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.
Tell us your experiences with Monkey-designed products. Send stories to Rob Spiegel for Made by Monkeys.
Gardy nice experience and funny solution. Once I have a similar experience, while repairing a machine. I disassembled everything, rectified the problem and repaired. Still that time everything was under my control and done well. When I started reassembling, the confusion starts. Finally I found that some parts are screws are left over and I don't know where to be placed. Without that I switched on the machine and it works fine for some time. But later on found that some extra wear & tear, additional noises etc while operating the machine.
You would think they'd make a coin trap that was more accessible, somewhere where the non-fix-it could get access and empty it much like the lint trap. As the resident laundry person in my household, I can't tell you how many coins I collect (dollars too). My rule is the person doing the wash gets to keep the goods. I've found myself with a decent amount of play money over the years, which is why I don't whine too much about doing laundry!
there's is no way my wife would let me cut a hole in her washing machine! I've had the same problem with the coin catcher collecting guitar picks and coins. Since the debris belongs to me, I have to open the machine and get the junk out.
The negative reinforcement has worked in bringing the behavior to extinction. Dr. Skinner would be proud.
Well, maybe the coin trap was designed for ease of assembly, not for ease of servicing. That reminds me of cars where the engine must be dropped to change a spark plug. I like your decision to 'add' an access panel; maybe you will have to service the coin trap again ? Can you patent the modification and sell it to the manufacturer ?
Use a phone camera of digital camera to take photos as you disassemble. Then you have a record of what goes where. I use my phone camera to make a visual shopping list before I go to Lowe's and Home Depot.
Thanks, this story gave me a good laugh. Especially when the author decided to make an access hole with his saber saw. I agree with Glenn. And why the heck not? If my husband wants to cut an access hole in the washing machine so he can spend less time messing with it and more with me, I'd be a happy camper. Actually, I'm more likely to be the one that comes up with that idea, since stubborn machines and bad designs annoy me more.
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.
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 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.
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.
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