True Maytag Washers

[scrubflex]

Does anyone know how to adjust the water level settings in the older (Helical) and dependable care (Orbital) Maytag washers? Either to increase or decrease the amount of water per load size. For example, the MINI setting, lesser water for very small loads.

What has to be done? Can you show pictures?

Harry

 

[DADoES]

The water level switch has an adjustment screw. Tightening it RAISES the level, loosening it LOWERS the level. Doesn't take much of a turn to have an effect, so play carefully. Also, the adjustment will affect ALL the levels. There's no way to adjust only one of the levels without affecting the others. Well, there is, but it's much more complicated.

 

[scrubflex]

water level adjusting

It seems simple enough. Are there any precautions I need to be aware of? Of course, making sure power the is off.

 

[qsd-dan]

Of course, making sure power the is off.

Yeah, don't do it with the machine running; It's an electrifying experience. Ask me how I know. A couple of minutes later I nearly had my arm torn off by the transmission while trying to "feel out" a leak from the drain hose between the pump and siphon break during the spin cycle. Decided to call it a day soon after.

Older machines (pre 12 series) use a flat head screw for water level adjustment while the newer ones use a thumb wheel. Make incremental adjustments at 1/8th of a turn at a time as it's very sensitive.

 

[scrubflex]

newer ones use a thumb wheel...

Awesome, is a thumb wheel easy to get a hold of or do I have to order it?
What about the air tube and the pressure parts? How do handle these?
BTW, how about defeating the LID SWITCH for helical drive and the dependable drive washers. I forgot to mention that.

I'm recording the instructions step-by-step.

 

[qsd-dan]

The thumb wheel replaced the flat head screw adjustment. It's a part of the water valve assembly.

As for the lid switch, I highly recommend NOT bypassing it as the lid switch is an integral part of the off balance switch. Bypassing the lid switch will bypass the off balance switch. Only bypass the switch if you're keeping an eye on the washer during every spin cycle and can immediately turn off the timer and redistribute the clothes if the tub looks like it may hit the cabinet.

 

[scrubflex]

Only bypass the switch if...

Well, of course, it's definitely to watch the washing and spinning action. Especially, since they don't have an automatic load balancing system, I'll have to keep watch for the unbalances. But, I simply want to enjoy the best part of my machine. Being able to enjoy watching the action from my own machine just like many do who make videos for YouTube.

 

[qsd-dan]

I slip a very thick plastic spoon between the lid and lid switch to watch the action and still incorporate the lid and off balance switch during the entire cycle. When I was a kid, I used a quarter and a penny but this can scratch the paint and cause rust issues down the road. A 12" ruler holds the lid opened at about 65 degrees to allow a large enough opening for a clear view.

 

[autowasherfreak]

I would use a broken wooden clothes pin on our 72 Whirlpool to watch it spin.

 

[scrubflex]

Isn't there a small magnet I can use to hold the lid switch in. Or, how about taping down the lid switch lever underneath the top cover?