The definitive way to bypass Maytag lid switches

[potatochips]

WELL, out of most bands Maytag can be the hardest to bypass. However, there is one way to bypass the machine which will still enable the out of balance switch AND give you the ability to open the lid at any point during the cycle without shoving something behind the lid.

First, get a good, strong tape that will attach to any surface and also remain strong when there is tension on it. I used painters tape. You will need about 24 inches of length, fold it in thirds.

 

[potatochips]

If you look at how the switch is constructed, you can see where the tape needs to thread through. The piece that the knife is on is the piece that needs to be immobilized by the tape. This plunger is pushed by the detent in the lid. It also carries the out of balance lever. The out of balance lever it what pushes on the rocker arm which in turn pushes on the electrical switch. The cool thing is, the out of balance lever moves with the plunger, but isnt useless if the plunger never moves again.

 

[potatochips]

So, with the lid closed, thread the tape between the plunger and out of balance lever. Then, because Maytag cabinet tops hang over the back by about an inch, the tape can be fed through this opening.

DO NOT put the tape on the rocker that activates the switch.

 

[potatochips]

Keep tension on the tape. You will know when your pulling too hard as the plunger starts to move. You dont need to put much tension, just enough to keep the plunger from moving. This is imperative as too much tension will prevent the out of balance switch from working properly.

I tape it with two strips to the back of the control panel.

NOW, properly done, this will allow you to watch every portion of the cycle without any annoyance of shoving paint stir sticks between the lid. Total unobstructed view.

YES, the OOB will still trip the machine when a load goes out of balance. How you reset the switch is to open the lid, release the tension on the tape rope until you hear that loud click, then close the lid and reset the tension on the tape. It is annoying but how often do loads go OOB in a Maytag?

This works on every Maytag.

 

[speedqueen]

I'll be honest...

...And say that the first thing I did when I got my A207 was solder together the leads on the switch. This is a far better method, though.

 

[Chetlaham]

I just splice the switch out. On latter models the fuse gets bypassed as well.

However, what speedqueen said, this method is far better.

 

[tomturbomatic]

I just wrapped 55 cents in duct tape with the nickel in between the two quarters. I slips in easily and removes easily when you are through watching.

 

[Chetlaham]

"when you are through watching" I don't think such a thing is possible. Every cycle is like watching your first. That and the fact I always open the lid at the start of agitation to check for roll over and sometimes latter on for sudsing.

 

[combo52]

Best Way To By-Pass The Lid Switch On A MT Washer

Is to simply install a second two-pole switch on the back of the console, when flipped the washer runs with the lid open, when flipped the other way the washer returns to regular safer operation with the unbalance cut-off and safety spin cutoff.

 

John L.

 

[yogitunes]

John's idea is best....

besides, how many times do we operate a machine without watching it through most of the cycle?, plus how many times has your machine gone out-of-balance to a point that it needs redistributed?...

think back of how many machines did or did not have them?....

note when doing this, most one switch units to do this on are OK, but there are ones that have two switches(the second allowing fill with the lid open)...I don't believe you can have both switches activated at the same time...all I ever did was pull the second one out of the way...