Whirlpool Washer Timer Stops

[joshhemming]

My 10 year old Whirlpool model LSR5233AWO washer fills with the correct temp & level of water and agitates the load normally. When the timer knob pointer is between the WASH settings and RINSE, everything stops. The timer pointer does not advance any further, the soapy water doesn't get dumped and there's no spin.

I siphoned the water out the first time it happened, unplugged the washer and let it sit for a day. Next day I plugged it back in and tried another small load. Same thing happened, at what appears to be the same point in the wash cycle.

I'm thinking the timer is shot but before I sink a hundred bucks into a replacement I'm wondering if something else could be causing the problem. I tried manually pushing the door interlock switch with a screwdriver to see if the timer would advance on its own but it wouldn't go.

[Joe]

Folks at repairclinic.com are your friends. Call them. Great advice. parts and sensible return policy. HTH

Joe

[joshhemming]

I fixed the problem!!!!!!!

From other, older posts by people with similar washer problems, I learned that the washer will not spin as long as it has water in the tub. This prevents the motor from burning out and/or water being spun all over the laundry room.

After I finally figured out how to read the timer contact matrix in the schematics, I checked all the timer outputs with an ohm meter and they were correct. Since my major problem was the machine not draining the water, I started following the DRAIN gray wire output from the timer. Lo and behold, the gray wire went through the lid switch before running down to the water pump or discharge solenoid. One of the first things I'd tried when this problem occured was pushing the lid switch with a screwdriver. It made no difference, so I assumed the switch was good. However, when I actually ohmed out the leads going to the switch, I discovered it was always open. Seems that the contacts inside the switch are completely shot, to the point that even operating it with a screwdriver won't cause them to make.

I've disconnected the leads going to the lid switch and jumpered them together. This in effect sends the voltage for draining the tub straight down below instead of routing it through the lid switch first. The machine works fine now. Eventually I'll get around to buying a new switch. Or not.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Good for you. Have your wife take you out to dinner on the money you saved on a service call.

[Don Young]

I admire your troubleshooting and am glad you have it working. However, you do need to be aware of what hazards the lid switch is designed to prevent. If someone (you or anyone else) tries to remove clothing before the tub stops spinning completely it is possible to have a hand or arm severly twisted by a tangle with the clothing. It is also possible for the tub to start up again if someone tries to remove clothing when the tub stops but the timer has not completed its cycle. I would definitely replace the switch as soon as possible. It's cheap insurance.

Don Young