I've never seen this model Kenmore before...

[kenmorewasher72]

Last night I stumbled upon this picture on Google of this (Lady?) Kenmore Ultra Fabric Care machine. There's only a picture of the timer, (I didn't go on the website that it's linked to, and I wouldn't) but I thought it was interesting how the prewash cycle on this one goes straight to the wash. Any info you guys can give me on this one?

 

[whatsername]

My mom had this one. It was a 90 series with variable water level, 3 ATC temps and 5 regular temps, and an extra rinse selector. Also had the "triple dispenser", though we never used it. Not sure what year it was as it came with the house.

We had it about ten years before it kicked the bucket, then mom and dad got front loaders. It went through 2 lid switches and 1 set of agitator dogs in that time.

 

[whatsername]

I should add it was not a Lady Kenmore, just a Kenmore.

 

[appnut]

Very late 1980s, early 1990s.  Friends had this model was all white panel. 

 

[kenmorewasher72]

Okay, thanks for the info. I'm still curious as to what the Kenmore model 110.92293100 looks like, and I'm also curious to whether or not Kenmore ever produced any three speed machine with the wood grain top control panel.

 

[pulltostart]

Steven

You need to be talking to Gordon (Kenmoreguy64).  If anyone knows Kenmores, it's Gordon.  His email address is in his profile.

 

lawrence

 

[kenmorewasher72]

Kenmoreguy64

I've talked to him before about Kenmores. He sure does know his stuff!

 

[Chetlaham]

On of Sear's varients

Id say this is one of Sear's countless variants. They would always change things up a bit for sales and such. Its possible the timer may not be any different. For example, on the model that had a separate prewash and no second rinse, if one was to jump two terminals in the timer the second rinse could be activated. Similar to Galaxy models that only had a Heavy Duty cycle but by jumping the contacts the next model up also had a press care cycle but same timer. Its possible the same thing was done with the Pre-wash. FWIW, I much prefer this setup. I never liked having a prewash that did not advance automatically.

But hey, great machine none the less. Every single one of these late 80s to mid 90s DDs were absolute marketing genius. The "All American Washer" as I call it. You received your money's worth and then some- best value machine ever made IMO. Great cleaners, gentle action (slow/fast), DD agitators giving good roll over and capacity, fabric softener, porcelain enamel tub, and long life. Seen these last 30 years in the wild. In fact Maytag in the 90s even tested one of these against there own. A mom and pop shop (forget where) ran one of these 24/7 in conjunction with a Maytag dependable care. The news letter said the DD only had two reapirs after some time, but was still going in the end. I think that says something.

 

[kenmorewasher72]

Can't beat Direct Drive!

Any Whirlpool direct drive will always be a very well designed & reliable machine. Not to mention I think it's the only machine that can make a neutral drain sound exciting! (That's a catchphrase from my buddies on YT)

On these machines, the timers have a cam cylinder in them, which is mainly what controls the cycle changes. I actually got both the soak & 2nd rinse cycles activated on mine, but I didn't jump any terminals. What I had to do was physically remove one of the cams that cuts power to the machine permanently, (it's labeled on the diagram as "master" and "soak master") and that brought those extra cycles to life. I think Whirlpool does design their timers differently as far as the cam cylinder is. I've done some reading on some of the timer charts for these, and I gotta say, it's complicated at first, but then when you start to understand the purpose of every little thing, it becomes more fun!

 

[kenmorewasher72]

Whirlpool/Maytag Comparison

That doesn't surprise me about the Direct Drive going up against the Maytag. Both of them would've stood the test! Even if the Direct Drive did have two repairs, they were probably minor and very easy to repair.

 

[Chetlaham]

Timer cams

I did not know that and thank you for telling me! Whirlpool always had interesting timers, especially when they got them to do sub-interval fills and agitation with their 2 minute step increments as apposed to most GE timers that run continuously like a clock.

I could be wrong about the Kenmore DDs, but I am going to argue that something about the Kenmore name received more attention. It seems like/feels like most of the longest lived machines were sold under the Kenmore name. Perhaps better QC- but who knows. Sears certainly knew how to sell a good washer!

Maybe someone like Combo52 has the Maytag article about the side by side comparison. Kicking myself for throwing out so much good literature over the years. Yes folks- tend to be impulsive and not think at all

 

[aamassther]

Circa 1992

I purchased that model in '92. 90 series, as stated above. 8 temps with 3 auto temp controlled- ww, wc and cc. Choice of one rinse or two on heavy duty plus infinite water level. Also had the triple dispensers upfront. Dual action agitated. The Heavy Duty cycle was HARD on clothes! It was fast agitation for up to 14 minutes, no step down. Clothes were clean though. Used Normal and PP for most loads. Had it for about 8 years, no repairs.