How to Diagnose and Repair an Overflowing LG Washer

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Paradise Appliance
March 12, 2020
Washer Repair

An overflowing LG washer model WT5001CW is definitely a panic-inducing sight, and while the cleanup is no easy task, the actual repair isn’t as difficult as you may think. The two most common causes of an overfilling washing machine are a faulty water-level pressure switch and a failing water inlet valve. If you’re dealing with either malfunction, follow the directions below to diagnose and replace the damaged part.

Appliance Repair Safety Tips

  • Always unplug your washer and turn off its water supply before you begin repairing the appliance.
  • Protect your hands and eyes by wearing work gloves and safety goggles as you disassemble and reassemble your washing machine.
  • If you reach a point where you no longer feel safe repairing your washer, please stop what you are doing and contact a trained appliance repair technician to finish fixing your appliance.

The Water Level Pressure Switch

Have you ever wondered how your washer knows it’s time to turn off the water inlet valve? The answer is a properly functioning water-level pressure switch. As the name implies, the switch uses pressure to determine the water level in the tub, and once the level reaches the correct point, the switch shuts off the water inlet valve. When your switch is malfunctioning, there are two possible reasons. First, a hole in the tubing that connects to the switch can cause incorrect pressure readings, meaning the switch is not activated at the proper water level, and second, damage to the actual switch that controls the inlet valve may stop the part from turning off the water valve in time.

How to Replace the Water Level Pressure Switch in Your LG Washer

  1. Start your repair by unthreading the screws on the back of the washer’s control panel. Then, lift the control panel up and allow it to rest on the top of the washing machine.
  2. Next, you’ll need to remove the washer’s rear access panel. To do so, use a Phillips screwdriver to take out the screws that secure the access panel to the washer cabinet. After all the screws are out, hold the panel on both sides and lift it up and off the washing machine.
  3. Behind the access panel, you’ll see the water level pressure tube, also known as the air hose, that runs from the washer tub to the water level switch. Before you can disconnect the tube, slide the clamp securing it up and away from the bottom of the pressure tube, and then untwist any wire ties you see holding the tube to the washer tub. Next, disconnect the tube from the tub.
  4. With the bottom half of the tube free, head back up to the control panel and pull the pressure tube through the opening on the control panel bracket. You may need to untwist another wire tie if the tube is bunched together with a group of control panel wires.
  5. Before you can uninstall the water level switch, disconnect the wire harness running to the part. Then, disengage the three locking tabs securing the switch to the control panel bracket, and pull the switch out.
  6. Take the pressure tube clamp off the damaged tube and slide it onto the new tube. With the clamp in place, thread the new pressure tube through the opening in the control panel bracket. Next, insert the water level switch into its housing by pressing down until you hear the locking tabs click. Then, reconnect the wire harness that runs to the switch and redo the wire tire you untwisted earlier.
  7. Now head down to the washer tub, and reconnect the pressure tube to the small air dome outlet on the side of the tub. Slide the pressure tube clamp down to secure the connection between the outlet and the tube. Use the wire tie to attach the pressure tube to the side of the washer tub.
  8. Grab the washer’s rear access panel and reinstall it. Then, head to the top of your washer and insert the 5 tabs on the control panel into the 5 slots on the washer cabinet. Once the tabs are lined up, turn the control panel over and push down on it to engage its locking mechanisms. Finally, to finish your repair, secure the panel with the screws you took out earlier.

The Water Inlet Valve

Every washer is equipped with a water inlet valve. When it’s time for your washing machine to fill with cold, warm, or hot water, the valve opens and stays open until the water level pressure switch sends it a signal to close. If your washer is overfilling there is a good chance the water valve is malfunctioning. To test the valve, start your washer and allow it to fill with water. When the water begins to surpass the set water level, unplug your washing machine. If the water continues to flow, the water inlet valve is faulty and needs replacing.

How to Replace the Water Inlet Valve in Your LG Washer

  1. Unthread the screws securing the control panel’s rear access panel, and then lift it off the control panel. With the back panel off, tilt the control panel forward to detach it from the top of washer cabinet.
  2. Locate the water inlet valve, and unthread the hot and cold supply lines attached to the valve. Don’t be surprised if a small amount of water leaks out of the lines.
  3. Disconnect the wires running to the back of the water inlet valve. Next, release the clamps securing the water hoses to the back of the valve, and then pull the hoses off the water inlet valve.
  4. Unthread the mounting screws holding the inlet valve to the control panel bracket, and remove the inlet valve from the dispenser assembly.
  5. Now it’s time to install the new water inlet valve. To do so, insert the valve nozzles into the ports on the dispenser assembly, and then rethread the mounting screws.
  6. Reattach the water hoses to the back of the inlet valve and slide the hose clamps forward to secure the connection. Then, reconnect the wires that run to the valve.
  7. Grab the hot and cold water supply lines and attach them to the inlet valve.
  8. To finish your repair, flip the front of the control panel over and replace its rear panel by rethreading the screws that hold the two parts together.

If the water pressure level switch and the water inlet valve are not the causes of your overflowing washer, and you’re having a difficult time pinpointing the malfunctioning part, please contact us today, and we’ll be happy to help you diagnose and repair your appliance.

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