If your Kenmore washing machine is overflowing, you’ve come to the right place. This detailed guide explains the causes of this issue, and provides steps on how to deal with them…
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Kenmore Washing Machine Is Overflowing — Solved
If your Kenmore washing machine is overflowing, there are two possible causes; a damaged water inlet valve, and a failed pressure switch. The inlet valve controls the flow of water into the machine, while the pressure switch monitors the water level. Follow the steps below to test these parts…
Water Inlet Valve
Take the following steps to test your Kenmore washing machine’s water inlet valve…
Front Loaders
Here’s how to test the inlet valve assembly in your front loader Kenmore washing machine…
Step 1. In order to prevent leakage or any chances of electrocution, ensure that your machine is disconnected from the outlet, and the water taps are off before starting this procedure.
Step 2. Place some towels on the floor underneath the water hoses to catch any leaks. Using pliers if needed, detach the COLD and HOT water hoses from the back of the machine.
Step 3. Using your screwdriver, take out the bolts securing the top panel to the cabinet. Pull the panel backwards about an inch or so, then lift it off the cabinet.
Step 4. Note the positioning of the wires connected to the valve assembly, then disconnect each one.
Step 5. Use pliers to release the spring clamps securing the outlet hoses to the valve. Detach each hose from the valve assembly (note where each hose goes).
Step 6. Take out the screws securing the valve assembly to the cabinet. Carefully pull the inlet valve out of the cabinet.
Step 7. Get a digital multimeter, then turn the control dial to the lowest setting for ohms of resistance.
Step 8. Push the two probes of the meter into each inlet valve terminal. For a working valve, you should get a reading between 500 and 1600 ohms.
Step 9. If the reading is much higher or lower than these numbers, the valve is faulty and needs to be replaced.
Step 10. Once you are sure that the valve assembly is in good condition, remount it at the back of the cabinet, then apply the nuts.
Step 11. Reconnect the little tubes to the ports on the valve. Secure the tubes by sliding the retaining clamps into place.
Step 12. Plug each wire harness into its appropriate terminal on the valve assembly. Mount the top cover on the cabinet, then push it forwards. Tighten the bolts at the back to secure the panel.
Step 13. Attach each water supply hose to its corresponding port at the back of the machine (in order to prevent any leaks, ensure that the hoses are properly attached).
Step 14. Reconnect your washing machine to the power outlet, then turn the COLD and HOT water supply faucets on. To ensure that the overflow has stopped, try running a rinse cycle.
Top Loaders
Test the water inlet valve in your Kenmore top loader washing machine with the following steps…
Step 1. Ensure that your machine is disconnected from the outlet, and the water faucets are off before starting this procedure in order to prevent electrocution and leakage.
Step 2. Detach the two water supply hoses from the ports at the back of the machine (use pliers if needed).
Step 3. With a Philips screwdriver, take out the bolts securing the cover to the control panel. Pry the cover off and set it aside.
Step 4. Detach the control panel from the mounting base. Set the panel face-down on the cabinet.
Step 5. Note where each plug goes into the valve, then disconnect them. Use a Philips screwdriver to take out the nuts securing the valve assembly to the cabinet.
Step 6. Pull the inlet valve assembly out of the cabinet. Get a digital multimeter, then turn the dial to the lowest setting for ohms of resistance.
Step 7. Push both probes of the meter into each terminal on the valve. If you get a reading between 600 and 1500 ohms, the valve is in good condition.
Step 8. If the reading is significantly lower or higher than these numbers, it indicates that the valve has failed; you’ll need to replace it immediately.
Step 9. Once you have gotten your new valve, mount it on the cabinet, then secure it by applying the Philips screws.
Step 10. Plug each wire connector into its corresponding terminal on the new valve. Lift the control panel, then snap the base back into the cabinet.
Step 11. Place the cover on the control panel, then apply the bolts using your Philips screwdriver.
Step 12. Reattach the water supply hoses to the appropriate ports at the back of the machine.
Step 13. Plug the power cord back into the electrical outlet, then turn the water supply faucets on. To ensure that the issue has been resolved, try running a rinse cycle.
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Water Level Sensor
Once you are sure that the inlet valve is in good condition, the second thing to check is the water level sensor. Here’s how to do this…
Front Loaders
Follow the steps below to test the water level sensor in your front loader Kenmore washing machine…
Step 1. In order to avoid any chances of electrocution, it is advised that you disconnect your washing machine from the outlet before starting this repair.
Step 2. Using your Philips screwdriver, take out the bolts securing the top panel to the cabinet. Slide the panel backwards about an inch or so, then lift it off the machine.
Step 3. Disconnect the wire harness from the water pressure sensor mounted on the cabinet. Loosen the nut securing the pressure switch to the cabinet.
Step 4. Take out the screws securing the rear panel to the cabinet using your Philips screwdriver. Pry the panel off the machine and set it aside.
Step 5. Detach the pressure switch tube from the port at the back of the tub. Pull the pressure switch and tube out of the cabinet.
Step 6. Get a digital multimeter, then turn the dial to the lowest setting for ohms of resistance.
Step 7. Push the two multimeter probes into the two outer terminals on the pressure switch. Blow into the pressure tube, then pinch it shut (this will trick the switch into thinking that the machine is on).
Step 8. On the meter, look for a reading of about 0.2 ohms. If you don’t get this reading when you hear the pressure sensor diaphragm click, the switch is bad and needs to be replaced.
Step 9. Once you’ve obtained the new pressure switch, install it in the cabinet, then apply the Philips screw. Plug the wire connector into the new switch.
Step 10. Connect the end of the pressure tube to the port at the back of the tub. Snap the rear access panel onto the cabinet, then apply the Philips screws.
Step 11. Place the top cover on the machine, then tighten the nuts at the back. Plug your appliance back into the outlet, then try running a rinse cycle to ensure that the overflow has stopped.
Top Loaders
Test the pressure switch in your Kenmore top loader washing machine by following the steps below…
Step 1. Ensure that you disconnect your washer’s power cord from the outlet before starting this repair in order to prevent electrocution.
Step 2. With a Philips screwdriver, take out the bolts securing the rear panel to the cabinet. Pry the panel off the machine and set it aside.
Step 3. Detach the pressure tube from the port at the side of tub. Release the tube from the retainers.
Step 4. Loosen the nuts securing the control panel cover. Pry the cover off the machine and set it aside.
Step 5. Detach the control panel from the mount, then set it face-down the cabinet. Disconnect the wire harness attached to the switch.
Step 6. Pry the pressure switch out of the cabinet. Get a digital multimeter, then turn the dial to the lowest setting for ohms of resistance.
Step 7. Push the meter’s probes into the two outer terminals on the switch. Blow into the pressure tube, then pinch it shut. For a working switch, you should get a reading of about 0.2 ohms.
Step 8. If you don’t get a reading when you hear the pressure switch diaphragm click, the part is damaged and needs to be replaced.
Step 9. If the pressure switch reading came out all right, snap it back into the cabinet, then plug the wire harness in.
Step 10. Connect the pressure tube to the port at the side of the tub, then secure the tube in the retainers.
Step 11. Snap the rear access panel onto the cabinet, then apply the bolts using a Philips screwdriver.
Step 12. Lift the control panel, then snap the base into the cabinet. Place the rear cover on the control panel housing, then tighten the Philips screws.
Step 13. Plug your washing machine back into the power outlet. To ensure that the issue has been fixed, try running a rinse cycle.
