Kenmore washer won't stop filling

[F.H.]

Began kind of making a screeching noise while filling for awhile then began over filling. Going to give the machine away but would like to fix first if I can. Any help appreciated.

Frank

[Todd H.]

I have no knowledge specifically, but timers go bad on dishwashers fairly regularly and could cause overfilling (by failing to tell an inlet solenoid to shut off the water), or the solenoid itself could have failed in the open position. The solenoid might be where I check first, because I'm not sure how a timer could be implicated in a screeching noise, but I could envision perhaps a solenoid being stuck in a position such that it would make noise with water going through it?

These are wild assed guesses based on limited knowledge of the components involved--hopefully you'll get a better answer.

[Terry]

"Todd H." wrote in message news: [e-mail]...

Todd: Three Kenmore washers I am familiar with (our personal one has been repaired a few times and is about 25 years old)have the water level shut off valve inside the control panel that operates by air pressure once the water has filled to the adjusted level! As the water rises in the tub of the machine it pushes air up a hose connected to an air-valve/switch. When the pressure 'equalizes' at the preset water level the valve/switch clicks, filling stops and the timer switch continues to the next step in the washing cycle. What occurs to me is that if that hose is cracked, leaky or has become disconnected (or too short) the air pressure would never increase and the water filling could continue for ever? Just by way of illustration; some time ago after doing some servicing on our Kenmore I noticed that the water was not filling up to quite the same level. I've been told it is fairly easy to damage these water level/pressure/switches. You don't go cranking the small adjustment screw several turns at a time and don't blow hard into the pipe; they are designed to work at no more than gentle atmospheric pressure! Anyway I had to carefully, a small amount at time, adjust the valve/switch setting to get the water to fill another inch or so to the desired level. Occasionally it has also seemed to me that when barometric pressure is low (bad weather) the water level appears to be a tad higher; but that may just be my imagination! I guess if you hauled a washer up to the top of a mountain one would have to adjust the valve/switch to a lower pressure for 'full'? I've got a spare used switch somewhere which I could mail you; but I'd check hose first. Anybody else agree/disagree? Terry

[Todd H.]

Actually, it's FH that has the issue. I'm sure they appreciate your thorough reply though!

-- Todd H.

[F.H.]

Indeed he does. Thanks to you both.

Frank

[timbirr]

Does it keep filling, even when you unplug it from the wall. If so, it is probably the water intake valve (might not be the correct name, but it's the control that the supply hoses from the household plumbing connect to).

You can test the air pressure thing as well as the intake valves, procedures in the fix-it books at the local library.

[Bob]

wall. If so, it

correct name, but

plumbing

If it is the water valve, take it out, take it apart, and clean it.

Bob

[mm]

FH doesn't say if he is talking about a dishwasher or a clothes washer. Good move, FH.

Remove NOPSAM to email me. Please let me know if you have posted also.

[F.H.]

Whats a dishwasher?

[mm]

It's what Todd spent 5 minutes or more of his own time answering you about.

Remove NOPSAM to email me. Please let me know if you have posted also.

[F.H.]

His *own* time? As opposed to? Are you the time police? N/G efficiency monitor?

[mm]

As opposed to time he was paid by someone. As opposed to clerks at stores who are paid to answer questions, even stupid questions by people who don't say whether they're talking about a dishwasher or a clothes washer.

No. I'm just a guy who doesn't like jerks. I give you the slightest bit of sarcasm. "Good move, FH" and instead of apologizing to Todd for wasting his time, or at least including a " :-( " in your reply, you spend two posts arguing with me.

You should be thanking me for trying to teach you how to post a question. Experience has shown me that if you leave out a critical fact, the same people who answered you the first time are quite likely not to bother replying when you add something later. And I understand that. They feel like they wasted their time the first time, and for most, it drains their desire to answer again. I usually feel the same way.

And you should be thanking me because there's a bigger possible benefit to you. To learn to examine in advance everything you say and do to see if you are acting or speaking based on a misunderstanding, either your own or someone else's. So when your boss gives you an assignment, you won't work on it for 6 weeks only to find out that you're working on the wrong thing, that you misunderstood what he was talking about, or he failed to specify what he was talking about. And you'll be six weeks behind on your work, and you'll blame the boss and that will do you no good at all.

That's only one of a thousand places where it will do you good to learn to be specific in speaking and listening.

Remove NOPSAM to email me. Please let me know if you have posted also.

[F.H.]

Are you his daddy or his union steward?

Rule #10 from The Eternal Laws of Usenet: You, personally, are a unique, exciting, vibrant, intelligent, wise, and self effacing individual with a great deal to contribute to the newsgroups you select on the Net. So is every other schmuck who posts. Get over it.

Sounds like a personal problem.

Well Mr. self appointed hall monitor of perfection, one man's slight sarcasm is another's rude, condescending cheap shot. How one reacts to a request for help speaks volumes about character but (IME), character always takes a back seat when fragile ego's spot an opportunity to be stroked at someone else's expense.

If I look in the dictionary will I see your picture next to the definition of narcissist?

What a wonderful world it would be if everyone could simply learn from

*your* experiences. Of course it wouldn't be as much fun that way would it? For you, I mean. ;)

Anyone ever point out to you that you use the word *I* a lot? And how did we get from a simple question about a Kenmore washer to how you *feel*?

Wow! All this help without so much as a prayer on my part. The spirit of Thanksgiving is still in the air. Here's a clue for you Mr. Know-it-all. Most educated and experienced people make a point of avoiding those who begin sentences with "you should" "you never" "you always" etc.. Capisce?

My God you do jump to conclusions. It was a simple *omission*. For your information, I'm retired. I ran my own business for over 25 years. I *was* the boss, and I've fired more than a few smart asses like you.

Why do you suppose I think listening is not your long suit?

If you were *really* into efficiency and helping you would have simply asked "hey, is it a dishwasher or a cloths washer?" And if your as honest as you are perfectionist you would recognize that this whole bundle of advice is simply about you.

Eternal Laws of Usenet #8:

1. If you hate or love something, there is a newsgroup where people are discussing it. Abortion, Republicans, eating meat, tattooing, worship, bondage, whatever. You will be tempted to appear on that newsgroup and point out to everyone the error of their ways. Please keep in mind that you are the 4,000th person to do so.

[Terry]

Interesting! The moment read 'Kennmore' assumed it was a 'Kenmore clothes washer'! So is it; a) 'Clothes-washer'? Or b) 'Dish-washer'?

If it's dishwasher it MIGHT be as simple as the water over-level float switch clogged/gummed up with food residue! But in our case water filling time depends on the 'timer switch' contacts. Neither an overfill float switch or an electrically operated water inlet valve sound like they would be likely to be 'screechy' noisy! I agree with Todd H that the timer switch, is, (if it's DISH WASHER!) a likely cause. Cost of timer switches here can vary from $25 to $75. Replacement can vary from an easy to mount and plug in, to dealing with up to 15 individual wire connections! And have found that a new supposedly 'original/replacement' one can be slightly different, such as having extra contacts for another feature that our machine is not equipped for! Depending how electrically and mechanically competent one is (and willing to spend personal 'do it yourself' time versus cost) it MAY be possible to repair, say the contacts, or drive motor/gearing of such a timer for it to last for a few more years/months! As a retiree I have lotsa time, especially to save money! If it is, say, a $50 timer and an hour or so of personal time, seems a wasteful shame to replace a machine if it otherwise looks/works OK? On other hand I have relatives, coples who each work 60 hours a week, have family and/or traveling responsibilities and so do not have the time, skills or inclination to do such a repair themsleves.

[timbirr]

Actually, I sorta of skipped over the "screech" part. That's pretty telling of a bad timer. Good eye, Terry.