If Your Washing Cycle Won’t Start, Check the Lid Switch in Your Kenmore Washer

If your washer won’t start or progress through the cycle, check the washer lid switch lid. When your appliance doesn’t think the lid is properly shut, it won’t start the next step in the washing cycle. Order replacement part #WP8318084 and replace the malfunctioning part.

1. Unplug the washer.

Always unplug or flip the circuit breaker to an appliance before you make repairs. This keeps you, the washer, and the surrounding area safer during the repair.

2. Remove the old lid switch.

Loosen the screws securing the back of the control panel cover. Slide the panel toward the front of the appliance and then flip it over so you can see the internal parts behind the cover. The cover can hang freely over the back.

Locate the lid switch at the front left corner. Remove the bolt securing the grounding wire in place. To remove the switch, first, open the door to disengage the lock. Then depress the locking tab next to the switch and pull the part out of its cutout. Pry the wire harness off of the old switch and set the switch aside. 

3. Install the new washer lid switch. 

Install the new part by following the uninstallation steps in reverse. First, plug in the wire harness. Make sure you can hear it click and lock into place. Next, open the washer door and push the switch into place in the metal panel. Once the switch is in place, slide the bolt through the grounding wire end and screw it into the metal. To reassemble the control panel, flip the cover back onto the top of the appliance. Make sure the tabs on either side fall into the grooves. Then push the cover back into the locked position flush with the back of the machine. Resecure it with the screws you removed earlier.

The new switch will let your washing cycles progress as usual. Go to Central Valley Appliance for more repair guides.