Whirlpool WTW4816FW3: Bad control board and Lowes warranty issues

[whirlpool862]

All of the new new VMWs seem to get control board issues, actually a very common problem with these and you’re not alone. A new board is expensive but Whirlpool has issued a recall on the boards for washers that are out of warranty so they can be bought for free.

Most of them are 2023 models but a lot of the 2024 models with the non-recalled boards also have this issue.

I own the WTW4900 washer, glad it was bought before this issue became common. The board is still good on that washer. Mine is a 2014.

I think it was in late 2022 or early 2023 when the boards started to really have this problem. Not sure if the 2025 models have the issue pitched or not.

This issue has occurred on some older VMWs, tho, but not as common.

Example of an older VMW (made in mid 2013 most likely due to the America sticker on it) with this control board issue

When a VMW drains constantly, regardless of its age, it’s usually the control board. It’s rarely due to a pump issue but that can also be the cause in some cases, where the pump doesn't drain right and the board thinks it’s going to flood. Usually this is accompanied by an F3E1 code.

This is actually a safety mechanism. The constant draining occurs when the machine thinks the drum is overfilled and is going to overflow. For example, when it fills above the stainless drum, and into the balance ring, the washer will drain it out to prevent if from flooding your house. This can also happen if you cancel it while it’s filled up, it can drain for a while if you do that.

Washers like Whirlpool direct drives and GE Model-Ts, didn’t have this mechanism, meaning if there was an issue with the pressure system, the machine would just flood your house.

Unfortunately, if your VMW is older than 2023 and has this issue, the only solution is to pay 200+ dollars for a new control board.

Some VMAX units also were affected (the older ones at least), but not as common as the new VMWs.

 

[pierreandreply4]

the best way to know if the model itself is hit by a recall is to check on the website with your model number

 

[whirlpool862]

All models made in 2023 and a few out of warranty 2024 models are affected. I bet the WTW4616FW, Roper RTW4516FW, several Crosley and Kenmore models, the new Admiral models, also affected by this it just doesn’t show because it’s not commonly bought new anymore and most stores don’t sell those models.

Whirlpool only seemed to do this recall for the more popular ones.

Essentially any new VMW with the six lights under the timer is affected, even if it’s not recalled.

Service Pointer from Whirlpool

 

[pierreandreply4]

All models made in 2023 and a few out of warranty 2024 models are affected. I bet the WTW4616FW, Roper RTW4516FW, several Crosley and Kenmore models, the new Admiral models, also affected by this it just doesn’t show because it’s not commonly bought new anymore and most stores don’t sell those models.

Whirlpool only seemed to do this recall for the more popular ones.

Essentially any new VMW with the six lights under the timer is affected, even if it’s not recalled.

Service Pointer from Whirlpool

@whirlpool862 your link is not working

 

[hvtech42]

Need to add the colon to the URL: https://www.ifixit.com/Document/x3h1Ydc4A1mQDVZM/service-pointer-w11766193-revb.pdf?referrer=wiki:16667

 

[whirlpool862]

I fixed it

 

[phillymatt53]

I may get mixed opinions about this, but in my opinion major appliances don't need complex PC control boards in them.
Just remember when appliances used actual switches and mechanical timers, and how long those machines lasted.
Simplicity at its finest!

 

[mrstickball]

I may get mixed opinions about this, but in my opinion major appliances don't need complex PC control boards in them.
Just remember when appliances used actual switches and mechanical timers, and how long those machines lasted.
Simplicity at its finest!

The issue is cost. Those usually cost a lot of money that consumers don't want to pay. I've talked to a few engineers at the major companies, and they said that they'd love to use them but C-level executives tell them that price trumps reliability so they have to keep the $500 washer, rather than build a vastly superior basic $800 washer.

 

[hvtech42]

The issue is cost. Those usually cost a lot of money that consumers don't want to pay. I've talked to a few engineers at the major companies, and they said that they'd love to use them but C-level executives tell them that price trumps reliability so they have to keep the $500 washer, rather than build a vastly superior basic $800 washer.

Do PC boards cost less than mechanical timers though? Generally the places you've been most likely to see mechanical controls and timers in recent years are on bottom of the line appliances, which would seem to contradict that.

And it's worth noting, even Speed Queen, which specialize in high quality, longer lasting washers that cost well over $800 has mostly settled electronic boards over mechanical components. No matter what quality level appliance you're building, the more complex operation sequences to hit the needed efficiency levels these days are just harder to accomplish with mechanical components.

 

[mrstickball]

Do PC boards cost less than mechanical timers though? Generally the places you've been most likely to see mechanical controls and timers in recent years are on bottom of the line appliances, which would seem to contradict that.

And it's worth noting, even Speed Queen, which specialize in high quality, longer lasting washers that cost well over $800 has mostly settled electronic boards over mechanical components. No matter what quality level appliance you're building, the more complex operation sequences to hit the needed efficiency levels these days are just harder to accomplish with mechanical components.

Yes, significantly less if done in batch. The issue is that the PCB is going to replace a lot of features in one go when you're flowing 10,000 - 100,000 boards at once. If you look at mechanical timer costs from 3rd party companies that are only charging a price directly above margin, mechanical timers (and the related sub-components) can get costly.

FWIW, I got a look at Midea factory pricing a few years back. Not under NDA to where I am doing anything illegal, but it was true, real wholesale pricing before tariffs. A washer PCB was like.... $30, if that, and it was for a more complex model. By comparison, I haven't found a legitimate mechanical timer made available by any 3rd party company that has access to Robert Shaw, Invensys and the other OEMs for anything close to that - much less the other controls like Push-to-Start, Automatic/Manual Temp selectors, Pressure Switches, and other cycle controls. You're probably looking at $20-30 more at wholesale for a completely mechanical system.

Of course thats the problem right there. $30-40 in mechnical components would solve the issue. But then when you add dealer and distributor margins, you wind up with those bigger and higher prices.


But even then, you could just use better components on the PCBs too. One brand relay may have a duty cycle of 20,000 contacts, whereas another one has 100,000. Its why the old '90s Kenmore range controls easily lasted 20-25 years and the new ones last 10 or less. A tech on a group I'm in bought all the PCB relays that the various companies use, and determined that almost all the relays used today only last 15,000 - 25,000 cycles but those from the 90s used other brands that lasted 60,000+ easily. Absolutely intentional choices.

 

[combo52]

Even if a relay only lasts 15 to 25,000 cycles that’s thousands of hours of baking far more than almost any range will ever be used.

And I highly doubt that they’re using components today that have 1/4 of the life of one’s 10 years ago or more.

John L