When did Maytag start to go bad?

[phillymatt53]

^Repeatedly say the folks posting messages via electronic devices to a discussion board that exists as electronics.

Seems a bit ironic using electronic means to spread the word that electronics are bad, no?

Everything with electronics is prone to failure, that's a fact.
It gave me employment for decades.
Even home computers.
Even that spaceship that the astronaut said: "Houston, we have a problem!"

 

[Chetlaham]

Well, I don't. If it hadn't been for Whirlpool, Maytag would've been worse off.

Whirlpool did Maytag in. Cough Ralf F. Hake Cough...

 

[Chetlaham]

Everything with electronics is prone to failure, that's a fact.
It gave me employment for decades.
Even home computers.
Even that spaceship that the astronaut said: "Houston, we have a problem!"

And add to the fact that Electrolytic capacitors literally have a shelf life. So the moment you purchase anything electronic its the equivalent of purchasing a fruit or vegetable. It will go bad just sitting there no matter how pretty it looks.

 

[realvanman]

We're saying appliances and electronics don't mix. This is especially true when you're dealing with heat and moisture.

Exactly. It was never stated that computers and the Internet and this forum shouldn't be electronic. lol. It's the over "elecronification" of everything, even where it isn't necessary or beneficial, that's the problem. A computer? Sure, that can be electronic. A washing machine? There's no reason for it.

Keith

 

[phillymatt53]

And add to the fact that Electrolytic capacitors literally have a shelf life. So the moment you purchase anything electronic its the equivalent of purchasing a fruit or vegetable. It will go bad just sitting there no matter how pretty it looks.

Yes indeed, Electrolytic caps are one weak and vulnerable component in almost every product that uses them.

Does anybody here remember back about 2 decades, when a widespread epidemic of electronic failures in products started happening?
This caused many electronic devices to break down or act poorly.

I was SO busy at the shop repairing tv sets, vcr's, cd/dvd players, radios, stereo equip, etc.
It didn't matter what brand it was either.
A good friend of mine runs a computer repair shop and he was pulling his hair out because of the incoming flood of defective computers, monitors, laptops, etc.
I even heard that some military equipment was also affected by this.

The reason behind all this was because a lot of manufacturers bought Electrolytic capacitors from an unaware chinese vendor who sold bad caps to them.
CapXon? among other brands, were some of the critters failing.
Apparently these capacitors were missing a critical ingredient that stabilizes the electrolylite inside the caps that counteracts hydrogen gas buildup whenever any voltage was applied to them.
Additionally, any external heat near the caps radiated from nearby parts like power transistors, resistors, would speed up the cap failure.
The formula used in them was counterfeit, stolen from another company and missing that critical additive.
The tops of the caps were popping off from the internal pressure build-up, some even leaked their electrolyte fluid on the circuit boards, making a real mess of things.
Some caps merely shorted out, others would lose their rated value, screwing up operation of a product.
This started happening in the early 2000's, and products started failing within a few years, up to about 2005 or so.
I'm not quite sure of the actual timeframe.

And around that time, I think Volvo, perhaps others, autos started having issues with their electronic throttle control modules, causing rapid acceleration and loss of control.
This caused deaths from cars plowing into things. lawsuits, etc. - sad, but true.
The media didn't provide much info on this, strangely.
So the bad caps syndrome was hushed-up for the most part.
I caught a picture of a damaged throttle control module, and it was clear that several capacitors were bulging and leaking inside.

So all you guys here, if you can properly determine if a bad cap is in something you're working on, great.
If not visible leakage or bulging, then a cap-checker meter is required to diagnose the problem.
Welcome to the world of electronics, with all its wonderful gadgets!

 

[phillymatt53]

Exactly. It was never stated that computers and the Internet and this forum shouldn't be electronic. lol. It's the over "elecronification" of everything, even where it isn't necessary or beneficial, that's the problem. A computer? Sure, that can be electronic. A washing machine? There's no reason for it.

Keith

And like I've stated a million times, I love my old RELIABLE 1985 Maytag, with it's mechanical timer and real switches!