One day while I was doing laundry, my washer stopped in the middle of a cycle and the screen displayed the error code E20. Since the owner’s manual did not have any information on error codes, I went online to find an answer. Sure enough there it was -- error code E20 indicated that the “coin trap” was blocked.
I thought, “Wow, what a clever component -- a trap to block coins and other debris from ruining the evacuation pump.” So I looked for an access door only to find that it was on the rear of the machine. I moved the units away from the wall -- I have the washer and dryer stacked -- and proceeded to remove the back cover. There it was, the coin trap... behind three hoses.
The three hoses are connected to a boot at three different locations with three different kinds of clamps. This assembly is at arm's length, and there is only room for one arm to get in to work on it. After two hours, I managed to get two of the three hoses unhooked. I then looked for a solution to remove the last hose. I saw there was a cutout on the bottom of the washer, so I lifted the dryer off, tilted the washer back against the wall, and tried from the bottom.
After another hour I got the coin catcher assembly removed and cleaned out. Now I had to try to reassemble the boot assembly with one hand, blindly. When your hand is in the access area, you can't see in to line up the hoses and install the clamps. After five more hours of trying to remove the front panel and other options, I was ready to drag the machine down my driveway with a chain and put it out on the curb.
Then I thought, “I have nothing to lose. Why not make an access hole in the side?” So I got out my saber saw and cut a 12x12-inch panel in the side. In 10 minutes I had the boot and pump assembly together and the machine running again.
This entry was submitted by Gary D. Rodichok and edited by Rob Spiegel.
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With several brands of washers and driers, the reason that the service information is provided is that the parent company has no service people, only contractors who service all brands. So to support them they need to have that information available.They stash it inside the nachine because most folks are way to intimidated to open the cover, and many more simply throw out all of the papers that they don't understand, and also, many just throw out all of the papers that come with an appliance.
Whirlpool used to hide the servicer's instructions inside the control panel of their washing machines. Between these instructions and the timing diagram stuck to the back of the machine there was sufficient information to not only isolate to the field-replaceable unit (the $350 controller board) but to figure out which component on it (a $0.37 Triac) had failed. It did take a good bit of thinking, however.
Yes, those manuals are all over the place online. However, I've found that the forums often go into greater detail -- as in "Watch your knuckle when you undo this screw." But more to the point, the forums will let you know when it's important to also replace another part when you go to fix the part that failed.
Jon, thanks for that tip on where to find the service manual. That reminds me I once found a similar document inside a washing machine years back, also from Sears. I suspect they are right: most buyers are not engineers and/or tinkerer DYI types. Still, it would be nice to know ahead of time that you've already got the info and don't have to spend hours searching for the information online.
Good point, Rob. I was pleasantly surprised that the Sears washing-machine manual found inside the machine had so much detail. Probably created more for service people than buyers. The service tech also had a tablet computer of some sort that let him view documents and manuals.
You can also find these manuals online in many cases. You can find discussions of many of an appliance's problems in forums. I find that forums are often a better source to deal with a problem than a user manual.
When we had a sensor replaced on a Kenmore front-load washer, the service man removed the lower front panel to reveal a plastic pocket with a service manual that listed all the error codes, diagnostics, etc. Maybe Sears figured most buyers were not smart enough to look through the manual, find the problem, and try to handle it themselves. Anyway, manuals with error codes do exist, but sometimes they are hard to find. Ours is now safely in an appliance folder.
I have used the cell phone camera for disassembly documentation many times. It is a great tool to quickly note how things were together. It is great for documentingwire color locations.
I agree, Beth. Why wouldn't they make it more accessible? This is reminiscent of the stories about vehicles that had to have the engine pulled to do minor maintenance work.
I had the same error code and plugged pump screen on my 8 year old Whirlpool a few months ago.
On my model there were two screws at the bottom corners of the front kick panel below the door. I removed the two screws. Removed the kick panel and the screen assembly was right there. Then turned the bayonet style cover from the screen assembly, no hoses to remove.
I pulled a wad of lint the size of a small rat out of the screen. Replaced everything and it has run several months without problems.
I, too, am disappointed that there is no list of error codes, troubleshooting suggestions, or mention of this screen in the literature that came with the washer.
As an added bonus, a foul odor that came from the laundry room vanished when I cleaned the screen.
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