would roll back around...and on like that.

Really something to see, even if it might not be that much more effective than a regular Dual Action.

 

[bostonwash]

water level.

so is there just 3 water levels? And are they set analog or some sort of electronic setting?

 

[mrsalvo]

Thank-you Austin and Chris!
I just couldn't picture that in my head, I thought it only moved in one direction, downward spiral. MMMmmm. I never owned one of those types of washers, but they did intrigued me.
I do remember when the first dual action agitators first came out back in the 70's, Sears I believe. It sure wasn't long before Sears did away with the roto-swirls, pentavane, and straight vane agaitators, I think it was about a two or three year period wasn't it? I mention this as now I'm wondering how long the dual action agitators will be totally replaced with the bouncing plates. Would anyone care to give a guesstimate? I'm thinking in about 2 more years they will be history, that's just my feeling.
My Dependable Care Maytag sure seems to be spinning slower and slower these days esp. with a full load. I want to get out of some credit card debt first before I go on a shopping spree BUT I'm definitely looking when I go out and about.
My maintance man that works for me here at the theatre recently bought a LG front loader with all the bells and whistles. He invited me over to check out his machine and we did a load of very dirty laundry. Being skeptical of front loaders I was one to have to see to believe. I WAS AMAZED and I'm not easily convinced. The oil stains were gone. My mouth hit the floor, it definitely looked cleaner than what my Maytag ever turn out even with pretreating! It is a magnificent washer, only time will tell if it holds up without any major servicing. He said he paid just over $1000.00 from Best Buy. I don't think I can afford that kind om money on a washer so I'm sure I'll replace my Maytag with a top loader for now. I was amazed, had to "eat my hat."
I haven't said this before but I love all you guys and gals on this board.....I just fit right in. Well later guys, have to get this theatre closed up for now, my favorite time of the day.
Barry

 

[jasonl]

My mom drives me crazy. She disables the automatic temp control (uses normal "warm" instead of the "warm" that's in ATC), she puts detergent in the tub rather than in the dispenser. And when she dries clothes, she takes them out early and hangs them so I have wet clothes in my closet. I tell her "It's called AUTOMATIC MOISTURE SENSING. If you want it 'less dry' you select 'less dry' and when it beeps, you can hang the wet clothes in the closet leaving me with limited choice." When I move out (praying for the day), I'll buy her a wringer and some clothesline and she can give me her Elites.

 

[washoholic]

Old habits die hard

I know what you mean, Jason. I gave my roommate’s mom a Kenmore Elite dryer (the one that matches the Calypso washer, even though her washer is a Maytag) and, of course it has the electronic moister sensor, but she always uses the timed dry.

HOW DO YOU GET THE BABYBOOMER GERNATION WOMEN TO STOP USING TIMED DRY?!

Jeff

By the way, she doesn’t use the fabric softener dispenser on the washer either. She says she’s always just caught the rinse and put it in then. (Sometimes she does miss the rinse.)

 

[partscounterman]

The lid switch is operates off the lid "arm". One must remove the endcaps of the control panels, flip the control panel back. Then strip the grey and the beige wire going to the lid switch and twist 'em together with a wire nut. Problem solved, silly safety switch is bypassed! Go stick your hands in the washer!

 

[mayken4now]

Nice to see your posting again Partscounterman!

Steve