Direct Drive Washer Lid Switch

Procedures for Gathering Confirming Data

Slowly lift the washer lid about an inch and let it down again.
Did you hear the microswitch click when you raised the lid and click again when you lowered it? If so, the lid switch may be OK, at least it is being activated the way it should. Actually checking its electrical functioning would still be a good idea to confirm its operation and also the cabinet wiring to it. If you didn't hear any clicks, proceed to the lid switch replacement procedure.

Tools Required

Flat blade screwdriver
Phillips screwdriver

Parts Required

The parts required depend on the type of switch installed in your washer. If you have an older machine, a 2-terminal microswitch is enclosed inside an actuator paddle. If your machine uses the old style microswitch, just it can be replaced. If your machine uses the newer style gray plastic switch assembly (Figure 5), it has to be replaced as a whole.

MAKE SURE THE WASHER IS UNPLUGGED.
(Figure 1) Remove the two screws down in front on both sides of the control console with a Philips screwdriver. On the newer washers you may have to remove a plastic trim piece on both ends of the control console to get at the screws. If the screws are rusted you may have to coax them out with a flatblade screwdriver behind the screw head while turning counterclockwise with a Philips screwdriver.
Pull the control console forward and up to release it and then roll it back against the wall around its hinges.
(Figure 2) Locate the 2-wire harness with the connector that plugs into the top of the cabinet. The wires lead to the lid switch. Disconnect this connector by depressing its locking tab and pulling up.
(Figure 3) Locate the two cabinet clips in each back corner. Place a flat blade screwdriver behind the front curled up edge of the clip and push back on the handle to release the clip. Repeat with the other clip. Remove the clips from the back panel. The cabinet is free now unless you have dispensers. The hoses for dispensers are under a little hose cover in the left hand corner. Open the cover and remove the hoses.
(Figure 4) Roll the cabinet forward to release it in back and lift it up in front to clear all of the cabinet tabs.
Locate the two Philips head screws under the right side of the lid. If you lay the cabinet down on its front on a rug or newspapers you can see the switch inside the cabinet under the lid striker hole.
If you have the old style lid switch it may look something like the image on the left below(Figure 5) . New washer models use one-piece switch assemblies which have a different appearance, possibly like the image on the right.
For the old style switch, note the relationship of the black microswitch to the actuator paddle, the splash guard and the mounting screws. The black microswitch is all that has to be replaced. Remove the screws.
Slide the old microswitch out and replace it with the new microswitch.
Reassemble the switch assembly inside the splash guard and replace the mounting screws.
For the new style switch, order and replace the whole switch assembly. Use the model number to look up the correct replacement for your machine.
(Figure 6) Replacing the cabinet is not quite as easy as removing it but observing how the cabinet interfaces with washer frame will speed this process up. The bottom edge of the cabinet front slides under the front frame crossbar and the cabinet sides rest on top of the side frame. Two guide posts, located on each side frame, slide into corresponding slots in the sides of the cabinet to align the cabinet with the frame.
Align the washer back with the back edges of the cabinet so that the plastic strips are flush from top to bottom.
Snap the cabinet clips into place.
Reinstall the cabinet connector.
Roll the control console down around its hinges and drop the end cap tabs into the holes in the cabinet top and slide it back to lock it into place. Replace the two screws.
Plug the washer back in and verify proper operation.

Figure 1 (Return)

Figure 2 (Return)

Figure 3 (Return)

Figure 4 (Return)

Figure 5 (Return)

Figure 6 (Return)