How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP5983746 / 3949247V Washer Lid Switch Assembly

My son was doing his laundry, only to announce that the washer wouldn't rinse, spin or drain. I looked on line at new washers and was staggered to see how much they cost, our Whirlpool is 20 years old! Then I looked on Craig's list to see about getting a used washer, but when I found something that looked good, and looked up how it performed, most of them had terrible reviews. So, I looked at a video that told about the 5 most common things to go wrong and figured out it was a broken lid switch. I had rung out all his clothes and fiddled with the knobs, but figured out that if I used something to poke the thing that makes the washer stop mid spin, that I could empty the washer, put his clothes back in, while holding down the switch, spin them out pretty well. I went through my file with appliance manuals and what not, found the with the model number for my washer and then looked on line to see if I could find the right part. Appliance pro's web site was easy to maneuver, and I was able to find a lid switch that would do the trick. I did watch appliance pro's video on how to repair the lid switch, and had my husband watch it after I'd ordered the part. I asked him if he thought he could do it, because the second time I watched the video I thought maybe it was more complicated that I'd thought....he said no! I said think of how proud you'll be if you fix it! So he brought the lap top down to the basement and went step by step, fixed it, did a couple of loads of wash....and spent the rest of the weekend telling everybody he fixed the washing machine! He did give credit where credit is due, to me for diagnosing the problem correctly, and ApplianceParts pro.com for their clear and concise how to video. 

Googled common causes of "washing machine will not drain", which suggested that it was probably either a broken or clogged pump, or perhaps a broken lid switch. Googled "how to access pump on whirlpool washers", and started there. Had to scoop out all the water from the washer, which was a pain, and then unplugged the washer itself. It was simple enough to unscrew the control panel, flip it up, disengage the clamps, and then manually pull the white metal "cover" off of the washer. From there it was easy to check out both the pump and the lid switch. Checked the pump for clogs and broken parts (had to use a clamp to manually hold the hoses shut), but it was fine, so I checked the lid switch and saw that it was not engaging when the washer lid was down. There is an audible "click" when it engages, and this was not happening when the lid would close. I googled my model number "lsq8243hq0" plus "replacement lid switch", and figured out which part I needed. Ordered the part, and received it 3 days later. Unfortunately, whirlpool had put the wrong part in their manufacturer bag, so I called up AppliancePartsPros and informed them, and they immediately reshipped the part. This one was correct, and arrived just 2 days later. Diagnosing the problem definitely took the most time, and that was accomplished using google. The actual repairs were easy once I had located the problem, as there are many different walk through videos to choose from. Replacing the lid switch only required unscrewing a few things, undoing a few clamps, and removing the white metal "case" around the washer. Very easy to do, the repair itself took maybe 5 minutes, but adding in the diagnosing, manually draining washer, checking pumps, watching videos, ordering parts, figuring out I had the wrong part and reordering, it all added up to somewhere around 2 hours. Totally worth it, however, felt great to repair the washer myself, and probably saved a bundle on getting someone out there to do it for me. 

Our KitchenAid heavy duty top-loading washer stopped with a full tub of soapy water and laundry just before the rinse and spin cycle. It would not initiate rinse and spin on any setting. This was a pretty clear indication of a failed lid safety switch that prevents these cycles when the lid is open. I temporarily bypassed the switch with a jumper that did not damage the connector to get the in-process load finished and ordered a factory replacement part from AppliancePartsPros.com. Paid a little more for the factory part, but decided it was not worth the possible aggravation if a cheap part was either DOA or did not have staying power. It came promptly even using standard shipping (about 2.5 days after the order was submitted). Then, it was a fairly simple process of again opening the compartment containing the controls and the electronics, removing the cabinet which includes the lid, carefully removing the old switch assembly and replacing it with the new one. One caution: Be sure to keep the screws associated with the old assembly. This part does not come with replacement screws, so the old ones need to be reused for mounting the switch and reattaching the ground wire to the cabinet (3 screws total). I found it easier to install the switch assembly while the cabinet was laying on its side on the floor. Some recommend installing it once the cabinet is standing vertically. Take your pick. The whole process took a little less than 30 minutes including testing the switch before buttoning everything up. If you are moderately handy, this repair should not be difficult. It was helpful to have a small maglight due to the lack of good lighting in our laundry room. There are some helpful YouTube videos showing how to replace a typical Lid Switch Assembly. It is worth watching one or two of these to get a sense of what is involved. 

I originally called (spoke to Vicky/ Vickie/ Vikki) about buying the control rotary switch. The thing is $180, ouch. While I have OK/ decent mechanical skills, my diagnostic and electrical skills are lacking. Normally, when I see wires, I go the other way. So Vicky helped me with a suggestion that the problem could be as simple as the "lid is closed" switch, which was $32. So I figured, WTH, I can try that, and if it does not work out, not a big loss. So after kicking this around, I called back to order, and spoke to Mary...who was also super-helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. This on Tuesday afternoon. The part arrived on Wednesday afternoon, though I had not chosen the expensive, overnight delivery...and this during Covid fun! So after bumbling around some on Thursday taking the washer apart, I watched a few of your help videos. They are extremely well done, and Crazy Hair Guy Matt does a great job. So replacing the actual lid switch was easy....but since the machine was apart, I went further to clean out hard-water deposits, and muck inside the tub, and in the basket bottom. Basically an accumulation of lint, dirt, etc. The help video even had my exact Kirkland washing machine in it (Made by Whirlpool), so the stars were certainly in alignment. Warning, the videos are not diagnostic-oriented, they are for after you know what part to replace, and how to do it. Overally, my experience from AppliancePartsPros was a '10'. The darned thing works now....and I even cleaned up the outer surfaces, the thing looks new again. Happy Camper, thank you Vicky, Mary, an Matt! -Dan 

After viewing the video on washer lid switch replacement, I ordered the part and installed it upon arrival. Following the instructions it was a breeze. Washer works as advertised, from now on any future problems with the washer or dryer, as they are 18 years old, I'll go to appliancepartspros.com for troubleshooting, ordering of parts, and installing of part or parts for a repair. Thank you! 

I tried running the machine through a few cycles, and every time it got to the spin cycle, it sounded like the motor was trying to turn, and then a "click" sound came from the motor. The motor got hot, and wouldn't turn. I removed the water pump and placed the motor on the floor, and ran it through a cycle again. This time the motor spun free. I spun the transmission, and the tub spun so I figured nothing was blocked there. I also removed both hoses from the water pump, checking for blockage inside...nothing there either. This is a used washer that is approximately 12 years old. After replacing the motor, the washer works fine! I have bought several parts for this washer through Appliance Parts Pros, and so far every part has been factory original and fit perfect! 

Replace the lid switch. It was such an easy job thanks to appliance pro helpful video. It certainly saved me $$$ on parts and labor. 

I bordered the part from AplianceParts Pro on one day the next day the part arrived and after watching the repair video I had the unit removed replaced and running in about 15 minutes. I will use this company often. 

Ordered new lid switch and plunger. Watched help videos and installed new parts, Washer works like new. 

After watching your video , It went very fast. Removed 2 screws and titled the control panel back. Disconnected the switch and removed the front housing. Replaced the switch and wiring and replaced the front housing. Plugged in the switch and tilted the control panel and secured with 2 screws.