How to Replace a Kenmore Water Inlet Valve
- 1). Unplug the Kenmore washer power cord from the electrical outlet on the wall. Move the washer away from the back wall by about two feet so that you can work behind it. Turn the water supply off to the washer by turning the shut-off valves off at the wall.
- 2). Place a bucket directly under the water hose connections at the rear of the washer. Use a pair of pliers to loosen the hose connections from the water inlet valves. Once the hose connections are loose, you can unscrew the connections by hand and place the ends of the hoses in the bucket.
- 3). Remove the retaining screws that secure the control console to the washer top with a Phillips-head screwdriver. The single screw is at each end of the control console on the front of the console. Lift the console up and over to rest the console in the service position.
- 4). Insert the blade of a flathead screwdriver into the slots at the rear of the top panel that contain the brass clip securing the top panel to the rear panel. Push the handle of the screwdriver toward the rear of the washer to pop the brass clip out of the top panel.
- 5). Disconnect the door switch wiring harness at the top rear center of the washer cabinet. Grab the door switch wiring harness with your finger to pull the harness of the door switch block. Place your hands on each side of the washer cabinet and pull the cabinet away far enough to access the water inlet valve on the left side of the rear panel.
- 6). Disconnect the wires connecting to the water inlet valve using a pair of needle nose pliers to pull the wires off by the metal leads. Use a pair of pliers to compress the tabs on the compression clamp securing the hose to the water inlet valve and pull the clamp away from the water port. Pull the hose off of the water inlet valve.
- 7). Go to the outside rear of the washer and remove the two screws securing the water inlet valve to the rear panel with a Phillips-head screwdriver. Pull the water inlet valve out of the rear panel. Set the new Kenmore washer inlet valve into the rear panel and secure the valve with the two retaining screws.
- 8). Slip the hose over the water port on the inside of the rear panel and secure the hose to the water inlet valve with the compression clamp. Attach the wires to the water inlet valve by slipping the leads over the valve terminals.
- 9). Position the washer cabinet back over the washer base and against the rear panel. Snap the brass retaining clips into the slots on the top of the washer to secure the cabinet to the rear panel. Reconnect the door switch wiring harness.
- 10
Pull the front of the control console back down on top of the washer. Secure the control console to the top of the Kenmore washer with the retaining screws. Wrap plumber's tape around the threads of the water inlet valve and attach the water supply hoses to the valve. Tighten the hoses using a pair of pliers. - 11
Turn the water supply back on to the washer and plug the washer power cord into the wall outlet. Push the washer back into its normal working position.
Source...