Kenmore Ultra Fabric Care IV

[drummerboy928]

Hi everyone, I was looking at picking up one of my dream machines this coming week and was wondering a couple of things! For one, How rare were these machines? I’ve never seen a video of one like this, and have seen very few pictures. Secondly, Is this technically a “Lady Kenmore” DD? It simply says “Kenmore” on the console, but has the lighted timer. I know the Ladies typically came with a lighted console, while the standard Kenmore machines did not. So far, everything is working out in my favor and unless otherwise told, it’ll be coming home with me by next weekend!

I’ve included some pictures too. Please excuse the quality since these were taken straight from the listing:

 

[repairguy]

These were very popular machines in their day. In my opinion it’s the best most versatile and dependable machine that you can get if you want vintage. This is a 1995 model. The “Lady” designation was dropped in fall of 1991. Congrats and good luck!

 

[appnut]

Henry, I personally think this would be a terrific and long-lasting, long-standing machine addition to your collection. By the time this model was sold, the "Lady" equivalent was all electronic but still not called Lady. If this model had been the Lady Kenmore when I bought my LK DD in October 1986, I'd probbly still like top loaders.

 

[washdaddy]

That's a great machine with a lot of versatility. Can't ask for much more. But why in the world would one screw and mount a paper towel dispenser to the front of the machine. Now that's a first!

 

[drummerboy928]

Paper Towel Holder

That I am not sure about. According to the seller, she doesn’t know how it’s attached, since she wasn’t the one to do it, but thinks it may be glued. From some of the other pictures of the machine it appears there is a wooden board between the machine and the holder so hopefully it’s not actually drilled into the side of the cabinet.

 

[ralph611]

That is a beautiful washer Henry. You will get much enjoyment out of it!

 

[frigilux]

I concur with the others--a fantastic washer. Given the paper towel dispenser, you can absolutely claim you have a one-of-a-kind machine.

I just don't understand why someone would attach that to the front of the washer, where most people stand to load, unload, and operate it. It's certainly handy to have paper towels at hand, but most would find another place to put them.

 

[blockeight88]

I absolutely love this style washer. It seems to resemble the models with the wood finish on the panel, just in white. Was this new in ‘95? I am also curious if this model does a true warm rinse, given it has ATC. Congrats on the find. I look forward to seeing your YouTube videos on this machine.

 

[drummerboy928]

Year and ATC

From what I can tell from the pictures, the serial number appears to say CF3240___. I can’t read the entire tag but based off of what is visible, this machine appears to have been made the 32nd week of 1996. As for the Auto Temp Control, I believe unless set to the water temps that are grouped under the ATC section, it would give you a straight 50/50 for warm on the rinse.

 

[blockeight88]

Well please share lots of pictures and videos once you get it. Have you verified the neutral drain components aren't worn? I guess this appears to be very common among these older DD's.

 

[DADoES]

 
<blockquote>DrummerBoy928:  As for the Auto Temp Control, I believe unless set to the water temps that are grouped under the ATC section, it would give you a straight 50/50 for warm on the rinse.</blockquote> The flow rate on valves by that time may be 40% hot and 60% cold for the warm mix.

 

[drummerboy928]

Inner workings

I’m not sure if the Neutral Drain kit functions currently, nor do I really know anything about it. All I’ve been told is that the machine completes a full cycle without any issues. I plan to run it through some testing to verify full operation once I can bring it home.

 

[DADoES]

 
I didn't follow Kenmore much during that time period, wasn't aware they had cycle logic as such.  Very interesting.

 

[pulsator]

I grew up with that washer! (in off white though)

Still have the console. Wish I had been old enough to save the entire machine! It was still working perfectly when dad got rid of it. They had just remodeled the kitchen and laundry room and decided they wanted a new front load set. Ended up with the German built Duet washer and matching dryer.

 

[DADoES]

 
Anticipating photos of the full labeling on the Cycle selector knob and the lid instructions.

 

[drummerboy928]

Sad News

Well unfortunately this one was just not meant to be. I spent about four days going back and forth with the seller about it, and was basically promised this machine, and had worked out a day (would’ve been tomorrow) to pick it up. Today after double checking to make sure tomorrow works, was told that it had been sold to someone else already. I apologize for getting anyone’s hopes up, and will continue looking for one of these machines to hopefully acquire in the future.

~Henry~

 

[appnut]

Henry, I'm so sorry.

 

[drummerboy928]

Being honest, I'm not too upset. This machine just wasn't meant to be. I'm going to keep hunting down some other machines and maybe Ill find one that's even better. This hasn't been the first time something like this has happened, and certainly wont be the last.

I didn't feel like this should be its own thread, so I thought I'd post this here too: Does anyone know why a dispenser cup to a Maytag LoadSensor agitator might not fit? I recently got one for my Maytag A482 and the dispenser cup assembly it came with didn't snap on, no matter how hard I tried. I thought it was the wrong type of assembly, so I ordered the other (newer) design cup and that didn't fit either. So I'm wondering, is there something I'm missing to this, or is there an issue with the cup or the agitator causing it not to snap into place?

 

[fandpsmartdrive]

When I was younger we had this Simpson topload from around the year 2000 but it had a leak so my parents chucked it and I thought I would never see it again! But a decade later I discovered online market places and found heaps of machines that looked to be the exact same as the one my parents had.

There is hope just keep looking and you will find one, good luck!