Since Febraury, I've had lid switch problems and have been running my 21? Year old Kenmore 110.81821100 washer with a pencil stuck into the lid switch hole. Well, as of yesterday that isn't working either. The washer filled up and agitated but never drained or spun, even with the pencil in the hole. So I went online to order a new lid switch, but then I saw all these other lid switch parts - like the lid switch acuator, lid switch shield, lid switch harness. I am a housewife with no appliance repair experience! :) But if someone can help me determine the correct part(s) to order, I'm pretty sure my husband can install it. I really don't want to buy a new washer right here at Christmas time! THANK YOU in advance! BTW reading this great board is how I learned it was a lid switch problem so you all have already been a help to me! THANKS

Call Sears and see what your model takes before you order stuff you don't need. Being that old of a model it's hard to tell as probably what's posted online parts wise is probably not going to do it for you. You could also contact Appliance Parts Warehouse at 800-841-0312 and ask them what part to get. I found these people on the net and they are quite knowlegable about the older appliances. Hope they can help you.

Aledosandra - HERE is how to test the lid switch on your washer. You will need to have a ( VOLT OHM METER :: ) FIRST OF ALL YOU NEED TO DISCONNECT THE POWER CORD :: #1 - LIFT THE TOP OF THE WASHER< THAT IS WHERE THE SWITCH IS LOCATED:: THE switch itself may be defective
And need replaced;; To test the wsitch #2- remove the spray shield. You will need a nut driver or a scres driver ;; remove the shield and then { SET THE VOLT-OHM METER TO RX1SCALE :: DISCONECT THE WIRES THAT ARE HOOKED TO THE SWITCH, CLIP OR HOLD THE PROBS FROM THE METER TO EACH ONE OF THE TERMINALS THAT THE ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE HOOKED TO ,Close the lid down ;; IF THE METER READS ZERO, then the switch is good , if the meter reads high then the switch needs to be replaced. ;; #3 - Hook the wires to the switch and replace the spray shield now TO CHECK TO SEE IF THE SWITCH HAS MOVED OUT OF ADJUSTMENT< TO ADJUST THE SDWITCH :: LOOSEN THE SCREWS A LITTLE BIT <JUST SO YOU CAN BARLY MOVE THE SWITCH: MOVE IT A VERY LITTLE AT A TIME :: TIGHTEN THE SCREWS EACH TIME YOU MOVE THE SWITCH:: TO MOVE THE SWITCH YOU WILL HAVE TO SLIDE YOUR FINGERS UNDER THE SHIELD:: YOU MAY HAVE TO DO THIS A FEW TIME#S : TO CHECK IT CLOSE THE LID DOWN AND I DONE A BO BO ( I FORGOT TO HSAVE YOU LEAVE THE WIRES OFF STILL YET < ANY HOW TAKE THEM OFF AND CLIP THE METER PROBS BACK ON , Checking with the lid lets us know if the switch is in the right position to operate the washer as it is susposed to :: THE READINGS YOU GET ON THE METER IS THE SAME AS WHEN WE TESTED THE SWITCH A FEW MOMNETS AGO ;; Now to check to see if the switch is broken or not :: instead of closeing the lid down use your finger to actuate the switch :: IF the switch is broken or faulty ,you will need to replace the switch ;; I hope that this helps you out, and you know just the part you need , if it all checks out OK then holler back and I can give you a couple more thiongs you can check :: YOU CAN GET ONE OF THE VOLT OHM METERS AT Lowe's IN THE ELECTRICAL DEPT , they are not very expensive, The one I got only run aroun $ 8.00 to $ 12.00 dollars :: JUst make sure that the one you get can handle Up to an including 220 VOLTS :: Have a good day and GOD BLESS :: F.B.E.

Find a Appliance Repair shop in your town, a one-owner business type place. That's what I did.
These type of people are a lot more friendly and helpful. You can talk to them face-to-face and they will correctly identify the part you need.
I ordered a part online that took 5 days to get to me and was the wrong part. I then went local and got the part the next day.
This guy even loaned my the special tool I need to do the job. I was able to ask him for help anythime. In return, I sent business his way.
There are quite a few specialized on-line repair sites that will answer your questions for free, Just don't mention doing business with someone else. They kind of want you to buy from them, even though you're not obligated. You can get diagrams and more info though. Just do a search for "free help to fix washing machine", or something along those lines.
Whirlpool manufactures for a lot of other companies, including Sears.
I now know how to put in a tub seal, which means tearing the washer apart. Some of the on-line guys will advise only having a professional do it. I am in the process of filming it!

Shadylady - there are a lot of good people on this site ,and they take a lot of time trying to help other people < and most of them don't even charge a penny
Nor do they try to sell peoele any parts> it is awfully hard to diaganose a problem over the c omputer and not being there to do it > most of these people have more expen> doing this work then most of them out there< some like myself have done this fior more then %o years and know more then them out there will ever know :: some times we will recondmend that a prof, out there to be called because we can pretty well tell by the way some one is talkong about a problem and we do it because we do not want someone getting hurt or killed< which can happen so very easy by some one that has { no } expen. I will admit that you sound like someone that does know a little and would probably keep out of trouble :: electrical is not forgiveing< { 220volts will useally knock you away , but can also hold you till you are fried::: 110 volts will hold you and really frie you ; }eithway you need to have some expen> working with and
Around before messing with it . Remember that i will say the people that answer questions on this site are and have quite a lot of time and expen::: good luck and god bless :: f.b.e.

Thanks to all who replied. I called Sears like "Twinkie" advised and they prescribed the correct part. My husband just installed it and it works! I'm so happy I don't have to buy a new washer right now at Christmas time. THANK YOU EVERYONE!

Try to keep that washer as long as you can. Sears/Whirlpool from back then was a great machine even with the WIG-WAG selonoid shift system. You will never get a new machine that will last as long.

I do think HVAC1000 is right! This has been the best washer. We bought it brand new back when we were in our early 20s and still in college. It wasn't a high-end model. It was very inexpensive - we didn't have much money. But week after week and year after year I have washed load after load, and now with 2 kids and 2 dogs probably about 5-8 loads per week. This is the first problem it's had. And the Kenmore dryer we bought at the same time hasn't had even one single problem. Besides spending a bunch of $$$$, not trusting what's being manufactured today is another reason we're not in any hurry to buy new ones. Thanks again everyone for the help!

The new appliances today have "computers" in them and when something goes wrong you have to know the code for it! It's the same with cars. They say there's a reason for it, but I think it's just to make more money on servicing. The "computer control" alone costs around $200 to replace. Plus the newer stuff is built with inferior quality, in my opinion.
I put in a new tub seal & drive block for less than $40, and that includes the parts, shipping, and other materials (like spray lube, steel wool, and plumber;s grease)
I've been working on cars for over 20 years because every time I go to a mechanic I seem to get "taken". I can get 3 different opinions from three different mecanics. I used to have a 53 Desoto that I drove for 21 years until I sold it 2 years ago. It needed a lot of body work but I kept it in mechanical shape and it still runs.
I just do not like the new "computer controlled" stuff. I have to pay around $80 just for a diagnosis, and last year had 2 scans from two different places. After replacing the recommended parts, I still had problems. When I went back expecting another scan they got mad.
So now I find that by sharing knowledge I learn something and gain a new skill + save a lot of money.
I didn't mean any offense to you Flying BLUE EAGLE, I wa just relating some of my experiences. I found that by going local I was able to talk to someone in person & could bring in old parts for him to identify. I made the mistake of ordering parts from one website and waited 10 days--they sent me the wrong part! The "local guy" ordered the right part and it came the next day.

Glad to hear you got your washer fixed. Those older models if properly maintained should last much longer than the newer ones. I don't like the ones with computers in as they don't last very long. I had a washer that had two speeds in the spin cycle. I think it was a Kenmore as well. I loved that machine as it spun the clothes so dry I hardly wasted much electric drying the clothes.

SHADYLADY - AOPLOGY ACCEPTEDI was just wanting you to know that there is a lot of good people on this site , and there is many ,many are very knolgment in what they are doping on here , after you work onm here awhile ,you will see what I mean , I should have welco med you to the site , but I goofed and didn't ,SO I WILL RIGHT NOW ( WELCOME ) :: I look forward to the future in exchanging things with you ,:: I guess THAT I ALSO JUMPPED TO THINGS I SHOULD NOT HAVE ( SORRY) HOPE TO BE A Friend IN THE FUTURE :: HAVE A GOOD DAY AND A BETTER TOMORROPW ::AND GOD BLESS :::
F.B.E.

aledosandra - IM GLAD TO HAVE HELPED AND THAT YOUR WASHER IS RUNNING AGAIN < MY WIFE HAD ONE FOR SEVERAL ( KENMORE WASHER AND DRYER) since we got rid of them ,we've gone through 3 other sets, they didn't last quite as long as the kenmore.
I fully agree about on thes newer modles , they are not worth the money you have to pay for them and they are made in other countries and made cheaper , but we have to pay more for stuff, made in other countries by american companys, and it is all inferrior then when made ion america. GLAD TO HAVE HELPED :: HAVE A NICE DAY AND GOD BLESS :: F.B.E.