Fixitnow.com Samurai Appliance Repair Man

Important Things You Need to Know About Buying Appliance Parts Online!

2009-11-06T15:28:38Z

Fixitnow.com offers a complete line of appliance parts for all brands and models through our parts partner, RepairClinic. We could have partnered with any number of other appliance parts retailers on the web, but we chose RepairClinic. You won’t find a more complete selection of appliance parts, better customer service, or a more lenient return policy anywhere else. And all at great prices! By clicking through to RepairClinic using the links below or anywhere else at Fixitnow.com or ApplianceGuru.com, a small percentage of your purchase goes to supporting this website without costing you one penny more for the parts you order. So, if you’re going to order appliance parts anyway, how ’bout using the links on this website to ensure that the Samurai will be here the next time you need appliance repair help? Rock on!

Like to shop locally? Hey, you can’t get anymore local than right here on your compooter screen!

And does your "local" parts house give you a 30-day no-hassle return policy? Even on electronic control boards that you already installed? No? So… why do you buy there?

I‘ve got some convenient parts search tools right on this page, too. You can either use the yellow parts search box at the top of the page or browse by brand below:

Browse by Brand

Admiral	Airtemp	Amana
Aprilaire	Asko	Auto-Flo
Bemis	Bosch	Broan
Caloric	Climatrol	Crosley
Dacor	DCS	Duracraft
Edison	Estate	Fedders
FiveStar	Frigidaire	Garland
GE	Gibson	Goldstar
Hamilton	Hampton Bay	Hardwick
Hitachi	Holmes	Hotpoint
Humid-Aire	Insinkerator	JC Penney
Jenn Air	Kelvinator	Kenmore
Kitchen Aid	Klein	Litton
Lobb	Magic Chef	Marta
Marvel	Maytag	Modern Maid
Montgomery Wards	Norge	Panasonic
Quasar	RCA	Roper
Samsung	Sanyo	Scotsman
Sears	Sharp	Signature
Sinkmaster	Skuttle	Speed Queen
Sub-Zero	Sunray	Tappan
Thermadore	Toshiba	U-Line
Viking	Wards	Waste King
West Bend	Westinghouse	Whirlaway
Whirlpool	White-Westinghouse	Wolf

Kenmore Washer 110.23812100 Not Spinning Out Every Time

2009-11-06T14:32:11Z

Intermittent spin.
Replaced clutch; same-o, same-o.
Burn spot in timer.

Kenmore Washer 110.23812100 Not Spinning Out Every Time

To learn more about your washing machine, or to order parts, clickhere.

Maytag Ice2O French Door Refrigerator/Freezer Model MFI2568AEW HV Control Board Repair Instruction Guide

2009-11-05T19:19:21Z

Maytag french door fridge
lights blink, ice door flaps, no water:
Grok Steve’s awesome guide.

To learn more about your refrigerator, or to order parts, click here.

Common Gas and Electric Dryer Problems and Solutions

2009-11-03T22:30:27Z

Problem: Dryer warm but clothes take too long to dry.

Solution: Dryer is dirty with lint inside, vent is excessively long, or filled with lint. FIRE HAZARD!

Dryer disassembly help.

The house dryer vent line is notorious for being neglected and most people don’t even think about cleaning it out periodically. You’ll wanna clean that sucker out about every two to three years. There are services that specialize in dryer vent cleaning. Or come git you a vent cleaning brush on a 12 foot wire wound coil, and you can get ‘er done yourself.

Other things besides poor venting that can cause this problem: Intermittent burner coils, faulty thermostats, reduced airflow through machine (poor vent). If dryer is electric, make sure you’re getting 240vac at the wall outlet. Check both rails of the 240 VAC supply… may be getting only 120 VAC. I’m just sayin’.

Problem: Drum turns but no heat at all.

Solution:

Gas dryers– Maybe a burner component failed. Check coils, flame switch, igniter, motor centrifugal switch, thermal fuse, thermostat, hi-limit thermostat, belt switch.

Electric dryers– Centrifugal switch (built into the motor), heating element, thermal fuse, thermostat, hi-limit thermostat, broken belt switch. I have a special page just for you on things that can cause an electric dryer to not heat.

Problem: Drum wont turn.

Solution: Is the motor turning? “But, Samurai, I am but a Grasshoppah, how am I supposed to know these things?” Use your earballs, Slick; do you hear the freakin’ thing running? Could be a broken belt, seized belt idler wheel, foreign crapicus jammed in drum.

Problem: Dryer makes a scraping sound.

Solution: Worn rollers; worn drum glides or drum bearing (especially common on Frigidaire dryers); crapicus jammed in the drum; cheesey idler pulley.

Problem: Dryer getting too hot.

Solution: Stuck thermostat, airflow backing up from restricted vent. WARNING WILL ROBINSON: FIRE HAZARD! DANGER! DANGER!

Problem: Rumbling sound (particularly noticeable when the dryer starts).

Solution: Worn out blower wheel– especially common on Maytag models, also some Frigidaire. I’ve yet to see this problem on a Whirlpool model, though I suspect the models with the lint filter in front are susceptible to this.

Problem: Dryer runs normally then shuts down for about 10-15 minutes then starts back up again by itself.

Solution: Drum motor over-current or thermal relay is tripping. May be due to hot air being blown against the motor or just a motor that’s old and drawing too much current. Check vent connections, clean out dryer / house vent.

And many, many more more dryer problems and solutions await you in the Online Dryer Diagnostic Guide and the Complete Compendium of Dryer FAQs.

To learn more about your dryer, or to order parts, click here.

Visualize Your Appliance Repair Experience

2009-11-03T07:10:20Z

Appliance Breakdown Diagrams

Grok on these mind-expanding, interactive breakdown diagrams of various appliances so you can see how they’re put together. An indispensible troubleshooting and repair aid!

Dryers

Freezers

Ice Makers

Microwave Ovens

Ovens, Ranges, and Stoves

Refrigerators

Trash Compactors

Washing Machines

How to Remove the Knobs and Front Panel from a Viking Dishwasher

2009-11-02T22:47:15Z

How to Remove the Knobs and Front Panel from a Viking Dishwasher

To learn more about your dishwasher, or to order parts, click here.

Repair Goodies for the Dacor ECS / ECD Wall Oven

2009-10-31T14:08:43Z

Circuit Path Drawings

Field Service Bulletins

Kit Instructions

Failure Codes

Diagnostic Manual

Parts Breakdown Diagrams

Buy Parts for your Dacor Wall Oven

To learn more about your range/stove/oven, or to order parts, clickhere.

Schematic and Wiring Diagram for the GE JKP36G004BG Double Wall Oven

2009-11-07T17:54:11Z

A common problem you run into when working on older appliances is that the schematic and wiring diagram are missing– usually because the slimeball who worked on it before you stole it. This happened recently to a tech in the Samurai Appliance Repair Forum where Sublime Master of Appliantology Pegi was able to locate it for him. Such is the power of the forum! In his case, he needed diagrams for a GE JKP36G004BG double wall oven. They’re posted below; if you need it, go ahead and download it.

Schematic and Wiring Diagram for the GE JKP36G004BG Oven

To learn more about your range/stove/oven, or to order parts, click here

Troubleshooting Drive Motor Problems in a Frigidaire Front Loading Washer

2009-10-29T13:47:57Z

(Also applies to Kenmore washers with a model number prefix of 417.)

Note: Begin troubleshooting a no-spin condition by checking the door latch switch. If it checks good, then proceed with this flowchart. See the tech sheet with your washer for the door latch switch test procedure. The procedures described below assume that the door latch switch tests good.

The most common motor problem with this washer is no-spin; the drum may tumble, but it either never goes into spin at all or or just never ramps up to high speed spin. The tech sheet supplied with the washer (inside the cabinet, in a big envelope pasted to an inside wall– remove bottom front quarter panel to get to it) gives troubleshooting instructions but they are poorly written and difficult to follow, even for sage and battle-hardened appliantologists. The troubleshooting flowchart below from the service manual is mo’ bettah:

(click for larger image)

As noted in the flowchart, it’s pretty rare for the motor to fail in this washer, although I have seen it. The motor winding continuity checks are done through the motor wire harness at the speed control board (for convenience). If you get an open reading there, don’t take it as gospel that the motor is bad– repeat the test at the motor itself so that you’re not reading through the motor wire harness. The wire harness itself, specifically the molex connector, is a more common troublemaker than the motor.

A more common failure item causing a no-spin condition in this washer is the speed control board.

To learn more about your washing machine, or to order parts, click here.

Front Loading Washer Corrosion Contagion: A Menagerie of Metallic Misery

2009-10-29T13:47:12Z

Been seeing a rash of galvanic corrosion-induced failures of the drum support spiders in various brands of front loading washers. Affected brands include GE, Whirlpool, and Frigidaire. Since Sears Kenmore brand outsources everything with a Kenmore label, all Kenmore washers are manufactured by one of the three aforementioned companies and will also manifest this same problem (see this topic for more info on who makes Kenmore appliances).

Kicking off the Washer Corrosion Hall of Shame is this bit of metallic misery from a Frikkidaire washer:

The drum support spider in this Frigidaire washer had corroded so much that the hub and drive shaft actually broke off. Note the pitting in the metal. You can see in the closeup that the metal seems to turn into powder. That’s the galvanic corrosion that I be tawkin’ aboot, you dig? It weakened the spider structural strength so much that it failed during use. Ah, Grasshoppah, can you stand with me, our mouths agape at the raw power of chemistry?

Next up is this drum from a GE washer:

Not to be outdone by their competitors, here’s an advanced case of galvanic corrosion in a Whirlpool Duet washer (also sold as the Kenmore HE2/3t):

(click images for larger view)

Whence cometh this galvanic corrosion? Most likely because of dissimilar metals between the spider assembly and the drum setting up a galvanic cell inside the washer. The drum is stainless steel and the spider is aluminum. In the wet environment, the aluminum acts as a sacrificial anode, like the zinc rod in a water heater. Some combinations of detergents, fabric softeners, and water quality conditions may create electrochemical conditions which exacerbate this problem. Can you say, “Design flaw?”

I think the engineers at one of these companies figgered out a way to save a buck two-eighty by using an aluminum drum support spider and the engineers at the other companies just brainlessly copied it without applying gray matter. My Momma always telled me that stupid is as stupid does. I rectum now I see what she be sayin’.

To learn more about your washing machine, or to order parts, click here.

GE Front Loading Washer Inverter Board LED Flash Codes

2009-10-28T21:17:51Z

Example model number for this washing machine is WCVH6260FWW. If you’re having a no-go problem with this machine, one of the first things to check is the error code on the inverter board. The inverter is located down in the motor, remove the front quarter panel at the bottom to see it.

There’s an LED on the board that will flash the error code. The location of the LED and its mystical flash code interpretation are shown below.

If the LED is flashing an error code, first thing to try is resetting the inverter board:

To Reset the Inverter Board: Push the timer knob in so the washer is idle. Unplug the machine for 15 seconds. Plug back in and raise and lower the lid 5 times.

After resetting the inverter board, put the machine in a spin cycle and see if it runs. If not, check for a green blinking light on the inverter board. It will flash failure codes according to the picture above. If no light you probably have a blown fuse built into the neutral side of the harness on the white/red wire.

To learn more about your washing machine, or to order parts, click here.

Help for Determining the Age of Common Appliance Brands

2009-10-27T13:36:33Z

First thang you’ll need to do is get the serial number off the model number tag. Armed with this key information, proceed to the appropriate section below:

For Whirlpool, Kitchenaid, Roper, Estate, Maytag, and Magic Chef appliances, use the Appliance Age Finder to find out how old it is.

For GE appliances, use the table below:

(click for larger image)

For Frigidaire appliances, use this table:

(click for larger image)

Troubleshooting Flowchart for the Whirlpool-built Modular Icemaker

2009-10-24T17:51:50Z

Here it is, the flowchart you’ve been painfully waiting for while laying awake at night knotted up with anxiety: the Internet’s first systematic troubleshooting flowchart for the Whirlpool-built modular (that means “in your freezer”) icemaker. Go ahead, steal this pdf and share with all your friends… and your enemies, too!

Troubleshooting the Whirlpool Modular Icemaker

To learn more about your ice maker, or to order parts, click here.

Manually Starting the Harvest Cycle in the Whirlpool-Built Modular Icemaker

2009-10-25T22:51:21Z

The Whirlpool-built modular icemaker is used in just about all refrigerators made today, regardless of brand. One notorious exception is the crappy IM6 icemakers used in GE-built refrigerators. Why they didn’t just go with the field-tested Whirlpool-built units is a seedy story of corporate sleaze and extortion now playing in a theater near you!

Any-freakin-way, one of the basic diagnostic things you’ll do on these Whirlpool-built modular icemakers is to manually start the harvest cycle. This is useful for finding out reasons why the icemaker isn’t working. For example, it may not start the harvest cycle at all: bad control module. Or you may find that water never comes in: could be a frozen fill tube, bad water inlet valve, bad water supply.

“O mighty Samurai,” you ax, with stars in your eyes, “how does a neophyte on the path of higher Appliantological wisdom accomplish this miracle of initiating the harvest cycle of which thou speakest?”

An astute question, my fine, young apprentice, and elegantly phrased. Behold the revelation of the mystery:

(click for larger view)

To initiate the harvest cycle: use an insulated length of wire with about a half inch stripped off each end. Insert each end of the wire into the test points marked T and H, as shown above.

Ahh, Grasshoppah, can you snatch this pebble from my hand?

To learn more about your ice maker, or to order parts, click here.

How to Destroy the Pump in a Whirlpool Duet Sport Washer

2009-10-23T00:25:44Z

Looking for an easy way to destroy the pump in your Whirlpool Duet Sport washing machine? Piece of pie, tovarish! Just don’t empty your pockets before you put your pants in the laundry hamper.

You’ll soon overload the pump’s gookus catcher and some of it is bound to get through and destroy the pump.

Persistence pays…

… about $130 in this case. Yep, that’s what a new pump for this beast will run ya, Slick. And it even includes instamalation destructions, too, at no extra charge! Y’see, Hoss, here at Fixit-the-freak-now-dot-frikkin-com, we’re always scoping the deals for you ‘cuz it’s all about you.

Replacing the pump is easy enough… once you clear all the water. Since the pump ain’t working on account of all that metal detector fodder in your pockets, the tub will be full of water. Bail as much as you can. Then remove the kickplate– three screws on the very bottom, cheek to the floor, you’ll see ‘em. See that big accordion-looking rubber thingy behind the pump? That’s the suction boot. You’ll need to remove that from the pump. It’s jobs like this where you discover why God gave man Shop Vacs. There’ll be residual water in the drum that’ll run out all over the place unless you suck it up with the Shop Vac as you ease the suction boot off the pump ever so gently. It’s a technique kind of a deal. After you do a few hundred of these, you’ll get to where you won’t even spill a drop… of blood or water.

To learn more about your washing machine, or to order parts, click here.

GE Top-Loading Washer Clicks and Chugs for a While Before Spinning

2009-10-19T11:54:47Z

Behold:

I’ve even seen this problem accompanied by dramatic, poltergeist-looking light dimming. Very cool!

The problem is the motor. In fact, this clicking and chugging problem was so common on this washer (example model number WBSE3120B) that GE put out a repair kit for it. The kit includes the motor and clutch (pre-assembled), wiring harness, capacitor, wire connecting goodies, and even a tri-lingual notification tag as a double-extra special bonus. Come git you one !

To learn more about your washing machine, or to order parts, click here.

Repair Helps for the Dacor CPS Wall Oven

2009-10-19T08:00:19Z

Failure Codes

Diagnostic Manual

Wiring Diagrams

Field Service Bulletins

Repair Kit Instructions

Parts Breakdown Diagrams

Buy Dacor Parts

To learn more about your range/stove/oven, or to order parts, click here.

What Brand of Kitchen and Laundry Appliances Would the Samurai Buy?

2009-10-18T12:27:48Z

John wrote:

I need to buy all new kitchen and laundry appliances. Which brand would you stick with (Samsung, LG, Whirlpool, Maytag). I am looking for a frenchdoor and all appliances should match…Stainless too.

Thanks,

John

Let us open our Appliantology hymnals to the Second Law of the Prophecy wherein it is written, “All appliances break.” With this wisdom firmly implanted in that muck betwixt our ears, we begin to see your question from a new perspective.

Like so many propagandized Ameedicans victimized by the slick marketing campaigns assaulting us in the corporate media organs, we see that you have placed aesthetics ahead of practical considerations, such as repairability. In other words, you have placed more importance on form over function, exactly as you have been programmed to do as a good little consumer.

But fear not, my mushy-headed grasshopper, for the Samurai is here to break the spell that the marketing wizards have placed you under. Lo, with his mighty katana, he shall cut asunder the chains of your programming and free you from the trap of mindless consumerism! Let us begin by re-phrasing your question in the way the Samurai would ax it, “Knowing that all modern appliance brands and models are mediocre at best and that all fall short of the glory of the Samurai, which piece of junk am I going to have the easiest time fixing?”

Ahh, Grasshoppah, now you’re beginning to pierce the veil and to do what we professional appliantologists call, “critical thinking.” Using this new, enlightened paradigm, which emphasizes function over form and recognizes the Second Law of the Prophecy, the question further reduces to, “Which appliance manufacturers make their service manuals and technical bulletins freely and readily available to professional appliantologists as well as Joe Do-it-yourselfer?” Eggzellent question, my querying grasshoppah, domo fer axin’!

Currently, there are only two brands which make their service information freely available: Whirlpool (which includes Kitchenaid, Roper, and Maytag brands) and Frigidaire (which includes Electrolux brands). Emphasis on the word, “currently” because Whirlpool is considering restricting access to their technical information to professional appliantologists only– you can thank the over-abundance of lawyers and the bidness-killing tort system in Ameedica for that.

At the other end of the information spectrum are companies that are very restrictive with their technical service information and, for that reason, I would never even consider buying their stuff. The worst offenders in the infowar are Viking and GE. In the case of Viking, they’re not only tight-fisted with their service manuals, but their ranges are the shoddiest on the market. And you get to pay a premium price tag just to have the “Viking” badge in your kitchen. Viking is the poster boy of what I mean by placing form over function.

Awwite, armed with this sacred wisdom and enlightened perspective, gird up thy loins and go git ‘em!

Two-Year Old GE Microwave: Melting Door and Burning Plastic Smell

2009-10-14T14:02:54Z

… and to make your joy complete, GE has discontinued this two-year old model! Can you say, “Uhh, guys, we better stop production on this pig-dog before we get our bee-hinds sued into oblivion.” Uh-huh, that’s what I thought you said. Anyway, this topic in the Samurai Appliance Repair Forums ’splains what you need to fix it…

GE Microwave Melting Door and Burning Smell

To learn more about your microwave oven, or to order parts, click here.

Memory Lane: Older Whirlpool Stack Laundry Unit with Belt Drive Washer

2009-10-28T14:16:51Z

Had the opportunity to work on an antique the other day: a 30+ year old Whirlpool stack laundry unit with a belt drive washer. This old work horse was still chugging along, just needed a new lid switch. In terms of durability and reliability, you’ll not find anything even close to this machine these days. Just pray to the pot-bellied, bug-eyed Buddha that you never have to replace the belt on this old war pig!

While I was in there, I got some pictures of the innards. Come tiptoe thru the pulleys with me…

Basic View with Front Panel Removed

BTW, you can click the pics for the larger view with illuminating annotations.

Main Drive Guts

Closeup of Belt

T-Bearing

Pump

Live Action Movie!
If you watch closely, you’ll see the legendary wigwag in action.

How to String the Belt

Schematic – Pasted Inside the Panel

To learn more about your washing machine, or to order parts, click here.