Need help with Kenmore Elite (maybe LG) m# 796 29002000 - grinding noise and now dead controls

[sgtb]

Hello all,

I am so glad that your web page still exists.  It’s been a while (as I said last time) because things have been working fine.  But now I have issues with a Kenmore Elite 796 24002000 Washing machine. (Top loading)   I believe that we got it either new or as a scratch and dent from sears around 2009 or so.  I don’t remember the exact year.  Maybe it’s a tad newer than that.  Sad compared to my old Kenmore was about 30 yrs old when it finally couldn’t be fixed (by me anyway) and had more problems than it was worth.

It was making a strange grinding sound when trying to balance the load and get the cycle started yesterday and kept giving me out of balance error.  I hit “drain and spin” and tried once more to get it to run a small load b/c one of the kids put bleach in the bleach tray and I wanted to run it out before washing things with colors.  I put on back on “Whites” setting and it started ok.  I videoed the noise it was making but it seemed like it was working ok other than that.  I meant to check on it again about 30 minutes later but fell asleep. Today the lid was locked, power was off, and nothing is working.

Steps taken so far: Verified power at outlet with outlet checker (the one with 2yellow and 1 red light) all good.

Managed to get some needle nose pliers in the latch to push it back to open lid make sure water was drained. Which it was but it did not look like it had run the spin cycle.

unplugged unit again, took off the control panel cover and checked power at what I believe is the noise filter - continuity of pwr cord is ok, so I plugged it back in and was getting somewhere around 118 volts on the outlet side of the filter. Put that back together and took cover off the back of the PCB - I get 118 v on the input wires but no red led.  I’m not sure if there is an onboard circuit breaker or fuse somewhere in between I need to check- there is a fuse looking tube on the PCB but it looks like it’s glued over with epoxy.  

SO I guess I have determined that probably the Main Circut board is bad and possibly the grinding noise was from either a stripped pulse generator (can’t remember the exact name - the thing that agitates the clothes) or possibly the clutch assy gears under the basket where the stator is.

I am going to try to tear into them if I can make space in the laundry room to tip over the washer… but so far have not gotten that far.

MY MAIN QUESTIONS are - is this fix - a new   PCB and possibly a new Clutch assy and the time it takes to deal with it all still a better option than just getting a newer washer? Like is this model prone to breaking over and over - so far it’s done pretty well.  But are a lot of other parts about to go out also?  What are the typical warranties on a new PCB?  

Also I thought there was a parts dept that supported this forum. Is that still the case? If so please let me know so if we decide to fix this one I can show some more support.

Any other thoughts or help is greatly appreciated.

Thank you!  

[sgtb]

Update: having trouble getting the agitator out and am leaning toward the grinding noise coming from the clutch gears below the wash tub portion. 

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Vance R]

Couldn't get you model number to pull up any info. So i'll give generic advice, your statement of 120 vac to the module and no red led does indicate a dead board. Will need to check the ac loads to see if any of those killed the board. The grinding noise could be a loose washplate, basket, rotor or possibly the shifter gear is cracked.

[sgtb]

Ok, thank you. I’ll take a picture of the data tag and post that.

I guess what I am hearing around town is that parts are hard to source right now. Is this true? I’m wondering if I order the board if it will actually be in stock somewhere or if it would have to get shipped into the country.  

I’m also still wondering if it is worth trying to fix one that may need a $240 PCB and another $130 part for the gears.  I haven’t been able to get the agitators plate off to be able to look at the bottom.  Just ran out of time last week and haven’t had time. 

LOoking at getting a newer one instead.  Any thoughts on brands? Maybe that is too much of a loaded question…

 

thanks again. 

[sgtb]

Hey, all… just a quick follow up to close out the thread.

I believe after further investigation that something was indeed wrong with the clutch drive component. Possibly because the washer got out of balance to far or something the rotor was making contact with the stator and causing the grinding/thumping sounds and is eventually what led to causing the PCB to blow out.

At this point, since i have not been able to source a PCB that can get here in a timely manner and the fact that It also either needs the clutch drive, rotor, and or possibly the agitator, I’m giving the washer to a friend to see if he can fix it or whatever - maybe make into an art project… i don’t really know.

The agitator disk splines seemed to still be making contact like they’re supposed to but they do look worn and would probably need replacing at some point in the near future. 

We were able to locate a different LG washer that was pretty similar and I suppose unless the dryer or refrigerator go out, I’ll see you all again in about 7-8 years… 

THanks for a terrifically helpful web forum etc.