Washing Machine Sensor Malfunctions
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Yesterday, the appliance technician was here once again, fiddling with my temperamental Whirlpool washing machine. After spending the entire morning on it, he said the problem lies with the delicate sensors.
Every time I hear the word “sensors,” I get aggravated. In my twenty-year-old car, the sensors have been messed up forever. So I don’t know when my tire pressure is low, etc.
I’ve taken it in half a dozen times, spent at least $500, and it’s still messed up. So I probably frown every time I hear the word “sensor.”
These things are rather freakish, as they seem to have a mind of their own. This is why I don’t want a new car with all the technology, though I couldn’t afford one if I did. All the bells and whistles mean there’s more to go wrong.
Where the Sensors Come into Play
“So,” the tech told me, “If the washing machine thinks there is just a tiny bit of water somewhere in it, it can come on, as it did the other day.”
The day he’s referring to is when I was sitting here in my chair, and it decided to grind whatever small drops might have been in it. Long after I’d used it.
The definition of sensor: a device that responds to a physical stimulus (such as heat, light, sound, pressure, magnetism, or a particular motion) and transmits a resulting impulse (as for measurement or operating a control).
I hate them. It is a mercurial, cranky part in my one-year-old washing machine that I’m not spending any more money to fix. I don’t have $400 to throw around on a washing machine that probably cost me less than $700 when I bought it.
Kendra told me I might want to look at a Speed Queen, which I will look into when this one shows even a glimmer more of trouble. A Speed Queen, which I’d never even heard of, is built for extreme durability, using commercial-grade parts that are expected to last roughly 25 years. It is made in Wisconsin.
The cheapest one I found online was $1300. But it might be worth it when I squeeze a little more out of this Whirlpool monstrosity.
A Funny Thing He Said:
As the appliance tech was about to leave, he asked me if I had a dog. I thought: What is he talking about? I told him no.
He said he’d heard a creature run through the house, and it sounded like a dog. In other words, it sounded bigger than a cat.
I told him no, that was probably just Ivy.
Daisy & My Tweezers:
Daisy is one of those cats that likes to steal things. Little things like tweezers or eye drops. She has now taken my tweezers, and I can’t find them. I had to order more because she’s hidden them somewhere.
It must be something about female cats, because Ivy is likely to do the same thing. Ivy’s favorite thing to steal is screws, as in screws intended for holes.
If I have something that needs to be put together, like a piece of furniture, I keep the screws in a little bowl nearby. Because if I don’t, she will sneak in quietly and take off with a screw.
One time, Greg was putting something together for me, and she pilfered a screw. I had told him of Ivy’s predilection for stealing them, but he got distracted. So I had to hold them while he worked on whatever it was.
Simon doesn’t seem interested in these things. He’s too busy jumping and running around to pay attention to little things like tweezers and screws.
Kendra’s MRI Results:
Kendra got her MRI results. It seems some cartilage is missing from her knee. The Baker’s Cyst behind her knee has burst, and eventually she’ll have to have surgery. For now, they’re going to give her an injection in her knee, which will last about three months.
They will need to put some form of hardware in her knee.
She told the doctor that she has a list of projects she’s signed on for. That’s not to mention the house she bought last week. Kendra planned to take Marley to California on a hiking trip in June, but that might have to be postponed.
I ordered knee compression sleeves that arrived yesterday, but they were too big. So I told her to come get those, and I’d order smaller ones. I have knobby knees, and the material puckers around them, so it isn’t tight enough to do any good.
What I’m Watching:
I watched a 6-episode series called “His & Hers.” Then I began watching “Southland”, a series suggested to me on Netflix after the credits rolled on the previous show.
What It’s About
Veteran Los Angeles cop John Cooper is assigned to train rookie Ben Sherman, who finds himself questioning whether he has the right stuff to be a police officer after witnessing Cooper’s no-nonsense approach.
Other members of the police team include Detective Lydia Adams, her mother’s primary caregiver outside the office. Her partner, Russell Clarke, an unhappily married father of three. Detective Daniel `Sal’ Salinger, who oversees gang detectives Nate Moretta and Sammy Bryant. And patrol officer Chickie Brown, a single mother who dreams of joining the SWAT team.
It has 43 episodes across 5 seasons, so that should keep me busy with evening TV watching for a while.
What I’m Reading:
This book, written by Sara Stridsberg of Stockholm, Sweden, is translated by Deborah Bragan-Turner.
What It’s About
A haunting novel of a woman’s lifelong witness to her father’s illness, and Stockholm’s mythic mental hospital.
Jackie’s father, Jim, lives at Beckomberga. She takes the bus to visit him, though sometimes he refuses to see her, and so instead she gets to know his fellow inmates: Olof, a man who has been there since he was a teenager, some sixty-three years; Sabina, wildly unconventional and beloved by Jackie’s father and their doctor; and others.
Beckomberga is Stockholm’s famous, infamous mental hospital. An enormous, once-elegant building, it sits beside the most beautiful park, slowly falling apart. The doctor sometimes takes the residents for a night out―champagne in the backseat of the car, parties in town; he says: One night beyond the confines of the hospital makes you human again.
Over the years, Jackie’s family also falls apart, as her mother, Lone, tries to escape the oppressive hold Jim’s illness has on her, and Jim himself tries to escape in any way possible. What follows is an extraordinarily beautiful, stirring portrait of a family and the ways in which our flaws, yearnings, and the unreachable parts of ourselves shape those we love.
Jackie bears witness to it all across time, with wisdom and aching clarity―Jim’s sadness and absence, Lone’s attempts to cope and then flee, the loneliness and wonder of Beckomberga, her own capitulation and erasure in the face of what they need.
I think Kendra should contact the Consumer Affairs Department of Whirlpool about the washer. It seems you have a “Lemon” appliance. I think they should replace it! My state has “lemon” laws . I hope Oklahoma does too. Good Luck.
Your post on such an teresting subject has left me speechless. I regularlyly check out your blogs and stay current by reading the material that you offer; nevertheless, the blog that you have posted today is the one that I appreciate the most.
We have not had good fortune with whirlpool, starting back in 1972 so we avoid them if it is us buying. I had our son pick up a set of Maytags before moving to NC again…so they did well for the 2 yrs…but we had to move to this apt with its own set so we gave our Maytags to our grandson. In our early years we got a maytag set and they lasted over 20 years with almost no repairs. But this one made in USA sounds like a winner too. Now esp when it is so hard to find things made in USA. So sorry you are having so many issues.
So sounds like maybe they will give your daughter a cortisone shot? Hubby had one in his shoulder over a year ago…supposed to last a few months but so far he is still painfree so we hope that lasts!! I had not ever heard of good results from the shot but maybe our doc is more skilled in exactly WHERE to place it?
I guess she will be getting that kind of injection; she didn’t say. I still don’t have a working washing machine. I’m really frustrated.
Brenda – Please avoid ANY Samsung appliance. They have a high repair record as told to me by our repair man. He’s been in business over 40 years and knows his stuff. Speed Queen and Maytag are good. Good luck. And I would complain to Whirlpool. Couldn’t hurt.
Kendra had bad luck with a Samsung washer, so I don’t plan on getting one.
Research this flaw online in the kind of Whirlpool unit you have. Then contact Whirlpool about the fact you are having the unit fixed by a professional and still has an inability to run properly.
Raise Cain! We spend way too much money for these necessities for them to crash so early in their lifespan.
This could be nearly $400 down the drain. I have been researching these sensors and have got it running once, but it still makes those noises so I have to unplug it.
Hi Brenda. Sorry to hear about your washing machine woes. This may sound silly and too inconvenient, but could you just unplug the washer when you’re not using it – at least until you feel ready to purchase another one? That way the sensors won’t kick in if they detect any water remaining in the machine.
I can, but you have to go through a lot of rigmarole to recalibrate the sensor, so it would be inconvenient. But that’s what I’m currently doing.
Hi Brenda! I apologize if this suggestion has been currently discussed regarding your washing machine, but what about writing a letter to Whirlpool about the 1) after barely one year old, new washing machine you purchased, you’re now replacing parts, and 2) explain your situation/didn’t expect and can’t afford these types of repairs… was the reason you bought a new washer in the first place. 3) I’d also mention that you have a blog, and that your readers are encouraging you to purchase Speed Queen in the future if anything else happens to yours. 4) would appreciate any replacement of washing machine as you’d like to keep it…..?? or Reimbursement of repairs???
I’m reading about companies currently concerned with feedback from customers on how they’re not putting up with faulty products and higher prices. Perhaps it’s worth a try? Thanks, Brenda for your wonderful blog.
Sue in Missouri
I plan to let them know I’m publicizing it, and they hate seeing their Google rankings drop.
When appliances/computers have issues, it’s so maddening because we rely so heavily on them. And things definitely don’t last as long for sure.
Cats are just the best. Our cat has brought in his treasures from outside, which is always quite a surprise. He’s 15 with diabetes now, which is so very sad.
I know. I went through that with my dog, Charlie. Enjoy every precious day with your cat.
We have a speed queen. The parts are heavy duty, not plastic. Ours is at least 8 years old and running great! Top loading though. Ours has an agitator which so many at the time we bought ours didn’t. Our old washer didn’t have one and it kept going off balance.
This has been going on for far too long. I’m really frustrated.
I say exactly the same thing about bells and whistles!!!!
I will pay for a better machine/appliance but I want it to be simple!
When my parents were living with us we had to replace our cheap and very basic Kenmore and got a Maytag Commercial washer. No bells. No whistles. It’s been great.
Love your cats. It’s so hilarious how loudly they can run through the house.
Btw, although you and I are politically divergent, here I am.
Well, thank you for being here, Carol! I appreciate you. I’ve been looking into Maytags too.
Recently when I was looking at washing machines I asked what the difference was in 2 very similar machines. The salesman said “you talk to this one”. My husband doesn’t listen to me why would the washer?🤪. Stay warm and well everyone!
I don’t want ANYTHING I have to talk to.
I don’t have one, but I do know that Speed Queen has made commercial washers and dryers for laundromats for many years and they are built to last. I have an Amana, and while I like it, I know it won’t last as long as the washers from years past.
Appliances and cars are certainly not built like they used to be.
That is terrible about your new washing machine. I agree with any appliance or car etc with all this new technology – I don’t like it. It’s just more things that can go wrong and is much more expensive to fix. That is, if it’s even fixable! Brian had to buy a new car last year (his very old Corolla with over 300k miles on it finally had it after Brian hit a deer!) and neither of us like the standard digital stuff on the huge screen. We just ignore it – we don’t even understand how half of it works, lol. Even our son said he’d rather just have a standard car (which he does).
Both my washing machine and dryer are basic and old and I haven’t had a problem with either one of them. And I do laundry every 1-2 days! The washing machine is a GE and the dryer is a Kenmore. I don’t know if I’d spend that kind of money on a washing machine (the Speed Queen) if you’re only doing laundry for one person. Maybe it’d be best to do some online research first.
That’s what I’m doing, Melanie. I remember you saying he had 300,000 miles on that car, and I thought to myself, well, he got his money’s worth out of that one!
Beckomberga sounds wonderful. Love your book recommendations.
Wish I would’ve known about Speed Queen sooner. Just purchased a new Samsung set from Lowes. Previous washer had to have the mother board replaced, better off buying a new one. The days were we used to go to Sears and buy an appliance that would last for years are certainly gone.
I don’t like that they’re computerized. Too much stuff that goes wrong.
I’ve never heard of that speed queen brand, but they sound like they are good quality. Mine are whirlpool. I’ve had them for quite a while, but they are not fancy at all. Just basic, but they get the job done. There’s no delicate cycle, so I’ll just hand wash those few items. I hope Kendra’s knees will feel better once she gets the shots.
I wish this one were a simple washing machine, but those sensors are a real problem. Same with the ones in my car.
Like you, I am sick and tired of the these ‘new fangled’ machines (and now cars) and summer of 2024 I finally decided I had 100% had ENOUGH of the crap ‘new washer’ I had gotten 5 years prior. I bit the bullet, used my credit card and purchased a Speed Queen Washer and a Speed Queen Dryer (my dryer was still going and I bought that in 2007, a Kenmore but who knows how long that would last, though my step son has it and it is still going), just for the reason your daughter said – 25 years average life span and the local store here is official speed queen repair service as well. Pricey ? YES, but I am THRILLED with them. I am 68 years young and I believe these machines will out live me !! Now, my 2023 Kia Soul ? Who knows? It has more bells and whistles on it then I even need or use, but it is a nice driving vehicle, good mileage and I kept my last two vehicles, Nissan for 12 years and Chevy Spark for 11 years, and I would have kept the Spark longer except for a recurring leaking problem on roof antenna that was going to cause real problems on my electronics and I had had 3 repairs on it and still it would start leaking again after a year or two. So had to finally get a car. The Kia my first fully new car I ever bought – I always got gently used, under 5 – 10K miles on them and had them for years. Look into the Speed Queens – pricey but so worth it !!!
Nice to know of your experience with Speed Queen. I must have been living under a rock not to know of this brand! The dryer that I got when I got the Whirlpool washer is not a good one. Sometimes you can’t shut the door on the damned thing!
I have had a Speed Queen set for almost 9 years. It was money well spent. One thing I like about the company is they are sold only by local mom and pop stores, not big box stores. I don’t know about being able to buy online.
I found a place here in town that carries them. And that’s where I’ll go when I buy one. I like that they’re made in America!
http://www.braceability.com might have something that will help Kendra. That is funny about Ivy, she looks a tad smaller than Libby my mini goldendoodle. Sun is out here today but it is still cold, going down to the single digits this weekend, guess I will be looking at snow for quite awhile yet.
Take care Brenda
I’ll let her know. Still clumps of snow here too, though it’s supposed to be in the sixties for a few days.
I read about the quality of speed queen washers a couple of years ago. When my current machine decides to kick the dust, I’ll be buying a speed queen.
I had knee replacement surgery in December and can fully relate to your daughter’s issues. Ouch! I’m almost 68 and feel like everything is falling apart.
The doctor told her that, aside from the one problem, her knees looked like those of someone younger and that she wouldn’t be needing a knee replacement anytime soon.
What a pain that washing machine is. I’ve never heard of them reacting that way do there is even a little water in it. Hopefully whatever he has done will
be the fix it needs. I stick with Maytag. I bought both a new washer and dryer 9 yrs ago now. I went with the least fancy model but yet could do a delicate load.
Sorry to hear about Kendra’s knee That sounds awfully painful. I hope the shot helps.
Interesting comment from
the technician about the dog. Could it have been one of the cats?
It had to have been big Ivy! I’ve often looked into Maytag, as I’ve read it’s a good brand, but I’ve never bought one.
Years ago I had a Kenmore washer and Dryer (Sears) and had lots of trouble. So I bought Maytag and my troubles were gone. When I moved into a rental house about 15 years ago I bought a second-hand Maytag set and it worked great and I sold it when we bought a house of our own that had a new set of Maytag washer and dryer. They’ve been fine now for over 12 years so I’m pleased.
My mother had a Speed Queen years ago when I was young and she loved it. Strong machine with no problems. She even turned the dial the wrong way once when setting it which was a “no no” but it kept right on working for many more years.
So sorry to hear about the trouble you are having with your washing machine. The technician came and sorted out our dishwasher problem which didn’t appear to be much. This dishwasher is a Bosch so we asked him about the new ones and he said he wouldn’t buy one as they are not made as well as they used to be! I think that goes for a lot of things these days so we will try and make this one last a bit longer.
Sorry to hear about your daughters knee problems, hope she gets some relief soon.
I wish I’d never had my car fender replaced and spent the money. The fender installed is quite inferior. When I gently hit the SUV next door, it crumpled like a paper cup!
Oh these new appliances!! You can’t find any that last like they used to! I’d love to have my old Kenmore set back!!
I am well aware of the shots in the knees. They are great when they work. I was 55 when mine started, in both knees. They’d last for 6 months then but slowly that time got closer and closer until I couldn’t be pain free for 2 months. Sooooo, I had my left one replaced. I had a shot last month in my right one and I feel normal. I hope Kendra’s works magic for her.
Getting older ain’t for sissys is it?
No, she’s 51 now, and experiencing menopause and arthritis.
Brenda, it is always something isn’t it. I am sorry that you are having problems with your machine.
And I am sorry to hear about Kendras knee. Hopefully the shots will help.
Have a great day.
Hey Elizabeth, how’s it going? I’ll be glad when winter is over.