New Kenmore Washer "lid switch"

[tony]

Happy Holidays to all.

I am wanting to purchase a new Kenmore Elite Washer. However I want to be able to open the washer lid while it's washing and see the action of washing. Do some New Elite Kenmore Washers stop washing once you open the lid or do all New models stop ? The particular one I'm thinging about buying is model number #24042,24032 and or 24036.

Could someone please HELP!.......Thanks

 

[jaxsunst]

To my knowledge Kenmores let you watch the agitate portion of the cycle, but will stop when it goes into neutral drain. I may be wrong, I haven't watched any of the new ones, but I believe that it correct.

 

[laundromat]

kenmore top loaders

The new Kenmore/Whirlpool/KitchenAid top loading washers have lid switches on the left behind the hinge.It is almost impossible to fool them.All action except for the fill stops completely once the lid is lifted.The only Kenmores that still have the switch on the right that can be fooled or pushed are the ones that open to the left instead of to the rear.

 

[partscounterman]

impossible to fool?

you don't have to be an electrical engineer to by-pass a lid switch ; )

 

[gansky1]

It depends on the controls of the machine - the Calypso's program won't start a new cycle unless it has detected a lid opening and closing first. I defeated this with a simple toggle switch mounted on the back panel - flip it off and on before starting a new cycle, worked perfectly for open lid viewing, but then you did have contend with more noise (oh the horror!) since there was no "dome of silence" with the lid up! I'm not sure if the electronic control Catalyst washer my sister has is the same or not - I used it for a while but had no interest in what was going on inside. ;-)

 

[coldspot66]

If I'm not mistaken, all top load washers manufactured after july 2004 ? cannot agitate with the lid up.

 

[scott55405]

Oh my....glad our "new" one is from 2002. All the more reason to go frontload next time, LOL

 

[westytoploader]

I have a 2003 Maytag Dependable Care and it doesn't agitate or spin with the lid up. I just use Greg N's trick of wedging a yardstick behind the lid; not sure how you do it with the new Atlantis machines!

My DD Kenmore is from '98, and I have a BD from '82 that's in the shop right now (large leak), and both agitate with the lid up. What's the harm on THAT? The BD takes it 1 step further and you can watch the drain. When it's time for spin just put a screwdriver, pen, or your finger in the switch.

It's bad enough these new TL's don't let you watch the action; the lidswitches are downright UNDEFEATABLE, unless you take the entire control panel apart! Even more unnerving is the bundle of wiring on some models (namely M-A-Y-T-A-G!!) instead of just two connecting wires, to make re-wiring the switch difficult. IMHO, manufacturers are afraid we'll see what's going on under the lid, and as long as they hold us hostage, unable to see anything, they can make less of an emphasis on performance or gentleness...scary. Last time I checked, the only current machines with "easily accessible" lidswitches are:

1. Lower-end plastic GE/Hotpoint machines (MOL/TOL GE is hidden)
2. Electrolux-made Frigidaire TL's and Laundry Centers
3. Kenmore Portable washers
4. Kenmore/Whirlpool 24" ThinTwin Laundry Centers (Leslie, has Whirlpool hidden the lidswitches on these yet? The last time I visited Sears was in June...)

Geez...it's really starting to look like the washers are going to hell as far as quality and entertainment is concerned. I think it started with the window-less Maytag Neptune.

I'd say it's time to go "classic" as far as top-loaders go and look for a good GE Filter-Flo, Maytag, or BD WP/KM from the 1970's--80's...who's with me? The only new residential-grade washer I'd buy would be FL.

--Austin

 

[DADoES]

coldspot66 said: If I'm not mistaken, all top load washers manufactured after july 2004 ? cannot agitate with the lid up.

I assume this refers to 'domestic' machines. My F&P IWL12 - purchased on 10/8/2004, don't know the manufacture date at the moment - will do everything with the lid open except spin. Fill, EcoActive-ate, agitate, soak, and drain. The lid lock only triggers *after* drain is complete and the motor has done some pulses to make sure the basket has settled.

Tricking the lid lock is easier than I thought, once I took a look at the mechanism. The same lock mechanism is on the SmartLoad dryer.

 

[scott55405]

Ah there is hope! ;-)

 

[Designgeek]

Would there be a secondary market for clear acrylic lids that could be installed after purchase? Some enterprising company could start making these and selling them to appliance dealers, for the relevant models.

By the way, I think the "no peek" designs are a perfect example of the risk management mentality: "Some nitwit might do something stupid (e.g. stick their hand in during the spin cycle), and then we might get SUED!! Waaah!" And when kids grow up inside these little cocoons of absolute protection, how are they supposed to make decent farmers, soldiers, and construction workers...?