Category Archives: Appliance Repair Posts

All appliance repair categories.

Dryer repeatedly blowing thermal fuses? Here are some things to check.

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The number one cause for this is poor dryer venting. We professional appliantologists are always telling people this but they never believe us. As Sublime Master kdog so wisely observed, “We get to explain poor dryer venting situations to non-believing consumers on a daily basis.” http://applianceguru.com/forum2/27937-2.html#ixzz12xe1tMnD

I’ve got a dozen or so posts on this site dealing with dryer venting problems and explaining why proper venting is Numero Uno importanté for your dryer to run properly. Come check ’em out.

If your dryer vent exhaust looks like this, don’t be surprised if that thermal fuse keeps blowing over and over again…

Clogged dryer vent exhaust
(click to enlarge)

Need parts for your dryer? Get ’em here==> http://parts.fixitnow.com

Maytag Performa washer dancing around and banging during spin cycle? You need to replace the snubber assembly. Some tips…

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In addition to the washer dancing around and the top banging during the spin cycle, another sure sign that the snubber assembly is bad in your Maytag Performa washer is a bunch of white shavings around the main drive pulley.

The photo below shows an example of what you might see if your Maytag Performa washer snubber assembly is worn down:

Maytag Performa washer with a bad snubber ring assembly

What you see in the photo above are the snubber ring shavings. There is a small raised bead around the ring and when it wears away, it allows the milkstool to drop down an extra 1/4 inch which, in turn, makes the spring tension way to week to keep any type of load balanced without the machine beating itself to death or trying to walk out of the house.

While this isn’t a very difficult job, it does require a complete tear down of the machine.

Sublime Master Willie, from the Samurai School of Appliantology, offers these sage pearls of wisdom to assist you in your repair odyssey:

When I do this job, I remove all the motor wiring and pull the drain hose back into the cabinet and remove the complete outer cabinet.

Then to remove the springs I use metal electric outlet boxes, (6 of them, one for each spring), wedge a box into each spring so they will stay stretched when you remove them. Then gently pull the tub towards each spring as you carefully remove it being carefull not to pull the boxes out of the springs. When you reinstall each spring make sure you get the spring hook in the base plate back up thru the holes and lean the tub towards each spring as you reinstall each one.

Once the wash tub and milkstool assembly is out, turn it upside down on two 4×4’s so it sits nice and sturdy to work on.

Now this is where you need to be very carefull. The brake stator that holds the snubber ring in place is held on by 6 5/16″ bolts and that brake is under like 200pounds of pressure. Carefully back out each screw just a couple of turns, (you will need to back them all out about halfway, just go slow and even and make sure none come all the way out), until you can wiggle the snubber ring out from under the stator and reinstall the new one, tighten the six bolts back down.

Clean the snubber ring surface and the base plate real good with rubbing alcohol and then sprinkle some corn starch on the base plate where the snubber ring rides and put it all back together.

Here’s the part you need: CLICK HERE to see and/or order

Read more: Maytag Performa Washer Tub VERY loose. – http://applianceguru.com/view_topic.php?id=11689&forum_id=2#ixzz12r7WJbTr
Get appliance parts at http://parts.fixitnow.com

Here’s the part link to the snubber ring==> http://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Snubber-Ring/1055142?modelNumber=PAV2200AWW

Samurai Appliance Repair Man

The Samurai Family of Appliance Repair Websites

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 start the harvest cycle on an LG icemaker

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Sometimes, you need to manually start the harvest cycle in an ice maker when you’re troubleshooting a problem. Examples would be a mystery leak in the ice bucket or no ice. In the LG ice makers, manually starting the harvest cycle is as simple as pressing a button.

To start the harvest cycle, press and hold the fill key for 3 seconds. The icemaker will run thru:
harvest –> fill –> ice making.

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

Dishwashers and hard water: getting the best possible results

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Sublime Master Trying to help reveals a few secrets for getting good cleaning results in your dishwasher in hard water conditions:

Contrary to popular belief, you do not want too hot of water in hard water conditions. If you use any of the water heating options (Sani, Temp boost, etc.) try turning them off. If you are in a hard water area you can get flash drying. The water will evaporate off the glasses and plates instead of rinsing off leaving behind grit and all the hard water deposits. You want the water to be at least 125 degrees or so to activate the detergent, but that’s about it. Use a good POWDER detergent (Recommended amount I believe is 1 Tb-spoon per grain of hardness, if you are 10 or more, fill the cups) and boost your rinse aid up to Max.

I describe flash drying to people with this scenario. If you had a GORGEOUS black car, would you wash and wax it in the heat of the day in direct sun? When they say no I ask them why and they state it would leave all the those white spots all over it. This is what happens in the DW. Glasses look like they were rinsed in milk, and fine food particles are left behind. To prove you glasses have hard water (can be cleaned) and not etched (live with the white or chuck them) try filling one up with white vinegar half way and let it soak. If when you rinse it the white is gone from the area the vinegar was, it’s hard water. DW’s need 3 things, Mechanical action (Arms, you state they are spinning fine), Thermal (120-125 to activate detergent) and Chemical (Good quality POWDERED detergent matching the amount to the hardness and use rinse-aide.

Also make sure you are not skipping a fill during the cycle, or have the water siphoning out from the drain line not being looped up high enough or the lack of a siphon break if draining through the floor. If you know the filters are clean, and the arms are all clean and the water is there, and the motor turning, it might just be one of the things I listed.

Also, be sure to check out this post on phosphates and dishwashing detergent==> http://fixitnow.com/wp/2010/08/22/coping-with-phosphate-free-dishwashing-detergents/

And this one on handling hard water and mineral buildup problems==> http://fixitnow.com/wp/2010/07/06/handling-hard-water-and-mineral-buildup-in-todays-dishwashers/

Need parts or accessories for your dishwasher? Get ’em here==> http://parts.fixitnow.com

– Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Manually starting a defrost cycle in newer model Frigidaire/Electrolux refrigerators with ADC

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Jargon: ADC = Adaptive Defrost Control. If you don’t know what that means, this post will give you a quick background on it==> http://fixitnow.com/wp/2010/06/27/adapting-to-adaptive-defrost/

This procedure applies to the newer model Frigidaire/Electrolux refrigerators with ADC. Example model number: PHSC39EESS

To activate manual defrost, press and hold the Freezer temperature UP (WARMER) key
while pressing the Fresh Food temperature DOWN (COLDER) key 5 times within 6 seconds.

A “d” in the freezer temperature window and “F” in the refrigerator temperature window
will display when the heater is activated.

“d” and “F” will be displayed until the defrost cycle is complete. (approx. 8 minutes)

To deactivate manual defrost, press and hold Freezer temperature UP (WARMER) key
while pressing the Fresh Food temperature DOWN (COLDER) key 5 times within 6 seconds.

Buy parts for your refrigerator here==> http://parts.fixitnow.com

Handling the U1 error code on a Fisher-Paykel DD602 dishdrawer

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The U1 error code on these early-model F-P DD602 dishdrawers means that you need to set the water pressure to be either HP (high pressure) or LP (low pressure). Here’s how to do that:

– Turn on the drawer and open it

– Press the PROGRAM CHANGING and ECO buttons at the same time, wait about five seconds and the screen will show HP or LP

– Press the START/PAUSE button and the setting will change, the sound pitch will also sound high or low

– Turn off and test

Free appliance repair help via Twitter

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After the stunning success of the Repair Manuals via Twitter experiment started a couple weeks ago (see http://fixitnow.com/?p=5395), I am bloated with pleasure to announce that we are expanding the program to include all appliance repair help. Just tweet your most intimate appliance repair questions to @FixitnowSamurai and he’ll reply ASAP via Twitter. Here’s how:

1. Get a Twitter account (if you don’t already have one), it’s FREE: http://twitter.com
2. Tweet me your appliance repair questions– just start your message with “@fixitnowsamurai”
3. You don’t need to follow me on Twitter unless you want a repair manual. Read more: http://fixitnow.com/?p=5395. But if you’d like to follow me on Twitter, you can do so here==> http://www.twitter.com/FixitnowSamurai

Most questions can probably be successfully handled via Twitter. If it’s not a problem amenable to the Twitter venue– for example, needs photos, videos, diagrams to explain or answer– then I’ll let you know and we can take it up in the Samurai Appliance Repair Forums==> http://applianceguru.com

Follow FixitnowSamurai on Twitter

RepairClinic launches new state-of-the art website with a new parts search engine and expanded product line

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On Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2010, RepairClinic.com launched a new state-of-the-art website to provide customers with the highest quality service. This new site features, among other innovations, a new part-search engine loaded with additional part information; a more refined, but customer-friendly checkout process; and expanded product lines.

RepairClinic.com new product lines include outdoor power equipment, and vacuum cleaners. They offer both OEM and after-market parts for 24 brands of walk-behind lawn mowers, riding lawn mowers, zero turn radius (ZTR) lawn mowers, and small engines. They are also offering an entire inventory of OEM replacement parts and accessories for seven brands of vacuum cleaners.

New Features of RepairClinic.com:

Part Replacement Videos
RepairClinic.com has revolutionized the do-it-yourself world by producing step-by-step, high-definition part-replacement videos. Each video demonstrates complete disassembly, part replacement, and reassembly of the appliance. If a part-replacement video is available, a video icon will appear below the part description. We currently offer over 100 part-replacement videos and are producing over 40 new videos each month.

Search No Further
RepairClinic.com newly enhanced “Shop for Parts” search engine is unlike any other in the appliance-parts industry today: it unites customers with their parts more quickly and easily than ever before. The part selections are titled more clearly for easier identification and there inventory of parts are re-categorized for more accurate search results. Searches can be generated from menus or keywords, and customers can select or deselect search criteria at any time and in any order; generating a new set of results each time.

It’s All In the Details
Identifying parts is made easier with there “Part Detail” page which gives clear and precise part descriptions and displays larger part images. Most part images appear on a 1-square-inch grid, and can be viewed at twice their size for a more detailed view of the part. Many parts also have a “RepairGuru® Tip” offering additional helpful information about the part. They assign a skill-level rank to many parts: “one wrench” means an easy repair; “four wrenches” means a difficult repair and may need a repair technician.

Location, Location, Location
Providing a model number generates the most accurate result when searching for a part. RepairClinic.com exclusive “Model Number Identification” videos help customers identify the product’s model-number tag and its location on the product. Each video displays a rotating 3-D computer-generated illustration of the product showing clear views of possible tag locations. Also available for quick reference are static 3-D illustrations of each product for possible tag locations.

The Buck Stops Here
RepairClinic.com new and innovative checkout process allows customers to view, modify, and complete their order with ease. They have combined all of the checkout information onto one page to simplify the process. Customers complete each section, and review their order before submission to prevent any errors. A clear, concise order-confirmation page appears for printing for the customers’ records.

No Need For a Bloodhound
Tracking an order is now available directly from there website. Customers click on “Order Tracking” from any page on the website, “Log In” to their account, and click on the order number they want to track. Customers will view the ship date, shipment method, and the tracking number linked to the carrier. Customers can still contact “Customer Service” for order information, but online access is now much quicker and easier.

How to open up a Maytag Neptune top-load washer to replace the clutch… or do anything else inside the machine

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Brett wrote:

I am trying to replace the clutch in my Maytag Neptune fav6800aw top load washer and I need some more info. I read the forum on this topic but I do not see how to remove the front panel and how to replace the clutch with out removing the tub.

Brett

Ahh, Grasshoppah, it is the Samurai’s greatest joy to reveal this most sublime and esoteric of katas to you. Embrace your favorite putty knife tenderly and try to snatch this grain of rice from my hand:

Popping the Hood on a Maytag Neptune Top Loading Washer
(click to enlarge)

Very good! Now you are ready for the more advanced scroll of Appliantological wisdom which reveals the ancient and mystical kata of replacing the clutch in these sodden dragons. Behold the wisdom of the Master:

Replacing the Clutch in a Maytag FAV9800 TL Washer

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

How to manually start the defrost cycle in a Frigidaire freezer with electronic adaptive defrost control

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Example model number: FFU2065FW0

To manually defrost the freezer set the control to ” 2”
and press the up and down arrows simultaneously for three seconds.

“d” will appear in the display and a 30 minute defrost will occur.

The control will then restart its 12 hour compressor run time for the next automatic defrost cycle.

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

Deciphering the flashing error code lights on the control panel of a Frigidaire Affinity (and some Kenmores) front load washer

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This excursion into appliance repair error code cryptology applies to the Frigidaire-built “Affinity” line of front loading washers and Kenmore models with the 417 prefix in the model number (such as 417.48102701).

You turn on the washer by pressing the POWER button and the START light is flashing repeatedly telling you that there is an error condition. Now you have to put the washer into diagnostic mode to get the error code.

To get into diagnostic mode, press and hold both the START and POWER buttons at the same time until the lights go out and come back on, just takes a few seconds. The panel will immediately start flashing the error code. Again, both the START and STATUS lights will begin flashing at the same time, showing you the error code.

Deciphering these error codes can be confusing even for seasoned appliance repair warriors. But this little post should clear up the confusion for you.

Let’s start with the instructions from Le Manual:

The STATUS indicator lights will flash the number of times for the first digit of the code and the START indicator light will flash the number of times for the second digit. The code is obtained by counting the number of times the lights flash.

Now, two key things to keep in mind when deciphering the code:

1. The START light is not one of the STATUS lights; they are two different things. The START light is a single light above the diamond-shaped START button and the STATUS lights are the column of five lights to the right of the START light and above the round POWER button. Even though the STATUS lights are on the right-hand side, it flashes the first digit of the error code so you have to switch ’em in your head after you do the flash count.

2. When the machine displays the error codes, the START and STATUS lights will begin flashing the code at the same time, not independently.

Okay, ready for a pop quiz? See if you can figure out what error code is being flashed in this video. The video begins with the machine off. When it’s turned on, the START light is blinking continusly indicating and error condition and then the washer is put into diagnostic mode, as explained above, and the error code is flashed. The process is then repeated.

Think you got it? The correct answer is on the back of your computer monitor. Just kidding! The correct answer is error code 43: The STATUS lights are blinking four times and the START light is blinking three times.

Awwite, go fix that washer!

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