Old Avocado Maytag Dryer Parts

[dougcl]

Hi folks, I have an old avocado Maytag dryer exactly like the one shown in the linked pic.

Repair guy today was out to replace the heating element (I know I should research and learn to do this myself), but he tried to scare me into getting a new dryer because my timer is about gone, apparently (although it works fine). He says the timers are no longer available. Is this true? I would like to buy a spare, if possible.

I would also like to get a matching washer, in fact

http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/JPEG/VINTAGE/3-11-2008-01-36-9--MaytagGirl.jpg

 

[launderess]

Obtain Part Number

Then "Google" it and see what comes up.

Or, go to any of the appliance parts websites and search for your part there. Do not know if Sears ever sold Maytag units, but you could also try Sears PartsDirect as well.

If the part is NLA or has subbed to something else, the better sites will have this information.

With the part number start contacting various brick and motar parts stores and see what there is out there. Search eBay as well, and keep doing routine searches.

Finally if one cannot find a NOS part, you will have to consider having the timer rebuilt, if and when it goes. Others on the site can speak more about that.

L.

 

[travlincub321]

What made him say the timer is about gone? Are there any symptoms showing that would suggest this

 

[cadman]

These machines are common enough that if the time ever did come when you needed a timer I'm betting all you'd have to do is ask here at the board and one might magically appear at your doorstep!

Surprisingly in this area the avocado Maytags are few and far between, though this past weekend I spotted one in A106 trim with the matching dryer, headed for the crusher. Talk about oddball.

 

[volvoguy87]

Dryer?

What model is your dryer? The model number should be stamped on a metal tag on the front of the dryer. Just open the door and it should be in one of the corners of the machine's front panel near the opening. The model should start with KD.

Maytag's model number nomenclature is as follows:
1st character: a letter indicating color. If the appliance is white, this character is left blank. K = Avacado, L = Almond, etc.
2nd character: Letter indicating what kind of appliance it is. A for washer, D for dryer, W for dishwasher.
3rd character on dryers: E or G to indicate Electric or Gas.
4th character: a number indicating where in the model lineup the appliance falls. The higher the number, the higher in the model lineup.
5th character: This is a zero in the center-dial models 1967-1980.
6th character: A number 6,7, 8, or 9. This indicates your dryer's series. The 6 and 7 series dryers are called Halo of Heat dryers and have a lint filter in the back of the drum. The 8 and 9 series dryers are called Big Load dryers and feature a lint filter just inside the door on the lower left side of the opening.

The last 2 characters (letters) of the serial number indicate the month and year of manufacture.

What have you got?
Dave

 

[qsd-dan]

Whirlpool did obsolete the timer about 2 years ago, but there are many new ones still floating around. However, that won't be the case in the near future, so stock up!

Since your unit is avocado, your unit will start with KDE-XXX. My guess is that it'll be KDE-606

 

[goatfarmer]

What model?

That looks like a DE606 in the picture. That model DOES NOT use a timer, it uses an electronic control.
BTW, I just scrapped a Maytag A 208 in Avocado, had transmission problems.

 

[qsd-dan]

That model DOES NOT use a timer,

Yeah, it's a 4 position switch more than timer. The don't really go bad unless there are contact problems. Stock up on an extra electronic control box. Those are beginning to be hard to find.