Off Topic…Washing Machine Control Board

Photo Egg

I have a LG top load washing machine. (WT7300CW) Yes, out of warranty.
The unit periodically would not power on. Getting worse over time. The control panel is sensor touch of some kind. In the past a couple touches or rolling finger over power pad would work. Then unplugging and sitting would appear to help. But I think it just gave time for temp change to take hold.
Tonight could not get to power on so I tore the control panel apart. There are foam pad type touch pads on the control board that are activated through the control cover. With the cover off I plugged it in and it powered on and off EVERY time. Even after sitting and multiple unplugging and plugging back in. Worked every time. The touch pads are very sensitive. You don’t actually have to touch the pad to activate the button. I don’t know if it’s heat or what actually makes these work. That’s where I need help.
What I did notice is the foam touch pad for the power button is noticeably longer than any of the other buttons on the control board.
Was thinking the pad on the power button had expanded out enough that it makes positive contact with the inside of front cover and is not allowed to reset? The washer auto shuts off after 5 minutes of last use. From web searches I have found this power button issue to be a serious issue and some users have replaced the control board multiple times in just a few years for this problem. They are now $275 a pop.
Honestly, I was thinking of drilling a 1/2” hole in the control board cover to have direct access with the contact pad and no chance of it grounding itself out on the inside of the cover. But then the cover is permanently holed. The control board cover plate is fairly thick and ridged plastic. It’s not a soft flexible panel that flexes in to move the foam touch pad inside. Not what I expected to find.
Below is a couple photos showing the board and the pads.
Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

caliking

Was that crease in the left side of the foam (3rd pic) there when you opened the board up? If it was, then maybe the issue is that the pad being deformed doesn't allow for sufficient contact when you push the button?

Maybe try small slivers of electrical tape around, and across the top of the pad, and that will add a smidge of height and rigidity to the pad. 

HeavyG

Don't know if it does anything with your model but have you tried the reset procedure?

https://youtu.be/Ojb_Paa87CI

paqman

If simply touching the foam (not pushing it) is sufficient then it could be capacitive touch sensors.  If there is something obstructing the contact/moisture, that could be your problem.

fishlessman

im only good with these up to removing the stupid lid lock switch

Photo Egg

HeavyG said:

Don't know if it does anything with your model but have you tried the reset procedure?

https://youtu.be/Ojb_Paa87CI

Yes, many times, as well as a couple other reset methods.
I just don’t know enough about the actual properties of the button. Still think the button is staying active by touching the actual inside of the control cover face.
Wife not happy with idea of drilling hole in cover.

Photo Egg

paqman said:

If simply touching the foam (not pushing it) is sufficient then it could be capacitive touch sensors.  If there is something obstructing the contact/moisture, that could be your problem.

Thank you. Inside was super clean with no sign of condensation or dust. Unit is only 2 years old. This one has me puzzled. It works great with cover taken apart.lol

Photo Egg

caliking said:

Was that crease in the left side of the foam (3rd pic) there when you opened the board up? If it was, then maybe the issue is that the pad being deformed doesn't allow for sufficient contact when you push the button?

Maybe try small slivers of electrical tape around, and across the top of the pad, and that will add a smidge of height and rigidity to the pad. 

I just don’t know if it needs more or less contact with face of control panel.

Photo Egg

Well Hell…Wife walked into laundry room to start some laundry. I never would have guessed this would happen, but she wasn’t happy with me.lol

So I stuck a piece of toothpick in each corner to help support the foam touch pad.
Put it back together and it’s working. At least for now.

caliking

You need to give her credit for this fix.

If she hadn't walked in to do laundry right then, you'd still be futzing around on a bbq forum trying to fix it!!

dmchicago

caliking said:

You need to give her credit for this fix.

If she hadn't walked in to do laundry right then, you'd still be futzing around on a bbq forum trying to fix it!!

Maybe she was planning to get “stuck in the dryer “. 

Photo Egg

caliking said:

You need to give her credit for this fix.

If she hadn't walked in to do laundry right then, you'd still be futzing around on a bbq forum trying to fix it!!

Members here are so diverse in talent I figured I had just as good of luck asking here compared to an appliance forum.
‘Fix was short lived. Back to being finicky.
‘The hole drilling is coming soon.lol

caliking

Photo Egg said:

caliking said:

You need to give her credit for this fix.

If she hadn't walked in to do laundry right then, you'd still be futzing around on a bbq forum trying to fix it!!

Members here are so diverse in talent I figured I had just as good of luck asking here compared to an appliance forum.
‘Fix was short lived. Back to being finicky.
‘The hole drilling is coming soon.lol

Was just yanking your chain You’re absolutely right- the collective talent here would be the first resource I’d  turn to, as well. 

nolaegghead

dmchicago said:

caliking said:

You need to give her credit for this fix.

If she hadn't walked in to do laundry right then, you'd still be futzing around on a bbq forum trying to fix it!!

Maybe she was planning to get “stuck in the dryer “. 

Lololol

paqman

Are they mechanical buttons or touch sensitive (capacitive) sensors?

If they are capacitive sensors, I can think of two things:

1. There may be some calibration taking place when the unit is turned ON.  If the unit is turned ON immediately after putting back the panel, the foam may still be “moving”/adapting and the capacitive values may change as a result.  Try unplugging the washer for an hour and plug it back in.  If there are mechanical buttons, push each of them for 5-10 seconds while the washer is unplugged to drain the electricity out of capacitors.

2. The bent surface on only one side of the foam may be making it lose contact with the front touch surface when it is pushed down (compressed) by the panel (making it move sideways).  Maybe bending the other side too will help it travel straight and keep contact with the surface?

Photo Egg

paqman said:

Are they mechanical buttons or touch sensitive (capacitive) sensors?

If they are capacitive sensors, I can think of two things:

1. There may be some calibration taking place when the unit is turned ON.  If the unit is turned ON immediately after putting back the panel, the foam may still be “moving”/adapting and the capacitive values may change as a result.  Try unplugging the washer for an hour and plug it back in.  If there are mechanical buttons, push each of them for 5-10 seconds while the washer is unplugged to drain the electricity out of capacitors.

2. The bent surface on only one side of the foam may be making it lose contact with the front touch surface when it is pushed down (compressed) by the panel (making it move sideways).  Maybe bending the other side too will help it travel straight and keep contact with the surface?

Thank you. That makes perfect sense. After putting back together it was still a little glitchy. But an hour later and it worked perfectly and has every time since.
Appreciate you taking the time to help.

dmchicago

nolaegghead said:

dmchicago said:

caliking said:

You need to give her credit for this fix.

If she hadn't walked in to do laundry right then, you'd still be futzing around on a bbq forum trying to fix it!!

Maybe she was planning to get “stuck in the dryer “. 

Lololol

Thank you. Sheesh, no one reads anymore. 

nolaegghead

Probably some don’t want to admit it, but I’ll own it.