The lid switch on a top-load washer is a safety switch that detects Aside from electrical problems, the switch may suffer from a mechanical problem. Magnet: Plastic coated magnet that is fastened with two screws in the top right side of the open lid. Set the multitester to the ohms setting X1. The lid switch will be located on the top of that lifted hood. Identify which turn signal bulb is not working. The tester light should not come on. Before testing the lid switch, unplug the washer or shut off the power at the fuse box or breaker panel to avoid an electrical shock hazard. The lid may have a striker which depresses the switch when the lid is closed. (See a few more easy fixes in this article). You are testing the plug on the cabinet of the washer. Test the lid switch inside a Maytag washer using a continuity meter or multimeter. Set the switch to the off position and touch both terminals on the side that held the wires. The meter should display 'OL' or a very high resistance, meaning the switch is 'OFF.'. If you do not have power to it, then you need to take the control console off and check the wires going to the pressure switch (what level control) and the timer. Contact us to obtain. In either case the method for testing the switch is the same. The switch is good if the continuity tester lights. When a machine fills with water but does not agitate or spin, the lid switch is suspect. There are two primary types of lid switches. Open the hood or trunk and unscrew the bolts attaching the bulb assembly to the frame so that you can replace the bulb that is not working. Unplug the timers wiring harness, then, with the timer set to any position other than off, check for continuity through the motor contacts. The multitester should display a reading of infinity. For specific instructions pertaining This safety feature is For this reason, the lid switch should never be bypassed. Inspect the switch and make sure the metal strip is not bent out of position (if present). Because the pump is on a separate circuit it will still drain without spinning. The multitester should display a reading of infinity. Using your digital multimeter, check the timer for continuity through the contacts. Before testing, the owner needs to disconnect the power to the machine. Use cotton swabs and white vinegar to clean the switch and striker as best you can. To check this, first unplug washer, then remove the top off the washer (held on by two screws behind the front). Depress the button on the lid switch and the reading should change from a reading of infinity to roughly zero. If your ejection pump fails, check for a bad switch before deciding to replace the pump or calling a plumber. Usually a broken button or rocker will require replacement of the entire switch assembly to restore functionality. To Test the Interior Lights: The interior lights should come on when the door is opened. Copyright 2000 - 2021, Acme Parts.com, Inc. All rights reserved. Restore power to the washing machine and give it a test. Equality vs. Equity: Here's Why the Difference Matters, Milkweed and Monarch: How to See More Butterflies This Summer. If it does not, manually advance the timer knob. The first way is with a volt/ohm meter and you can check continuity across the two terminals on the switch. Set your multimeter to the lowest ohms of resistance and test your lid switch. To test the switch, the owner accesses the wiring bracket and uses a multimeter to check for continuity with the lid closed. If the fuse is bad, replace it with one of the same rating. If it does not pass both of these tests, the switch should be replaced. How Do You Know If the Lid Switch Is Bad on a Washer. Often the first sign that a lid switch is bad is that the machine does not spin or drain the water. You'll need to check the motor and if you have power to it but it's not running, then replace the motor. For the switch to work correctly, the paddle fits against the bottom of the metal, closing the hole when the lid is open. You should receive a reading of infinity. It can have problems due to blockage in its pressure hose, or it can have an electrical malfunction. Your design may differ, so inspect it for proper operation before proceeding to the electrical testing. Note: Some old models will not fill with the lid https://www.partselect.com/Repair/Washer/Timer-Will-Not-Advance Manufacturers attach the actuator to the lid itself. Test the two grey wires for continuity when the lid is closed. Depress the door switch manually with the door open to verify the interior lights are turning off and on; If the door switch is not shutting the light(s) off the refrigerator may get too warm For lid switches that are in place, the owner needs to test for continuity with the lid closed. Pressing on the paddle with a small screwdriver causes a clicking noise if the switch is operating correctly. Take the laptop apart to the reach the area that the reed switch is in,, take a record of where every thing goes, put the screws in Tupperware boxes or some thing similar so you dont get confused. Understanding how a door interlock works helps you decide if it is faulty or not. If the meter display changes from 'ON' condition to 'OFF" condition, the switch operates normally. Use a plastic zip tie to attach the new switch cord to the pump at the same point the old cord was attached. Replace the washer lid switch. Once you close the lid, the cycle should continue. Use your ohmmeter to test your switch for continuity. The other test is for the lid lock solenoid and this includes testing for continuity across the yellow and the white wires. Do this while the lid is down and test for the continuity across the white wire and the blue wire. Now, to test the timer with your meter, the timer should be set to any setting except off. When a washers top lid is open, the motor circuit will not operate. Tokyo 2020 Is Now Tokyo 2021: How Will the Postponed Olympic Games Unfold in Japan This July? Make sure the striker is functioning and aligned with the hole over the switch. Removing The Lid Unplug the dryer before you begin any work on it. If the lid switch is faulty it will cause the unit to not spin or agitate and will not send power to the motor. Another symptom of a problem with the power door lock switch is a broken button or rocker. It can detect whether the lid is open or not. Opening and closing the lid should cause the switch to alternate between continuity and no continuity. If the housing is broken, the switch requires replacement. If you have a Kenmore or Whirlpool made washer and it is not spinning or draining, this is going to be the first thing you want to check. Depress the button on the lid switch and the reading should change from a reading of infinity to roughly zero. If the lid is defective, it fails to spin also. Put the switch into the 'OFF' position. If a wiring harness is used, separate the two pieces of the harness and test the side of the harness that connects to the switch. This video will show how to diagnose and replace the lid switch on a whirlpool washer. Fact Check: Why Is Helen Keller the Subject of a TikTok Conspiracy Theory? If the striker and switch become caked with old laundry detergent or dirt, it will not work efficiently. Sign up to receive our free Maintenance Reminder Newsletter. First you have to do the lid switch test for continuity. Under the lid on the machine, the actuator fits through a small hole to press the switch paddle. Why Do So Many Countries Celebrate Labour Day in May? To be sure that the issue is a bad timer and not a bad wire harness, we need to check the timer for continuity. Place a probe on each terminal. You can clear the hose with a simple procedure, and you can If there is nothing wrong with the lid switch actuator, then the lid switch may be bad. Read more. A faulty water level or pressure switchis one such device. 3. If your switch uses a mercury switch, make sure the mercury envelops the internal contacts when it is in the closed lid position. With the lid open, your washer should fill and agitate then stop. Caution: Please read our safety information before attempting any testing or repairs. If the actuator is loose or missing, it cannot activate the switch. Some lid switches also have a fuse, you can visually inspect the fuse or test it for continuity with a multitester. To check the lid switch disconnect power from washer. Set the multitester to the ohms setting X1. The switch can be checked two ways. Answer Louis, With the unit does not spin or agitate then you will want to check the lid switch on the unit. Take a multimeter and test the lid switch assembly for continuity. The only way to tell if the switch is faulty is to take it out of the dryer and test it with a multimeter. If the switch shows an open circuit when the lid is shut then the switch is bad. Lid Switch Assembly: Maytag bravos is a sophisticated washer. Test the switch for continuity using a multitester. You will need to remove the two-wire harnesses off the lid switch, While you can unmount the lid switch, at this point you only need to test it with a multimeter. Unplug the switch from the wiring harness. https://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-repair-a-washing-machine-lid-switch Often the first sign that a lid switch is bad is that the machine does not spin or drain the water. He then opens the top to the machine to access the switch connections. Main causes: broken lid switch or lid lock, bad pressure switch, broken shifter assembly, faulty control system. Most door lock switch buttons are made of plastic, which can be susceptible to breaking and cracking due to their high frequency of use. Your washing machine has some internal switches that control various functions, and any one of them may go bad and require replacement. Turn your digital meter to Continuity Test Mode. If the display does not change from 'ON' to 'OFF' condition, then the switch is defective. Unscrew the bulb and replace it. First off, if the washer agitates okay but does not spin, even though you hear the motor running, you may have a bad lid switch or the lid switch plunger on the washer lid is broken off. This feature was added after serious injuries resulted from people reaching into an operating washing machine. Now using your ohmmeter, check for continuity between the two wires you had to unplug to take the top off. The circuit should show open and closed as the lid is open and closed. If the cycle continues once you advance the knob, your timer may need replacing. Set your multimeter to the lowest setting for ohms of resistance. It is a small plastic or metal device that presses down the lid switch when the user closes the lid. The lid switch consists of two parts. If your washer makes a loud noise and/or vibrates when it spins or when it stops spinning, first check if the load is unbalanced and rearrange the contents to balance the load. Manufacturers attach the actuator to Lid Switch. The lid switch uses a striker and switch to activate the machine. The switch is usually on the right side of lid. If the washer will agitate but not drain or spin then the most likely problem is a bad lid switch. There are normally two on the driver's side and two on the passenger's side, at both the front and the back of the vehicle. If it does not pass both of these tests, the switch should be replaced. To access the lid switch, open the back of the control panel. Then cut the wires, leaving enough wire to splice it back if it is not bad. Operate the switch on and off for a few more times. If yours is a two-wire switch, touch each tester probe to each of the switch's terminals. Begin by setting your ohmmeter to measure resistance at a scale of R x 1. Most models have either a probe or a magnet on the lid that activates the lid switch when the lid is closed. If there is no continuity, then you will have to replace the lid lock. Then flip the switch to the on position and touch both terminals with a probe from the tester. Place a probe on each terminal. To test the switch, the owner accesses the wiring bracket and uses a multimeter to check for continuity with the lid closed. Lid switch probe: A small plastic piece on the lid that that fits into a hole with a switch on the washer around the opening. The lid switch ensures that the lid is closed before enabling the machine to spin or agitate. This video will show you how to test a GE washer lid switch on a recent model. ok then you either have a bad pressure switch, timer, or motor. DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links, we may receive a commission. One type on which you can directly test the terminals on the switch and another style where you have to test it at the wiring harness. The lid switch will also cause this washer not to run and is an easy do-it-yourself GE washer repair. Usually, if the lid switch is bad, it wont make a click sound when you press in the lid switch slot with a key or screwdriver. You can replace the switch yourself for about $20. If the blinking light is flashing normal as described above, the lid switch could be bad. Sometimes the housing on the switch breaks, allowing it to drop, so closing the lid no longer activates it. The lid switch consists of two parts. If the lid is open it wont spin or agitate to prevent unwanted accidents.