Tip Making your Whirlpool Washer WORK in your RV

[Neal]

I have the stackable whirlpool washer/dryer in my 2017 Newmar Ventana. These are known to be extremely finicky. Many including myself have had the door locks replaced (you can do this yourself) and they even replaced the top controller board when they did my door lock as I had problems with cycles ever starting. From time to time it stops behaving and I can't get laundry started. A few times I've had error codes most of which is to clean the filter (I have a shedding dog) and one other I did a breaker reset and that cleared that up. I've learned a few tricks over the 3 years now in making this work where 90% of the time it works fine. Knowing these tricks can help save you thousands as there really is no need to replace this unit. In my research for a replacement all of the small units seem to have reliability issues (not much known on the Splendide) but LG, Samsung, Whirlpool 2.3's all have bad reviews.

The first thing is of course the door being closed properly. It's plastic parts so don't go slamming it, that will buy you a new washer in the end. Just open and close the door firmly.

The next one that works for me is to actually open the door and spin the drum. There must be sensors on the drum for whatever reason, spinning it can shift the weight with the clothes inside and make it work again.

Today I couldn't not get anything to work to get the cycle to start. This time I actually grabbed the drum and pulled/pushed it and also spun it. That worked!

There are times, too often, the washer won't go into high speed spin. I think this is again a sensor that is detecting the load out of balance and if it's too far out of balance it won't go into high speed spin. I've had to completely re-run the wash cycle to get it to work, sometimes (usually) I can just run the rinse cycle option and it will work. Try opening the door and adjusting the clothes to avoid a lopsided load that may have some sensor prevent high speed spin.

My hunch is many people are ditching a perfectly good washer, at least for what is expected of this small capacity machine not overly used in the market compared to other residential units. Learn the workarounds and it will work fine for you.

 

[AbdRahim]

Thanks, Neal. Almost sounds like more trouble than it is worth. I will save these tips.

 

[J&JD]

I have the stackable whirlpool washer/dryer in my 2017 Newmar Ventana. These are known to be extremely finicky. Many including myself have had the door locks replaced (you can do this yourself) and they even replaced the top controller board when they did my door lock as I had problems with cycles ever starting. From time to time it stops behaving and I can't get laundry started. A few times I've had error codes most of which is to clean the filter (I have a shedding dog) and one other I did a breaker reset and that cleared that up. I've learned a few tricks over the 3 years now in making this work where 90% of the time it works fine. Knowing these tricks can help save you thousands as there really is no need to replace this unit. In my research for a replacement all of the small units seem to have reliability issues (not much known on the Splendide) but LG, Samsung, Whirlpool 2.3's all have bad reviews.

The first thing is of course the door being closed properly. It's plastic parts so don't go slamming it, that will buy you a new washer in the end. Just open and close the door firmly.

The next one that works for me is to actually open the door and spin the drum. There must be sensors on the drum for whatever reason, spinning it can shift the weight with the clothes inside and make it work again.

Today I couldn't not get anything to work to get the cycle to start. This time I actually grabbed the drum and pulled/pushed it and also spun it. That worked!

There are times, too often, the washer won't go into high speed spin. I think this is again a sensor that is detecting the load out of balance and if it's too far out of balance it won't go into high speed spin. I've had to completely re-run the wash cycle to get it to work, sometimes (usually) I can just run the rinse cycle option and it will work. Try opening the door and adjusting the clothes to avoid a lopsided load that may have some sensor prevent high speed spin.

My hunch is many people are ditching a perfectly good washer, at least for what is expected of this small capacity machine not overly used in the market compared to other residential units. Learn the workarounds and it will work fine for you.

DW says the keys for her are:
close door firmly but easily
never overload, never underload
change settings slowly, don’t just spin dial
In other words, treat the beast like a newborn and all is good!

 

[FL-JOE]

The only real issue we had was it failed to do the final hard spin. This started about 3 months after we got the coach. First factory tech that came out said we just didn't know how to load it or use it (duuuh). A few months later while at the mother ship they had another factory tech work on it. He shimmed the door and said that was the key. Still, about 1 out of every 5 loads would not final spin.

Then on one of the forums I read about someone switch from the recommended pods to using Splendide powder detergent. That was all it took. Washer has worked perfectly for over a year since making that change.

 

[AbdRahim]

Fascinating. I was trying to decide between powder, which I use at home and liquid. Arrrgh!! I just ordered liquid. Go figure.

 

[Neal]

I used to use pods. No more. I use liquid. I wouldn’t use powder for the same reason I don’t use pods. Not enough water in water efficient washers. I’ve had melted pods be stuck on things.

 

[Neal]

Ever since posting this my Washer has been extremely temperamental. What I have to do now is press and hold START and then open/close the door firmly. This tells me the door switch is on its way out again, already replaced once. I think this is something I can replace per YouTube a few months ago. I found a good supply source for the WFC7500VW2 washer. eBay seems like its good for parts too but I wanted to share this link:

Whirlpool WFC7500VW2 Door Latch

OEM replacement parts for Whirlpool WFC7500VW2 Door Latch - Genuine OEM. Same-day shipping

www.genuinereplacementparts.com

 

[Neal]

I ordered one from eBay for 1/2 to 1/3rd the cost. Will see what happens later this year when I return to the RV travels.

ERP Washing Machine Door Lock/Latch Assembly for Whirlpool, ERW10192995 | eBay

Brand new ERP Washing Machine Door Lock/Latch Assembly for Whirlpool, AP6016671, PS11749964, ERW10192995.

www.ebay.com

 

[Jabber Jaw]

DW says the keys for her are:
close door firmly but easily
never overload, never underload
change settings slowly, don’t just spin dial
In other words, treat the beast like a newborn and all is good!


My DW says the same thing!
We had a Splendide "combo" washer/dryer in the '04 Mountain Aire. It was the original unit. Worked like a champ. Just can't overload it.

The 2020 has the stacked Splendide washer & dryer. Both work well with no issues, granted, they're only 6 months old.

As Jerry & Judy said above......follow that advice!

 

[Neemer]

I’ve read so many negative things about the whirlpool units. My 15 yr old Splendide unit is still chugging along. We’ve never had a problem with it. Knock on wood.

 

[Neal]

I’ve read so many negative things about the whirlpool units. My 15 yr old Splendide unit is still chugging along. We’ve never had a problem with it. Knock on wood.

You're lucky but I'm not, I have a Whirlpool in my coach and I intend to keep it as long as I can make it work. If you can understand the issues and work with the issues then there is no reason to change it out. Switch out a $50 door lock with a $2500 set? And deal with dinging up the coach in the process? I just prefer avoid it. I wish I didn't have this set but I do and I think I can make it continue to work for me.

 

[J&JD]

You're lucky but I'm not, I have a Whirlpool in my coach and I intend to keep it as long as I can make it work. If you can understand the issues and work with the issues then there is no reason to change it out. Switch out a $50 door lock with a $2500 set? And deal with dinging up the coach in the process? I just prefer avoid it. I wish I didn't have this set but I do and I think I can make it continue to work for me.

My DW had 10 years of zero problems with a Splendide in our previous coach. That said she has informed me that any problems with the Whirlpool and it is immediately history. Don’t believe I’ll put up much of an argument.

 

[Just George]

@Neal What were the symptoms that led to replacing the door switch? My unit is intermittently not going into the high speed spin. Still troubleshooting but a faulty door latch is apparently one of the potential issues. Was the part you replaced the switch or latch? I believe the latch also has some (switch) contacts. Anyone else experienced & solved the no high speed spin issue with a Whirlpool WFC7500VW2 washer?

 

[Neal]

@Neal What were the symptoms that led to replacing the door switch? My unit is intermittently not going into the high speed spin. Still troubleshooting but a faulty door latch is apparently one of the potential issues. Was the part you replaced the switch or latch? I believe the latch also has some (switch) contacts. Anyone else experienced & solved the no high speed spin issue with a Whirlpool WFC7500VW2 washer?

I personally think the door switch is whether the cycle will even start or not as it's detecting the door lock. If you're not going into high speed spin my guess is there is an imbalance in the load of laundry within. Open the door and redistribute the clothes and also grab the drum and move it around so it finds a new balance then retry the load of laundry. It may also be too much clothes for a small washer. Just my guess.

 

[Just George]

@Neal Thanks for the reply. Once I read the entire thread I saw where @FL-JOE seems to have had the no fast spin issue resolved by moving away from using PODS. We will give that a try also.

 

[J&JD]

@Neal Thanks for the reply. Once I read the entire thread I saw where @FL-JOE seems to have had the no fast spin issue resolved by moving away from using PODS. We will give that a try also.

I have been using 1 All Free and Clear pod in the washers in both of our motorhomes for 14 years with no issues. My hubby has sensitive skin, and this brand works for him. I always put the pod in the washer before loading the clothes. They always dissolve. Judy

 

[Just George]

I have been using 1 All Free and Clear pod in the washers in both of our motorhomes for 14 years with no issues. My hubby has sensitive skin, and this brand works for him. I always put the pod in the washer before loading the clothes. They always dissolve. Judy

Thanks for the info.

 

[FL-JOE]

It was explained to me, I think on another forum, that using pods for such a small capacity washer could sometimes make too much suds and that could effect functions. Not sure if that was good info or not but since we switched to Spendid brand powder we only have the non-spin issue about once every 60 or 80 loads. It rarely happens anymore.

 

[Just George]

Thanks @FL-JOE . I'll pass the info on to my laundry lady ,oops I mean darling wife. Tried using a sparing amount of liquid vs Tide pod & worked better but the load with towels and some other items did only a short duration high speed spin then spent a lot of time doing a short tumble in each direction then a slow spin. Maybe a load imbalance issue?? Will try only towels and small amount of detergent until we can get some splendid detergent.

 

[FL-JOE]

Heeeeheeee.....yep, when the rare occasion comes up with the no spin issue it is always now with a load of towels. Good luck. We were ready to have this sucker pulled out and thrown in the dumpster until we switched to powder. Might just get by with it now for a few years!