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Troubleshooting a Whirlpool Duet washer with an F11 error code and repairing it without using any parts

Many appliance servicers have been befuddled by the elusive and mysterious F11 error code in these Whirlpool Duet front loading washers (also sold under the Kenmore brand).  In their confusion and frustration, many will go into Parts Changing Monkey mode and start blindly replacing expensive control boards without really fixing the problem (but still charging the customer, of course).  

The Appliance Guru never does business that way.  You hire me to solve a problem.  Period.  I give a quote up-front for the complete repair cost and I stick to it.  If my diagnosis is wrong, that's my problem, not yours and it won't cost you a penny more than what I quoted.  

How can I offer professional appliance repair services this way and stay in business?  Well, it means I better know what I'm doing and be able to do real troubleshooting, not just throw parts at the problem and hope to get lucky.  

The infamous and all-too-common F11 error code in these Whirlpool Duet front load washers is a case-in-point.  The tech sheet inside the washer says this is a communications error between two control boards: the CCU (central control unit) and MCU (motor control unit).  Even Whirlpool's own technical guidance for this error is abysmal; they say to replace the CCU and if that doesn't fix it, then replace the MCU.  This is why there is so much confusion among appliance repair techs in the field.  Each of these control boards costs well north of $200 and the CCU in particular goes on frequent backorder, adding lots more cost and inconvenient downtime to the customer.

As I show in the video, the F11 error code problem in these Whirlpool Duet washers can almost always be repaired without replacing any expensive control boards.  While I'm sure the Whirlpool engineers know about this repair, I'm also sure that Whirlpool management has prevented them from issuing a technical bulletin on this.  After all, selling expensive replacement parts is a big profit center for Whirlpool Corporation (they are not alone or unique in this regard-- most of the manufacturers play this game).  

The Appliance Guru is always looking for ways to add value to his service by saving his customers money!  

If you have the supreme good fortune of living in the Kearsarge-Lake Sunapee Region of New Hampshire, call The Appliance Guru for expert appliance repair service.  All repairs are guaranteed 110%.  (603) 290-5515

Autumn Fire 2013

We've been having a spectacular autumn leaf-peeping season in the Kearsarge-Lake Sunapee region this year.  I hope you've been able to get out and enjoy it.  I sure have!  Here's a small sampling of some of the leaf-peeping I've done.  To see a larger view of any photo, just click on the picture you'd like to see and a larger image will open in a new browser window. Enjoy!


Purple Haze at the Clarke Lookout

2013-08-28 08.44.08


Autumn Fire from Lincoln Woods Trail

2013-10-01 12.40.16


Looking Down on the Famous Cliffs of Mt.  Dickey

2013-10-03 13.38.02


The Oz Man Chilleth on Mt. Welch

2013-10-03 13.38.50



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