A Very Sad Maytag A106

So I went out to dinner with the family a week ago and my grandmother mentioned to me that her washing machine, a Maytag A106, wasn't doing so hot. It wasn't spinning well, which I suspect is a belt issue, and she was having a hard time washing some of my cousins sports gear in the small tub. She was interested in getting my help replacing the machine.

A few months back I had picked up a Speed Queen top loader (the 45 model with warm rinse) and since I already have an A806 in my laundry room, I offered it to her. My buddy James and I transported the Queen to her new home, where she's happily working through a backlog of grandma-laundry.

James and I decided to take the A106, since he and his wife are about to have a baby. Two weekends ago we snagged a gorgeous A806 from Pennsylvania, replacing their WCI Frigi. We are going to overhaul the old beast and see if we can't compliment his A806 with this one.

This machine has been rode hard throughout its entire life. Its the only machine I can remember my grandparents ever having, and I'm 32. I'd hoped to save it from the crusher, just for sentimental reasons... its one of the machines that got me started. I was happy to be able to salvage it and see it get a new home.

The machine is several things - rusty, filthy, and tired. I did a spin test last night and while its slow to ramp up, I think the motor and transmission are still intact. New belts will help. There is extensive wear on the control panel. Some of the buttons have their text worn clean off, and the surface of the buttons are smooth. There is a dent in the front of the cabinet, and at some point, it was partially painted with a brush.

Yikes!

Some questions...

Can someone get a production date? The serial seems to be 031863AJ.

Is there a control panel that will work with this machine, but give the new owners a little more flexibility? Does anyone have one, if so?

There are only 3 buttons for water temperature, and they just have one temp on them... does that mean all rinses are cold? For some reason, I recall my grandmother selecting warm rinses for hot washes by waiting until the wash fill was complete, and then changing the temp to warm.

That's all I can remember at the moment. I've attached a link to the photo gallery below. Its not for the faint of heart. Please be nice to my grandmom tho... the machine is dirty and worn out but she loved it and was sad to see it go.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO mistereric's LINK


Forum Topics & Rules Manuals & Literature	New users Click-here to sign-up

Post# 335299 3/13/2009 at 09:55 (5,522 days old) by mistereric (New Jersey (Taylor Ham))
Checkrate/Likes So I went out to dinner with the family a week ago and my grandmother mentioned to me that her washing machine, a Maytag A106, wasn't doing so hot. It wasn't spinning well, which I suspect is a belt issue, and she was having a hard time washing some of my cousins sports gear in the small tub. She was interested in getting my help replacing the machine. A few months back I had picked up a Speed Queen top loader (the 45 model with warm rinse) and since I already have an A806 in my laundry room, I offered it to her. My buddy James and I transported the Queen to her new home, where she's happily working through a backlog of grandma-laundry. James and I decided to take the A106, since he and his wife are about to have a baby. Two weekends ago we snagged a gorgeous A806 from Pennsylvania, replacing their WCI Frigi. We are going to overhaul the old beast and see if we can't compliment his A806 with this one. This machine has been rode hard throughout its entire life. Its the only machine I can remember my grandparents ever having, and I'm 32. I'd hoped to save it from the crusher, just for sentimental reasons... its one of the machines that got me started. I was happy to be able to salvage it and see it get a new home. The machine is several things - rusty, filthy, and tired. I did a spin test last night and while its slow to ramp up, I think the motor and transmission are still intact. New belts will help. There is extensive wear on the control panel. Some of the buttons have their text worn clean off, and the surface of the buttons are smooth. There is a dent in the front of the cabinet, and at some point, it was partially painted with a brush. Yikes! Some questions... Can someone get a production date? The serial seems to be 031863AJ. Is there a control panel that will work with this machine, but give the new owners a little more flexibility? Does anyone have one, if so? There are only 3 buttons for water temperature, and they just have one temp on them... does that mean all rinses are cold? For some reason, I recall my grandmother selecting warm rinses for hot washes by waiting until the wash fill was complete, and then changing the temp to warm. That's all I can remember at the moment. I've attached a link to the photo gallery below. Its not for the faint of heart. Please be nice to my grandmom tho... the machine is dirty and worn out but she loved it and was sad to see it go. CLICK HERE TO GO TO mistereric's LINK

Post# 335310 , Reply# 1 3/13/2009 at 11:40 (5,522 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA)
Checkrate/Likes *News you can use...* Your washer was born in Newton in May, 1978. Your washer temps are hot,warm,cold with all cold rinses. The buttons can be replaced. According to the old reference books, the button kit for the temp switch is #204695. The button kit for the water level control is #205340. Belts are no issue and even the front panel isn't that scary. Just lay it face down flat on a sheet of cardboard and use a mallet and a section of 2x4 to gently flatten out the dent from the inside of the panel then repaint. OR just get a donor front panel from another machine as they are all the same from the '06 to the '12 series. You CAN repaint the control panel. The seafoam green may be a pill to find but the next acceptable color would be gold. (Later model panels were white over gold.... The Maytag label can still be obtained and applied after painting the panel. Hope this will help and have fun fixing her up. RCD

Post# 335585 , Reply# 2 3/15/2009 at 10:41 (5,520 days old) by kenwashesmonday (Carlstadt, NJ)
Checkrate/Likes *Cold Rinses?* I know my A606 rinses in warm when set for hot wash. Ken

Post# 335611 , Reply# 3 3/15/2009 at 13:08 (5,520 days old) by gansky1 (Omaha, The Home of the TV Dinner!)
Checkrate/Likes Years of faithful service - how many people will ever contemplate painting their washer bought today? She'll love the SQ but I wonder if people don't miss the soothing, familiar sounds of their old Maytags after they're gone...

Post# 335760 , Reply# 4 3/15/2009 at 23:55 (5,520 days old) by 70series ( Connecticut.)
Checkrate/Likes I believe this washer has a warm rinse after a hot wash on the Regular Cycle. Permanent press on the other hand has all cold rinses, no matter what temperature you choose. Have a good one, James

Post# 335779 , Reply# 5 3/16/2009 at 07:00 (5,519 days old) by bobbyderegis (Boston)
Checkrate/Likes This later 106 may have the cold rinse after the hot wash. Remember, the blue panel 106 was still being made while the gold panel 08's were in production. This little workhorse will live a long life with a little TLC. Belts need to be changed, as well as the motor carriage springs. Cosmetics can be done as you like. When I moved to Boston 20 years ago, my first washer was a 106 that I bought for 40 dollars. It was a little champ. When I got my 12 series pair, I gave the 106 to my little cousin, who still has it! Bobby in Boston