Kenmore Compact Top-Load Washer Lights: Heavy Duty, Perm Press and Hand-Wash
When the Heavy Duty, Perm Press and Hand-Wash lights come on together on a Kenmore compact top-load washer, the control is reporting an incorrect fill water level. It compared the level it expected with what the…
- Code
- Heavy Duty, Perm Press and Hand-Wash
- Appliance
- Washer
- Brand
- Kenmore
- Warranty
- 30-day workmanship
What Heavy Duty, Perm Press and Hand-Wash means
When the Heavy Duty, Perm Press and Hand-Wash lights come on together on a Kenmore compact top-load washer, the control is reporting an incorrect fill water level. It compared the level it expected with what the water level pressure switch reported and the two did not agree. That can come from a loose wire, a damaged harness, or a bad air hose on the switch. The cycle stops and the lights stay on in place of a numbered code.
Common causes of Heavy Duty, Perm Press and Hand-Wash
- Wire harness connection between the water level pressure switch and the control board
- Damaged wire harness
- Air hose on the pressure switch that is loose, cracked or blocked
- Pressure switch that sends the wrong level reading
1. Unplug the washer and check that the tub holds a sensible amount of water. 2. Plug in, run a rinse and spin to see whether the lights return. 3. Make sure nothing, like a stray hose, is pressed against the back of the cabinet. 4. Leave the harness and air hose to us, since reaching them means getting behind the control.
- Whether the wiring, the air hose or the switch is the reason for the wrong reading
- Whether the level reading is wrong only at certain fill stages
- Whether the control board is receiving a clean signal
Other Washer codes
What does the pressure switch do?
It measures how much water is in the tub by sensing the air pressure in a small hose. The control uses that reading to stop the fill at the right point for the selected cycle.
Does the lights pattern change with the cycle I picked?
The three lights are the code. They mean the level reading was off, whatever cycle you chose, so we start from the level sensing and not the cycle settings.
Could a loose connection fix itself?
It can seem to, which is why the code may come and go. We check the connections and air hose first and give you a written price before any part is ordered.
Still seeing Heavy Duty, Perm Press and Hand-Wash?
A technician diagnoses it on site and gives you the price in writing before any work starts.