[CNELSONCOOPER]

My Whirpool washer has gone dead. It had been having an issue for about 2 years. Without any input, it would turn on itself, no cycling, just power on showing 44 minutes as a cycle time. I could sometimes turn it off, sometimes not. When I could not, I would unplug it for a day, plug it back in and it would usually be ok. I assumed it was the membrane switches shorting out, but was not sure. Yesterday, when I selected a cycle it would not come on. As I contined to select a cycle, it would occasionaly power on but then turn off. After a few dozen attempts at this, it will no longer even come on temporarily. My question is, what part do I replace? My first assumption is that it is the control panel that contains the membrane switches, but I also see three other possible parts, electronic control board, motor control board (not likely), and switch-WI. I want to avoid hit and miss parts replacement since most of these parts are quite expensive and replacing them is close to just buying a new machine. BTW, I havn't checked the lid switch yet, but suspect that is not the issue given the other symptons. I am leaning toward the conrol panel.

[CNELSONCOOPER]

Originally Posted by CNELSONCOOPER

My Whirpool washer has gone dead. It had been having an issue for about 2 years. Without any input, it would turn on itself, no cycling, just power on showing 44 minutes as a cycle time. I could sometimes turn it off, sometimes not. When I could not, I would unplug it for a day, plug it back in and it would usually be ok. I assumed it was the membrane switches shorting out, but was not sure. Yesterday, when I selected a cycle it would not come on. As I contined to select a cycle, it would occasionaly power on but then turn off. After a few dozen attempts at this, it will no longer even come on temporarily. My question is, what part do I replace? My first assumption is that it is the control panel that contains the membrane switches, but I also see three other possible parts, electronic control board, motor control board (not likely), and switch-WI. I want to avoid hit and miss parts replacement since most of these parts are quite expensive and replacing them is close to just buying a new machine. BTW, I havn't checked the lid switch yet, but suspect that is not the issue given the other symptons. I am leaning toward the conrol panel.

Checked the lid switch, no problem. Found this service manual on line, checked the control panel and found most of the switches no longer work. Will order a control panel.

https://secured.whirlpool.com/Servic...LE/8178010.pdf

[CNELSONCOOPER]

New control panel arrived, installed in a few minutes and problem is now solved. The issue was as I first guessed, the control panel. These type of switches have been around quite a while but reliability has always been an issue with them. The secret was finding in this repair forum a pointer to the diagnostic manual. It confirmed what I suspected.