Our washer is a purchased-in-spring-of-2014 Kenmore Series 500 HE top loader, so now 11 years old.

It has been solid and trouble-free all this time until last night when it started seeming to take a very long time on "sensing" then it would fill and fill and fill almost like it no longer knows when to shut off. Normally as an HE washer it fills relatively very little quickly then starts running but the load I tried to run filled up the tub 2/3 full of water then started running eventually. This is NOT normal.

Google seems to think it's either the valves or the mainboard. Not sure if I should attempt to fix this. I'm pretty handy and have fixed dishwashers but never washers.

Anyone ever see this problem? As it's 11 years old I have a feeling it's shot but would like to see if this is worth trying to open up and fix.

Have you checked the debris trap in the discharge line? Usually located between the tub and the discharge pump.

When I had one of these POS, stuff collected in it. The problem is, no where in the manual were the instructions of how to:
(1) dismantle the fucker to get to this debris trap; and
(2) any mention of its existence or a need to clean it every month. I eventually stopped putting it back together simply to make the task easier.

Never again will I have a "high efficiency" washing machine.

Water level pressure switch.

I.i.r.c.
Thelma had this problem, she "called the man"

He told her that her water to fabric softener ratio was way off.

After fixing a gummed up part he told her to run an empty washer load through the machine after using softener in a load.

Basically rinsing it out

Fabric softener is the devil.

Most washers and dryers have a document attached somewhere inside that will tell you how to run trouble codes. It is a series of pressing buttons that will flash lights that tell you what the problem is. Assuming this is not an all manual washer. Look up your model and see where they put that piece of paper. On my dryers it has been behind the front panel, on washers inside the area by the drum.

There's a 1/4" flexible tube on the bottom of the tank, usually near the back. Check it for cracks.
This tube goes to the top of the machine and connects to the pressure sensor, a round, flat device housing a diaphragm.
Typically, these are the usual suspects.

Thanks all!

I looked up the two things online that may be the issue and the parts cost really is pushing it for an 11 year old washer so we may end up buying a new one with a much larger capacity since we do so much laundry these days.

I'll check some of these other things that were recommended too, who knows maybe it's something simple like that.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
Fabric softener is the devil.

It is also toxic so do not use on your clothes.

https://articles.mercola.com/s...of-static-cling.aspx

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
... so we may end up buying a new one with a much larger capacity since we do so much laundry these days.

Just bought a Speed Queen set when our 20 year old Kenmore washer crapped out. Be prepared for sticker shock. We had to wait 10 weeks to get them. Made in Wisconsin.

Update:

So I figured it wasn’t going to be worth my time or money to try and fix an 11 year old machine when the life expectancy of these is 8-10 years so we just bought a GE Profile HE model and large capacity; 5.3 cubit feet vs 4.3 of old one.

Looking at all the models in the local showroom, I noticed something interesting; at some point, they brought the agitator back!

Our 2014 washer has a small bump called an impeller I think? All these 2025 models now have a full agitator again, HE and non HE models alike. I wonder if there were a lot of complaints that clothes were not being washed properly?

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
I wonder if there were a lot of complaints that clothes were not being washed properly?

I'm sure there were. Those ultra-high-efficiency non-agitator models from a decade or two back absolutely sucked at getting even lightly soiled clothing clean, due to both not using enough water and not having sufficient agitation action.

But I guess the EPA was real happy with them, which is what matters, right?

My Speed Queen Classic washer not only has a real mechanical agitator, it also has the option to fully fill the machine with water. All the way to the top. Just like washing machines had done for generations prior. And not surprisingly, it has no trouble getting anything clean.

I'd rather spend the extra few bucks in water usage and have actually clean clothes.

quote:

Originally posted by sigmonkey:
Water level pressure switch.

This.

A few months ago, our LG washing machine was overfilling. I took to panels off and found the wire going to the pressure switch was disconnected.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
Update:

so we just bought a GE Profile HE model and large capacity; 5.3 cubit feet vs 4.3 of old one.

Congrats. You should get months of dependable service out of it.