More Woes With Whirlpool 6620 Front-loading Washer: 2nd Machine Also A Dud

[frigilux]

You may remember I mentioned the issues the young couple in the apartment behind me had with their Whirlpool 6620. Three service calls for major leaks and one for an electronics failure in a four month-old washer.

 

The dealer decided to replace the washer for them, which took six weeks to arrive due to covid-related slowdowns in production.  The replacement 6620 purred along just fine for a couple of months.

 

I went into the laundry area between our apartments—their set sits right next to mine—a few minutes ago and the service guy was there with the top of the machine off. I asked what the problem was this time and he said the control board was not communicating with the user interface—so electronics issues.

 

I really like the features, cycles and styling on the 6620 and it’s a “closet depth” machine, which is extremely important in our narrow passageway, with laundry sets along each wall. Thought a couple of times about getting a set for myself, as it has a true Sanitize cycle and a 4.5 cu. ft. tub.

 

Having seen the headaches they’ve had to deal with not one but two of these machines, that notion has been tossed in the not-on-your-life bin.

 

What the hell, Whirlpool?!

[this post was last edited: 4/5/2021-12:48]

 

[mark_wpduet]

I'm so sorry to hear this

One machine with faults we can forgive - but TWO machines....Makes you go hmmm, doesn't it?

I wonder if a surge protector would have helped? I know these have built in surge protectors, but - back in 2006 or 2007, when my Duet CCU went and was replaced, from that day forward I have kept my washer plugged into a surge protector and not a glitch (knock on wood as it's 16 yrs old now) So either the new board was more robust (which I doubt) or the surge protector helped or it has just been pure luck? I don't know. Geez, you'd think after more than a decade they'd get the bugs worked out of these boards.

What's SAD is with technology they have the ability to create awesome and reliable machines much much better than the past - but they just will NOT do it.

 

[maytag85]

The reason why HE machines and newer machines in general have the problems they have is because the technology isn’t proven and the quality control isn’t what it used to be either. This is why I don’t even bother with newer machines at all and I’d hate to shell out money on a newer machine that already has problems from the get go and who knows what other problems it will have in the future.

Whirlpool made good machines until they discontinued their direct drive washers and it’s been down hill from there since.

 

[vacerator]

Quality control is

a small part of it. Some Chinese micrprocessors and sensors are better than others.
So are some mechanical parts out of Asia and Mexico. Is anything in that Whirlpool F.L. is domestic except the assembly in Clyde Ohio?
All makers source globally. It's the same for cars and other vehicles. We've seen the numerous recalls and problems with not only appliances, but cars from every brand, and the Boeing 737 MAX jet liners too! It wasn't only a software issue. Software is only as good as the hardware using it, and visa versa. Some components perform better than others when subject to short term ram memory only as opposed to long term stored data bytes. My step son is an LTU university educated software platfrom designer for Ford.
They had a brand new Samsung top load washer delivered with a defective control board. It filled, washed, drained, but did not even try to spin. Samsung sent them a check refund, and did not even want it back, as they had no new boards for them.

 

[appnut]

So disheartening. My former manager has the same model and he's not had a problem one with hers in the 2 years she's had it.

I love WP FLers for their flexibility and being able to set it up to have the heater be used in a lot of different types of loads, far more than any other FLer on the market. Even moreso than Maytag. And that's important to me. And SQ refuses to put a damn heater in their machines. IF I had to replace mine, in some ways opting for LG would be trading down.

 

[mark_wpduet]

If my washer died

right now and I had to look quickly for another one, I would absolutely not know which one to get. I'm like you Appnut, I gotta have a heater and a FL washer, but all of them are sketchy now. ALL OF THEM.

 

[imperial70]

If you like whirlpool...

Continue to purchase whirlpool. If you like GE continue to purchase their products. It's all about what you are comfortable with using and if you have had good luck with a particular brand appliance, I think you will continue to have good luck.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

It seems to me...

that whirlpool is so big that they feel they can get away with anything and everything.

 

[pierreandreply4]

i would call the store that selled the washer

my advice would be called the store and ask for an exchange or directly go to the store where the washer was purchase and speak directly to the store manager and if possible ask that they exchange the washer could the washer, and in the case of my mom and i if the washer dryer died and we needed 1 fast i would go in the refurbish rebuilt model even if it would be something like this

 

[littlegreeny]

I agree with Mark...

These issues may have been avoided if the washer was plugged into a surge protector. There are a lot of complaints about WP control board issues and I wonder if their boards or capacitors are especially sensitive to even minor power fluctuations???

When I installed my WP dishwasher last year, I plugged it into a surge protector. I've never done that with an appliance but will continue doing so going forward. They are basically computers now, so why wouldn't you?

 

[appnut]

Part of the reason why I had a whole-house surge protector installed last year.

 

[frigilux]

I have never plugged anything into a surge protector, but my luck in never having an issue is probably running out by now.

Any recommendations for good quality surge protectors? I’ve heard it’s important to select wisely, as some provide substandard protection.

I suppose this would be a good idea for computers and TVs. And, I guess, washing machines.

Also: Does anyone have their electric dryer on a surge protector? For that matter, why does it seem we hear of so many electronics issues with washers (and dishwashers) but not dryers?

Bob— Can I ask how much it cost to have a whole-house surge protector installed? Is it by the circuit breaker box? Each apartment here has a fuse box (yes, fuses) on the wall by our laundry equipment and gas furnace in the laundry area/passageway.

 

[combo52]

Surge Protectors For Newer Appliances ?

There is no evidence that any of these problems are being caused by surges in the power supply and all appliances have built-in surge protection on the boards.

 

That said I guess a surge protector probably will not hurt anything ?

 

Do keep in mind that plastic plug-in models can be a fire hazard themselves if they overheat and burn or can just fail.

 

I think if there was any evidence they were needed manufactures would require them or include them.

 

John L.

 

[appnut]

Euguene, the cost was $201.88.

 

[mark_wpduet]

For what it's worth

the surge protector I have is cheap....It's just a multi plug surge protector with indication lights letting you know if it's working or not. I'm not saying this is what's protected my washer. It could just be a fluke. You just never know.

It's interesting, I never thought about it but I never plugged my dishwasher into a surge protector, nor the dryer or fridge. Why? I don't know.lol

 

[littlegreeny]

This is the one I purchased for my dishwasher:

https://www.amazon.com/Belkin-Singl...ywords=surge+protector&qid=1617838824&sr=8-16

 

[roscoe62]

My 6620 is acting wonky too !

My whirlpool is doing odd things like when it's powered on it's putting the clean washer light on after it was cleaned 2 weeks prior. It also makes that chime noise while in the wash cycle, then it'll display three dash lines (---) on the time remaining, but the odd thing is it goes through the complete cycle. So if this machine gives up during the pandemic, I have mo idea where I'll be going next for a washer.

 

[user 12105]

I had that model for almost a year and no problems in that time. For being my first front loader it left a good impression on me. It cleaned great and the capacity was HUGE at 4.5 cu ft.

I agree with Bob and many here about a heater though. If I do another front loader in my life it will be one that has one. With the excessively stingy use of wash water these machines need them.

 

[mark_wpduet]

These control board issues are a really weird thing. I remember in 2014, when I bought my Maytag dishwasher....there were all kinds of people who had control board issues. At that time, I needed a dishwasher and I chose that one hoping for the best. I was so sure that the control board would go......but this month (June, 2021) it's exactly 7 years old. No problems.

I've read all kinds of things. Like, the DRY cycle can shorten board life.......Or... Using the self-clean cycle on ovens can too (because of the extreme temps) I don't know. Ovens and dishwashers get hot anyway. Makes no sense. At this point, I think it's a gamble if you buy a new appliances whether you're going to get one with a decent board or a bad one.

 

[roscoe62]

My Whirlpool Fridge

is going on three years old, in the last two years the same part has failed, but I was told I had basically a Maytag without any options, so it should last a while, seriously? Then he tells me most machines would be great if the electronic components were better made.
I had an Electrolux dryer that took 90 minutes + to dry a single load, replaced that with a Whirlpool entry level with mechanical dial, every time I start that it likes to let a little ring out of it, but it works and nothing is wrong with it, again seriously?

 

[launderess]

It is my understanding that quality of control boards in appliances are largely something manufactures dictate or demand. As with everything else higher quality and so forth will cost more, and that factors into overall price of appliance.

 

[henene4]

Durability of any part - both mechanical and electrical - can usually be calculated down to a very precise margin.

Not an electrical engineer, but for bearings at least it's basically a 101-class thing to calculate their lifetime.
Down to thousands of hours exact...

Though usually parts are rarely the price issue, manufacturing tight tolerances is (for example, shafts for washers in theory have to be produced to a very tight tolerance spec for the seals protecting the bearings to last).
Manhours are expensive aswell, so software testing is often cut short (thus the many glitches in PCBs).

And it usually isn't that terribly much cheaper to build something less durable.

Reason they can cut margins short and make products cheap is knowing they will make another sale in a certain time period.
Cover cost and a few percent, that's that.

And once you control a certain percentage of a market, you don't really bother about loosing customers.
It's rare that a customer changes his price range for a certain good because of a bad experience, and when there are only a few companies in your target range, they will loose as many customers to you as you loose to them.

And once again, the US market is in an obscene state since the early 2000s.

Comparing what you pay for a washer today to even the early 2000s is depressing.

The 6620 retails at 1000$.
That's 650$ in 2000, 200$ in 1975 or 90$ in 1950.

In 2000, the Neptune's where smaller, less featured and less attractive overall.
And they were 1000$ IIRC.

In 1975, 200$ might have gotten you a very BOL TL.
A good washer might have been 400$?

And 90$ in 1950 wouldn't have gotten you an automatic at all I'd guess.

And now consider the 6620 is midrange?
You can get a cheap washer for 300$ with the same internals as a 1000$ TL.

Same stepping as above, that is 200$, 60$ and 30$ respectively.

Not blaming consumers or manufacturers or anyone in that chain, the market is what it is, but you just get what you pay for.
I'd be ready to almost guarantee you that if you spend the equivalent of 300$ in the 50s today (3300$) on a washer alone, you'd probably be still using it in 30 years.

 

[pierreandreply4]

3 year old ge dishwasher

control board broke on a 3 year old ge dishwasher that was purchuse in 2016 was replace in 2020 with a kitchenaid dishwasher i think the biggest problem these days are appliances are made to brake early to force there replacement makes me question why they did not modernise appliances but keep making them to last?

 

[launderess]

Built to last

Began going by the boards when huge demand from baby boom generation began to go bust, and appliance makers were force to rely increasingly on new home sales plus replacement for major part of durable white goods sales.

If one could find a new or even used timer/programmer my Miele W1070 would still keep on going, this even it being > 20 years old as it is. But compared to more modern offerings it is not nearly as advanced, so there's a trade off.

Right to repair movement in USA is gaining steam, but don't think it will ever truly happen. Whirlpool and other big makers of appliances, electronics and other consumer goods have too much invested in status quo.

Personally feel washing machine or dishwasher life cycle should factor into energy ratings. It cost money to make ship to warehouse or whatever, then to customers home new appliances. It also uses resources, and that goes for removing and disposing of broken things as well.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/23/climate/right-to-repair.html

 

[mark_wpduet]

definitely

appliance life cycle should be included in energy ratings. Isn't it interesting that it's not?

 

[henene4]

The thing is that lifetime testing would have to be done standardized and by an external party.

And our consumer testing organisation shortened lifetime testing cause it got to expensive and to resource intensive to do.

Our new Eco-legislation requires manufacturers to disclose repair manuals to end users and/or technicians for free and for parts to be available for 10 years after the last unit of a certain model has been sold.

That solves some of the issues, but parts remain just prohibitively expensive.

 

[roscoe62]

At it again

the control board is acting wonky today but seems to go through the cycle with nothing else happening.

 

[lovestowash]

Same control board on a 5620...

is the machine I have had for about 2 years...I had the first one replaced due to the same issue this one has, water temperature...I could not get a hot wash on the Normal cycle, always cold...I mostly use a Towels/Quick with Heavy Soil and Extra Rinse, hot wash, about 30 minutes...if I want extended wash, I add the PreSoak, for an additional 15 minutes of tumble/soak...for a longer cycle, larger loads, I use Delicates/Wrinkle Control with Light Soil and Extra Rinse, hot wash, about an hour...I've found I can get a "hot" wash on either of these cycles...with all these "WHAT To Wash/HOW To Wash" marketing options, the washer does have its idiosyncrasies, but uses sufficient water, and does a good job.

 

[roscoe62]

So Whirlpool

replaced the control board or the entire machine? Have you had any issues since it was replaced?

 

[lovestowash]

So Blowe's...

replaced the entire machine...it has the same oddities as the first...I have just learned which cycles allow a hot wash, and create my own special programs...