ApplianceKitchenAid Washer
Modelkaws850j2q
Level of DifficultyDifficult
Time to do repairMore than 2 hours
Age of Appliance5 - 10 years
Tools
Pliers
Screw drivers
Socket set
Wrench(Adjustable)
The machine was not designed for quick repairs. The top, front and sides of the machine are all one piece. I had to remove the screws on the lower back access panel. Then remove the water lines, ground screw and outlet hose. I then had to remove the two screws holding the control panel in place. I then bumped the control panel loose. I could then move the back access panel, which is the entire back of the machine, upward to remove it from the clips, located under the control panel. The back access panel will then move away from the machine about 3-4 inches. From the back of the machine, I then had my son tilt the top and sides of the machine forward, leaving enough space for me to reach through the gap and remove the ground screw from the switch. I could then remove the entire switch by pulling it loose from the clips under the top housing and unplugged it from the connection. I then could attach the new ground wire and holding the new switch in place, I had my son secure the switch to the washer. I then had to clip the new switch along the inside of the housing and plug it in to the connection. We then had to realign the sides of the washer with the base, as we lowered it back into place. Holding them in place, we could then reattach the back access panel, loosely, by replacing the two screws on the lower back panel.. Then, aligning the clips that are located under the control panel, we attached the top of the access panel and tightened the screws at the bottom to secure the entire access panel in place. At this point, we could reattach the control panel, water lines, ground wire and outlet hose. It would have saved about two hours of time if the top of the washer was hinged and could have been tilted back to expose the lid switch and tub. Removing the water lines and the outlet hose also allows water to spill, as the tub drains. PartSelect was extremely quick in getting the switch to me. I ordered it on Friday and it arrived on Saturday morning. With five people in our household, clothes washing is a daily chore. We didn't miss a beat. Now, if the engineers at KitchenAid could use a little common sense in designing their products it would make repairs quicker and with less cleanup.