Category Archives: Appliance Repair Posts

All appliance repair categories.

Appliantology Newsletter: Stupid Plumber Tricks & Flooding Washers

Appliantology Newsletter
Stupid Plumber Tricks & Flooding Washers
June 2012
Don’t Let this Happen to You…
Yet another case of a washing machine that overfills and floods from the “Stupid Plumber’s Trick.” Typically, what happens is that the water flow got choked off in the washer and the machine started filling slowly, or the cold water stopped coming in. For some inexplicable reason, the owner got their plumber involved. Some hack plumbers (a small subset of the venerable plumbing trade) are famous for not knowing what they don’t know but *think* they know it all.

So the hack plumber starts poking around and opens the water inlet valve in back of the washer. He sees the protective sediment screens (note the word “protective”) clogged up with sediment and says, “Aha! I done found the problem! I’ll just remove these stupid screens that keep clogging up and problem solved. Imma frikkin’ genius!”

So instead of fixing the real problem, which is to install a sediment filter in the house water system, Stupid Plumber creates a new, bigger problem: now the valve is completely exposed to sediment damage and the piston inside the valve can– and often does– get stuck open so it can no longer shut off the flow of water into the washer. And the washer floods. I see this over and over again. Here are two examples; if you click the images below, it’ll take you to the video on YouTube where you can watch and hear more gory details:

Now, don’t get me wrong ‘cuz I ain’t complainin’ too much– fixing the boo-boos that those stupid plumbers make are helping me pay for my daughter’s big fat Greek wedding this September. So next time you see a plumber doing stupid tricks on an appliance, tell him Samurai Appliance Repair Man and The Appliance Guru said, “Domo, dude!”
Samurai Appliance Repair Man, www.Fixitnow.com

Replacement lid switch for a Whirlpool-Kenmore washer

Your Name: Ken

Type of Appliance: Washer

Brand: Kenmore

Model Number: 110.82781800

Your Precious Words:
Changing out the lid switch (#661517)and the only replacement part I can find is a 3-wire switch (#279347). My oem is a 2 wire switch. Can I use this replacement part safely? If so, how?

Hi Ken,

Here’s the genuine OEM replacement lid switch for your washer ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Door-Switch/279347/3406

The switch is designed to be multipurpose and can be safely used on your washer. If you look closely at the side of the switch with the two spades, you’ll see the letters “NO” and “NC.”

NO – Normally Open
NC – Normally Closed

You want attach one wire to the spade labeled “NO.”

The other side is common, attach the other wire to it and you’ll be good to go.

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box at Fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

GE Washer Service Manuals

Your Name: David

Type of Appliance: Washer

Brand: GE

Model Number: WJRE5550H1WW

Your Precious Words:
I am looking for a service manual for the above washer. I can’t find one on GE’s website. Is there another source? Thanks for your help.

Ah, Grasshoppah, you seek the coveted scroll on the GE Profile Washers with the mystical Infusor washer system. Yes, we have the particular scroll you seek as well as many others in the colossal Library of the Appliantology Academy. However, only Apprentice Appliantologists possess sufficient chi to download manuals there.

Do you think you have what it takes to become an Apprentice? We shall see; can you snatch this pebble from my hand, Grasshoppah?

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box at Fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Maytag dryer shuts down in mid-cycle; must cool down to re-start

Your Name: Joe

Type of Appliance: Dryer

Brand: maytag

Model Number: SDE2606AYW

Your Precious Words:
dryer shuts off in midcycle is after it cools down can restart it. The timer keeps running even after the dryer motor has shut down

Hi Joe,

You have what we Professional Appliantologists call a “bad motor.” The motor is over-heating and tripping its internal thermal overload protector. The thermal overload protector is an integral part of the motor. So, the fix is to replace the motor. Here’s the part link to the motor with a 365-day return policy ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Drive-Motor/2200376/948442?modelNumber=SDE2606AYW

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box at Fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man
http://fixitnow.com

The Appliantology Academy
http://appliantology.org

Like us on Facebook
http://facebook.com/fixitnowsamurai

Whirlpool dryer makes a horrible squeaking noise

Your Name: Lori

Type of Appliance: Dryer

Brand: Whirlpool

Model Number: WGD8300SWI

Your Precious Words:
Trying to find a schematic for this model the pully has a horrendous squeak and I used w-d-40, still screeching. So I need to buy a part but instead of taking it out and dryer sitting with down time while I search for the part, I would rather leave it in, and continue to use the dryer, while I order the part. Need to diagram that shows all the pulleys so I can identify the one it is and need a part number.

Lori, it’s time to gut this beast. Install the Maintenance Kit for this dryer and move on. Here’s the part link to the maintenance kit you need ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Maintenance-Kit/4392067/587637

And here’s how to install it:

If you (or other readers) have the Duet Style dryer, here’s how to disassemble it to install the parts:

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box at Fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man
http://fixitnow.com

The Appliantology Academy
http://appliantology.org

Like us on Facebook
http://facebook.com/fixitnowsamurai

Whirlpool gas dryer – no heat

Your Name: Gary

Type of Appliance: Dryer

Brand: Whirlpool

Model Number: LG5801 Natural Gas

Your Precious Words:
Thermal Fuse is good.
Has continuity or 0 ohms.
no heat.
?

Hi Gary,

In any gas dryer, if the thermal fuse has continuity, the problem will be one of these three components:

Gas Valve Coils

Ignitor

Flame Sensor

Let’s step through some tips and tricks for ferreting out which one is the bad actor.

Gas Valve Coils

These often fail intermittently, making diagnosis difficult. To test, watch the burner assembly while the dryer is heating. If the igniter glows for a while and then shuts off without the gas turning on, it usually means one of these coils is bad. Here’s the part link with a 365-day return policy ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Gas-Valve-Solenoid/279834/3479

And here’s how to replace ’em:

Ignitor

Here’s the part link to the ignitor with a 365-day return policy ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Dryer-Igniter/279311/3415

Here’s how to test the ignitor:

And here’s how to replace it:

Flame Sensor

This flame sensor should have continuity at room temperature (no flame). Check for continuity with a multi-meter before replacing. Here’s the part link to the flame sensor with a 365-day return policy ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Flame-Sensor/338906/2681

This video explains how to test the flame sensor:

This video shows how to replace it:

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box at Fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man
http://fixitnow.com

The Appliantology Academy
http://appliantology.org

Like us on Facebook
http://facebook.com/fixitnowsamurai

Appliantology Newsletter: Refrigerator Repair Visualized

Appliantology Newsletter
Refrigerator Repair Visualized
Late-May 2012
Professional Appliantologists mark the seasons by the prevalence of a particular appliance failure. For example, we are currently in what we professional Appliantologists call, “Refrigerator Season.” This is the time of year when the warm, humid weather brings out all those incipient and latent problems with your refrigerator: fresh food (beer) compartment no longer cold, no ice from the ice maker, water leaking from the freezer, etc. This issue offers you visual (video) repair tips for various common refrigerator problems that you’re likely to see this Refrigerator Season. These are just a few selections– check out all the videos on our Youtube channel. Each week we add new videos; subscribe to our channel so you don’t miss ’em!
Troubleshooting a Water Dispenser that Quit Dispensing Water

Fixing a Refrigerator with a Warm Beer (fresh food) Compartment

Fixing an Ice Dispenser that Only Dispenses Crushed Ice

Troubleshooting the Electronics in an LG Refrigerator

Appliantology.org, www.Appliantology.org

Bosch washer showing Error Code 13, slow draining

Your Name: Dave

Type of Appliance: Washer

Brand: Bosch

Model Number: wfmc4301uc

Your Precious Words:
Machine goes into error code 13 way to many times usually on heavy loads but it has done it on all types of loads. Bosch says its timing out on drain and it’s not the filter clogged on my machine,or too much soap.If it ‘s sensing water in the drum. HELP!!

Hi Dave,

Yes, the control throws the E:13 error code when the drain time is too long. There are two reasons for this:

1. An actual restriction in the drain hose or the suction boot to the pump;

2. A bad drain pump.

That’s it. I explain in detail how to track down this problem in front load washers in this action-packed episode of my award-winning podcast ==> http://fixitnow.com/wp/2012/04/04/ge-front-loading-washer-will-not-drain-even-after-the-pump-filter-was-cleaned-out-what-else-could-the-problem-be/

If, after listening to my podcast above, the drain hose and suction boot check good, then that only leaves the drain pump itself. Replace it and go on with life. You can buy the replacement drain pump here with a 365-day return policy ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Drain-Pump/436440/1106007?RCAID=24038

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box at Fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

GE refrigerator leaking water all over the freezer

Your Name: Lisa

Type of Appliance: Refrigerator

Brand: GE Artica

Model Number: PSF26PG/PSS26PS

Your Precious Words:
I have a GE Artica Model Number PSF26PG/PSS26PS
under those number was this number also PSW26PS.
This after noon my freezer was covered in ice and water…looks like it melted or dripped into the freezer. It was all over like that. I unplugged it i did notice the entire time water was continually dripping from the ice maker. So i cleaned it all up.. none was on the out side on the floor or anything (until i actually moved it from the wall) so i went in the living room checked it out a couple hours later there was water all over freezing up in ice cicles and etc. So i turned the water off to it and just checked it and all is fine. The ice maker is abt 2 to 2.5 years old…i replaced it and things have been fine with it since as far as making ice and etc goes… any ideas what to do now??? I am at a loss on this..Any help would be appreciated

Hi Lisa,

Going by your description of water all over the inside of the freezer, it sounds like the ice maker fill tube in back of the may be out of position and is spraying water each time it tries to fill the ice maker. If that’s good, then that only leaves the ice maker itself as the source of the leak. Common problem in the Samsung-built GE refrigerators. You can buy the replacement ice maker here with a 365-day return policy ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Ice-Maker-Assembly/WR30X10093/1399596?RCAID=24038

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box at Fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

How to troubleshoot and repair a broken water dispenser problem on a GE side-by-side refrigerator [video]

Join the Samurai on a troubleshooting adventure where he expertly tracks down the problem with a GE side-by-side refrigerator that won’t dispense water; the ice maker and ice dispenser still work, just the water dispenser is INOP. This video shows how to isolate the problem and the common fix for certain models.

Details on the dispenser heater kit mentioned in the video here ==> http://fixitnow.com/wp/2009/01/25/no-water-from-the-dispenser-on-a-ge-refrigerator/

For free, interactive repair help, go to the Appliantology Academy ==> http://appliantology.org

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box here at Fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Appliantology Newsletter: The Warm Refrigerator Fire Drill

Appliantology Newsletter
The Warm Refrigerator Fire Drill
Early-May 2012
The Warm Refrigerator Fire Drill

So you’re minding your own business, going about your morning and getting ready for work. You open the refrigerator for your morning beer and discover, to your horror, that all the beer is warm! Bile burns the back of your throat as your trembling hands frantically search the internet for an answer. But your terror turns into frustration and then outright rage after you’ve sifted through a dozen pages of fluff and non-answers. Why isn’t there a page that can just methodically guide a panic-stricken mind through process of figuring out what’s wrong with his warm refrigerator?
Ahh, but there is! Behold the Samurai’s Warm Refrigerator Flowchart. It’s the perfect page for a Grasshoppah facing down a warm refrigerator. The Samurai methodically and expertly steps you through the diagnosis and then links you to the page that shows you exactly how to fix the problem. Check out the Warm Refrigerator Flowchart, download it today and keep it handy. Also makes a great gift for that special someone who already has it all.
Washer & Dryer Recommendations

In this episode of their award-winning and internationally-acclaimed podcast on Fixitnow.com Radio, Samurai Appliance Repair Man and Mrs. Samurai discuss their recommendations if you’re considering buying a new washer and dryer. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, it’ll become a part of you. Come have a listen.
In the podcast, they discuss stand-alone machines; if you’re thinking about buying a stack laundry unit, you’ll want to watch this short video from the Samurai’s alter-ego.
Appliance Service in New London, NH

The Samurai is re-launching his local in-home appliance service business as The Appliance Guru. It’s an old business with a new name. Why? Well, our other business name, Fixitnow.com Samurai Appliance Repair Man, plays well on the web but we discovered not so good as a service business. For one thing, people just could not seem to remember the web site address, Fixitnow.com. Invariably, they’d ask, “What was it again, Fixit.com?” We actually had a local writer do an entire article in a local magazine about our site and she re-named it, “Fixitagain.com!” Read more about our name change here.
So if you live in the New London, New Hampshire, area or know someone who does, please keep The Appliance Guru in mind for expert in-home appliance repair service!
The Appliantology Academy, www.Appliantology.org

Samurai’s washer and dryer recommendations [podcast]

Your Name: Matt

Type of Appliance: None

Brand: ?

Model Number: ?

Your Precious Words:
OK, so I am ready to buy another set of laundry machines. After coming to this site for the last 8 or so years I figured you’d be best to ask….

Top loader or front loader?
Old skool or hi efficient?

I really want machines that work & don’t break down (too often#. Doing about 2+ loads a day gives these appliances alot of use. If I buy new machines I don’t want to smell mold when I open the washer & I don’t need bells & whistles or computer boards that crash either.
The set I have now #Whirlpool – Washer LSQ9549LWO & Gas Dryer LGQ9857LWO) has given me some troubles over the past 7 years….all dryer issues (& a 24′ vent run!) but now I have an agitator that isn’t agitatin’, a rusty lid and a tub that looks scumy #soap scum above normal water line# on the washer…..so, the wife wants new, even though these machines do a decent job of cleaning!
I’ve checked consumer reports and reviews from lots of sites and there is soooo much conflicting information. I was ready to buy the Whirlpool WGD94HEXW based on consumer reports recommendation##1# but then I read the reviews #only 1 star buy owners of the machines#. I want to make a good decision! Can you help shed some light on my dy-lemma?

Or, let me ask you like this……if you were to go get yourself a new set of machines….what would the Samurai buy?

Thanks, in advance, for your wisdom!

Great question! In this episode of their award-winning and internationally-acclaimed podcast on Fixitnow.com Radio, Samurai Appliance Repair Man and Mrs. Samurai discuss their recommendations if you’re considering buying a new washer and dryer. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, it’ll become a part of you. Come have a listen.

In the podcast, they discuss stand-alone machines; if you’re thinking about buying a stack laundry unit, you’ll want to watch this short video from the Samurai’s alter-ego.

Click the play button below to listen to our reply:

How to force the adaptive defrost control (ADC) into test mode in the new-style GE top-mount refrigerators [video]

Your Name: JEFF

Type of Appliance: Refrigerator

Brand: GE

Model Number: HTH17CBT2RWW

Your Precious Words:
How to force adaptive defrost contol to test. part #WR55X10900
This is a new style top mount, even tech sheet on back only shows schematic.

Hi Jeff,

Short answer: Press the fresh food door switch 3 times within 5 seconds and close the FF door when the control is not in defrost or dwell.

Long answer: Watch the screencast…

Part link to the ADC board ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Circuit-Board-Timer/WR55X10900/1535852?RCAID=24038

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box at Fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Pulling an appliance out without damaging the floor using appliance glides

Name: Gene

Type of Appliance Oven/Range/Stove/Cooktop

Brand: any

Model Number: none

Briefly Describe the Problem: Their used to be these nylon runners about 4 inches wide and about 2-3 feet long that were used to place under the feet of appliances and pull them out from easily without damaging the flooring.I am a appliance tech and used to have a set but have misplaced them and am looking for a new set of what i am calling “appliance glides” Do they still exist and if so where can i get them.

I’m sure one of the senior techs knows what im takling about,if i am not mistaken i belive i got them from Wagner appliance parts but in searching their website i can not find them and sure would love a new set. They work just as well as air sleds and were a whole lot less expensive

Howdy Gene,

Indeed there is! You’re talking about the good ol’ Glide n’ Guard floor protectors:

Glide n' Guard floor protectors

Standard piece of equipment in my appliance service Prius. Come git you a set here ==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Floor-Protectors-for-Moving-Appliance/93001/12914

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box here at Fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Refrigerator water dispenser drips water after use

Your Name: MICHAEL

Type of Appliance: Refrigerator

Brand: FRIGIDAIRE

Model Number: FLSC23F6DS2

Your Precious Words:
EACH TIME AFTER USING WATER DISPENSER, IT DRIPS ABOUT 6-7 DROPS. THE TRAY FILLS UP AFTER AWHILE AND WATER IS ON THE FLOOR. I CHANGED TO DISPENSER LEVR/ACTUATOR BUT THAT DID NOT STOP THE DRIPPING. WHAT’S UP?

Hi Michael,

This is a classic case of air trapped in the refrigerator’s water tubing. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including air bubbles in the incoming water supply to the refrigerator that travel in with the water. If the air bubble happens to be in a part of the tubing that is outside the refrigerated compartment (for example, the tubing in the door), it warms up and expands, pushing water out the dispenser in dribbles and drops like you’re seeing.

The cure is to simply run a bunch of water through the dispenser to purge the air from the system. Usually a gallon is sufficient.

You can find whatever appliance part you need through the parts search box at Fixitnow.com. No harm in buying and trying with our 365-day, no-hassle return policy, even on electrical parts that were installed!

Subscribe to our FREE, award-winning newsletter, Appliantology: The Oracle of Appliance Enlightenment ==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com and download your free report on appliance brand recommendations! Every issue is jam-packed with appliance repair tips and inside information direct from the Samurai’s fingertips to your engorged and tingling eyeballs.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

To learn more about your refrigerator, or to order parts, click here.