Water level question

[suds14]

For some fun over my vaction I decide to hook up my B.D. Kenmore (model number 110.72784100). I have not use this washer for a few years. Everything works fine except for the water levels. It seems to fill to the water level lower than the choosen level. For example when I set it on extra hi it fills to the hi level. Is there an easy fix for this problem? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

David

 

[bajaespuma]

Pressure tube sensor.

There are people on this site who are much better at this than me. With GE's, one needs to disconnect the small plastic tube from the pressure sensor, spin out all of the water from the tub, reconnect the tube and start the fill. Try that first.

 

[kenmoreguy64]

David -

I have noticed on several of my Kenmore machines that were out of service for a while that water level selections seem to now be lower than they should be, by one to two inches, most noticeable on the highest level. This I've noticed in two 1980 built machines, one a standard capacity and the other a large, as well as in a 1985 built machine with an infinite level switch.

With your machine being a 1977 model, the issue happening here may very well be the same. I am not really sure of the origin, but it would seem that the pressure switches are becoming less sensitive to the different settings, or they are not reacting to the changes in set position as much as they used to.

There is an adjustment screw on the switch itself, however I am not very keen on messing with them in these cases, not yet anyway. Should we adjust the screws then the switch itself regain it's original sensitivity later on, we'd have a possible overflow.

My thought for now is to check each switch and be sure that the adjustment shaft is properly lubricated, and that diaphram that relates to the adjustment is moving freely with changes in the setting. It is possible that a cleaning with WD-40 or similar and a re-lube with white lithium on the adjustment shaft would fix the switch's sensitivity. If not, then we can mess with the adjustment screws.

Are you able to look at the switch in your machine?

Gordon

 

[suds14]

Gordon,

I am some what new to any repair work. For years I had use the maintence plan and if I was told to replace the machine I did. But since I found AWO I am really trying to learn how to do some of the repairs my self, and especially now because I prefer the older machines. Can you tell is this swith located under the control panel or is on the outer tub at the end of the plastic tube? I have picked up the machine top and fixed the snubber and have seen the plastic tube of the water level swith come from the the control planel to the the outer washer tub. The tube is clear and has no kinks. I appreciate all of your help, you also help me greatly with the two way valve on a Whirpool I saved from the trash.

Thanks Again

David

 

[kenmoreguy64]

David -

I'm glad to help! The switch is in the control panel, and the water level knob attaches to it. See if you can pull the knob off, as sometimes they get stuck tight.

You bring up a good point....though the clear pressure hose which is used to trip the switch seldom kinks, there could be debris in the airdome at the other end of the hose. You can shine a flashlight on it from the machine front with the top (not the lid) up. It should have only a small amount of scale or hard water build-up in it.

If that's not the problem, it might be easiest to "cheat" and see if we can get you a new level switch. That would solve your problem without a lot of guessing and testing, and may be required anyway. I'll look it up and see what's out there.

Gordon

 

[kenmoreguy64]

David -

Here's a bit of an update. The water level switch part number is 357964. I checked with Armstrong (a parts distributor network) and there is at least one available thru there, and there are two used ones on ebay).

I've thought about your situation during the day a bit and I think if this were my issue to resolve, I'd toss that switch for a better one. It can be adjusted, but I am not comfortable why it go so far out of adjustment and would not trust it in the future. Using it would make me nervous if you ever want to use that washer long term. It may be fine the way it is if it's just a play-toy now but at least one of the used parts on ebay is 20-bucks, and I actually know that seller. He's a great guy and won't steer you wrong. 20 dollars and you can be a bit more confident in your machine working properly.

The water level should, on extra-high, rise to about an inch above the highest level of holes in the basket. If it's several notches lower than that, the switch has served it's purpose and it's time to swap it out for a better one....

If you want help with the new part with Armstrong, let me know and I'll tell you who to contact. The one on ebay is in Surprise, Arizona. There were only two on ebay, and it was the first listed.

Good luck David!

Gordon

 

[kenmoreman]

Water level switch

Gentlemen, I can tell you that these switches seldon ever failed or got out of adjustment. The biggest problem was someone playing with the adjustment screw. If you look closely at the adjustment screw you will see a red substance that was a type of locktite that was applied at the factory. If the screw was played with you can tell by looking at the threads if it has been moved. If so then you can readjust it and after you have your water levels where you want them then just put locktite on the threads again and you are home free. The only other problem would be bent linkage. I never had a problem with adjusting a water level. Regards RF

 

[kenmoreguy64]

Rog -

I haven't seen many switches go bad either, but something seems to happen sometimes when a machine has been sitting a while. David said it had been several years since his washer was used. My 1980 machines sat for 8 and 11 years respectively. Back in the 90's I got a 1967 24-inch Kenmore as a trade in. The couple who had it said it had been stored in a family member's barn for "years" before they started using it again are year or two before, and sometimes, even though the level switch knob would be changed up or down, the resulting fill-level would sometimes not change from the last setting used.

I don't know what might happen to switches after they've sat a good while (seems like they get sticky inside), but but there seems to be enough history here to say that for at least some machines, it may not be completely uncommon for a level switch to become at least temporarily inaccurate.

In another case, I had a 1977 Kenmore 90 series machine that I sold a co-worker in 1993 or so. I had to go back about two weeks after delivery to change the level switch because it was maintaining the circuit to the motor (thus causing agitation) even when the tub wasn't filled. It would however stop filling when the water reached the selected level. That turned out to be an OK situation and the guy wasn't upset, but between it and the 24-inch machine, I don't trust "iffy" switches. So, when they can be replaced for 20-bucks, to me that's a bargain.

G

 

[kenmoreman]

I sometimes forget that these machines are as old as they are!!! I only remember that as they were when I worked on them! Does that mean I'm getting old too!! Regards RF

 

[suds14]

Gordon

I pulled the switch off and I also tapped the the plastic tube. I just put a load of whites in to soak and the washer seems to have filled almost all the way to the extra hi setting. I'll see how the other levels are tommorow while I am doing the enitre wash. I looked on ebay but I could not find the water level switch for $20. Can you tell me how or were you found them. If you want you can e mail me.

Thanks again

David

 

[suds14]

Just want every one to know I think that belt drive washers are better than the D D. I did 14 loads of wash yesterday, The water level seemed to work most of the time every once in a while I had to add a bucket of water to make the ex hi setting. All the clohtehes were cleaner and were spun as dry as my 2001 Frigidaire did. I hope to get the Whirpool I save from the trash up and running soon. I still need to get the 2 way valve, now that Christmas has past I should have the time and money. Thanks for all of the help. Hope every one has a Happy new Year.

David

 

[kenmoreguy64]

David -

Hey there, I'm sorry I didn't reply sooner. I have been in "Holiday mode" for the last while and not online regularly.

You can find the water level switches on ebay by going to the homepage, then type the part number in the search line (357964) and click search. It right now is showing 0 items in regular auctions, and the 2 in stores. The $20 part is still there.

About your adding a bucket of water - when you want to add water to your machine, simply slightly turn the level switch to the next nearest setting, even if it thinks it's all the way full. Just don't let the switch fully click the next selection. This will stop the machine and energize the mixing valve again for as long as you hold the switch there. When the water reaches the level you want, let the switch go back to the higher setting. You'll just need to remember to do this for rinse too.

14 loads already? Dang, you musta had a lot of laundry hanging around!!!!!!!!! I'd need like 3 weeks to accumulate that much laundry.

 

[suds14]

Gordon

With 2 teenagers I thought I would have had more. That was 9 days since I last washed clothes. I generally wash once a week. (I have tried doing more often, but it seems the more often I wash the more the clothes pile up). Thanks for the info.

David