Whirlpool WP8182634 Washer Door Lock Switch Assembly OEM Part

The washing machine would allow you to program it, and all the lights on the control panel would light up, but pressing start did nothing. I tried putting the washer in diagnostic mode, but was unable to do so. The machine was not showing any fault code. I originally thought it was a problem with the 'Start' button and I thought that I'd buy a replacement part from the original seller of the washer. I was told by the 'live help chat person' that the problem was likely in the washer user interface unit that lay behind the button in question, and they'd be happy to take $340 for the interface unit. I thought that perhaps eBay was a better answer for parts for a 15 year old washer, so I started to shop. As I waded through the eBay used parts, I noticed a comment that said, "hey, take a quick look at the door switch as that can cause similar problems." I looked and saw that the door closed detection pin that sticks through the door surround had been either sheared-off or pushed in to the point that it was inoperative. I abandoned the search for a replacement washer user interface unit and just bought a door switch assembly. Even though I didn't have replacement parts, I did the disassembly right then so that I'd know whether the washer door boot spring clamp was rusty and also needed replacement. (Nothing worse than waiting for a second round of parts to arrive.) I followed the YouTube video from AppliancePartsPros to change the part. Once parts were in hand, the total repair time was only about 15 minutes.

After a high speed spin with an unbalanced load in the tub the washer door came ajar, no flood thank goodness. All attempts to close the door failed. The door switch was in a permanent locked position even though the door was open. Power on/off, disconnect power, etc. all for naught. I determined the door switch assembly had to be replaced. I ordered the door switch assembly from AppliancePartsPros.com and realized over a $70. savings had I patronized my local appliance parts depot whom I called first. I ordered Thursday night, part arrived Saturday morning. My local parts place said 3-4 business days for pickup. From YouTube instructions I learned the tub rubber seal retaining ring had to be removed before the switch could be. Using a hand tack remover I was able to pry the spring loaded wire ring away from the opening track with little effort. Access to the switch was then possible and easy to remove: 3 torx screws and 3 electrical connectors. Reversed the process and installed the new assembly. Now the difficult part: re-installing the retaining wire ring. Simple to do if you have 3 hands.... if not you must have patience as it must be stretched and pulled just so evenly to set back into the miniscule groove. After about 5 or 10 attempts and about half as many (expletive deleted's) I was able to re-seat the ring. It is possible, do not give up. It was the most difficult and frustrating part of the entire replacement process. CAREFUL not to stretch the ring too much or it might deform or worst case SNAP! (if that happens who you going to call? ! AppliancePartsPros.com!) My ring was some rusty after 9 years of service in the laundry room. Good luck, check out youtube to see it done on your machine. I also replaced the sagging door hinge on this same washer about a year ago. That was easy.

Watched the video on you tube of how to fix it and ordered the part and it only took a few minutes.

I ordered the part, which came in two days (yay!), and watched a youtube video on how to replace the part. Now my machine works like a charm! I'm sure I saved a ton of $$ and my husband is so proud of me! (and I gave myself a pat on the back as well!)

Problem: It turned out there is a little black piece of plastic that sticks out above where the door locks. The door pushes the plastic rod in, the tells the unit the door is closed. For me, the plastic piece was broken so the unit thought the door was open, when in fact it had been closed. I tried to take apart the door switch assembly to see if I could fix this part, but these things are not meant to be taken apart or repaired. I could not get the unit to go back together correctly. The Fix: I ordered a new "Door Switch Assembly." To replace this you have to remove the metal ring holding the washer boot on (this is annoying to get back on, but you can do it) with a flat head, pull the washer boot back on that side, then unscrew the 3 screws holding it in, slide the assembly up out of the plastic bracket holding it, and un-clip the 3 wiring harnesses. Then its out. Install is the revers of removal. There is a repair video for this exact part its page. Check it out.