Maytag Lid Switch Question

[mrb627]

I have seen and used a few Maytag washing machines in my life. I have been wondering about the lid switch wiring. Some machines allow tub filling with the lid raised and others do not. When did Maytag switch from one to the other?

Just an issue that I have always wondered about...

Malcolm

 

[danelto]

More on that Subject

And if anyone on the board knows how to disable the pesky thing without getting electrocuted, please share the knowledge.

With Kenmores, Whirlpools, and GE's, you just stick a broken clothes pin down the hole.

But with these miserable Maytags, I've tried everything to no avail: Plumber's Putty, stacked quarters wrapped in tin foil, a rubber spatula--you name it.

Surely there's someone hear with a more effective alternative for those of us who are compelled to watch our machines wash and spin.

Dan

 

[alr2903]

I think the "secret cycle" went on until the newer Dependable care machines with the semi waterfall fill in the middle, prolly about the same time the lid switch moved a few inches to the right. alr2903

 

[easyspindry]

Maytag lid switch . . .

. . . can easily be disabled using one half of a clothes pin -- the kind made of 2 wooden pieces held together by a metal spring. Take apart the clothes pin and you're holding a wooden wedge. Slide the small end of the wedge down between the lid and the button and watch the Maytag center dial do its thing.

I did this for many years when I had my center dial Maytag.

Jerry Gay

 

[mrb627]

Mini Pry-bar

I use a mini pry bar for lid switch bypass. It is the perfect tool. (link to site giving them away)

http://www.constructionequipmentplus.com/asp/show_detail.asp?sku=OQY1002

 

[yogitunes]

I have done it a few different ways, but this seems to be the best because it can be reversed in an instant should you want to sell the machine......first unplug machine, take out the 2 screws that hold the control panel in place, and tilt forward....now you have 2 switches, the one near the front has to be unscrewed and wrap the ends with electrical tape, leaving the screws in place for later use, DO NOT wrap tape around the little plunger that pushes in(usually red or white), and tape this switch off to the side.....now take the rear switch remove the screws and wrap electrical tape around and over the plunger while holding it in, tightly, and re-install in place, now reassemble the control panel, and your machine will now operate with the lid open or closed.....

if you want to re-sale the machine you can always just remove the tape and put everything back the way it was........sometimes theres a little fuse attached to the switch mounting plate, if you don't do this correctly it will POP this fuse....cheap and easy to replace if you do, been there and done that!

 

[qsd-dan]

When did Maytag switch from one to the other?

12 series.

 

[kenwashesmonday]

I don't like to stick things in a Maytag lid switch because if you forget it's there and pull the lid down you can damage the lid.

My A606 uses a simple 2 wire lid switch. One side of the line cord goes to one side of the switch, move that wire to where the other side of the switch goes. Of course, this means that the off-balance feature will no longer work. A better solution would be to add a toggle switch across the lid switch.

Kenzz

 

[mrb627]

Electrical Bypass

Wont any type of electric bypass of the lid switch defeat the off balance mechanism? When I bypass with the mini prybar shown above, the lid is supported by a free paint stick from the local Home Depot. Not much chance of the lid being opened without me knowing about it.

MRB

 

[iheartmaytag]

A credit card will do the trick on a Dependable Care model. Just slide it between the lid and the switch. Presto.

 

[laundromat]

On my 407 and 8800,I do what Ken does.There are 2 wires on either side of the lid switch.Take them off and use electrical tape to connect them onto each other making sure you disconnect the power before removing the back panel.It does everything with the lid open or completely removed.

 

[gadgetgary]

Wont any type of electric bypass of the lid switch defeat th

Has anyone really seen a Maytag go out of balance???

 

[toggleswitch2]

I have never seen it happen.

So I electrically bypass the switch and think nothing of it.

 

[mrb627]

Off Balance

I have seen it happen plenty of times. Especially with smaller loads and throw rugs. Not worth the risk to me. To each his own, I guess.

Malcolm

 

[mrb627]

Another Question

I was flipping through my Maytag repair manual and I noticed in some of the timer sequence charts for the 12 series, there is no designated increment for pause between agitate and spin phases. Looks like the A512 and up models. I assume there is a short pause with a onger timer throw to make for a quick change from wash to spin.

Can someone with a 512, 612, or 712 model verify whether or not there is a single 'pause' increment in the timer?

Malcolm

 

[scrubflex]

Unbalanced

It's not unusual for loads like throw rugs to end up off balanced. If the load is unevenly laid out in the tub, it'll automatically become unbalanced. You have to wash a few at a time for balance.

When the load becomes unbalanced with the off balance mechanism is bypassed does the spin speed slow down? Or, does it continues to spin in it's regular spin speed?

 

[kenwashesmonday]

Electrical tape is a hack. Here's my sentence again:

"One side of the line cord goes to one side of the switch, move that wire to where the other side of the switch goes."

 

[danelto]

Lid Switch

Okay, you guys have me intrigued. I think I can manage a lid-switch modification.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Thanks.

Dan

 

[mrb627]

Reed Bypass

Has anyone ever thought of bypassing the lid switch on a maytag washer with a reed switch and a relay?

Malcolm