Last October I posted a question about an overheating Kitchen-Aid motor for our Superba kuds220t3. After receiving some helpful suggestions I decided the best route was to swap out the Superba with a recent Craig's list purchase of a Kitchen-Aid kudi220t0 because the tub on the kuds220t3 was rusted through.
All worked nicely up until a couple of weeks ago when the timer began skipping steps in the cycle, specifically the wash cycle where it fills but doesn't wash which probably means the timer needs replacing.
I found a used timer online for 60 dollars but wonder if another alternative would also work; swap doors from the Superba kuds220t3 in the garage with the kudi220t0 which is currently installed. That way I'd enjoy the sleek newer push buttons on the kuds220t3 but also have a rust free tub from the slightly older model.
Would this "Frankenstein-Kitchen-Aid" washer work? I'd guess the electrical connections and relay switches from the top of the line Superba would be compatible with the middle of the line model, but don't know. Any thoughts or ideas?
You can always swap doors and controls from one model to the next but they have to have the same components in them to do so. How will you get the thermostats from the Superba to work if you dont have a hole in the sump for it to go thru nor the heating element in the sump to heat the water prior to the washes? Your Imperial model has the element above the sump and is not usually covered with water during the fills. Therefore it will not be able to heat the water to the proper temps either. Also, The Superba had the dryer heater located below the tank and your Imperial has plastic blower and uses the tank element to heat the air to dry the dishes. These are two of the major items. I can see it working however if you are willing to give up some features like the sani rinse and maybe heated drying. But you can rework the wiring to make it skip the preheating and sani heating and the heated dry might have to be rigged as well. But that will have to be up to you.
Nothing is truly impossible but I would not be surprised if you can't find another Superba on CL to swap out the whole machine with. Otherwise have the timer rebuilt by a timer rebuilder like Midwest.Call them for availablility first. Or try this company which seems to have some of the older timers available.
Just as last year, I appreciate your thoughtful and helpful responses to my newbie questions. Thanks for helping folks like us out in their time of need.
Despite my ignorance regarding all-things-electrical, your posting has quickly proven to me that my Franken-Kitchen-Aid idea should be quickly tossed into the dust bin of History. A new/used/rebuilt timer is definitely the way to go so the next step is to research where to purchase it.
I'll check out the link you've sent and post what I've learned next time. Thanks again for your help this year, and last. ~Dave
Post# 627583 , Reply# 3   9/25/2012 at 22:20 (4,202 days old) by STEVET(West Melbourne, FL)  
Either keep the machine or strip everything but the tank from it. You never know what you may find in the future. If nothing else, you can always part it out and help some of the guys on here keep their machines going. Many parts will fit the 21 series and that too is something you can look at.. Find a 21 series tank and use your parts to make it a 22.
You really cant go wrong with either one.
I am seriously thinking of Frankenaiding my 18 using a 21-22 pump and adding a drain solenoid to it and a drain pump so I dont have to use the reversing action of that pump but get the filtering and washing of the 21 with the cycles and triple rinses of the 18.
Imagine if I actually had time to do all these things!!!