LG WM2277HW ... Not Working? No Problem!

I was in Phoenix for 3 weeks teaching and training with my new district. Stressful enough to be away from the family like that right?! Well 2 days before I was to head back, my husband informs me that our washer has stopped working.

Stopped working! Crap!

I asked him if he tried the things I did previousely when we had a similar problem and was told, "yes, it didn't work." So needless to say, I stressed for 3 days. Once I got back I diagnosed the problem and found directions to fix it!

I thought I was something on a stick, so I ordered the part (#6501KW2002A) from Sears Parts. It came 3 days later, and today I undertook the task of replaceing the sensor. I used the following article to diagnose and begin fixing my washer:

http://www.fixya.com/support/t1627370-lg_tromm_front_load_washer_drum_spin

So step 1. Unplug the machine. Got it, no problem.

2. Take off the back plate that has 4 small screws. Easy Peasy! What next?

3. Unscrew the big bolt in the middle. What the....!!!??? What the directions neglected to tell me was to have a second person hold the drum still or immobilize the "hubcap looking thing" with a screw driver. I chose to have a second party hold the drum still by opening the door, reaching in, and holding the water jet strips while I turned that stinking bolt with all my might! After some good old fashion "English" the stupid thing loosened enough for me to move to the next step. (1 hour of trouble shooting later)

4. Take off the hubcap looking part the bolt was securing. This should be easy, scratch that...the thing won't budge. Again the directions should have mentioned that you would have to break the magnetic barrier created by the motor (which means pull HARD!!) and pull at an angle that is the same as teh angle of the drum itself. I actually had to sit on the floor and brace the machine with my feet so it wouldn't follow me around the laundry room.

5. Unclip the two sets of wires on the bottom of the circle you are looking at (the set of wires to the right are connected to the sensor assembly you want to replace). Okay, well at this point I was thinking it couldn't get any harder, but the space you are working in is relatively tight and the wires don't just "pop out". The one on the right had a telephone cord like clip that, due to lack of space, I had to use a flat head screw driver to push in while I pulled the clip down. And that was the easy one! For the wires on the left I had to unscrew the little clamp that kept the wires tight against the back of the machine (about 1/4 of an inch below the portion I was supposed to unclip) so that I could reach in to push in the pressure clips that are on either side of the wires. Now, I had to actually use pliers because my hand strength was so minimal at this point...did I mention that first bolt and removing the hubcap thing was DIFFICULT!

6. Unscrew the 6 smaller bolts to take off the circular piece that the sensor assembly is snapped to. This went relatively smoothly; however, don't assume this piece is light. It is basically like 30 heavy duty magnets that spin to create the power for the motor so it is rather heavy. The bolts were 10mm so once I found the right socket head I was good to go.

7. Mark with a pen where the sensor attaches so you know where to snap the new one. Okay this step was pointless because of the way the sensor snaps on...there is only one place for it to go.

8. Unclip the old sensor assembly and clip on the new one Praise the Lord, something that was easy again!

9. Reassemble. This was the easiest part of course. Be aware that, due to the magnet force, when you put the hubcap thing back on it will actually jump out of your hands...it kinda freaked me out. Then you have to screw the bolt in to actually pull it tight...pushing doesn't do anything.

I found the manual to be quite helpful also.

Needless to say for the price of the part (17.49) and the price of express shipping (18.00), I can now do laundry again! Watch me dance :-)...never mind you will have to imagine that one. I do a very good happy jig though.

Take that customer service (who said they wouldn't walk me through anything)!

Take that repair men (all said either next week, $80 to $116 just to diagnose the problem, or "we don't service that area...I thought that only worked with pizza delivery)!

Take that doubters who thought me a woman couldn't fix a washer!

Honey, you get underwear again!

Let me know if you found this helpful!  I always enjoy hearing about times when something I have learned or shared helped another.

Domestication

Domestication...what is that?

Growing up I heard the word domesticating, and it's various forms, used with a rather negative connotation. As a woman closely nearing my thirties with a wonderful husband, two beautiful children, and two somewhat shall we say complex dogs, I have come to the conclusion that those people had no idea what they were talking about.

According to dictionary.com, domestic means all of the following:

1. of or pertaining to the home, the household, household affairs, or the family: domestic pleasures.
2. devoted to home life or household affairs.
3. tame; domesticated.
4. of or pertaining to one's own or a particular country as apart from other countries: domestic trade.
5. indigenous to or produced or made within one's own country; not foreign; native: domestic goods.

So are any of these truely negative definitions? I say no. Of course I am somewhat bias seeing as how I classify myself as domestic. I take care of my family, but not just in the stay-at-home aspect because, well, I don't stay at home. I am a high school reading teacher. However, I cook, plan the meals, clean, do laundry, mend clothes, and the like.

I am also devoted to my home life. The place I most want to be is with my family. Helping my son learn to read, creating things for my home, gardening, or fixing things around the house. Yes, I said fixing things.

I suppose you could say I am tame, however; I don't view this negatively either. I get things accomplished and have mellowed as they say in my age. I get more done now that I am "tame" than I did when I was in college, high school, or younger. I prefer to think of this as educated and mature as opposed to the type of taming that takes place after you break the spirit of an animal. As I am sure you have already gathered, I have spirit to spare.

I create baked goods and homecrafted items to trade outside my home. So I also see business and a business mind as being central to a domestic woman. So you ladies who say you aren't domestic because you work in the business world, I would disagree. We all have different strengths, but you provide for yourself and trade services that are uniquely yours for that very purpose.

Those who I believe are blessed with the opportunity and ability to stay home and take care of everything are also involved in the business world. They are training up the next generation and producing goods that stay within their "country" or home. I know my own home is like a foreign country to some.

I am proud to be called domestic and hope to never loose my passion for my home and family.