Author Archives: Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Weird idler pulley on a Whirlpool-Kenmore series 80 dryer

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Phil the insurance guy wrote:

Oh Mighty and Wise One, I have a Kenmore 80 Series dryer. After replacing the igniter, I am ready to put the drum and belt back on, but I have a part, and I think it may be incomplete. In the diagrams I’ve seen online, it shows the idler bracket attached to an idler wheel, which pulls the belt tight. However, mine does not have a wheel – it only has a “C” guide with no moving parts, which would seem to create too much friction. It looks very smooth, like it may have had a belt running over it for ten years, but this just kinda goes against my grasshoppah intuition. Does this look right? Am I missing a wheel or something? (see photo uploaded) Thanks for replies.

Cheap-ass Whirlpool dryer roller-less idler pulley

Yea verily, the Samurai is well-acquainted with the abomination of which you speak (and show in your photo).

This was one of Whirlpool’s many brief forays into engineering dementia when they thought they could save a shekel and a half by eliminating the roller on the idler pulley. Net result? Boocoo premature belt failures.

Finally, after years on the market and under overwhelming screaming and kvetching from servicers and customers alike, Whirlpool finally caved and went back to the tried and true roller-style idler pulley.

For more info, read my post on this which includes other photos and a link to the proper, roller-style idler pulley:

Crappy Idler Slider Pulley on Whirlpool-built Dryers Causing Noise and Broken Belts

– Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

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

Troubleshooting GE Arctica refrigerator evaporator fan problems

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One of the first smooth moves you’ll want to do when troubleshooting evaporator fan motor problems in a GE Arctica refrigerator is to put it into diagnostic mode. Here’s how:

Self Diagnostics

To enter Self Diagnostic mode, both temperature control panel displays must be illuminated.

A display can be illuminated by pressing an adjacent temperature adjustment button.

When both displays are illuminated, set the freezer and refrigerator temperature settings to 5.

Simultaneously press and hold all 4 temperature adjustment buttons for approximately 3 seconds.

A flashing 0 in the refrigerator and freezer displays will indicate that the refrigerator is in Self Diagnostic mode.

For temperature control panels with single-digit displays, the COLDER temperature adjustment button will
increment the numbers up and the WARMER temperature adjustment button will increment the numbers down.

Use the freezer temperature adjustment buttons to enter the test code number in the freezer display.

Use the refrigerator temperature adjustment buttons to enter the test code number in the refrigerator display.

When a test code has been entered, the displays will flash to confirm the test.

Press the HOLD button for 3 seconds to begin the test.

When testing has been completed, do one of the following things:
• Enter code 1 5 to completely reset the system.
• Enter code 1 6 to exit diagnostic mode. The temperature control panel is reset automatically.
• Unplug the refrigerator for at least 10 seconds. Test mode will terminate when the refrigerator is
plugged back in.

Test mode will terminate automatically after 15 minutes of inactivity

Troubleshooting GE Arctica Refrigerator Evaporator Fan Problems
(click to enlarge)

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

Tips for running test mode on LG washing machines

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Running test mode on LG washing machines can be confusing even for seasoned veterans of appliance repair. Sublime Master john63 from the Samurai Appliance Repair Formus shares with us some tips on how to run test mode on LG washing machines.

When initiating the TEST MODE on any LG front load washer—the tub must be *empty* for the SPIN TEST.

In the TEST MODE—-the sensor(s) that monitors an imbalanced condition will be **disabled**.

If the TEST MODE is intiated and there’s laundry in the tub during the *SPIN TEST*— the tub will spin violently.

The *correct* method for testing a SPIN CYCLE with laundry would be:

1) Load Laundry in Tub / Close Door

2) Power “On”

3) Press SPIN SPEED button (maximum speed setting)

4) Press “START” button

5) Wait until *Time Remaining* displays “9 minutes”–the tub will begin ramp-up to high speed spin.

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

Appliantology Newsletter, Fall 2010

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Appliantology Newsletter, Fall 2010

0. Introduction
1. New appliance repair posts
2. There are blogs, and then there are forums
3. Website enhancements
4. Scribd document stash
5. Samurai the twit
6. Repair manuals on request… free
7. Facebook
8. Hillstomping update
9. Domo!

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0. Introduction

Like Autumn leaves wafting to the ground, another issue of Appliantology falls into your inbox. Movin’ on…

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1. New appliance repair posts

It’s been a busy three months since the last Appliantology newsletter. I’ve cranked out over 300 new pearls of appliantological wisdom since June at Fixitnow.com. Most deal with specific problems in all sorts of brands, models, and types of major appliances. But a few are of more general interest or apply to common appliance problems. Here are some highlights:

Diagnosing Dishwasher Door Leaks http://fixitnow.com/?p=4311

Diagnostic Flowcharts for GE Refrigerators With a Muthaboard http://fixitnow.com/?p=4309

Warm Refrigerator Troubleshooting Flowchart http://fixitnow.com/?p=4296

Diagnosing and Repairing Spin and Agitate Problems in a Whirlpool / Kenmore Direct Drive Washer http://fixitnow.com/?p=4272

Handling Hard Water and Mineral Buildup in Today’s Dishwashers http://fixitnow.com/?p=4260

Estimating Home Appliance Energy Use http://fixitnow.com/?p=4251

Coping with Phosphate-free Dishwashing Detergents http://fixitnow.com/?p=4454

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2. There are blogs, and then there are forums

Fixitnow.com is a blog, where I write posts and registered users can post comments or followup questions. Our forums, on the other hand, are at ApplianceGuru.com. This is where registered users can initiate questions and receive help from myself or other techs. You must register separately at both- one registration does not cross over to the other. Please do – it’s free and I wanna hear from you!

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3. Website enhancements

I got rid of that stuffy, cramped three-column layout and went to a simple two-column design. This gives a bigger content area and less junk. Have a look and lemme know whatcha think: http://fixitnow.com

We’ve gone mobile! Now you can have Fixitnow.com to go. I’ve added mobile capability to the site so it’s user-friendly for most cell phones. And there’s a special feature just for mobile users. Read more: http://fixitnow.com/?p=5353

I’m starting to build a collection of wiring diagrams, tech sheets, and schematics. As I get ’em, I upload them to the site and make them searchable to all, free of charge, always. Special domo to Sublime Master appl.tech.29501 for sending me mucho diagrams. If you have any tech sheets or schematics in good condition and you’d like to be part of this project, please email them to me so I can add them to the growing library. You can also fax them to me at 866-315-4504.

I know it can be confusing to navigate a new website so I’ve added a new orientation page that gives a quick run-down on how to use the site: http://fixitnow.com/Nm

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4. Scribd document stash

I’ve been steadily building a stash of various appliance repair PDFs on Scribd, all free and available for download. You may have seen posts at Fixitnow.com with embedded documents in a scrollable, re-sizable viewer. Those are docs in my Scribd stash. I’ve got ’em grouped by appliance type so it’s pretty easy to paw through and find what you’re looking for. Here are the links to the various collections:

Dryers: http://scr.bi/bhCHbO

Dishwashers: http://scr.bi/cRTnoa

Washing Machines: http://scr.bi/969u2L

Ranges/Ovens/Stoves: http://scr.bi/bghQxs

Ice Makers: http://scr.bi/9mSl8w

Refrigerators: http://scr.bi/cLqYqz

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5. Samurai the twit

I had given up on Twitter a few months back and just ran the RSS feed for the forum into my Twitter profile. After several months of that, I’ve rediscovered Twitter as a highly convenient venue for blasting out hand-picked pearls of appliantological wisdom gleaned from the repair forums, ApplianceGuru.com, and beyond. I also tweet out new posts from my blog site, Fixitnow.com.

I end up doing about half a dozen or so tweets a day. Here’s the link to my Twitter profile which you can follow to get the pearls I’m continually casting:

I’ve found that one of the best uses of Twitter is for short communications with you. Whether it’s a quick appliance repair question or you’re having trouble finding something at my site or using the repair forum, Twitter is perfect for this. When you send me an @ message on Twitter– a message that begins with “@FixitnowSamurai”– I see it and can reply right away. This is superior to email because:

1) It’s brief! Twitter messages are limited to 140 characters. I get tons of email, lots of it looong rambling, hard-to-follow sagas of broken appliances. If I were to give all the email the attention they need, I wouldn’t get anything else done. Twitter forces brevity. With brevity comes clarity. Or, in pseudo-Latin, “E brevitas, claritas.”

2) No bounced emails. Another reason I hate replying to appliance repair questions via email is because sometimes people have a bad email address filled in on their return email. I can’t tell you the number of times I would stop what I was doing, take the time to compose a thoughtful reply to an email only to have it bounce. Argh!

3) The conversation is public so others can benefit from the exchange.

4) @fixitnowsamurai messages are pushed right to my iPhone and go into a special stack so they don’t get lost in the daily crush of email.

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6. Repair manuals on request… free

Aside from getting my appliance repair tweets (and the occasional tweet about other stuff), one of the big reasons you’ll want to follow me is to get repair manuals.

It is one of the Samurai’s greatest joys in life to assist his precious Grasshoppers and Apprentices in their journey to Appliance Nirvana™. If you need a service manual for your insolent appliance, just ax me!

Service manuals on request via Twitter: http://fixitnow.com/?p=5395

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7. Facebook

I only post select things at my Facebook page because the “etiquette” there is a little different than on Twitter. I average less than one post a day. But Facebook is more interactive and there’s usually more comments and back and forth. The really annoying thing about Facebook pages is that there is no notification whatsoever on new wall posts or new comments to posts; I have to go in and look for what’s new. Since when is Facebook shy about notifying you for *anything*?

But it would be awesome if you’d “like” my Facebook page. Then hopefully your friends will see that you liked it and they’ll come check it out and, well, you know, that whole sick viral thing gets going: http://facebook.com/fixitnowsamurai

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8. Hillstomping update

An Appliantology newsletter just would not be complete without a hillstomping update!

I’ve done lots of hiking since my last newsletter but here are three selected slideshows that I think you’ll enjoy. If you’re at your desktop computer, turn your speakers up to hear the music and get the full experience. If you’re on your phone, the photos will render mobile-friendly but you won’t get the music. Either way, enjoy!

Magical Sunset on Old Bridal Path: http://bit.ly/bc5TSo

Mt. Niphon (Jefferson) and Awesome Sunset on the Gulfside Trail: http://bit.ly/98d13D

North and South Kinsman with Mah Boyz: http://bit.ly/9Nws4a

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9. Domo!

Thanks for your support! Whether you buy your appliance parts thru the parts links at Fixitnow.com or ApplianceGuru.com, click the Google ads on the sites, like our Facebook page, or follow us on Twitter, I want you to know that we really and sincerely appreciate your support. Our sites exist because of and for you.

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

The Samurai Family of Appliance Repair Websites

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P.S. A word on Twitter clients

There’s a bewildering assortment of Twitter clients out there for every conceivable device and it can be confoosing to figure out which one to choose. I’ve used just about all of ’em and can offer you my opinion on the best Twitter clients by application, just Google them to find them more:

iPhone: SimplyTweet
iPad: Twittelator
iMac or other desktop: Chromed Bird, an extension for Google Chrome (best browser)

You may have a different opinion; that’s fine, use whatever works for you. I offer my opinion for those who have no experience with Twitter and aren’t sure how to get started.

### ### ### ~~~ fini ~~~ ### ### ###

How to replace the muthaboard in a GE refrigerator

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Seems like every day or so, I either get an email or someone asks the question in the repair forum, “How do I replace the motherboard in my GE refrigerator?”

Well, these folks either don’t have the new muthaboard yet or they threw out the instruction sheet that comes packaged inside the box with every new board, as you can see…

Go ahead and click it, you’ll see for yourself. And, in case you need one, you can buy the board right there, too. 🙂

Anyway, if you already have the board and you lost your destruction sheet, you can borrow mine; just be sure to return it!

WR55X10552 Motherboard Replacement

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

No mas: we don’t charge for appliance repair advice!

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Yvonne wrote:

Please do not charge me for any more advice other than that received today. I can’t afford to be charge more than the initial $24.

You have us confoosed with another website; we didn’t charge you $24 for advice. How do I know? Because we give out appliance repair advice for FREE all day long at the Samurai School of Appliantology!

Oh, I know– we’re insane! How do we make money givin’ it all away? Volume.

But we also do marital counseling for we charge a small fee. Are you and your husband gettin’ along okay, darlin’?

I’m here all week. Tell your friends. Thankya vrry much. [that’s my best online Elvis impersonation]

Samurai Appliance Repair Man
http://fixitnow.com

Parts==> http://parts.fixitnow.com
Forums==> http://applianceguru.com
Facebook==> http://facebook.fixitnow.com
Twitter==> http://twitter.fixitnow.com
Newsletter==> http://newsletter.fixitnow.com

How to manually unlock a stuck door on a Whirlpool Duet washer

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This procedure is for the Whirlpool Duet (not the Duet “Sport”) and Kenmore HEt front load washers. Example Whirlpool model numbers: GHW9100L GHW9200L GHW9150

Manually Unlocking the Door Lock System

1. Unplug washer or disconnect power.

2. Remove the lower kick panel.

3. Reach up along the inside of the front and locate the bottom of the door switch/lock unit.

4. Located on the bottom of the door switch/lock unit is a tear-drop shaped tab.

5. Gently pull the tab down about a ¼” or until a click is heard.

6. The door may be opened.

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

A fantastic photo essay detailing the disassembly of the motor-pump on the new Bosch Ascenta dishwashers, an Internet premiere exclusive!

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Now, for the first time ever on the Internet, an illustrated and annotated guide to disassembling the motor-pump assembly on Bosch’s new budget line of dishwashers, ironically named “Ascenta.”

slantsixdan, a Scholar of Advanced Appliantological Studies at the Samurai School of Appliantology, has written this fine photo essay detailing this procedure. It’s even better than the procedure illustrated in the official Bosch service manual. Let’s tip toe through these repair tulips with Dan:

Bosch Ascenta Dishwasher SHX3AM05UC01 Motor-pump Disassembly

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

Troubleshooting tip when working on a Kenmore HE2T / Whirlpool Duet “Sport” washer, RE: door panels, F28

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International Academy of Sublime Masters of Appliantology Fellow, Willie, recently offered these troubleshooting tips in the Samurai School of Appliantology. Y’all gather ’round, chillin’, and let’s listen in:

This appears to be a HE2T Kenmore – a Whirlpool Duet ‘SPORT’.

It’s very important to have all the panels in place or if not in place and testing remove ground switch and wrap with electrical tape to keep switch closed while testing.

If any of the grounding wires that go thru the front or rear panel ground switch are broken or the switches are bad, (OR PANELS OFF), you will get a F28 error.

____________________
William Burk (Willie)
Willie’s Budget Appliance Repair
Eureka, CA 95501

Sent from my iPad

Appliance repair service manuals on request via Twitter… FREE!

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This is a shameless and experimental Twitter promotional campaign. Here’s how it works:

● Go to Twitter.com. If you have an account, log in; otherwise, create a free new account.

● Follow me on Twitter; my Twitter username is @fixitnowsamurai. This is important because if you don’t follow me, I can’t get the manual to you as explained below. Here’s my Twitter page: http://twitter.com/fixitnowsamurai

● Send a tweet to @fixitnowsamurai requesting the service manual you need. Just send one tweet– don’t worry, I’ll get it. Be sure to include your complete model number; no model number, incomplete model number, bad model number = no manual. Model number help here: http://fixitnow.com/wp/2003/05/22/appliance-tip-of-the-day-the-ten-commandments-for-reading-appliance-model-numbers/ NOTE:Sending multiple, repetitive tweets is unnecessary, obnoxious, and will delay getting a manual.

● If I have the manual (and I usually do), I’ll send you the download link via direct message on Twitter.

That’s it!

We’ll see how this works out. If it turns into a big headache for you or me, that’ll be the end of this brave new ‘spearmint. But I’m hoping this will turn out to be one of those synergistic, symbiotic kinda deals. If this works out, I have other plans in mind that I think you’ll like. 😉