Kenmore 80 Series

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Rebeccah, the washer at the very top of this thread at first glance looks like your machine, however there are significant differences.  On that machihne, notice it has normal cycle.  This cycle starts out with fast agitation at the 10 minute mark and shifts to slow agitation at the 6 minute mark.  Spins are normal spin speed and rinse agitatoin is also slow/gentle.  Perm Press also starts out with fast agitation at the 10 minute mark and shifts to gentle at the 6 minute mark.  Spin speeds and rinse agitation are also gentle on this cycle.  heavy duty is like your cotton/sturdy cycle--fast agitation and fast spin speeds.  The slow agitatin/fast spin speed conbimatnion was deeemed (Normal) fabrics--this was Sears' stupid way of getting around the customers like you & I who had this type of tearing problem, and there were many. 
 
Bob -

The machine in the top picture and mine use the same timer. That timer in fact is used in most all 70 and 80 series machines in the 1992 models.

My machine DOES NOT, I repeat, DOES NOT, do a speed shift in the Normal cycle - it is slow agitation the entire cycle. I have never tried the Perm cycle so I have no idea on that one.

The wiring harness may activate a feature in the first machine that is not active in mine, as the two models use different harnesses, however the 1992/1993 Kenmore sales brochure I have doesn't mention any speed shifts when talking about Ultra Fabric Care models.

Gordon
 
Rebeccah it is unfortunate you are having problems with your Shredmore. Although it is highly typical of these machines and like appnut suggested you have to change your laundry habbits.
 
 
Rebeccah, you can determine what your machine does speed-wise during each cycle by simply observing it in operation.  It should agitate with the lid open.  If there's a speed change (reduction) during the wash period, it'll be obvious when the motor stops for a moment and restarts at a slower speed.  Your machine has a two-speed motor.  High agitation speed of 180 strokes-per-minute.  Low agitation speed is 120 SPM.

Three-speed motors featured on later models provide high agitation 180 SPM, medium (or low) 120 SPM, low (or extra low) 90 SPM.
 
Gordon, thanks.  I have friends that had one of these that had the white console.  I only got to be around when thePerm Press cycle was used (I think that was the only cycle they used) and it shifted speeds at 6 minutes.  I observed it. 
 
Bob -

The white consoles, Sears called them "color coordinated consoles", debuted in 1994 models in a few select machines, mostly 80 series and above. I think there was one 70 - I've been studying the brochure since this thread started...but I think all the 80s and above were considered "Ultra Fabric Care" machines and they could very well have yet different cycle tweaks from the original 1992 tweakage.

Anyway, I have noticed on many Craigslist sale machiness, and even when they were new on the sales floor, that the '94s had different timer arrangements in many cases, in fact the Ultra Care speed control switches became common that year and they had new timers to go with.

In the '92 models, many machines had the inch-long dead spot where the second rinse was deactivated after the heavy duty cycle. I dare say more machines used that timer with that rinse dead then there were machines that actually made use of it. This seemed to stop in '94 as those models have less cluttered timers in the "down line" models and the Ultra Care timer in the upper end. Only one or two models continued with the 92's timer. It is very possible that all the new timers had that speed shift like you are talking about, especially in the Ultra models.

The woodgrain panels finally went away in 1994, in favor of the all black panels with the white and red script lettering, or the color coordinated console. I always liked the jett-black panel, in fact I'm liking it more and more - maybe when I see one on Craigslist that is affordable and in nice shape, it would be worth some experimentation, then donate it to a needy family when done?

Gordon
 
agitator dog ears

Did these older DD models have the dog ears that would wear out in the agitator?  If so could it be that is causing bad roll over in Rebeccah's case?  I know in my newer DD's that once the dog ears wore the top part of the agitator would not turn and roll over stopped.  Of course this was usually heard by a somewhat of a grating plasticish noise during agitation.
 
Very possible Joseph!

Yes indeed, these do have the agitator augers with the four dogs that can wear out. I think this set-up goes back to the mid 80s. This certainly does hamper roll-over, in fact I've had a few neighbors and co-workers say just that, and there are youtube videos showing how to repair these. One of the more popular has been viewed tens of thousands of times and people are always commenting on how it saved their machine from being replaced.
 
Rebecca -

Here's the video I was metioning. It explains it all basically.

If you can grab your agitator top and it free-wheels in one direction and grabs and turns the bottom fins in another it's fine. If it slips in both directions, it needs the four dogs replaced.

I hope this helps!

Gordon

 
Thanks for the link, Kenmoreguy.

I think my agitator is actually working fine. I know I've stuck my hand in there and turned the top agitator, and one direction it turned the bottom agitator and the other way it didn't. But I will check again when I get home.

Rebeccah
 
That's the exact machine my Mother had. It used to dance across the floor with an out of balance load and had to be dragged back into place. I had a newer machine of the same design and it would do the same thing. They won't shut off when they go O/B.
They also tangle up long sleeve shirts.

Both machines have been replaced with rebuilt Maytags. They shut off and stay in place. My Mother and I are much happier.
 
The Out Of balance dance.

Usually if these Ken(NOT SHRED)mores did this the automatic rear leveling legs were either sticky or completely locked up. Unless one was on a soft or uneven floor freeing up the legs usually solves the problem.

That said these DD WP machines do have a tendency to put on quite a show when they go out of balance. Nothing will top the time I saw the aftermath of a hardmount commercial washer that had broken it's mount. 3/4 inch bolts sheared clean off.

Nick WK78
 
Out of Balance.

Our DD has gone out of balance three times in its life, and by unbalanced, I mean the tub hitting the cabinet.

Even after all that, still works like a charm.
 
Out of balance DD Kenmore's can move a good bit. I recently received a free 03 or 04 Kenmore and that thing can MOVE! I have always used kenmores or whirlpools and have never had them damage anything. However if something gets caught under the fins on the agi I could see how stuff could get ripped ect. I think they should have fins attached to the base (make it all one part) any one know why they have that space under the fins?
To avoid torn up I do the following

1. Knits/delicate item are washed on the 3rd speed(Knits) or the 3rd speed with pulsed action.(hand wash)(not on all washers)
1a. To avoid the fins, a higher than normal water setting, so that the items have vertical travel and roll over, (You need more water so that items are not sitting on the base of the agi.)
2.If needed a mesh laundry bag for very fine items.
Other than that I normally do the wash on the medium speed with a fast spin. Nothing has been torn up in any of the DD washers I've used. Even with two speed washers.
 
"...because it reduces drag"

I believe Dave is correct, but it also allows the fins to flex, which makes them more gentle.

This is an old, tried and true agitator design feature. Maytag did this before Kenmore, and Sears has had this configuration since the first Dual-Action agitators in Fall 1975.

Every once in a long while I will find something wrapped around or under the fin of a BD Dual-Action agitator. I guess it's just bound to happen eventually.
 

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