[thunderbrick]

Crap!  In two years I've replaced the microwave, fridge, and now maybe the washing machine.

Situation:

6-year-old Whirlpool Gold top loader.  Yesterday it got stuck in a wash cycle as the timer wouldn't move to the rinse cycle, and the entire machine got a little warm.

If I manually rotated the dial into the rinse cycle, it finished the rest of cycle just fine.  Even worked great in the extra rinse cycle.

Is this the timer?  A DIY job?

I want to eventually switch to an HE front loader, but they are ridiculously expensive and the timing SUCKS!

Any appliance guys out there?

Thanks!

'brick

[Emil]

Brick
You'd be surprised how simple these machines are once you start taking them apart for look inside.
The timer seems like a logical choice. Order the piece and if its not, send it back.

This place has been a tremendous help for me
http://www.repairclinic.com

But be forewarned, if word gets out amongst  family that you can repair appliances.......

[richidoo]

You can probably fix it yourself. Probably just need to replace the timer as a module. These things are designed to be repairable. Go slow, take pictures as you disassemble, look for the problem online before you start. There are often good DIY answers on the appliance forums.
I get parts from this place:
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/

fwiw I have the Whirlpool Duet front loading w/d, reliable for 7 years and counting. I would recommend them.

[Æ]

I'm a former appliance repairman, but not a WHIRLPOOL specialist, however you pretty much nailed the diagnosis, a timer failure, what else would it be? Just possibly, maybe you might be able to replace the clock motor that drives the timer. Otherwise it's an entire timer assembly.
My favorite washer is MAYTAG. I have a rather old one that keeps running and running and running, the timer failed a few years ago, fortunately I was able to replace the timer motor by itself, cheaper than the entire timer assembly.
If you have any WHIRLPOOL parts/dealers available locally, stop in there and ask them if the timer motor can be replaced separately. If you do go there, ask them for a parts diagram and ask them which is the easiest way to get to the timer, how to open the washer up.

[thunderbrick]

Thanks, Guys!  Looks like the verdict is unanimous, it's the timer.  Mechanical devices are largely a breeze.  If you screw up a broken item, what's the big deal, anyway?

But be forewarned, if word gets out amongst  family that you can repair appliances.......

Too late.  I've had a father-in-law that would come to town every six months with all the crap he tore up, and we'd usually fix it.  But working with him was a whole lot more fun than talking to the other in/outlaws.   

Conclusion to come later.............

[macrojack]

Even here in Podunk we have an appliance parts house, though they are really only good for domestic brands. We have Asko washer and dryer so we have to use repairclinic.com which, as Emil said, is very good to deal with.

Since you have one of the most common brands, I bet you can find what you need nearby and get free advice in the bargain.

[mcgsxr]

Good luck with it.

We are on our 10th year with our Whirlpool HE front loading set.  Once belt replaced in the dryer so far, otherwise good.

One of the very limited advantages to my in laws, is that one of the cousins is an appliance repair guy, so that keeps me comfortable that we are covered when things go wrong.

[nickd]

I use a local repairman just because I spend so much time away from the house. He has fixed my top loader twice over the last 6-7 yrars. both times, the total for parts and labor was about 100 bucks. He came the next day. My wife was happy. We had clean clothes with no delay and I didn't get dirty or have to run for parts. I need my DIY time for Audio

[thunderbrick]

OK, I'm home, had dinner and now go downstairs and enter the belly of the beast.  (No, not her, she's out of town!)

Do I need to unplug the washer before I take it apart?   

[Bizarroterl]

Do I need to unplug the washer before I take it apart?   

Only if you don't want to electrocute yourself.   

[thunderbrick]

Hell,  ANYBODY can work on a dead circuit!   

Just opened it up.  All looks nice and clean, but the timer assembly looks like one big assembly.  The part # is on the back, and the schematic is tucked neatly behind it.

I didn't check to see if the other cycles work.  It's only two screws to get access to everything, so when I order the motor I'll put it all back together and see if I can limp along for awhile.  Or, since the boss won't be home for three weeks so maybe I'll just skip clean clothes for awhile.   

[thunderbrick]

Crap.  Several places, including Sears, have identified the timer that fits the washing machine.  Price at $120-130 is no bid deal, but the P/N they give is very slightly different from the P/N on the original timer.

Sears doesn't allow installed parts to be returned, but Appliance Parts Pros does allow parts to be tried and returned.

Will keep looking for the same P/N.

[Æ]

Crap.  Several places, including Sears, have identified the timer that fits the washing machine.  Price at $120-130 is no bid deal, but the P/N they give is very slightly different from the P/N on the original timer.

Sears doesn't allow installed parts to be returned, but Appliance Parts Pros does allow parts to be tried and returned.

Will keep looking for the same P/N.

Be advised that most KENMORE appliances are made by WHIRLPOOL, parts are interchangeable.

[thunderbrick]

Ordered the timer from AppliancePartsPros.com.  Virtually unlimited return policy, even if installed!   

Shipping was about $6 and it arrived in 24 hours!  Piece of cake to put in, and in fact I took more stuff apart than I needed to.

Washer works great now!

Thanks, Guys!

'brick

[budyog]

I am not an appliance repair guy, but I am not afraid to dig in and try! I had my Asko washer and dryer apart so many times, I can't believe it!
3 dryer belts and a dryer switch, washer hose (inside washer), motor brushes and belt and coming up bearings!
On to my GE range, went to do the self clean for the first time in five years and then I had to replace the heat sensor!
They certainly are not to difficult and I saved me a lot of money!
Could not do it without the net for guidance and parts!
 

[Rclark]

I'm a former appliance repairman, but not a WHIRLPOOL specialist, however you pretty much nailed the diagnosis, a timer failure, what else would it be? Just possibly, maybe you might be able to replace the clock motor that drives the timer. Otherwise it's an entire timer assembly.
My favorite washer is MAYTAG. I have a rather old one that keeps running and running and running, the timer failed a few years ago, fortunately I was able to replace the timer motor by itself, cheaper than the entire timer assembly.
If you have any WHIRLPOOL parts/dealers available locally, stop in there and ask them if the timer motor can be replaced separately. If you do go there, ask them for a parts diagram and ask them which is the easiest way to get to the timer, how to open the washer up.

 Did you get to make any movies during your employment?

"Ja I'm here to feex ze dishwasher"

"oh really?"

"ja I brought my special tool"