If your washing machine fills with water and agitates, but does not spin or drain, you may need to replace the washer lid switch (part number 3949238). This article will instruct you on how to replace the washer lid switch on top load Whirlpool, Sears, Kenmore, KitchenAid, Roper, Estate, Kirkland, and Inglis washing machines.
Any time you work on an appliance, make sure it is unplugged or the circuit breaker is off. Also turn off your hot and cold water supply to the washer.
Your new washer lid switch will have an electrical connection that plugs into the wiring harness on one end and a switch on the other end.
The first thing you have to do is remove the control panel, it’s usually held in place by two screws located near the front or rear of the control panel. Once the screws have been removed, lift up the control panel to access the old washer lid switch and disconnect it. With a flathead screwdriver, remove the two spring clips that hold the body to the washer frame.
Lift the lid, tilt the body up to a 45 degree angle and lift it off the machine. Remove the electrical connection from the body. Underneath the lid is where the new washer lid switch will be mounted. The old lid switch is held in place by two screws. Remove the screws and lay the machine on it’s front. Remove the ground wire. Use a flathead screwdriver to pry open two retaining clips that hold the old wiring harness.
Once removed, secure the new wiring harness and reinstall the ground wire. Lift up the machine, line up the lid switch with the holes and use the two screws to attach it. Now that you have the lip switch installed onto the body, you can install the body back onto the frame the same way it was removed. Finally reconnect the washer lid switch (part number 3949238) to the control panel.