Replies

1. 
   DanH | Nov 27, 2015 01:44pm | #1

   Where is this "safety switch"

   Where is this "safety switch" located?

1. 
   tylercc | Nov 27, 2015 01:48pm | #2

   It is the switch that stops the washing machine when you open it

   
1. 
   DanH | Nov 27, 2015 02:52pm | #3

   The switch and/or connector failed.  Both need to be replaced (which might imply replacing the harness).  The failure may be isolated to these units or may be due to a failure elsewhere that caused an overload.

   It's vaguely possible that the failure might have been precipitated by a problem with the grounding at the outlet, or something with the outlet that conributed to an overload.  Otherwise, the motor would be the first suspect for overloading, except that the motor should have its own overload protection.

   But likely it's just a failed connection inside the switch or connector.

2. 
   DanH | Nov 27, 2015 03:05pm | #4

   Check the wires feeding up to the switch.  If there is no sign of overheating or melting of the wire insulation (save for the last half inch or so before it gets to the connector) then it's unlikely that there is any problem elsewhere that caused these components to fail.

2. 
   Mongo | Nov 27, 2015 05:21pm | #5

   corrosion?

   Might just be corrosion. Corrosion can increase electrical resistance, leading to higher temps and a melting of the plastic.

   Pretty much what Dan wrote. Inspect the wires, the contacts, see what there is to see.

3. 
   spclark | Nov 28, 2015 09:59am | #6

   Corrosion

   kills electrical contacts. In that these safety switches by nature are located rather close to where one puts the clothes to be washed, and the detergents and maybe chlorine or oxygen bleach as well that are used, if yours is a top-loader my guess is one or more of these compounds got into that connector.

   Do you see any evidence of anything (melting) similar at the AC power plug or cord on the machine? That's what would make me suspicious of high resistance at the plug / wall outlet, not a connector somewhere deep inside the washers gubbins.

   Assuming you can obtain the proper replacement part(s), if you got far enough into the machine to take those pics you ought to have an easy time of it putting things right again.

1. 
   tylercc | Nov 29, 2015 09:55pm | #7

   Well there no other melting anywhere else, I geuss it would make most sense that corrosion could do that seeing as that one part is fairly close to the top of the tub. Thanks for all your help. 

1. 
   DanH | Nov 29, 2015 10:13pm | #8

   What generally happens is that corrosion develops between two metal contacts, and this results in heating of the contacts when current flows through them.  This heating further accelerates corrosion and in other ways as well creates an even poorer contact, to the point that it heats up enough that things start to smoke and melt.  Generally the damage is contained within a very small area.