model a806

[maytagmodela806]

I am in need of help i just moved into a house in my town and found a maytag washer in the basement its model number is a806 s/n 7468210L it fills up and does a washy cycle and that's all it does not sure what the issues are with it the water level switch is out I think don't know much about this type of washer but I want to try to keep it running for along time I'm in love with old washers now lol

 

[washdaddy]

Dean,
Consider yourself very lucky. You have stumbled across one of the many Maytag's that people on here enjoy. The machine you have is an upper end Maytag from that time. If you can post a picture or two of the machine and give a description
of the problems you think that you are having someone will chime in soon enough and give you the advice and guidance with what you need to do to getting it back up and running correctly.

You can find out just about anything you need to know about your appliances on this site. The members on here are an extremely helpful and friendly group of people that are always willing to give support and help when you need it. Welcome to AW.

Have Yourself a Great Day!
Rick

 

[maytagmodela806]

I will try to get some pics up of it

OK when I first turn it on it and seclect a load level it begins to fill up but it won't. Stop filling until its at the top then it begins to do a wash cycle that seems to never end I have to make it go to the next cycle by turning the dial to finish it does what it should do that way but I'm not sure if the timer motor is out or what it could be

 

[hippiedoll]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

on the great find. from what i understand about the A806, it's the most versatile washer to use that maytag offered. i hope it's not too complicated of a fix for you to get this maytag working right.

by the way, because of the model number, i'm guessing your washer is white??

i'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you!!!

 

[goatfarmer]

Quite possibly the timer motor needs attention.

 

BTW, where is Oakland City?

 

[maytagmodela806]

Yes it is white and Oakland city. Is in Indiana and I'm hopen a can find parts for it what it does makes me think it's the timer but the water level doesn't stop at what its set for

 

[maytagmodela806]

30 miles from Evansville

 

[danemodsandy]

Dean:

I own two 806 sets, one from 1968, one from 1977. Each is a pair with washer and dryer.

You will be very happy with your washer if you can get its problem straightened out. It does sound like a timer issue.

Several things will help us help you - one would be a photo of the machine. Another would be a photo of the timer. And if you could post the serial number, members here can help you date the machine.

If you like the washer, wait until you find a matching dryer. They are both fully-featured machines, the top of the Maytag line. Doing laundry in them is a real pleasure.

Photos and serial number, mmkay? You'd be surprised how much we can help with those two things in hand.

 

[maytagmodela806]

OK well if tried to upload photos but itstelling me low memory and the. S/n is 74468210L. 60 cyc. 7A 115v model number A806 if that helps any I'd like to find a matching dryer for it to make it a complete set it is white in color

 

[philr]

 I've also been actively looking for a white 806 dryer recently! (good thing we're not in the same neighborhood!).

 

 The closest I got so far it is a $100 harvest gold HDE-606 so I passed!

Strangely, my white A-806 washer was originally paired with a 606 dryer (I have the sales catalog and instruction manuals for both the washer and the dryer from the former owner) but I'd like to have a 806 dryer!

 

Also, can anyone tell me if there's a paint code that matches the blue on the control panel, on mine is gone in several places...

 

[akronman]

Maytag Dryers

I have both a DE606 and a DE608, both white, in good working order. The 606 I rebuilt about 4 years ago, the 608 about 3 years ago. I retired the 606 since the drum is so small. I retired the 608 when I found a 59 and 64 and 66 Kenmore dryers, they look sharp lined up next to each other. I only have so many electric models I can install at one time.

I'm in Ohio, shoot me an email if you're interested. These are both "6" models, no console lights.

 

[maytagmodela806]

My washer will fill up and do a wash cycle but that's all it does when its filling it doesn't matter what the water level is on its model a806 S/N 7468210L I messed up on another post but that's the s/n number its a 60 cyc. 7a 115v not sure what all that means the console light doesn't work either looks like it needs a ballast

 

[maytagmodela806]

In the picture does that washer have permanent press without suds saver on the dial if so that pic looks just like mine
PhilR????

 

[dnastrau]

Serial number

The serial number should be six digits followed by two letters.  I am guessing that the "...0L" that you posted is actually "QL."  I don't think Maytag used an "O" in the date code.  If that is the case, then the Q = 1972 and the L = June.

 

[maytagmodela806]

Yes that's what i ment to put I just look on the back of it again the timer makes a loud buzzing sound

 

[philr]

My washer should be like yours. It's a regular A-806 without suds saver, also from the early/mid seventies. Does yours have the chrome or plastic lint filter? Mine has the plastic one.

 

[danemodsandy]

Okay....

What you have sounds like the most desirable of the three 806 washer iterations. It has all the cycle options of later models, but it has the real bleach dispenser of early models, plus the blue trim on the console and possibly the chrome-topped lint filter.

The match for that would be a DE806 Halo of Heat dryer. This dryer is Electronic Control, with a lighted console matching that on your washer; other Maytag models did not have the lighted console. I'd really love to see photos of your washer. We can help you find a dryer if you're interested, I'm sure.

 

[philr]

Sandy, do you know if the dryer's control knob also changed to clear plastic when the washer's timer knobs did?  I also want one of these dryers in white! I know they have small drums and all but that's the model I want!

 

[danemodsandy]

Phil:

Yes, the change to the "crystal" knob was also carried out on the dryers. I personally prefer the chrome knob, as I do on faucets as well.

These dryers aren't that damn small. They'll handle what you take out of the washer, and that is all any dryer should be expected to do. Their major drawback is that the lint filter, which is located at the back of the drum, is easy to ignore, so it's likely that you'll have to do a thorough de-linting of any HOH DE806 you find. And as you know, that's a good idea on any vintage dryer anyway, so it's not a huge issue.

I've heard complaints from people who have enormous resentment about having to reach into the drum to clean the lint filter, but they always seem to be the sort of people who wouldn't attend to a lint filter no matter where it was. You've surely seen what happens to Maytag washer filters, which are about the easiest-to-clean design ever made. Yikes.

You, being a responsible and motivated person, will have no difficulty with it whatsoever.

 

[philr]

I also prefer the metal knob and I'd like the chrome lint filter but that's not what I got!

 

[danemodsandy]

Phil:

Both knob and lint filter can be exchanged for what you like. The chrome filters aren't easy to find - I had to buy one and I know. But they're out there.

Having the crystal knob on a blue control panel is sort of rare - they only did that for a brief "changeover" period before the Sunglow panel was introduced. The chrome knob is far, far more common.

 

[danemodsandy]

By the Way, Phil:

You mentioned repainting your panel.

What I would do is to go to an auto-parts store and look over the spray cans of auto touchup paint. A medium metallic blue like that should be an easy one to match, or to come very close to.

You will need to buy both the color paint and a can of clearcoat; today's auto paints don't have any gloss to speak of until the clearcoat is applied.

It will take careful masking. I had to redo the Sunglow on my first set of Maytags, and I found myself working masking tape very carefully into the creases of the panel, then trimming with an X-Acto knife. Worked well.

 

[philr]

As I think about it, I may have something that's close to that in a spray can. That would definitively be cheaper than having base coat mixed just for that! Then I could clear it with automotive clear coat (I have that too). The control panel and the porcelain top are the worst parts of this washer. The porcelain isn't chipped but it has quite a few scratches. The cabinet paint is in good shape and even the inside is in very good shape. The porcelain in the tub could be better but it doesn't look too bad now that I cleaned it (it was stained orange/brown by water and the inside of the outer tub was really dirty!)

 

Here's what the tub looked like when I got it! It got much worse when I filled it with water with all the debris in the water and large insects that were pumper out of outer tub! The good thing is that it works nicely and doesn't leak oil or water!

 

[maytagmodela806]

My washer has the plastic lint filter and I'd also like to find a matching dryer to go with it

 

[danemodsandy]

Dean:

Here's what I suggest on a dryer:

You need to check the "Shopper's Square" forum every day. Look at every Maytag dryer, but pay particular attention to anyone listing one with the description "HOH." "HOH" means "Halo of Heat," which refers to the generation of Maytag dryers you're looking for. The dryer you are after is called a DE806 (for "Dryer, Electric, Model 806"); a Shopper's Square post may or may not say if a dryer is a DE806 or a HOH dryer.

You may have to ask some questions to be sure that a dryer in Shopper's Square is what you're looking for, but everyone here will be glad to help you. If a HOH DE806 turns up near you, I would advise you to grab it if you possibly can; these are forty-year-old units now, and their numbers are decreasing every year.

These dryers are prone to some Electronic Control issues, but they are fixable. Since you'll be working on your washer soon, probably, you'll be gaining some confidence and experience, and again, members here will help guide you through the process.

 

[DigAPony]

Finding a DE806 could take some doing. I recall seeing only two come up on Craigslist in my area over the past two years.

One was part of a matching Avacado set that sold within a few hours, the other was a Harvest Gold pair and the washer was in rough condition.

However, 12 series machines are relatively plentiful.

 

[maytagmodela806]

Where do I get parts for my washer to fix what's wrong with it

 

[maytagmodela806]

My lint filter looks different than the one in the picture it doesn't have the holes at the top it has a single one at the bottom but the pics on are just like my washer in every way except the lint filter my power cord looks like someone used a whole tool of electrical tape on it as well and there's a ground screw on the back but nothing going to it all the parts on it seem to be rusting

 

[rp2813]

Sounds like the fabric softener dispensing cup is gone if you're just seeing a single hole. 

 

BTW, if you need a gas dryer, that would be a DG806.

 

I'm sure there are people here who can advise on where to get a new timer or have yours fixed.  It does sound like a bad timer is causing the problems you're having.

 

[philr]

The part over the lint filter is a fabric softener dispenser.