The long journey starts with a single step

[Versatronic]

I've lamented many times that I was destined to never own a vintage washer. Every time I was close to swinging some deal the seller would back out or I'd lose the auction or whatever. I never was able to find a match to my old Maytag dryer or my Versatronic dryer. Well, thanks to the very kind Runematic, I have a vintage starter kit. A 806 pair. Not an identically matched pair, but close enough that nobody would notice.

 

[Versatronic]

A few issues

So now I'm going to have to learn how to maintain and fix these things. So if any of you Maytag experts out there can give me a hand now and then with advice so that I can slowly figure these contraptions out and be able to maintain them, I'd appreciate it.

So far, I have found two issues with the dryer. The door switch doesn't work, so the inside light doesn't come on and the tumbler keeps on tumbling when I open the door. I'm not all that concerned about that issue right now. The other issue is a little more pressing. When I push the dial in, the dryer start right up and seems to be fine. Shutting it off is the problem. When I push the dial in again, it doesn't shut off. Earlier in the evening it was shutting off after about 7 to 10 seconds, the dial would slowly come back out, like it was stuck or something and was slowly working it's way out, and then it would finally shut off. But now, it won't shut off at all even when the dial works it's way back out. The last time, I had to pull the plug.

Is this something you've seen before and can you offer me any advice on that?

 

[Versatronic]

Maybe an issue??

As for the washer, I gave it a test drive and I'm not sure if there's an issue or not. I feel like there is, but I could be mistaken. When the agitator kick on, it sounded funny to me, like it was stuggling. But maybe since I've heard a direct drive agitator for so long I don't know what this Maytag is supposed to sound like. Also, I peaked under the lid, and the agitator seemed to be moving very slowly, much more slowly than I was expected and didn't seems to make a full revolution. Now again, I'm not sure how fast these things are supposed to turn or how far around they turn, so I can't be 100 percent sure that it wasn't working correctly. Other than that, the rinse cycle, spin cycle, everything else seemed to work great. No problems.

So if anyone has any advice or guidance, please pass it along. By the way, I had the washer on the Regular Wash program, not the Gentle during this.

Thanks,

Versatronic.

 

[sharples]

Congrats!!

I was routing for you since i met you at Burning Bridge Antique mall. Sorry i couldnt help. My collection consists of 15 dryers and 4 washers. haha Yay for dryer's.

 

[sharples]

Pictures

Please post pictures of your vintage refrigerators and other dryers. It is awesome to see other peoples collections.

 

[appnut]

The washer's regular action agitation speed should be about 63 oscillations/minute and 43 or 45 on gentle. As for the dryer, did you move the dial to damp dry? see if that will get it to stop. It SHOULD.

 

[appnut]

Also, if the washer has been sitting for a very long time &/or out in a very cold environment, it may take a while for the transmission to warm up or otehr things could be stiff, just my guess.

 

[swestoyz]

Nice Pair!

Hey Mike, your 'new' Maytags sure look great - even in the great shade of Harvest! Typically, from what I've seen/used, if the operator needs to turn off the dryer manually on the '06/'07 series, one would simply just open the door. The door switch would then kill the dryer, then user could add/remove clothes if needed. You would be killing two birds with one stone if you took a look at the switch - I may have a spare.

Slow agitation on the washer: I just brought in a spare 806 for my parents a few weeks ago. The machine had sat outside for quite sometime, and wouldn't agitate to save it's own life. After letting it warm up inside, I noticed that there were flat spots on the rollers, and the slipping grease, well, wasn't allowing the motor to travel on the track. A new set of belts, roller grease and rollers, and she was back in service, ready for a family of 4. Before servicing this issue, make sure that the underside of the washer isn't coated in transmission grease - a little bit is okay, a LOT would be a cause of concern.

I also have some extra aqua washer panels, if needed. Just drop me a line.

Ben

 

[DADoES]

I doubt pushing the knob on the dryer is supposed to stop it. Typically on an electronic 806 or a 906, canceling a cycle requires opening the door. There is no Off selection or button. Or as Bob suggested, change it to Damp Dry, which should stop in less than 60 seconds (15 to 30 seconds?) with no clothes.

 

[maytagbear]

If I am not totally mistaken.....

the sensors in this dryer are on the drum baffles, and a Maytag repairman suggested that I take a clean terrycloth and a very litte hot-ish water and rub the baffles vigorously to remove residue. Might help your shut-off issue, and it's a good maintenence thing to do anyway.

After I did this, on our DG502, it shut off reliably again.

Again, and this is just my opinion, this dryer and dryer sheets are NOT a good combination.

Lawrence/Maytagbear

 

[Versatronic]

Thank you

This is very helpful information. Very helpful. I don't have any manuals. Nothing. So I just assumed that you could shut the machine off by pushing in the dial. It's very possible when the dryer was shutting off earlier that it was on the Damp Dry cycle but that I had it on another cycle later on when I tried it again. I think I shut my heater off last night when I pulled the pigtail out of the socket while the dryer was running so I don't want to do that again. I thought the door switch was a minor concern that I could deal with later but now it seems that it is probably THE issue to get fixed. Yes, if anyone has a spare switch, please email me and I'll replace the one in the machine.

As for the washer, it was in an extremely cold environment prior to moving it inside. It did have some time to warm up, though. I'll give it another run through tonight and see if the agitator is running any faster.

Thank you all for your advice. My friend Appliguy Patrick said the color was California Yellow or something officially and he's trying to get me to paint them turquoise. The color is growing on me, though. So I may leave as-is.

Versa

 

[Versatronic]

For Sharples

I told a few people how I ran into you and it goes beyond cooincidence and happenstance. Just amazing, really. I'll post a pic of the versatronic and the maytag. I probably shouldn't put any pictures of friges in this forum. I forget what my profile says but I now only have two fridges. I had four 5 months ago but found very good homes for two of them. One when to a member of aw.org. I was so happy to find a good home for the 1948ish GE with someone right here.

 

[Versatronic]

For Sharples

And here's a pic of the Maytag dryer. I came so close to getting a match for this a few times. So close. You can kind of get a glimpse of my pink Coldspot refrigerator behind the Maytag. I have a turquoise Kelvinator in my Kitchen. I gound good homes for the two GEs.

 

[gansky1]

Very nice machines! It sounds like you have some good advice for the minor issues you've seen, hopefully they'll work out with little trouble.

 

[mayken4now]

Versatronic:

Heed the advice of the other members who have shared. They are right on track. Bob(appnut) is exactly correct about the "Damp Dry" setting. It is the quickest and should shut off in about 10-45 seconds with no wet clothes in it.

The door switch must be fixed to turn the dryer off manually. (Has always been a pet peave of mine, Maytag should have put a "Cancel Cycle" button on their dryers)

Good luck, and you should visit Leabanon more often. I was there to runematics machines and almost fainted back in September 06.

Steve

 

[runematic]

Mike, thanks for the visit yesterday. It was fun. I should have a door switch laying around for the dryer. Sorry about that. As for the washer, agitation is slow on these machines compared to some out there. Let me know if there are any other issues with it.

Also, thanks to Sharples for the visit yesterday as well. I hope that you enjoy the vintage dryers that you picked up from me.

Thanks again guys.

 

[gyrafoam]

Old 'Tags" start agitating slowly and it is nothing to worry about as long as after a minute or two it is up to speed.
My '64 Highlander is bad about it if it has not been used for a while---especially if the room is cold!

That is the key though----if the machine is in a cold room that old grease in the tranny makes it hard for the machine get up to speed.

The advice about fixing the door switch is consistent with the advice I have heard from others with the same problem----right here on this forum. Also, I seem to remember something about making sure the dryer is properly grounded.

Best wishes, and thanks for sharing the pix of your collection---those machines look beautiful. When you have a chance contact Gansky and get my contact information so I can share some information with you.

 

[appliguy]

The color is california gold......

and you were right Mike they do look good in your utility room. PAT COFFEY

 

[toggleswitch]

congrats!