Appliance Repair Newsletter May 2005

May 2005 Speed Up Your Slow Washing Machine	Gas dryer Electric dryer
If your top-load washing machine has a particularly slow wash cycle, check how long it takes to fill with water. Washers should fill completely in just a few minutes. If yours takes much longer, there’s a good chance the culprit is the water inlet valve and replacing it will get your washer moving faster again. Water inlet valve installation instructions: For all brands and models: • Disconnect the washing machine from its power source. • Turn off the hot and cold water supply valves to the washing machine. If there are no shut-off valves you must shut the water off at the main water supply valve. • Remove the water supply hoses from the washing machine. The water supply hoses are connected to the water inlet valve. From this point on, installation instructions vary by brand and model. Here are the most common: Maytag Top Loader Whirlpool, Kitchen Aid, Kenmore, Roper, Estate, after 1985 (direct drive, no belt, top loader) GE, Hotpoint, (valve on middle right side of washer) GE, Hotpoint, (valve inside upper control panel) Frigidaire, Top Loader - Valve Inside Upper Control Panel Frigidaire, Top Loader, Valve in Main Body of Washer (not in control panel) Others
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Water inlet valve installation instructions for the most common washing machines Maytag, Top Loader • Remove the screw holding the inlet valve mounting plate to the washer. • Remove the two screws holding the valve to the mounting plate. • Lift the plate up slightly and pull it out of the washer. • Label the wires and remove them. • Disconnect the water feed tube from the valve. • Install the new valve. • Flush out the water fill hoses. • Reassemble in reverse. • Turn on the water supply valves. • Check for and correct any leaks. • Restore power and test operation. Whirlpool, Kitchen Aid, Kenmore, Roper, Estate, after 1985 • The valve will be mounted to the back of the washer with two screws. However, you must remove the valve from inside the washing machine, and this requires you remove the entire washer cabinet, which consists of the top, front and sides. • Remove the two screws in the lower corners of the control panel. • Lift the control panel up high enough so it stays up and back. • Disconnect the wire harness connector. • Using a flathead screwdriver, snap out the two gold-colored spring clips at the top of the cabinet on the left and right sides. • The cabinet will now lift up at the back. Pull the cabinet up 10-12 inches and then slide it forward 2 inches. • Remove the cabinet completely and set it aside. • The valve will be on the right side of the washer at the back. It’s the device to which the water fill hoses are attached. • Label the wires from the valve and remove them. • Remove the water feed tube(s) from the valve. • Remove the screws holding the valve to the back panel. • Install the new valve in the reverse order. • Reinstall the cabinet. (Note: As you follow this procedure, do not force the cabinet in any way. When done properly, the cabinet will go back together very smoothly.) First, tilt the cabinet toward you 10-12 inches while you “walk” the cabinet back onto the lower frame of the washer. (This will be easier if you have the washer lid open so you can see inside the cabinet at the same time.) The front edge of the cabinet slides underneath the base frame, and the sides of the cabinet rest on top of the base frame. • When the cabinet is resting on the frame squarely, check to be sure the back of the washer is aligned with the cabinet. There are two plastic strips attached to the back of the washer that must line up with the sides of the cabinet as you set the cabinet down. • Reinstall the two spring clips at the top. • Reattach the wire harness connector. • Rotate the control panel back down and reinstall the two screws. • Flush out the water fill hoses. • Reattach the water lines. • Turn on the water. • Check for and correct any leaks. • Restore power and test. GE, Hotpoint, (valve on middle right side of washer) • The water inlet valve is attached to a metal plate, which is attached to the washer. Remove the screws holding the metal plate to the washer. • Remove the screws holding the inlet valve to the metal plate. • Label the wires to the valve and remove them. • Remove the water feed tube from the valve. • Install the new valve. • Flush out the water fill hoses. • Reassemble in reverse. • Turn on the water supply valves. • Check for and correct any leaks. • Restore power and test operation. GE, Hotpoint, (valve inside upper control panel) • Open the main control panel by removing two screws. • Remove the two screws holding the valve down. • Label the wires to the valve and remove them. • Disconnect the water feed tube. • Install the new valve. • Flush out the water fill hoses. • Reassemble in reverse. • Turn on the water supply valves. • Check for and correct any leaks. • Restore power and test operation. Frigidaire, Top Loader - Valve Inside Upper Control Panel • Open the main control panel by removing two screws. • Remove the two screws holding the valve down. • Label the wires to the valve and remove them. • Disconnect the water feed tube. • Note: The new water inlet valve mounting screw holes may not be threaded. That is because the screws that hold the valve in place are self-threading. It may be easier for you to twist the old screws into the valve while the valve is out, rather than wait until it is in place. Then, remove the screws from the valve for installation. • Reinstall the new valve in the reverse order. • Flush out the water fill hoses. • Reinstall the fill hoses in the proper order. • Turn on the water supply valves. • Check for and correct any leaks. • Restore power and test operation. Frigidaire, Top Loader, Valve in Main Body of Washer (not in control panel) • Use a putty knife to press in the two spring clips at the front of the washer top near the sides. (You may need a flashlight to see the clips.) While you’re pressing in on the clip, lift up on the top, and will lift up like the hood of a car. Be sure to support the lid properly so it doesn't fall backward or forward. • The valve will be to your left behind the washing machine tub. • Remove the two screws, which are on the back of the washer, holding the valve. • From the inside of the washer, carefully pull the valve up toward the top with the wires and feed tube still attached. • Label the wires to the valve and remove them. • Remove the water feed tube from the valve. • Note: The new water inlet valve mounting screw holes may not be threaded. That is because the screws that hold the valve in place are self-threading. It may be easier for you to twist the old screws into the valve while the valve is out, rather than wait until it is in place. Then, remove the screws from the valve for installation. • Reinstall the new valve in the reverse order. • Flush out the water fill hoses. • Reinstall the fill hoses in the proper order. • Turn on the water supply valves. • Check for and correct any leaks. • Restore power and test operation. Others: If you didn’t see your brand and model above, and you’re sure you need to replace your water inlet valve, our RepairGuru may be able to help.

April 2005

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