Bill Newberry, this was an eye opener. Simply awesome. I was about to not only not buy a new piece, but was about to just chuck the ENTIRE washer to the dumpster. Not only did you also save me from buying a new piece but also a whole new washer costing me hundreds. You sir, are a gentleman and a scholar...
Thanks so much for posting this, Bill. I was able to fix my old switch with a zip tie as you described. I appreciate your taking the time to help folks everywhere to do simple repairs around the house.
Thank you Bill! Great tip - you saved me $36. On my Kenmore Series 90 the lid switch also has a small metal plate that curves around the switch held on by a press fit pin - it was only necessary to pry that up gently and then I could wrap the zip tie around the switch. Also I used 2 small zip ties zipped together in order to allow that metal plate to fit back on without interference from the larger zip tie.
Great quick, informative, money-saving video. My mom's switch just broke today, so I'm researching this now to try a fix for her tomorrow. I think your video will help me get her back up and running more quickly with no out-of-pocket expense. Thank you. :)
Thank you SO very much!! I had a load of heavy laundry in when it wouldn't spin/drain. My lid switch is already rigged - screw brackets broke, I clamp the paddle with locking pliers that all rest between lid and top edge - so I thought it just went. Testing it I could hear the click but saw a spark. Which is sometimes good and sometimes not! Saw your video, noticed it was gaping on one side plus sticky - maybe the glue - grabbed zip tie, and it totally worked! So awesome of you to share this!!
Thanks. That did the trick for my Kenmore 70 series. Easy fix. RU-vid has helped me fix this, the pressure switch, and the motor coupler over the past few years. You should set up a PayPal link for donations for your advice. I'd toss you some cash to save me time and money.
I searched how to repair washer lid switch and came across your video. Your fix was RIGHT ON! I didn't have a plastic tie wrap, so I used plastic electrical tape and wound it around a few times. It may not hold forever, but at least it works for now. My wife will be disappointed that she's not getting a new washer any more!
thank you, thank you, thank you - mine is a Kenmore 80 series washer and it stopped, mid wash, on a Sunday, and . . . . because of you, the rest is a delightful history - thanks again Bill
8.5 years later in 2021 and this worked a treat. I used what I had in the house, some 3mm Kapton tape and wrapped it around the housing just behind the hinge point. Several layers, pulling tightly as I wrapped it. Could also probably use electrical tape - just be sure to add enough layers to keep it from creeping apart again. Thanks for the tip! edit - Just read that Bill died in 2016. Truly sad, but kind of nice knowing he's still helping people long after his passing.
Brilliant. You saved me tonight! Wife had all her work scrubs in laundry when it went down. Almost had a nice Sunday night blown. Instead, heroic performance! 15min fix! Thank you!!
+Maxwell Dworkin HA! My wife was washing her work scrubs when ours went out as well!!! Bill Newberry - Thank you for posting this. I'm searching my garage for a zip tie now!
Thank you so much! I had a full load of laundry in the wash completely soaked. I came back to see if it was done and the button quite working. My hubs was at work so I had to figure it out myself so I could get my laundry done! I couldn't pull the piece all the way out, so i was blindly putting on the zip tie. It works now. Thank you!
Sunday morning washing clothes getting ready to hang because it's sunny out. Washer won't rinse and spin. Watched this video, found a tie wrap, unscrewed the switch pulled it out without taking washer apart. Tightened the tie wrap as instructed, reinstalled the switch, slammed the lid and away we go. One twist I plan to spray the switch with contact cleaner kinda dirty contacts. Big Thanks!!!!
Replaced hot water heater last week, and while taking apart our lcd tv to see if I could fix that I heard a shriek from our laundry room from my wife. I suspected this switch, took it out and followed this video. WORKED LIKE A CHARM! Thank you so much brother. Washing machine and sanity two for one.
THANK YOU!!!! this was exactly what i needed. i had to watch a few other you tubes to see how to access the switch, but the housing was split apart, just as you said. Also, my switch had an awkward metal part in the way, but I used two zip ties and my machine is running! no repair costs. THANKmYOU!!!
We were ready to send our 15-year-old Whirlpool washer to the landfill, when I came across this video. Amazing that a $500 apppliance can depend on a 10-cent switch. Thanks to you, Bill, we saved money and avoided creating unnecessary waste. Awesome!
Bill, After the washer filled the timer stopped. I thought it was the timer as it always made a buzzing sound for the past 9 years. After watching your video, I checked the lid switch and sure enough the switch came apart just like in your video.I applied your zip tie fix and reinstalled. Everything works as it did before.Thankfully, there was enough wire slack to allow the switch to be pulled into view after I removed the 2 screws.The entire fix took 5 minutes. Bill, you're the BEST! Thanks!
This worked exactly as you described. I used this trick to help save an 81 year old lady that lives nearby $150. She doesn't really know what the internet is much less RU-vid but she now knows of you and your generosity. We both thank you very much.
I forgot to share the fact that I was online looking to buy a NEW machine, thinking that mine had seen better days. Decided to look up the problem, it directed me to RU-vid..and there you were!! Thanks again
You just saved the day, I will now have clean underwear for the weekend. ***Note it can be done without taking the washer apart. I did it with laundry in.
I Big Shout Out to You.... I am a single mother and on a very fixed income... finding this video last night saved me a lot of money. I appreciate it so much.... was quoted it would cost from $100-150 to fix which included the part. You are a blessing! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!!!
Man, YOU ROCK. This saved me from a week of trips to the laundromat. Price of a zip tie - 5 cents. Save my sanity and gas - priceless. Wish we could donate to you. Keep the tips coming.
Thanks a million!!! I am house sitting while my parents are on vacation for two weeks and the washer stopped working the day after they left. It would not drain, rinse or spin. I figured out what was the problem online. I couldn't afford to buy a new lid switch, but I also couldn't just leave the load of laundry sitting in the washer for two weeks. I didn't know what I was going to do until I saw your video on how to fix it for free. I'm so happy that I was able to do it myself, with your help!
Just had similar problem with mine. Instead I just opened up the console unhooked the harness that leads to the lid switch and jumped the wires with automotive wire, closed the console back up and it works again. Although this could be a dangerous solution if you live with children, morons, or pet monkeys since the machine will not stop the drain/spin cycle when the lid is opened.
Oh man you saved the day! I lost my job 10 months ago and was dreadding the cost of a washer repair bill or worse having to purchase a new washer. The zip tie trick worked perfectly. Many thanks Mr Newberry!
Bill, your video just saved me from buying a new washer! I ordered a new lid switch from a local appliance store (they got me for $38!) I attempted to replace it myself, but had a hell of a time trying to remove the grounding wire from my old lid switch (stupid rusty screw). I was about to give up on it, & came across your video. Grabbed a zip tie, & fixed it in less than 5 minutes! I wish I saw your video before I went & wasted my money on buying a part I didn’t even use. I can’t even return it, because I removed it from the plastic bag it came in. Thank you so much for your very useful DIY videos!
"you didn't tell us"... He assumes, quite naturally, that you've done the necessary homework up to that point, and if you haven't, then maybe you should just hire someone to come in and clean your arse for you, you big, ungrateful mummy's boy. Excellent fix - now that's what I call a helpful You Tube video!
Aragorn Stellar you pull back the top by unscrewing the two screws that screw into the base amd pushing the panel housing back. there should be two copper clips that you are going to press down to remove. the front Chasse comes off and then you can get to your switch.
WOW! This fixed my washer problem. It wouldn't spin and I had water in it for weeks. Bugging family and friends to wash clothes at their houses.Came on RU-vid to find what could be the problem. Most said replace the washer lid switch. I knew replacing this would take me a lot of time and since I have an older washer I was afraid finding a new switch would be hard to do. I don't know why I didn't see your video before this, but I literally just did this method in 5 minutes at no cost (I had zip ties on hand already). I cannot thank you enough-I have never been happier to be able to do laundry!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!
THIS IS THE FIRST THING YOU SHOULD TRY!!! If your lid switch isn't working, it may well have just come unglued! Not having a zip tie, I just used a very strong twist tie and secured it well. I had to pop off the metal guard to do it but it's now back together and working perfectly. Don't replace the lid switch if you don't have to! Thank you SO SO MUCH Bill! You're the best! (I love a problem-solving mind.)
Awesome Solution! Kenmore Series 90 Washer is 14years old and just figured it was time to buy a new W/D set.The washer filled with water but no spin, no drain, no sound or no hum.Used the zip tie on the lid switch and now all is good!Thank you for sharing your knowledge!Alan H.
Ditto to all appreciative comments. People like yourself are a blessing to the rest of us for sharing your knowledge. Just when we think our day has gone bad, YOU SAVE IT! Yeah! Thank you
Thanks Bill, worked like a charm. Your little trick saved me a bunch of time. If anyone is thinking about trying this, you may not need to completely take the cover off of your washer. All I did was unscrew my switch and the cable had enough slack without unhooking it.
Thank you so, so much. Removed two screws, slid switch out from the top edge of the tub, zip tied it together, screwed everything back in place and SPIN!!!! So quick and easy, took longer to find a zip tie than to do the repair.
This video is perfectly awesome for people like me who don't do many home repairs. It was simple and to the point. I had to bypass a couple others just to get a clear explanation of how this part functions and how to fix or bandaid it. Thanks a million!!
Exactly the problem with my washing machine. Clear instructions and straight to the point... had it fixed in less than 5 minutes. Although I used a bunch of electrical tape instead of zip ties. Thanks so much!
You saved my life. I have a twenty year old whirlpool washer. I tested the lid switch it was broken using your idea of a wire tie worked perfect thank you.
Thank you so much! Our washer stopped spinning and emptying Saturday (Christmas weekend), and I figured it out to be the lid switch. There was no place in town to get a new switch, and we had a load of laundry in the washer full of water. I just removed the switch and found the exact problem you explained. I then used a zip tie to close it, as you instructed. Put it all back together, and it works perfectly! Great advice!
I was prepared to buy a new switch and was dreading the install because all the instructions told me I had to remove my whole cabinet. I took the switch off, put a cable tie on the switch and the damned thing worked perfectly ! You save me many hours of labor and the cost of a new switch ! Many thanks ! All of us novice repairmen need more tips like this ! Thank you so much !! Gary Blackshare
Hi Bill, My washer had stopped working and I saw this video and checked and realized that the lid switch was not clicking and I used a zip tie just as your AWESOME video tip instructed and VOÌLA!!! It worked!! Thank you, Bill!!
I need a "Love" button! Your fix worked on my washer... it is now happily spinning away and I won't have to spend my day off trying to track down a replacement switch! Thank you!!
Worked perfectly. I especially likes how your video was clear, to the point, understandable, without too much foul language. Saved our day and pocket book.
My wife just pulled off this repair by herself while I was out of town on business. Thanks for saving my money! She says with your directions it was quick and easy.
Thanks Bill. Fixed daughters Kenmore washer with zip-tie, just like you showed. Switch was busted open just like in the video. Appreciate it. Was able to pull switch out just enough without removing cabinet. Enjoy your videos.
I had the problem last night with a washer full of dirty jeans. Went to Google and found you after a bit. Took out two screws pulled out the switch and attached a tie per your video. It worked instantly. Great job great video!! We are in a new age of people not having to be ripped off by service calls for these built in failure modes.
Thanks Bill,, you just saved me a TON,,, with a 15+ year old Kenmore,, I thought I just prob need to get a new washer. With this video, I played with the switch while washer was on. Sure enough, it went into regular drain and spin mode. I took the housing off, loosen the switch and sure enough, just like in your video here, mine had came apart too. I took the zip tie, put around it, screwed it back in, washer back together and now, working like new. I was about to either order a $40 new lid switch, which would have repaired it, but I would had to wait on the part,, etc... Now, I'm back in business....... Yes, the internet CAN be bad, but in these cases, people sharing tips and all, saves others money. thanks again, Dan
HI Bill, You indeed are da man! Just fixed my switch using your advice, took 10 minutes and didn't even have to remove the switch completely, everything works great, thanks so much for the advice.
Bill - Thank you so much for the informative and helpful video. Just as you stated, the lid switch on my washer separated, causing the washer to not properly run through its cycles. Following your instructions, I used a zip tie to reconnect the two halves.....and it began to click when depressed again. I re-installed it, put the cover back on the washer, and resumed the load of wash that was already underway when the failure occurred. The whole process took less than 20 minutes. I just returned from a two-week business trip, and coming home to washer that wasn't working properly was not how I had planned to spend my weekend. Thanks to your awesome tip, I will be enjoying my weekend, and will have clean clothes when I leave for my next trip on Monday.
Haven't got hubby to check this yet but I believe you hit the nail on the head! Machine washes and fills but does nothing at all when it is supposed to be spinning and draining. Thanks so much! I used a piece of garden hose, turned it into a syphen by filling it with water and then holding the two ends up to hold the water in, submerged one end into the washing machine full of water and lugged the rest of the hose (holding up end) out the door. Works great to drain the water! and safe. Sue
Thought I was going to have to order and wait for a new lid switch but watched your video and used a zip tie on my broken lid switch and guess what.... Has worked like a charm...your a gem... Thank you!!
I had this broken switch problem on a Kenmore model. As another posted noted, they have a metal guard around the switch that I had to remove as well, but your zip tie fix did the trick. Thanks for being an awesome human being and sharing this for those of us who really can't afford to be shelling out repair money right now.
I thank you a thousand times over. I'm a single mother (of 2) and I'm a Homeowner. I was able to fix it easy. Now I don't know if the sides is on right. but dang gone its up and running. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bill - YOU ROCK! I just saved bundles, thanks to your good advice. 5 minutes. Done! Plus, I didn't have to call a repair person. so happy. thank you thank you.
Thank you so much. I fixed my 90 year old patients washer today using your brilliant method. Her washer is a Kenmore 70 series and had a metal plate sorta around the part you show but that popped off w just a lil pressure. Then I was able to use the zip tie. Hardest part was getting the screws back in! So thankful to you Definitely a subscriber 👍
Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. We live in a rural area about 8 mi. west of town. The repairman wanted to charge $89 just to show up at the house. This tutorial saved me a lot of money
WOW....what an honest technician. My GE lid lock switch broke 😭. It's the worst machine I've ever owned. My machine is not even 2 years old and it's the 3rd time it's broken down. I'm hoping the technician shows up tomorrow. God bless you for your honesty!!
Bill, great tip. You just saved me (and my new landlord) over $100 ($45 for the part, and at least $50 for the Sears service call). And it took me maybe 10 minutes. Machine is working like a champ. Thanks!
Hi Bill. My husband fixed our washer after watching your video. Early in the day he phoned 2 local service guys and they wanted $250 to replace the lid switch, a lot of money on a 10+ year old Kenmore washer that up until now worked great. The repair took 1/2 hour and we are now up and running again. Thanks again!
Sept.10. 2014, no drain or spin. Checked this you tube; discovered there was no click sound on the lid switch of the whirlpool. I followed your instructions, and worked accordingly. THANK YOU!!!!! I did it in 5 minutes. Thanks!
This fix saved more then a few bucks, it saved the time of ordering the part and the time replacing it, I was able to zip it together with out taking everything apart. Thanks for the tip!
Thanks for the video man. My washer stopped its cycle today and never drained or spun. After researching I first tested the lid switch and it was bad. After removing it, it looked like it was broken exactly like the one in your video. After zip tieing it, it tested good. Fixed my problem.....Can't thank you enough Bill !
Hi Bill. THANKS SO MUCH for this video! I'm a single mom with very low income. Have no $ whatsoever for repairs. I watched your video and thanks to you I was able to fix the thing ALL BY MYSELF! Thanks for saving me!
I knew the switch was broken and did a search for one but found this video instead. You saved me from having to get a new switch and also allowed me to get my clothes finished on a Saturday night when I couldn't have got parts anyway. Took less than 5 minutes. Thanks for taking the time to post this!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! My washer filled up but then stopped. I was in a panic. Couldn't get a repair guy today, and no one had the part in stock. Your video saved the day!!!
thank you times one million for this video. We just fixed our lid switch using this method. Cannot express how relieved I am that the washer is working again!!!
Worked perfectly. The lid switch was separated just like in your video. Used a zip tie and we're good to go. Made one mistake and unnecessarily took off a screw on the back of the machine top that held the ground strap. Couldn't see cause it is in a very tight installation. Lost a nut but just replaced it with another 10-32. What took the most time was waiting out a wash cycle to make sure it worked. Thanks!
Great advice. Help save me from getting a new washer. Wife had one picked online when I got home from work and was ready to order. Wife drained the washer twice, it had been finicky and finally quit working. Fixed that night, doing laundry now. Thanks!
Thank you so much. Fixed my in laws machine. Mother in law is going in for knee replacement tomorrow and all the bedding needs washed. Relieved alot of stress here.
Thanks for the tip Bill. Saved me a lot of money - my wife wanted to replace both the washer & dryer because of the lid switch problem. I' not a Mr.Fixit,but with you tip and another video on how to remove the housing, it looked like I knew what I was doing. Thanks again.
You helped me and it worked! Thanks for helping and taking the time.I am an electrician/gas man/remodeling and land clearing and I do my best to give back to the community when I can. God Bless!
Bill. I am so glad I found your video! Our switch had come apart just as you describe. It was easy to unscrew the switch and pull it out from under the edge (just push the drum out of the way) and zip tie it back together. You're a life saver!
This solved the problem I had with the washer lid switch suddenly failing on a Kenmore 80 series. Parts are harder to find in Canada, and would have taken a few days to come by shipping. We got a messy little boy and a petting zoo worth of animals at home. Saved us money and the headache of trips to the laundromat. Much Thanks!!!!
Ty Bill, saved some money after watching. What I did at 1st on my lid switch was, since mine was appears to be a metal lid switch, & everytime you put the lid down half way it would start then stopped all the way down. So I put a plastic extender from a glow stick necklace over the rod on the lid and trimmed it down to extend the piece. Worked like a charm...lol
Oh man, thank you so much! I was just trying to get my washer to drain and this is the only video I found that showed what was actually broken in the lid switch so I could kludge it together enough to drain. Life saver!
Thank you so much for posting this video! I decided to try this first before bypassing or replacing the switch and it worked like a charm. The hinge was very loose and the zip tie secured it nicely. I had to take off and leave off the metal stopper piece when reinstalling because after putting the zip tie on it didn't have any room to clip back into place. Not a big deal because it didn't seem vital to the fix. Saved a lot of time and money. Thanks again!
Thank you very much for showing how to put the tie on properly. Most people say to use this method but don't actually show it in use. I actually had one laying right on the sink next to the washer.
I just fixed my lid switch, thanks to your video. I really appreciate it. If I have any more problems with my washer, I'll be back to watch more of your videos. Thanks again!
Thank you, Bill! This worked perfectly and my washer is now draining and spinning! My piece was in much worse condition as the one you show in the video - and it still worked! Thanks again.
Hi Bill.....want to thank you very much. I'm a stay at home mom that was cleaning up after my active 4 year old. This trick worked perfectly. You are the MAN!!!!!
you are a lifesaver!!!!!! thank you so much! our dryer kept breaking so we finally got it fixed and we have a mountain of clothes to wash and suddenly it wouldn't do the spin cycle leaving the clothes soaked and soapy. the switch had been funny for a while and the machine would stop right before that spin cycle and I would just push down on the lid and it would continue no problem. I was in a panic because I'm a stay at home mom with a mechanic husband and this mountain of dirty clothes... you honestly saved the day! thank you so so so sooooo much!!!!! Fixed it myself in barely 2 minutes thanks to you! ❤ 😃
I too am thankful for your youtube video! I took your advise one step easier. Instead of unscrewing the panel (on my old washer I needed a socket wrench which I didn't have), I just unscrewed the lid switch itself. The wires were long enough to just pull it out from underneath. It was that easy! So glad I didn't have to call a repairman.
OMG you are the best. I was having the problem with my washer and I did exactly what you said and me a woman I fixed it. Thank you soooooo much. 1000 thumbs up for you.
Thank you so much. I was able to fix my lid switch problem for less than a couple of bucks. My husband's buddy was telling him it was time for a new machine. Glad I found your video, keep up the good work!