Help!! GE Washer Control Board

[hamsterjill]

My washer has been acting up, and I think it's the control board. It's a GE Profile Washer and I've read online about "resetting" the control board. To reset, you have to unplug the washer for a period of time, then open and close the lid six or more times within 30 seconds of it being plugged back in (I know...click your heels and tap your nose, right???!!)

This has worked for a while, but the need for resetting has become more and more often to the point NOW that I can't depend on even one load finishing correctly.

I've ordered the control board and it's being shipped. I've watched a video of the replacement of one, and it looks pretty easy. But has anyone here actually replaced one?

Any tips, any positive vibes, any confidence boosting would be appreciated!!!

[Jesus Malverde]

1. Have you searched on youtube.

I like the monkey see monkey do approach.

[hamsterjill]

2. Yes.

That's the video that I watched (as indicated in my original post).

[Hassin Bin Sober]

3. That looks super easy.

Keep in mind, this stuff is all plug and play designed so even the lowest skilled/paid slave labor can assemble the machines and not plug the wrong thing in the wrong place.

Prior to watching the video, I was going to recommend paying a few bucks to justanswer.com to talk via email to a certified tech who could walk you through the process and/or have him at your disposal to bounce questions and concerns. But I don't see how even that would add anything here. Unless there is some doubt as to what the actual problem is - but I don't even think that matters at this point since you already purchased the replacement parts. Might as well stick them in and see if that helps.

I have used justanswer.com twice to do repairs on my furnace. It was nice to have them on call for questions and in one case I used them to diagnosed the problem. I assumed my glow plug was bad so he was able to walk me through it to confirm by telling me where to place the ohm meter leads.

I once pulled my gas dryer apart on my own by using the process laid out in a repair manual I downloaded online. A repair manual is handy when you are pulling all the major components out one at a time as it gives you the proper sequence of events. But from the looks of your video you don't even need that to replace those two components. Repair manuals can be downloaded free from some of the appliance repair blogs. Don't pay for a manual from one of those sneaky websites that charge you for things you can find other places for free.

[hamsterjill]

8. It does look easy. I'm just not much of a DIY'er.

I made sure that the control board can be returned if it doesn't solve the problem.

Because I'm not an expert, of course there is a question as to the diagnosis, but I believe it's the control board from everything I've watched and read.

[Jesus Malverde]

12. I think the hardest part.. from the looks of it. Will be moving it away from the wall.

It looks pretty easy.

If you make sure the connectors are all plugged in tight when you put it back together it should be no problem.

Good luck

[LibGranny]

4. This won't solve your problem, but

I have a GE Profile refrigerator and it's been nothing but problems since the day we bought it! My good old Sears Kenmore is steadily working away in my basement - making ice and cooling our beverages and it's 26 years old! I'll never buy another GE appliance!

[hamsterjill]

5. I understand where you're coming from!

This is actually my second GE Profile Washer. The first one was purchased from Lowe's in 2011 and lasted less than a year. They replaced it free of charge with this one.

If this control board doesn't fix it, or if I'm unable to replace it - I will NOT be buying another GE.

The old adage of "they don't make 'em like they used to" is certainly true when speaking of appliances.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

7. What do you want from a company whose former CEO......

...... says he wishes he could put his company on a barge and float it around to the cheapest labor pool

[hamsterjill]

9. I know...but most of the CEO's are jerks.

Find me an appliance company that doesn't have a CEO who is a rich, overpaid jerk.

But I have to admit that Jack Welch was pretty bad.

[LibGranny]

11. I would also NOT RECOMMEND Fischer & Paykel appliances!

I bought a F & P washer and dryer and the washer motor has had to be replaced 4 times! The 1st time the machine was under warranty but the rest were at my expense - and it was expensive. I'd heard good things about this appliance brand and thought I'd give it a try but have had many regrets. The problem seems to be with how the machine drains. I called the company to complain (they're manufactured in New Zealand or Australia I believe) the lady asked if I had been "cleaning" the washing machine! Who knew you were supposed to clean something that's supposed to clean for you? I hope these appliances last till I enter senility and my kids have to do my laundry!

[hamsterjill]

13. I second this, as well!

I've had a Fischer & Paykel washer and, at first, thought it was great. But that elation didn't last long. It was impossible to get parts for it.

I should probably explain that I seem to go through washers quickly! I do a TON of laundry.

[Sherman A1]

14. Interesting

We bought an F&P washer about 2 years ago based upon the suggestion of the local independent appliance store near our home and it seems to be going along just fine. At what point did you start having problems?

[LibGranny]

15. Just before the the one year

warranty expired! F&P replaced the first pump motor and following that we had motor problems every year.

[Sherman A1]

16. Sorry that you had problems

ours seems to be going along just fine at this point and I hope it continues that way. I thought the motors had 10 year guarantees on them, perhaps I was wrong.

[hamsterjill]

18. The problem I had was in getting the parts.

I bought the extended warranty. But when mine started not working correctly, it was going to take as much as three weeks to get the parts needed.

I wasn't willing to go that long without a washer.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

6. The problem is that they all suck.

I have an LG washer and dryer. The dryer drum cracked on me only after a couple of years. It's a very common problem and LG refuses to stand behind it. Fortunately for me I am somewhat handy and was able to do the repair by myself for only a $100 part. Other people had to hire repair techs to come out two times and pay for or $500 for total repairs at which point is throwing a lot of money after bad - you almost want to buy a new machine.

I have a friend who has big clunker Kenmore washer and dryers in her basement. she wants to buy flashy new appliances to make her laundry room look nice. I told her not even to think about it. Keep the old clunkers as long as you could get parts for them.

But I hear you. My only a couple years old GE refrigerator icemaker has been giving me problems. my neighbors five-year-old GE dishwasher just died and had to be replaced.

The good news is these appliances are fairly easy to work on and there is plenty of information out there on the Internet to help you make repairs if you want to take it on. Diagnosing the problem is 90% of the skill involved and there's plenty of help with that. making the changes on the modules is the easy part

[hamsterjill]

10. Kenmore is Whirlpool.

At least it was, at one point.

My sister has a GE washer and dryer that are about 16 years old. Both are still working great. So, at one time, GE was a decent company. But no more.

I think you said it well when you said "they all suck". Nothing any more is made to last. It is the hope of the companies that consumers will grow frustrated and simply buy new appliances. I hate doing that, however, not only for the cost but also for the landfills.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

17. Basically there are two parts that define repairs

the pump motor and the agitator. Those two things are are the main frame of the operation.
Since you already know through resetting the machine though it failed to cure the problem,both the pump motor and the agitator are in good working order. The part you ordered should be the fix for as long it lasts.

You should have local appliance suppliers that provide parts . I know it may be cost saving to order on line, but, I use parts suppliers, one in particular, and after the problem is identified I call in the symptoms with my idea of what the fix is, if i'm right they tell me most likely you are right, and if it could be a different thing ,they point that out. They also provide trouble shooting diagrams on location that offer views that are not so easily available to the general public.
Short of advanced searches of course.

The same information appliance mechanic's use, they are after all in the business of selling parts.

good luck.

[hamsterjill]

19. UPDATE

Changing out the control panel was super easy, but unfortunately didn't fix the problem. Called repair service, and it simply is not cost effective to pay for service call and other parts and labor, so new washer being delivered in a couple of days. It's really sad commentary that it's cheaper to replace an appliance than to have it serviced.

Thanks for all of the input and suggestions!

[Hassin Bin Sober]

20. Well that sucks. How old was the machine?

[hamsterjill]

21. About 3 years.

Second one. The first one lasted less than a year. Lowe's replaced it and the replacement went about 3 years.

Yes, it sucks royally. But it's not all that uncommon I'm hearing. They literally DON'T make things like they used to. And I've tried buying the extended warranty, but it always seems that it takes forever to get the parts. In this day and age, who can go three weeks without a washer???!!!

I bought a Samsung. I couldn't find a washer that was in stock and available in my zip code that didn't have at least a few bad reviews. I bought this one for its size. I hope and pray that it will be a good one!

Thanks again for all of the input. And if anyone ever needs a control panel replaced on a GE Profile Washer, I can do it!!! LOL