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