Unused features in Kenmore / Whirlpool washer timers

[kenmoreguy64]

Ok, perhaps this is a bizarre topic, but in the Deluxe Forum recently I was discussing a second rinse option which is present in many mid 1990s Kenmore Direct Drive washers. It seems the provision was there, but most models could not use it, so it shows on the console as a disproportionately large 'OFF' section. In order not to have two different timers, Kenmore used a more capable timer than was necessary, and this was done in most all their 70-series and some 80-series machines (their best selling models). This was done so they could use that timer in the better two-rinse 80-series machine without cost penalty.

There have been numerous examples of this in other models too, so I thought I'd document in pictures what I'm talking about, and posted this here because I am using belt-drive machines, of course, as my examples.

Even more common than the blanked-off second rinse is a blanked or dead Pre-Wash cycle, which was there in most mid 70s to mid 80s belt-drive timers, but dis-used in a few models, thereby changing a four-cycle machine into a three-cycle.

Funny part is, the machine having the extra rinse or the pre-wash sold for $20 more (or worse) but there was no more or less cost in the machine either way. It was less expensive to have one timer that covered a half dozen models than have separate timers that matched machine features to timer capability.

Here are the pics:

 

[kenmoreguy64]

First, here is a 1976 Kenmore 60-series washer. This era 60-series never had a pre-wash feature, but it's there in the timer, but most buyers had no idea.

The Pre-Wash is in that large OFF on the lower left.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Here is the same identical timer, but with the Pre-wash active, this time in a 1977 70-series.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

The same was done in the 1980s

Here is a 1982 Kenmore 60 series machine - again, no prewash, just a blanked-over mega off section.

Its almost humorous in that Sears offered this machine as a three cycle, with the delicate being 6-minutes long, but the cycle can be set for 8 minutes, its just not called-out on the graphics. A step up machine in 1982 had the "Knit-Delicate", with Knit starting at 8 minutes, thus becoming a magic 4-cycle machine for nothing but a printing change.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Here is the 1982 Kenmore 70 with the magic Knit cycle, free of cost, but it added money to the macnine's price tag.

 

[joefuss1984]

so what happens.....

If you set the time in one of these blanked off sections?  If the timer is capable but it is not marked on the console did it still work?

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Here is essentially the same machine, this time with the pre-wash. It is shown on the 1986 Kenmore 70 which I bought as a college student.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Joseph,

On this era of Kenmores anyway, the timer is totally dead in the OFF sections. The difference between these models is in the wiring harness, which has more pins on the machine with the active Pre-washes and second rinses.

The same holds true for my 1993 DD machine, BUT, in my new 2010 DD, when the machine is set for "one rinse", the second rinse still works if you move the timer dial past the initial turn off from the main spin. I figured this rinse switch would deaden the entire second rinse portion, but it doesn't, it just stops the timer for one click at the end of the first full spin.

Gordon

 

[applianceguy47]

Those are some nice looking machines. 1976 with two water levels is PRIMO.

Using the same timer, an expensive part compared to say, a water valve, was the way of saving money on parts. By blanking out certain sections, and removing a jumper wire, one can essentially create different cycles.... and advertise it that way, creating price points which are essential to advertising.

I once modified a 1999 roper BOL washer by adding an adjustable water level (easy), a temperature selector switch (not easy), and a speed switch (easy enough).

Figuring out which wires go where and do what, is the key.

Most of those timers had a small section (large off section) before the "Normal" wash cycle for use on sudsaver models.
I've even seen some washers that didn't have the valve, but they didn't even bother with a jumper. So the console just said OFF, but if you placed the dial in that section, it would agitate. Without the suds valve and hose assembly, it was rather useless.

 

[goatfarmer]

Another great post, Gordon!

 

[Cookietaster12]

When I was growing up, my mom had the Kenmore with the prewash cycle shown. It also had the roto-swirl agitator, which I really liked. Suprisingly, a lot of people dont really know about the hidden features that some of these machines have. I use to just try little things to see if it would work. Most didn't, lol, but it was still fun trying.

 

[mickeyd]

"The Dead Zone" ~ not the Steven King version

Gordon & Cookie: you're preaching to the choir here, at least for me. " What Else Will the Dial?" do is a favorite pastime. Before you go cycle surfing the dial, make sure you have enough water in the machine to satisfy the water level switch, Extra-low or whatever you fancy. Enough water in the tub is the magic ingredient here.

The dead spot on the 77WP becomes very active if the tub has enough water and gives you 2, 4, or 6 extra minutes of slow agitation before the 14 minute high speed wash, so you can give a grimy load of work clothes 20 minutes of agitation like the early WP/KM's originally did.

The dead zone on the 63LK is active with or without water. If provides 2 or4 minutes of fast agitation at any water level, which is great if something nasty needs a quick sloshing before you start the real load, and draining the nasty liquors, of course, before proceeding.

Dial Surfing also taught me how to return suds on the 93WP and to get an infinite slow wash on the WP Portable's Gentle Cycle.

I wonder who else does this--maybe everybody here! lol-- and what other machines have these hidden gems. Seems that WP/KM specializes in this. Haven't found any of these in the Frigidaires.

Interesting that on some models the the wiring is disconnected, did you say, G?

Is the hidden Knits just 2 more minutes or is the operation different?

Here's the one you like of mine with the hidden 6 minutes,

[this post was last edited: 3/27/2012-12:34]

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Mickey -

The 8 minutes of Delicate is just 8 minutes of slow agitation, nothing else, sadly. I just always found it funny that Sears would sell one machine with an 8 minute Knit/Delicate for a higher price than a 6-minute Delicate only model when the extra two minutes was available on that machine too. It wasn't even shown as an off on the panel. Of course, as soon as I could get my hands on one of these, I had to find out if the extra 2 minutes were live....

And, yes, when WP blanked-out those cycles, they did so by not equipping the wiring harness with the pins and wiring needed by that cycle. If you took a harness out of a machine that was wired for the pre-wash, etc and installed it in one of the blanked machines, the pre-wash would work as scheduled right through the OFF section graphics on the console.

There was one model, a 76/78 Kenmore 60 large capacity machine which used this same timer, but it was a single-speed machine. The delicate was shortened to 4 minutes from the 8 total available (again by not equipping the harness with a couple pins and wires) and became a 'Short' wash, which agitated on high-speed. The momentary pause that is present in all WP/Kenmore belt-drives to change the motor from low-speed windings to high is interesting when the motor is already operating at high speed - it pauses and comes back on for nothing.

The 1979 60 had it's own purpose made timer with a pulsed 6-minute delicate, which was probably better suited to this application, and the old timer was never used in a single speed application again.

 

[frigilux]

It's always fun to learn new things! Thanks for the comparative photos, too. Thanks Mickey, and others, for your posts in this thread. I never cease to be amazed at how much you guys know.

 

[aldspinboy]

Work I T ..Out Gordon..

Boy you have great Kenny's !
Thanks thats just to cool the control panel differences.
I will reference this for study.
Are you saying in post 585221...
That the hidden pre-wash is still in the timer..
Can you actavate the cycle where it was blind...
or was it dead ?
Eugene is right you never stop learning.

Darren k

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Hi Darren,

Thanks for the kind words - you always post nice comments in people's threads!

In post 585221, yes indeed, the timer in that machine has all the cams and switches that are needed for a Pre-Wash -- it's the same timer part number as used in machines with a pre-wash.

You can't activate the cycle by moving the dial through the big off section. To make it work you have to add the necessary pins and wires to the wiring harness, OR use a harness from a machine that already has the provisions for pre-wash.

I am sure that most consumers had no idea the cycle was ever there. That said though, pre-wash really isn't much of a feature. Selecting a rinse and spin will do the same thing essentially.

Gordon

 

[northwesty]

That old blank magic

I wonder if the timer on this 1951 Kenmore also has an unused port for the suds return. This would be an old practice then...

 

[northwesty]

Suds!

I have two machines and the one has the Suds return and the other doesn't, both from 51. However I once did put the wrong dials on each machine -- it always gives you a start that suds solenoid clanking away