Frigidaire Control Tower Timer instructions

Or - Don't break the glass and come crying to us!

Since it appears there are many more Control Tower Frigidaires out there than we first realized I think it helpful for new members to have safe instructions on removing and installing timer blocks on these machines.
After many trials I have seen where the sticking points are and if you are not careful you will end up breaking the timer glass--SOMETHING to be COMPLETELY AVOIDED!

SO here are the instructions for safe timer replacement:

WI-57 TIMER INSTRUCTIONS:

Change Bulbs from the front:
- take off knob
- loosen timer mount from back
- pull timer back
- unscrew two front screws holding plate glass
- lift front up to clear retracted timer rod
- pull front down to clear top hold tabs

REMOVE AND REPLACE TIMER BLOCK FROM MACHINE:

-remove knob
-loosen light socket screws
-remove load size rod
-using a hand on FRONT guide timer shaft through GLASS
- push down on bulbs and sockets TWICE Once for socket and once for bulb glass to clear timer box
- timer block is now free to pull out of timer box
-remove leads

REPLACE:
There are 4 catches where the timer mechanism can stick and cause the timer glass to break!

-* Leads go back on with wires UNDER bulb sockets- between bulb sockets and timer body!
1&2 Sticking Points
-Leave bulb sockets screwed on BUT LOOSE so they FLOAT! There are two catches on installing the bulbs, when you slide the timer in or out the socket will catch on the control box bossings and then next the bulb will catch on the same bossings. You have to be able to push the bulb/socket assembly up and down to take out or put in the timer mechanism. Other wise you�ll jump the mechanism into or out of the box and break the timer glass with the timer shaft!

3&4 Sticking points: Guide harness over these two points
Three: the wiring harness will catch on the corner going into the hollow support shaft of timer box- guide harness past this point with your other hand
FOUR: wiring harness will catch on the BOSSING LIP of Timer box at bottom

Install timer mounting bolts

Then tighten the bulb sockets!!

Install load selector rod


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Post# 608629 7/6/2012 at 07:49 (4,309 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)
Checkrate/Likes Or - Don't break the glass and come crying to us! Since it appears there are many more Control Tower Frigidaires out there than we first realized I think it helpful for new members to have safe instructions on removing and installing timer blocks on these machines. After many trials I have seen where the sticking points are and if you are not careful you will end up breaking the timer glass--SOMETHING to be COMPLETELY AVOIDED! SO here are the instructions for safe timer replacement: WI-57 TIMER INSTRUCTIONS: Change Bulbs from the front: - take off knob - loosen timer mount from back - pull timer back - unscrew two front screws holding plate glass - lift front up to clear retracted timer rod - pull front down to clear top hold tabs REMOVE AND REPLACE TIMER BLOCK FROM MACHINE: -remove knob -loosen light socket screws -remove load size rod -using a hand on FRONT guide timer shaft through GLASS - push down on bulbs and sockets TWICE Once for socket and once for bulb glass to clear timer box - timer block is now free to pull out of timer box -remove leads REPLACE: There are 4 catches where the timer mechanism can stick and cause the timer glass to break! -* Leads go back on with wires UNDER bulb sockets- between bulb sockets and timer body! 1&2 Sticking Points -Leave bulb sockets screwed on BUT LOOSE so they FLOAT! There are two catches on installing the bulbs, when you slide the timer in or out the socket will catch on the control box bossings and then next the bulb will catch on the same bossings. You have to be able to push the bulb/socket assembly up and down to take out or put in the timer mechanism. Other wise you�ll jump the mechanism into or out of the box and break the timer glass with the timer shaft! 3&4 Sticking points: Guide harness over these two points Three: the wiring harness will catch on the corner going into the hollow support shaft of timer box- guide harness past this point with your other hand FOUR: wiring harness will catch on the BOSSING LIP of Timer box at bottom Install timer mounting bolts Then tighten the bulb sockets!! Install load selector rod

Post# 608635 , Reply# 1 7/6/2012 at 09:23 (4,309 days old) by Tomturbomatic (Beltsville, MD)
Checkrate/Likes Thanks, Jon. Now I understand why there was that package of three that John found at that WVA auction.

Post# 608697 , Reply# 2 7/6/2012 at 15:05 (4,309 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)
Checkrate/Likes *Here are some photos* of the timer install, you can see what Im talking about with the harness being outside the timer bossing before install, if it isn't then it will cause the timer to tip forward causing the shaft to miss the hole in glass ands break it.

Post# 608698 , Reply# 3 7/6/2012 at 15:07 (4,309 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)
Checkrate/Likes *more* photos- this is where the bulb and socket get hung up TWICE! You see here the bulb has passed the box bossing but now the socket is held up on the bossing. With them loose you can wiggle these two high points around the bossing, NEVER FORCE as you WILL break the glass.

Post# 608699 , Reply# 4 7/6/2012 at 15:09 (4,309 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)
Checkrate/Likes *more* pix here you see all the wires of the harness are now behind the timer tab so that now the shaft will follow through the timer glass correctly and you can screw the timer box in place.

Post# 608755 , Reply# 5 7/6/2012 at 21:48 (4,309 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)
Checkrate/Likes I had to replace the 3 light bulbs in my WIC-57 as they didn't work when I got it. At the same time, I tightened the bolt that holds the control tower head to it's foot as it was quite loose. I didn't notice all what you say but I took care not breaking the glass with the timer shaft! It's missing one of the two screws that holds the dial bezel and one that holds the back panel but otherwise, it's fine! The thing I didn't figure was how to tighten the timer knob to it's shaft so it wouldn't loosen itself. I have re-tightened it quite a few times and it's I realigned it so the pointer with the allen screw to let it show the correct part of the cycle but I wish I could have tightened it a bit more than I did... Is there a trick for that?

Post# 608781 , Reply# 6 7/6/2012 at 23:25 (4,309 days old) by sharples ()
Checkrate/Likes *Thank you.* Great advice!!! You are all the best!!

Post# 608872 , Reply# 7 7/7/2012 at 12:36 (4,308 days old) by Jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)
Checkrate/Likes *PHil the original* timer knob screws on the shaft with a spacer washer and a lock washer underneath it. Just go to the hardware store and pick up a couple for all your "57's!!

Post# 608896 , Reply# 8 7/7/2012 at 17:03 (4,308 days old) by PhilR (Quebec Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Mine still has the spacer washer but no lock washer... I'll try that!