Scored a 1996 Kenmore DD

[blockeight88]

Ultra Fabric Care 90 series, fully loaded Direct Drive. I am very pleased. I couldn't be happier. I got the machine for $100 off FB marketplace and the guy even delivered it. I told him he didn't know what he had. The machine is in very good condition. I cleaned about 85% of it. I have already decided not to replace perfectly functioning parts. It also appears to neutral drain.

Brand
KENMORE
Serial #
CF1348209
Model #
11092597200

Based on the serial number provided, this KENMORE product was manufactured March 1996.

Btw, I wish there was a way to upload higher resolution photos on here.

 

[stan]

Thats a very nice machine

I have a friend that has a 1996 DD 70 series Kenmore that I’ve worked on.
I replaced a few things on it over 8 years ago and it’s been running fine ever since.
Very similar control panel. IIRC It had the warm rinse option if dial was set on a certain cycle.
I’ll have to look for a pic of control panel to compare 70 series to your 90
Enjoy it Mathew

 

[blockeight88]

Control Panel

I believe it was the 80 and 90 series that had the special “ultra fabric care” branding on them which signified TOL.

I’m going to swap out the wash basket as it’s got a lot of chipping going and rust, but that’s probably it. My goal is to try to keep everything as original as possible. After opening it up yesterday just to clean it I could tell the cabinets never been removed. Everything was super snug and a lot of the gunk came right off

 

[blockeight88]

Tub Support Seal

So unfortunately I damaged the seal in the tub support, possible the bearings too when trying to get the brake tube assembly out. The machine was leaking oily water. I didn't catch it until the rinse cycle.

Following this, I immediately unplugged the machine. Now it won't do anything but fill. I plan on replacing the tub support, but would like to keep the original transmission, as it neutral drains ok.

I also plan to replace the tub seal. I don't think the issue was the tub seal because the water that leaked was mixed with penetrating oil I sprayed in the tub support shaft.

 

[stan]

If it “won’t do anything”

Maybe the motor coupler needs changing ?
Did you check to see if it still pumps out?
If it still pumps but won’t agitate, then I would think the coupler broke?

 

[dominic20]

no agitator for it

i have a bounch of direct drive agitators if you want one for whirlpool and kenmore

 

[blockeight88]

Coupler & Agitator

I did verify the machine has two different parts of a coupler installed. One looks original (the one on the transmission) the other on the motor looks newer. I'm not worried about that though. I'll pop a new one on there. I just hope the motor is good. Either way this is fun and therapeutic. I'm making short videos of the machine taken part which I am currently uploading on on my YT channel.

In regards to the agitator, I thank you, sir, but I have plenty agitators already. I really seem to prefer the dual action Kenmore style.

 

[whirlykenmore78]

Nice

So glad to see that you found the machine you wanted.
WK78

 

[ron350]

BlockEight88 how can i watch your video's?

I ma just learning about Whirlpool direct drive washers and need more input.

 

[blockeight88]

^

My YouTube channel is “Matthew James”. I just do videos for fun. Everything I learned came from watching videos, speaking to members on here, and lots of trial and error.

Good luck!

 

[blockeight88]

Motor

Well sadly the motor is completely shot. It will not even turn on. When I set the timer to fill I do hear the inlet water valve humming. When I set it to spin it is completely dead. I ordered a new motor everything should be good to go. I guess a lot more water got in there than I thought.

 

[ron350]

Sory to hear about your bad luck with the motor and tub support.

It makes me wonder why some support tubes have so much corrosion on the outside of the tube?

 

[blockeight88]

Motor

The issue was actually my lid switch bypass. I removed it and everything worked as it should however I noticed an immediate burning smell coming from the motor with a little bit of smoke so I immediately unplugged the machine. Looks like a new motor is definitely needed

 

[stan]

Are you testing

the motor independently..without it connected to the transmission and with pump removed? Just curious

 

[combo52]

It could be a bad motor, but

There are several other areas to check a bad start capacitor for one, could be a wire loose in the start circuit etc

We often see him burned loose connections right at the motor disconnect plug.

A smoking motor can also caused by a bad timer contact. It’s less likely that the motor itself will cause this, but certainly possible.

John

 

[dominic20]

youre right

that is what i have im looking for the wide base kitchenaide blue agitator.

 

[blockeight88]

Motor

It was the motor. I got my new one today and it works great. Much more quit than the original. Machine is up and running. I might tweak a few things, but it's pretty good. I was able to preserve the original tub basket with all the holes, too.

 

[dominic20]

question

when are you going to uploadit to youtube?

 

[blockeight88]

^

Probably in a few weeks, as I have to thoroughly test everything out. There is always that *one* youtuber who has to point out something stupid.