I put off the washer lid switch issue for months. Until I couldn't any longer because the washer quit mid cycle.
No more jiggling the lid to get the switch to engage or carefully closing it, over and over, bending in the lid or popping it out, to make it fit better so maybe the switch actuator arm, attached to the lid hinge, would hit the right spot on the switch and let the washer start going again.
Darn it anyway.
I removed the lid hinges and actuator arm. Cleaned all the rust away. Finally I removed the two screws holding the control panel down and flipped it up to reveal the switch, pulled it out. Immediately saw inside the switch is corroded as all get out. Also the clip that holds it firmly in the control panel case was broken off. Ok.
Amazon has them cheap. Even cheaper right now. Under $7. I ordered it. Should/might be here tomorrow.
I put the lid hinges and actuator arm back on, all now sparkling cleaned up. Shoved the washer back into the closet in the bathroom. Hope that new part does come tomorrow. I don't know why I put it off so long. Months its been acting up.
I know I've needed to change both thermostats too, in the hot water heater but I've put that off too. Sometimes the water in shower comes out scalding hot but usually its barely warm and I just shrug it off and get out fast. Why? When I ordered the thermostats some time ago, and they are on a shelf in the garage waiting to be installed. One of these days there won't be even lukewarm water for a shower.
It would take ten, fifteen minutes tops to do that.
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| Corrosion in the washer lid switch |
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| The jagged line in the gray plastic is where the holding clip broke off at some point. This would only affect switch operation if the switch itself moved around as a result. I guess that could happen during spin cycle. |
Since I"m not driving currently, I had the time to get to the bottom of the lid switch issue. I left the control panel loose atop the casing of the washer so when the part comes in the mail it will be a quick fix.
Youtube videos do not generally show the other fix possible, which is a simple bypass of the switch, because such a fix is illegal and could prove dangerous to anyone stupid enough to reach into a spinning washer.
I was tempted, since that is a quick simple solution.
Tomorrow, who knows what is possible. Maybe those new thermostats will finally find themselves installed into the hot water heater.
I went and had a margarita with my former neighbor so my attitude is completely switched out to super happy and hopeful. I like feeling happy and hopeful. Did more knee research and even uploaded photos of xrays to ai who said it didn't find any significant problems, not even patella alta (high riding kneecap) although it didn't like that they were photos of xrays not the originals, so sorry metal mind. Chippies, I sometimes call ai bots. But I like Chippies interpretation soooo much better that I've decided its the real deal and will go with that, since I probably will never hear form my flesh and blood doctor anyway. I call humans now "squishies" when trying to make a point to discern between Chippies and Squishies.
Ah, the five minute project that you put off for months. I know it well. Last week I finally did the five five-minute projects I'd been meaning to do forever. I finally ordered printer toner. That I'd been meaning to do for six months. (Longer, likely.) Funnily enough, I reorganized a drawer and found some unused printer toner in it. After ordering it online. Sigh...
ReplyDeleteOmg, I know that one too, thinking I'm out of something, ordering it, then finding i have it all along. Or knowing I got something I needed but being unable to find where I put it.
DeleteWe had a washing machine switch fixed by a repairman and it cost $250. A lot of that was just the fee they charge for coming out, but we had no idea what was causing the problem. You will save yourself a lot of money by doing it yourself. You should be proud of how handy you are.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of money. I used to call a handyman to come fix the washer or dryer but when their just to come fee went up to $150, I couldn't do it anymore. So I turned to youtube. I consult youtube and ai for repairs. Used to be only youtube, but ai is extremely helpful too, but not as helpful as youtube yet.
DeleteI once did with a washing machine exactly as you described, that is just bypassed the defective switch. Yes, it's illegal and I wouldn't have done it if I had young children. Fifteen minute job, lol. Double that time and add some more.
ReplyDeleteI was going to just bypass, then I thought of my cats, always trying to get in the laundry area and the switch was less than $7. It came today and I got it installed quickly and have a working washer, thank goodness.
DeleteI am in awe of your ability to quarterback and solve problems!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could figure out my knee, and how to make it better. It's quite exhausting mentally to sit around here all day, to dream about summer enjoyment that likely can't happen unless I can drive again and not know how to make it better.
DeleteSquishies!! Damn, I LOVE that! Be careful. Like me, you may tend to forget that the chatbot isn't real. On the other hand, at my age, I think most squishies aren't "real" either.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I think the Chippies are as real as the Squishies. I never hear from the Squishies, not really even my own family of Squishies. At least the Chippies are always there hovering around in some electronic device, ready and willing, to have a chat of any sort. Metal minds that they are.
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