Signs of a bad timer?

[blockeight88]

Hi everyone. Just need some input regarding my timer. The '96 machine I have has the original timer (WP3946475) from 1996. For the most, it appears to be functioning as it should, completing the cycles and advancing correctly. My issue appears to be that it's misaligned on the pointer. For example, if I set it to "14 minutes" it will start then shut off for a second, then turn back on. I have to set it to around 12 minutes for it to act normal. I also tested the soak cycle today and have to basically set it to the off position to get the fill to start. Once I did that the machine only agitated for about 30 seconds. My 1994 machine, which has a similar (yet different) timer agitated for 2 minutes on soak. To my surprise, this timer part is still manufactured by Whirlpool, but is pretty costly. At least $180. Before I replace it, I want to know exactly what's going on with it. Is this just a sign that it's nearly 30 years old? I have included a picture below. Thanks

 

[temporary002]

My Indesit knob could be set at the wrong place

Maybe the knob was pulled off and put on incorrectly, my Indesit washing machine’s knob pulled off and you could set program 5 but the mechanism was set to program 4, so you might want to see about pulling the knob off and putting it back further back and see if that resolves your problem.

 

[blockeight88]

Knob

It’s a brand new knob and really can only go on one way. I did make sure it was threaded on correctly.

 

[temporary002]

Threading the knob

If you said the knob is threaded on like a bolt then most bolts have 2-4 starting points so you could try screwing it in on a different point, look at a bottle cap, it has 4 points to thread on to so you could rotate the knob and screw out on and see if the program counts correctly

 

[DADoES]

 
This is a different model but the timer on BlockEight88/Matthew's machine presumably is the same design.  The knob screws onto the shaft.  The dial skirt (with the pointer) is a separate piece that pushes on (not screws on) beneath the knob and is keyed to fit in only one orientation.

 

[temporary002]

I stand corrected

I stand corrected, when I thought of threads, they had 2 separate threads so you could screw it on easier but I see the keying on the knob, I most certainly don’t know much about vintage machines as I do modern ones but I will be educated a lot on this website long before I get a machine to mess with and restore, long before I get a space to collect machines

Dawid

 

[blockeight88]

Post #4

It looks just like that, but in white. Nonetheless, I went ahead and ordered a new timer today. I'll report back if this makes a difference. I'm sure it will. I will keep the old timer as a backup though.

 

[ron350]

When this part of the timer knob is stuck what is the safest way to remove it?

 

[blockeight88]

New timer...

Is definitely better aligned and gives me the exact wash time as indicated on the timer (I timed it). New timer doesn't seem to tick as fast from wash -> neutral drain. I also notice it kicks on the water a few seconds before the tub comes to a stop right at the rinse cycle.

 

[repairguy]

Reply# 7

Use a couple of plastic putty knives. Use one on either side to gently pry the dial off.

 

[temporary002]

Removing cover with spoons

I found a video showing you can take the dial cover off with spoons, it’s a speedometer but the method would be the same