Kenmore HE Washer Stuck On Sensing [SOLVED] – Let’s Fix It

If your Kenmore HE washer stuck on sensing, the problem can be due to many reasons. This article will show you how to fix the sensor on your Kenmore brand HE washer.

Whether you’re washing a few shirts or doing a major load of clothes, a modern washing machine has your back. It lets you choose from diverse cleaning options while skipping the repetitive ones. But when things go awry, it can be a real pain. It’s a fact of life: appliances break down.

Why Kenmore HE Washer Stuck On Sensing – Troubleshoot and Diagnosis

When a Kenmore HE washer malfunctions, the load sensing feature may become stuck on. This is usually caused by a defective load sensor that misreads its surroundings or a broken power cord that prevents it from measuring the load within the machine. If you suspect your washer has this problem, consult the manual to identify the location of various parts and use our troubleshooting guide below to help you unjam your washer and get back to your laundry routine, Here are some of the parts/functions you should check:

Faulty Water Inlet valve

Enough water at the right temperature is a key factor in cleaning your clothes. The ‘sensing cycle’ feature in a Kenmore washer makes sure that the required amount of water is added to the machine before the wash cycle even starts. This feature prevents under-sudsing, ensures your clothes are clean, and saves you time and money.

The water inlet valve in your washer is responsible for supplying fresh, clean water to the machine. If this valve malfunctions at any point in the cycle, there’s a chance your washer might not shift from its Wash cycle and might be stuck in that mode, leaving residual bubbles inside the machine and preventing you from starting a new load of laundry.

The water inlet valve is a part that allows your washing machine to fill with water. Since the washer draws the water from your supply, it needs this valve to turn on and off the flow of water. It also controls how fast the water enters the machine, so it’s important for any DIY repairs you might do down the line.

If the washing machine water inlet valve is already on, but pressing any button does nothing, then the water inlet valve might be broken. To make sure, use a multimeter to check continuity. It’ll tell you if there is current passing through or not. If it has no continuity, replace the water inlet valve.

If your multimeter results read zero or infinity, it means your inlet valve is in need of replacement. This inlet valve is the component in charge of sending electrical signals to multiple parts of your washer when it’s supposed to send water into the tub. With an inoperative inlet valve, no water can enter the tub at all.

Defective Motor Shift Actuator

Top-load Kenmore washing machines use a motor shift actuator to switch between the WASH and SPIN cycles. The motor shift actuator is a small motor and gearbox unit that shifts the transmission ring to engage one of two drive mechanisms: the wash or spin drive.

The first thing that the Wash Control does during the wash cycle is check the washer tub’s position to make sure that it hasn’t been shifted from its normal SPIN cycle. The control will not allow the washer to start if the tub has been moved to a non-SPIN cycle position during a previous wash or if it is in a different position as when the wash cycle was previously started. This helps prevent damage to the washer and its mechanical components.

If the washer shift actuator never makes it to the proper position by the time the measuring phase of the wash cycle starts, the control board will try a second time to position the washer shift actuator. If this fails, a second delay phase will begin. If even this fails, the control board will try a third time. And if it still can’t get it right, your Kenmore washer will stuck on sensing.

After a couple of tries, you begin to see a blinking Lid Lock light. When the lid is unlocked, the water fill, drain and spinning cycles can begin — your Kenmore washer shift actuator might be malfunctioning.

If you suspect your Kenmore washer has the shift actuator failure, firstly verify it by checking for an error code related to the shift actuator. You can easily access diagnostic mode by pressing two combination of buttons on the washer control panel. After that, be sure to watch carefully the error code appearing on the display.

Control Board Failure

Along with the washer shift actuator failure, there is a major problem that can occur. Luckily, it does not happen very often, but when it does, your Kenmore washer stops working completely. The main control board breaks down and prevents water from pumping into the machine.

This washing machine’s control board has stopped responding. If you’re sure that the problem is caused by electrical or wiring issues, try to check to make sure all connectors to the control board or to the shifter or to the motor are tight. You can also disconnect it and reconnect it, in case there were transient problems.

If a washer has a problem with the main control board, then it can’t sense or give feedback to the washing machine. When that happens, the door won’t unlock, and the machine will not run. If your Kenmore washer isn’t responding when you press certain buttons on the console or if buttons seem worn out or unresponsive, then you may need to replace the Kenmore washer control board.