Thread Number: 2426
I made my first appliance repair!
[Down to Last]

automaticwasher.org's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate automaticwasher.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 71011   6/21/2005 at 02:12 (6,855 days old) by powerfin64 (Yakima, Washington)        

powerfin64's profile picture
As some of you know, my '72 Lady K set is my pride and joy.
she have been doing a great job washing and drying, never missing a beat.

This past saturday evening, washed a decent sized load of whites, and put them into the drier, set the controls, turned the timer to "Automatic, #2"( Lady K/Kenmore owners know what setting this is.) pushed start, she started as always.

came back about 20 minutes later to check what portion of the cycle it was in, it had moved to 4, felt the top of the cabinet, it was cold!( not normal!) Opened the drier, clothes were damp. Ok, either curcuit breaker tripped or my heating element blew. First checked the breaker, it was fine, but switched off and back on, to make sure. Started her up again, waited 5 minutes, no heat still. Ok, my heating element blew, nothing can be done till monday.( today)

Called my buddy Mike at "Gordies Used Appliances", where I bought my Lady K set from, and told him the situation.
He told me exactly what to do, to get the old heating element out, and get me a new one.

I did what he said, got the back off and Im looking around with a flashlight to check everything out.
I first notice, a black wire, that goes to a thermostat on the heating element box, had completely corroded away from the prong on the themostat.

I call him back, tell him what I found. He says com'on down, and I'll give you the parts to fix it, Its not rocket science, Rich.

I get 3 little parts: A wire nut, a piece of wire, about 5" long, with one end stripped back a bit, the other end with a small slide-plug, and a thermostat. (NOTE: My buddy told me it is NOT that Uncommon, to have a wire corrode over the years, that goes to this thermostat.)

He tells me exactly what to do, step-by-step. Unscrew the old thermostat,( which literally fell apart when I took it out!) cut off the bad portion of the old wire, replace with the new piece, secure with the wire nut, and a little electrical tape, put in new thermostat and replace the screws for it, attach the both slide plugs to the new thermostat, put the back on, plug in, flip curcuit breaker back on, and Im good to go!

Everything went like clock work, and she up and running like new again! I've dried 2 loads tonight, and everything is back to normal.
This was my first appliance repair that I have done my self. Glad it was a pretty simple repair, AND having great instructions on how to do it made it MUCH easier than I expected!( THANK YOU MIKE, YOUR THE BEST!!)

Rich





Post# 71012 , Reply# 1   6/21/2005 at 02:18 (6,855 days old) by kenmore1978 ()        
no heat

In general, in No heat situations, thermostats and timers are suspect before heating elements, since they are moving parts that cycle on and off, and either get metal fatigue, or burned contacts from the arcing over the years.

Post# 71014 , Reply# 2   6/21/2005 at 02:38 (6,855 days old) by SactoTeddyBear ()        
Re: Congratulations Rich:

Hi! Rich, congratulations on your first Repair, to keep your Kenmore Dryer operating for quite a long time still. Great Story about what happened and how you handled it. Contacting your buddy Mike at "Gordies Used Appliances" certainly paid-off, with his letting you what to check first.

Know as I saw on your Profile, you can change the "No" to a "Yes" that you have Repaired Appliances now...

Keep up the good work and as I've mentioned before, don't hesitate to write us whenever you have any problems with any Repairs {besides contacting your buddy Mike} and one of us certainly can do our best to help you and/or walk you thru most procedures.

Peace and Happy 1972 Lady-K Washing and Drying Days, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...


Post# 71019 , Reply# 3   6/21/2005 at 06:46 (6,855 days old) by toggleswitch (New York City, NY)        

toggleswitch's profile picture
Rich


wooo-hooo.

Feels great don't it?

You the man!


Post# 71020 , Reply# 4   6/21/2005 at 07:02 (6,855 days old) by Mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)        
Rich

mayken4now's profile picture
Good job. Now move on to the wig-wag in the washer and we can help you with that one as well.. JUST KIDDING!

You da man! (i copied from toggle)

Steve


Post# 71022 , Reply# 5   6/21/2005 at 07:19 (6,855 days old) by appnut (TX)        

appnut's profile picture
Rich, congratulations. I'm so proud of you. You da Bear. Now, go have yourself a good cigar!! Bob

Post# 71035 , Reply# 6   6/21/2005 at 09:44 (6,855 days old) by powerfin64 (Yakima, Washington)        
Thank you, Guys!

powerfin64's profile picture
Thank you for all the kind comments. Yes, it really does feel good to be able to fix little problems, when they arise.
and Yes Bob, I did have my cigar after wards, I deseved it!

Rich


Post# 71047 , Reply# 7   6/21/2005 at 12:50 (6,855 days old) by PeteK (Ontari ari ari O )        
Congrats on the repair

petek's profile picture
My first and only dryer "repair" was sometime last year when the drum stopped turning in my Kenmore. Normally I would have called Sears in but figured I feel ashamed if it only turned out to be the belt. With no clue I flipped it over and the belt was broken, then I had to figure out how to get the top or front off, that was fun, but after about 2 hours of jiggery pokery I finally got it turning again. Whew. I only hope that my GE washer never fails but I am feeling more confident since I've been taking apart and reassembling all those Kirbys and toasters.

Post# 71048 , Reply# 8   6/21/2005 at 12:54 (6,855 days old) by veg-o-matic (Baltimore, Hon!)        
Ain't it a great feeling

veg-o-matic's profile picture
When you fix something yourself? Makes me feel like an actual grown-up! Of course, the feeling doesn't last very long...

I recently brought back to health and strength my 1965 round-screen Zenith color TV. Woo, as I am known to say, hoo!

Not to mention the fact that doing it yourself is cheaper.

veg


Post# 71050 , Reply# 9   6/21/2005 at 13:24 (6,855 days old) by westytoploader ()        

Congratulations Rich! Isn't it a great feeling when you've done your first successful repair?

All part of the thrill of appliances...YAY.

--Austin



Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

The Discuss-o-Mat has stopped, buzzer is sounding!!!
If you would like to reply to this thread please log-in...

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy