Whirlpool WP8318084 Lid Switch OEM Part

First I checked the circuit breakers and power to the outlet, then next wanted to check the lid switch, but it wasn't where I had found it on older models. I could hear it clicking on and off as I raised and lowered the lid, but it wasn't visible. I drained the tub through a siphon hose to lighten the machine, so I could slide it away from the wall to better see. Couldn't see the switch anywhere and decided it must be hiding in the raised console, but was unsure of how to attack it without forcing something. So I went off to the Samurai Appliance Repair Guy in search of a trouble-shooting guide for models of my type, which I could not find. Eventually, I submitted a Post with the model number and details, hoping to catch somebody poking around on Christmas Day, but prepared to wait if need be, rather than break something. My wife rolled her eyes at me posting something on Christmas, but the Ninjas came through! I got guidance on accessing the guts of the console, found the hidden lid switch, and sure enough, it had a fried terminal. I disconnected it and bypassed the switch, then plugged the machine back in to ensure that the machine functioned, (it did). I should have watched the video accompanying the order for the replacement part before trying to remove the old switch. You have to open the lid, first, which limits access, but if you don't, you, like me,you will break something. Fortunately, the replacement part includes the entire switch assembly, including the part I broke. I have since received the part and am back up and running. Arigato, Sensais, Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!

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.