Roper Whirlpool Washer - Water Level Knob Won't Turn

Washer Repair
1

Our Roper Washing Machine has a weird issue.

The water level knob won’t turn, at all.

It’s stuck on the lowest water level setting.

Here is me trying to turn it. (It gives a bit but won’t click over to the next level)

http://i.imgur.com/j07pMHi.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/j07pMHi.jpg2448×3264 439 KB

When I take the cap off, it looks like everything is fine.

I’ve tried turning the knob without the cap on and can’t do that either:

http://i.imgur.com/5T91NJk.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/5T91NJk.jpg2448×3264 401 KB

Any thoughts? Just buy a new knob?

Get a wrench and try to force it to change?

For what it’s worth; the washer works fine - it’s just that it can only run on a small load.

2

If you get pliers and try to force it, it could break. Either way, it seems to need a new switch anyway, so maybe it couldn’t hurt to try.

3

I don’t think the knob is the problem, if it were it would just spin. I think something is jammed with the water level switch and that means buying a new one.

4

I found a solution, you don’t need to spend 100 bucks on a new water level switch.

Follow a video on how to remove the switch. Once you get it out, see if you can turn the knob while pressing down on the spring loaded cylinder (has a screw in the top). If you can, use a silicone based lubricant to coat the sides of the cylinder, and the notches on the red dial.