New maytag/whirlpool top load rinse level adjust?

Washer Repair
1

Got a brand new top loader, whirpool design I understand. Admiral atw4475XQ, home depot cheapo washer.
Works fine, no problems and not even as loud as I thought it would be.

Rinse level is lower then I like though. From reviews of new washers this is “normal” as the new energy saver/water saver feature you cant get away from nowdays. It only fills 5 inches in rinse, and if its a large load, dosent even cover the clothes, dosent saturate them, hard to add fabric softner as there is no dispenser.
Any whirlpool/maytag repair guys out there know about a workaround? Is there a adjustment,a jumper that needs installed, or removed? Or can I get a new fill switch from the previous year washer thats the exact same except does not have this new water saver feature…Last years model has small, medium, large, and extra large on the settings, where this years is only small, medium, and large thats the only difference I see.There is no second rinse, or fabric softner setting.And I know about using detergent, I just would prefer to have it fill and at least cover the clothes to rinse.
I have my own well, and dont care about any so thought of water savings, I would prefer to let it fill and rinse as they have always for years.
Anyone? Thanks in advance

2

Have you read the manual. I do not know much about this type of machine but have heard that at times the water level will not be above the clothes.

3

Yep read the manual, says its a new water saver feature, to help save money and water on new washing machines. It dosent matter if its 1 towel, or a bedspread, it only fills to a set point, almost like its on the timer circuit and not bound to the water level switch.
Which I am beginning to suspect more and more that its in the timer and cant be adjusted.

4

Turns out there are TWO water level switch’s, one for the load size, one hidden behind the control panel for rinse level.

Once apart, fixed the low water rinse level with no problem.

I now get to have the full water fill rinse cycle I desired. And BTW, from the factory this brand and model washer is set for the smallest water level for rinse mode to be a water saver.

:slight_smile:

5

I hope you still monitor this thread as I’d love to pick up one of these models. Home Depot has it for $249 now, but the low water level on rinse cycle is a concern (also saw your review at their site).

After reading your solution, I went to Home Depot and told the salesperson working the appliance section that there’s 2 switches in the control panel controlling load size and rinse cycle levels. How would I go about changing the settings for the switch in the control panel. His idea is to call Whirlpool and have them come out and not to tinker with anything in the control panel. Number 1, I doubt they’re going to come out to change the water level and Number 2 it sounded straightforward based on what you said.

How exactly do I do this? Do I simply remove the knobs on the front and then unbolt the bolts on the back. Once I take that piece off, then I’ll be able to see two switches. 1 of them controls load size and the other for the rinse cycle. I assume the rinse cycle switch will have various settings so I turn it to large (when I say “turn” I assume the switch is like a dial I would turn), then bolt everything back up? I’d think this would take 10 minutes tops and really easy to do.

PS. I’m not a repair technician at all, just an average joe so any step by step instructions on how to do it would be REALLY appreciated. I tried checking assembly guide from HD’s website but can only access first 3 pages so not really useful.

EDIT: Found control panel parts list for you to reference if necessary: Controls and rear panel parts replacement parts for MAYTAG ATW4475TQ0 AUTOMATIC WASHER | AppliancePartsPros.com

6

Its pretty simple to adjust. If you call a repairman out, I doubt they will adjust it, as most who I talked to said it was not adjustable.
Unplug the machines power.
You can youtube a video on how to remove the top control panel, its just 2 screws on the back of it, phillips head. Swing the control panel up, and find something to support it so you have both hands free.

You’ll see a clear plastic tube coming up from the back rear like 3/8 in diameter, to a “T” connection. The one that goes to the left, thats the wash water level switch it connects to. The one you can adjust, large, medium, small, from the front of the panel . The other off the T goes to the rinse water level switch. There is not a knob to adjust it. But if you look at the bottom of the lever mechanism/cam pickups of both switchs, you will see that they are the same. Rotate the wash load size from small to large, back to small, notice how the mechanism changes?
The rinse water level swtich acts the same way, although it is only a 2 position switch, small and large. Once you watch the wash level mechanism move from rotating it back and forth a few times, you should be able to see how to rotate that same mechanism on the rinse switch 1 click. It will click into place, there are only 2 positions as I said and from the factory its in small, so once it “clicks in” dont go any further. I did mine with a very small screw driver without removing the rinse switch.
Once you get that hidden switch turned to the other position, put it back together, fire it up and now your rinse is the large level, all the time.
Thats what I did to mine, took all of 5 minutes to disasseble, fix, and reassemble

They swear though this cant be done…Ok then…And if you need factory service work, you can always change it back :wink:
I would imagine if its the same model number, unless they have changed it, which I dont think so since its so new of a model-2011 model, should be the same.

I have pictures if needed
There is a white plunger out of the end of each switch with a screw loctited in place. Dont mess with the screw or that plunger. As you adjust the lever mechanism/cam this adjusts the amount of that plunger sticking out, which changes the pressure pickup for water level.

7

Thanks for this Dafaceman!

I was ready to pull the trigger on this seeing as a great deal, but it’s for my parents and my mom seems to have her mind set on a Whirlpool WTW7340XW with a 4 cubic foot capacity. Sigh…women. They went out and bought the Whirlpool at Lowe’s, so I’ll talk to them tonight and let them know this great information.

I feel like a jerk though for asking for this and you were gracious enough to spend your time to break it down in such a straightforward fashion, and now it looks like we won’t buy it.

Hopefully someone else manages to find this though. Just seems so many people complain about the water level and end up doing multiple washes on the same load to wash out sudsy clothes, that no water ends up being saved!

Thanks again…really appreciate it, and who knows I may be able to talk them into going the cheaper route which is the way I think they should go. I think the only worthwhile upgrade will come in about 10 years or so when appliances can be networked, accessed remotely, and even diagnosed remotely…then I think it’s worth it to fork over the serious dough, but until then el cheapo is the way to go IMO.

Edit: P.S. My father is onboard, but the woman runs the household I guess…

8

No problems at all.
The entire reason I even followed up and posted that I found the fix and reviewed it at home depot is in hopes others would look for the info and use it for themselves. As this is, for its price, a decent no frills machine that is based on the same direct drive all whirlpools of this design use.
I have my own well water, and could care less about saving a few gallons of water-I would much rather opt for a full rinse level.

9

Dont know if your new washer your folks bought is direct drive or the new belt driven whirlpool model. If its the new belt driven type top loader, thats based on the old speedqueen setup that amana also used back some time ago when ratheyon(spelling?) owned them.
Amana was bought by maytag, and then whilpool got maytag a few years later, so its hard to say anymore whos design is whos I guess.
The speedqueen belt design, is a much quieter drive system, both in aggitation and spinning though as well as it has a longer stroke of like 190 degrees compared to 90 for the direct drive on the aggitator. Some say they think the belt design is easier on the clothes.
But if the new whilpool is the direct drive type, its all prolly the same design cept for the extra bells and whistles compared to this admiral.
I think the new belt drive whirlpools have a 1 piece aggitator where the direct drive types use the 2 piece-(looks like a big screw drive on the top portion).
Hope that also helps ya

10

Thanks again. I’m not sure if it’s direct drive or belt driven. When I Google “Whirlpool WTW7340XW direct drive” I get results from Sears that say yes. When I go to Lowes which is where they bought it, it only says “Two Piece Agitator/Impeller: Impeller”, but it also says “Sound Reduction: Yes”.

She really likes the 4 cubic ft feature and the idea of cleaning her rugs in it. She’s going to win this battle it looks like. For some reason she doesn’t think the Admiral will be big enough.

For $249 I know she wouldn’t have been disappointed, but at $610 (by the time you add 4 yr extended warranty) the Whirlpool may not live up to what she thinks it can do. Gonna go ask her one last time and if she says no, then it is what it is hahaha.

EDIT: Yeah done deal. Lowes is installing it tomorrow…hope she likes it. But thanks again for all the information…much appreciated!

11

dafaceman thanks for info on admiral washing machine rinse water level it worked just as you said and was a simple adjustment again Thanks

12

You are most welcome. I tried to post instructions on the home depot review for this washer, and the review was not approved with the “fix” included in it.
Like I posted before, the whole reason I did this post was in hopes others would see this thread when searching for a “fix” for their low water level on the rinse.
I will also say that for the price you cant go wrong with this washer. Even if it does break down in a couple of years, the 2 most common repairs are the motor coupler, and the pump. Coupler can be found for less then 10 bucks, and pump less then 25 if you search around. And both are super easy fixes if you ever gotta do them.
Glad this post and my instructions helped

13

dafaceman, you are a genius. This solution worked exactly like you said it would. I followed your instructions and the components were exactly as you described. Now, the rinse cycle actually rinses the whole load. The Admiral washer is loud, but it’s cheap, and it’s now effective. Thank you so very, very much for the solution to a very frustrating problem.

14

Well.. i was going to call Home Depot tomorrow for repair and this water level on the rinse is RIDICULOUS and it is tearing up my clothes, twisting them into a knot
thanks so much for the tip and wish me luck figuring it out

15

[quote=dafaceman;583962]Its pretty simple to adjust. If you call a repairman out, I doubt they will adjust it, as most who I talked to said it was not adjustable.
Unplug the machines power.
You can youtube a video on how to remove the top control panel, its just 2 screws on the back of it, phillips head. Swing the control panel up, and find something to support it so you have both hands free.

You’ll see a clear plastic tube coming up from the back rear like 3/8 in diameter, to a “T” connection. The one that goes to the left, thats the wash water level switch it connects to. The one you can adjust, large, medium, small, from the front of the panel . The other off the T goes to the rinse water level switch. There is not a knob to adjust it. But if you look at the bottom of the lever mechanism/cam pickups of both switchs, you will see that they are the same. Rotate the wash load size from small to large, back to small, notice how the mechanism changes?
The rinse water level swtich acts the same way, although it is only a 2 position switch, small and large. Once you watch the wash level mechanism move from rotating it back and forth a few times, you should be able to see how to rotate that same mechanism on the rinse switch 1 click. It will click into place, there are only 2 positions as I said and from the factory its in small, so once it “clicks in” dont go any further. I did mine with a very small screw driver without removing the rinse switch.
Once you get that hidden switch turned to the other position, put it back together, fire it up and now your rinse is the large level, all the time.
Thats what I did to mine, took all of 5 minutes to disasseble, fix, and reassemble

They swear though this cant be done…Ok then…And if you need factory service work, you can always change it back :wink:
I would imagine if its the same model number, unless they have changed it, which I dont think so since its so new of a model-2011 model, should be the same.

I have pictures if needed
There is a white plunger out of the end of each switch with a screw loctited in place. Dont mess with the screw or that plunger. As you adjust the lever mechanism/cam this adjusts the amount of that plunger sticking out, which changes the pressure pickup for water level.[/quote]

DaFaceMan:

With the exception of the fact that I had to remove 4 screws to perform the operation your directions were dead-on.

I had contacted Customer Service about the inadequate rince water level and their reply was that the rinse water level would be the same as the wash water level setting. They don’t even know their own machines!

Anyway, thank you for making my washer user friendly. It was a quick fix as you indicated and I wasn’t looking forward to running every wash through the wash cycle to get an effective rinse.

Regards,

TGS

16

I’ve had a Whirlpool EWEwasher for over a year … and I still hate it … thanks for the tip on changing volume setting for rinse … “I’s a woman so I not too keen on tacklin’ this myself … but I’s is purdy desperate …”

with my old style washer I could wash/bleach the mold & mildew off of my plastic shower curtain by filling up the washer and letting it soak …

I’m beyond frustrated … since buying this washer I’ve thrown out 4 plastic shower curtains … 'cause I can’t get them clean… they are so gross

Again thanks for the tip

17

I have a new Whirlpool 27" stackable model YWET3300XQ1 and the useless thing has a preset large load water level SO low a small load of laundry does not get wet - much less clean!

There is no pressure hose on this model, only a solenoid which, if I remember correctly has 6(?) pins.

I can not wash a set of sheets in this thing. Whirlpool says this is how they are designed, live with it - but it is unreasonable to the point of useless.

Any work arounds here as there is no pressure hose or adjustment I can see on the actual switch?

18

Might be able to help if you can provide a copy/photo of the wiring diagram.

Eric

19

Retail purchase so wiring diagram although I can likely find on the web, here the actual solenoid
IMG_2865.jpeg (26.2 KB)
IMG_2866.jpeg (25.6 KB)
IMG_2867.jpeg (17.6 KB)

20

Wiring diagram is usually inside the control panel or pasted onto the inside of the back panel. That is a 3 position switch, not a solenoid. I see a relay next to the switch but not sure what it’s for without the wiring diagram. Relay is not listed in parts list. Wiring diagram part number is W10562796. I was unable to find it online.

Eric