Kenmore Triple Action agitator washer stuck on "Sensing" .

[pumice]

Kenmore Series 400 triple action agitator washer. I bought it new from Sears in 2015. Only started using this machine from 2018.

Washer is stuck on "Sensing" and will Not move forward to wash cycle.

Held the Start button down for 3 seconds to reset it. Also left the machine unplugged for hours, hoping that would reset it.

I think it is an issue with the safety interlock for the lid.

When I started using the machine I removed that little plastic lid latch from the lid and left it wedged into the receptacle , because I wanted the option of adding clothes and detergent while machine is running.

Everything was fine until a few months ago when the machine kept unloading the tub after it had filled up , and refused to go past sensing. Typically if I fussed with the plastic safety interlock part and wiped away some of the moisture around the safety interlock mechanism on the underside of the latch interlock receptable, it would eventually work again.

Here is what I would like to do:

I want to bypass the safety interlock switch alltogether, want to hotwire the 4 wires that go into the safety interlock so that I do not need to use that switch mechanism at all. What wire goes with what other wire?

4 wires: Blue, red, white and yellow
Red wire is connected the brass strip that acts as an open/close switch.

Thanks

 

[coldspot66]

Sounds like a bad lid lock. Since you have already removed it from the machine, just replace the lid lock and use it the way you have been. The washer will drain the water after 10 min if the lid is left up, so that tells me the lid lock is suspect.

 

[DADoES]

 
Have you checked for recorded fault codes related to the malfunction you're experiencing?

Tying wires together to bypass the switch probably will result in the machine failing to operate and/or throwing fault codes when the control board doesn't detect the lid lock engaging and disengaging as it expects per the programming.

 

[pumice]

Haven't checked for fault codes, not sure how to.

I had assumed if I bypass the switch , the machine would just run as if the lid is closed before the Start button is pushed.

 

[combo52]

By Passing A Washer Lid Switch

At a minimum you would have to install a Manuel switch that you would have to flip every time you used the washer, the washers control probably also senses the load of the little solenoid in the LL so you would also have to turn this load on and off at the right times to fool the control.

 

It might be better to buy a better washer, maybe one made in Wisconsin.

 

John L.

 

[pumice]

I just ordered a new lid latch switch off Ebay, cause I could not find it on Amazon or the stores. But it gets here March 3rd, and I need a washer now

So looking at getting a G.E. or Maytag top loader agitator, 4.5 cubic feet.

I did look at SpeedQueen because all I hear is postive reviews for it, and it is made right here in Wisconsin. But the downside is the TC500 is only 3.2 cubic feet. The Kenmore is 3.8 cubic feet and I wish it was bigger.

Downsides of the GE and Maytag is that it is probably not made in the US and likely not as good quality as the Speedqueen.

 

[imperial70]

GE and Maytag topload washers

are assembled in the USA

 

[keith]

Lid lock

The problem with both the GE and Maytag is they both have lid locks, so if that’s what you’re trying to bypass (and it subsequently failed) my concern is you’ll be back on the same boat. In fact the Maytag is basically the same washer you have now (whirlpool VMW platform). The speed Queen TC5 is the only one on the list without a lid lock.

 

[pumice]

Yes the Maytag has a lid lock but I just found out that the commerical grade model, the MVWP575GW only activates the lid lock during the spin cycle , so that is not an issue for me as I only want the ability to add detergent and clothes during the wash cycle.