How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP6012742 / WP8318084 Washer Lid Switch

The lid switch in our Kenmore Elite (model 110.24942301) had been giving us trouble for quite some time. Usually we could just bang or press down on the lid to get it to start, but that started to not work anymore. I finally opened up the washer to get at the switch. Removing the switch was easy, but getting access to it was a nightmare. That's why I rated the ease of installation as a 3. Unlike all the online videos, there were no screws you could remove to flip up the control panel and gain access to the switch. There are metal clips on the bottom of the control panel that lock it to the top of the washer. The tabs are a U-shaped strip of metal, and you push the front of the tab toward the back of the washer to release it. Supposedly you can use a putty knife shoved under the front corners of the control panel to release these clips, but that didn't work for me. Luckily my hands are skinny enough to reach between the tub and the top of the washer and release them that way, but it took a very long time to figure that out. You may be able to use a tool for this if your hands don't fit. Getting the switch out after that is a piece of cake. There's a connector and a ground wire that must be removed, and then you just compress the clip on the plastic switch housing that holds it into the washer (lid MUST be open!). Our switch worked fine, but the plastic housing it was in had become brittle with the passing of many years and it was able to move around in the mounting slot, which is why it wasn't activating as it should. The clip actually snapped off when I removed it. The switch and the plastic housing are one unit, so it's as easy as dropping the new one into place and reconnecting the wires to affect the repair. Again, the washer lid SHOULD BE OPEN when you install the new switch. The wiring connector only goes on one way, so you don't have to worry about which wire is which. I have pictures that help explain all this, but apparently there's no way to upload them. I'll ask if they can attach them. The new switch works great by the way. 

Internet search advised the lid switch. Watched the video on how to replace, ordered the part, did the repair in 15 minutes. Works like new! 

Replaced lid sitch 

Installed new lid switch. 

Replaced the lid switch 

Researched this kenmore washer on-line and found the problem to be the lid switch. Saw a diagram on how to jump this switch by connecting a wire to both outside wires on the harness and voila! It worked! This is not a fix but it allowed me to finish the load of unwashed clothes and told me which part was bad (do not run washer jumped like this.......fire hazard!) Ordered the lid switch and it was an easy repair. A $14.00 switch was a lot cheaper than a $450.00 washer. Thanks appliance parts pros! 

Watched on line Video. Only problem was in disconnecting wire "bus" connector from switch. I was unable to remove connector without damaging it. I "jumped" connector to prove switch was faulty. This also allowed my wife to continue to do laundry while part arrived. I ordered a 3 circuit connector, but this was not the correct part. I ended up removing 3 wires from old broken connector and attaching them to new switch without a connector. Electrical tape did the trick. Not perfect repair, but washer works properly. 

The "How To Fix It" video is a great tool. Made the job extremely easy. 

Once I figured out how to access panel ( used putty knife since washer had no visible screws). I am 68 year old grandmother and this was easy to replace this lid switch. So surprised I was still having to slam lid to start cycle. Discovered screws on the kid itself were loose on the side where the lid switch was located. Tightened those and now works fine. Lesson learned. Try easiest thing first. Good luck. 

Replaced broken lid switch. Simple 5 minute repair.