Direct Drive Water Inlet Valve

Problem Discussion

Normally water connot enter the washer unless the inlet mixingvalve solenoids are energized (see Fill under Proper Operation).However, if foreign particles get past the filters, they can becomelodged in the tiny valve orifice and prevent the metal plunger stemfrom seating. Water will then flow through the valve whether thewasher power is on or off. Automatic washers are normally leftunattended. Water flow during a wash cycle can lodge the foreignparticle in the valve, causing the water to continue to flowthroughout all of the cycle functions and after the washer hasstopped. The tub will fill and then overflow. The only way to stop itis to turn off both water faucets connected to the inlet hoses.

Water inlet valves come in various colors. The colors correspondto the mixed water output temperature. I have seen red, beige andblue. I guess red is the hottest, beige is in the middle and blue thecoolest. I don't think it makes much difference so I stock bluevalves.

New part number: 358276

Procedures for Replacing the Water Inlet Valve

After the water is turned off and the floodwaters havesubsided, either run the washer in a drain function or unplug themachine and bail it out.
MAKE SURE THE WASHER IS UNPLUGGED
Verify that both water faucets have been turned off.
Move the washer out from the wall about 20 inches.
Remove the water hoses from the back of the washer
Remove the two 5/16" sheet metal screws securing the waterinlet mixing valve (the screws are near the hose connections onthe back of the washer).
Remove the two screws down in front on both sides of thecontrol console with a Philips screwdriver.
Pull the control console forward and up to release it and thenroll it back against the wall around its hinges.
Locate the 2-wire harness with the connector that plugs intothe top of the cabinet. The wires lead to the lid switch.Disconnect this connector by depressing its locking tab andpulling up.
Locate the two cabinet clips in each back corner. Place a flatblade screwdriver behind the front curled up edge of the clip andpush back on the handle to release the clip. Repeat with the otherclip. Remove the clips from the back panel. The cabinet is freenow unless you have dispensers. The hoses for dispensers are undera little hose cover in the left hand corner. Open the cover andremove the hoses.

Roll the cabinet forward to release it in back and lift it up in front to clear all of the cabinet tabs.

Now you have access to everything that was inside the cabinet.Locate the water inlet valves in the upper right hand corner ofthe back panel, behind the tub.
Compress the hose clamp and slide the clamp up the water inlethose leading out of the top of the valve assembly.
Note the color code for each of the four wires on the watervalve and list the sequence on a piece of paper. Remove the wiresand set the old valve aside.
Replace the wires onto the new valve. Slide the hose down ontothe new valve and slip the hose clamp back into place.
Put the new valve hose connections through the two holes inthe cabinet back plate. Replace the two sheet metal screws holdingthe valve in place. This completes the installation of the newwater inlet valve.
Replacing the cabinet is not quite as easy as removing it butobserving how the cabinet interfaces with washer frame will speedthis process up. The bottom edge of the cabinet front slides underthe front frame crossbar and the cabinet sides rest on top of theside frame. Two guide posts, located on each side frame, slideinto corresponding slots in the sides of the cabinet to align thecabinet with the frame.
Align the washer back with the back edges of the cabinet sothat the plastic strips are flush from top to bottom.
If you can't get the back edge of the cabinet to drop intoplace, make sure that the rear guide posts are pointed straight upand not bent down. Sometimes it helps to hold one side in place byreplacing the cabinet clamp and then work the other side intoplace.
Snap the cabinet clips into place.
Reinstall the cabinet connector.
Roll the control console down around its hinges and drop theend cap tabs into the holes in the cabinet top and slide it backto lock it into place. Replace the two screws.
Plug the washer back in and verify proper operation.

All of the information in these Appliance Clinicprocedures is provided FREE OF CHARGE. No liability is assumed by theauthor for the accuracy of the contents or damages caused by the use ofthese procedures. By Oron Schmidt.