Kenmore 90 series washer will fill but will not agitate or drain. Makes a humming sound only. Fyi: i was washing a load of 3 pillows from my sofa when it stopped draining . is it repairablE? thank you

SOURCE: Kenmore 90 Series Washer

You have a broken lid switch. Its # ll in the diagram. Part # is 3949238. Let me know if you need info on how to replace it, Dave www.washermd.com

SOURCE: Kenmore Washer 110.26912690 series 90

Hi Norm. Welcome to FixYa.
The first thing to check with the kind of symptoms your machine exhibits is the operation of the lid switch. Make sure that the pin/plunger on the lid itself has not broken off, and check the actuator lever on the switch itself. It is REALLY common on your model for the actuator arm to break off or crack, and this will cause no spin/no pump problems. Your machine is built by Whirlpool and the part number for the switch assembly is a 3849238. You can get it at any local whirlpool parts center in your area.

I hope you find this info helpful and thank you for allowing us to serve you.

Happy New Year from the FixYa crew!

onthethejob1

• 640 Answers
• Posted on Jan 24, 2009

SOURCE: Kenmore 80 series top load washing machine won't agitate or spin

defective motor coupling,,replace..onthejob

SOURCE: Kenmore 90 Series Washer

CHANGE THE LID SWITCH

SOURCE: I have a Kenmore 90 Series Washing machine that will not spin or

This assumes that you have a basic Kenmore / Whirlpool top load, direct drive, neutral drain (it doesn't spin until the pump removes most of the water) machine.

First, see the Sears parts site for your washer:
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/index.action

Enter your model number (###.######) and you'll see a list of major sub-components with diagrams and parts.

Newer model Whirlpool / Kenmore washers use a Lid Switch as a safety device. Unless the switch senses that the lid on the washer is closed, the washer will neither agitate nor spin.

Older models only used the switch during the spin cycle.

Try to bypass the Lid Switch by removing the Console and jumping the two outermost pins on the switch.

This is a Whirlpool PDF on how these washers operate. It has a diagram on jumping the switch as well as a detailed section on how the transmission works.

https://secured.whirlpool.com/Service/SrvTechAdm.nsf/2cd44500d572193285256a45004fd9d6/f7e2147fa98b28cf85257122007475cb/$FILE/L-55.pdf


It also has a troubleshooting guide.

To bypass the switch, you only have to disconnect the power to the washer, tilt the console back, unplug the switch and using an short piece of insulated wire, jump the two outermost contacts on the connector coming from the console and plug the washer back in.

Following is a description of how to gain access to the console and how to remove the cabinet if necessary.

http://www.american-appliance.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsPath=16&newsdesk_id=131&osCsid=913ba652cd504fb162f87d892bcb427b

With the jumper in place, try to re-start the washer.

If it works, the Lid Switch is a relatively inexpensive part and only requires you to access the console and remove the cabinet.