Accessing the door lock switch

The error code E41 means the control board is detecting an open door switch. It might be due to a broken wire harness, broken door lock/switch assembly, or in worst cases a faulty control board.

Unplug the machine or disconnect power. Open the washer door then look for the retaining hoop securing the door seal around the lip of the door opening. Stretch the spring of the retaining hoop then remove it.



Carefully peel off the part of the door seal from the lip of the door opening near the door lock/switch assembly. Remove enough of the door seal to gain access to the door lock and switch assembly.



Remove the screws securing the door lock/switch assembly to the front panel. Once the screws are removed, lift the door lock and switch assembly then pull it away from the front panel.



Take the door lock/switch assembly out of the front panel then disconnect the door switch harness then short circuit the terminals by putting a jumper wire between them.



Put the door lock/switch assembly back into position in the front panel then secure it with the securing screws previously removed. Properly put the eased part of the door seal back over the lip of the door opening then secure it with the retaining hoop. Reconnect power and run a test cycle. Replace the door lock and switch assembly (part #131763202) to address the problem if the washer works fine with the door switch bypassed. If not, replace the control board.

Whirlpool-made Front Loading such as the Kenmore Elite washing machines use a door lock and switch assembly having a tab that can be pulled manually for emergency opening of the door. This tab can be accessed with the removal of the lower front access panel. Disconnect power to the washer and drain the water from the tub before accessing it.

Remove the three screws attaching the lower front access panel to the cabinet then pull the panel down and off the cabinet. You can prop up the bottom front edge of the washer or cushion and lean it against the wall to access and remove the screws more easily.

Once the panel is off, reach up along the inside of the front panel and locate the bottom of the door lock and switch assembly on the right side. Locate the tear-drop shaped tab then gently pull it down until a click is heard, and then open the door.


The door lock and switch assembly may need to be replaced if the problem persists. The replacement procedure is here.

Some Whirlpool-made Front Loading such as the Kenmore Elite use another type of door lock and switch assembly but still with the release tab and can be accessed through the washer top. Remove the screws attaching the top panel to the rear of the machine then pull the panel rearward and off the cabinet. Pull the release tab until a click is heard then open the door.

Disconnect power then open the door and remove the spring-hoop assembly that secures the door gasket. Peel off the part of the door gasket near the door lock and switch assembly. Remove the screws securing the door lock and switch assembly to the front panel then pull the door lock and switch assembly out. Transfer the wires to the new door lock and switch assembly then install into place. Put the door gasket back and secure it with the spring-hoop assembly. Click on the link below for the detailed procedure.

Replacing the Door Lock and Switch Assembly on Frigidaire Affinity and Gallery Front-Load Washing Machine

Whirlpool Front Loading washing machines use a door lock and switch assembly having a tab that can be pulled manually for emergency opening of the door. This tab can be accessed with the removal of the lower front access panel. Disconnect power to the washer before accessing it.

Remove the three screws attaching the lower front access panel to the cabinet then pull the panel down and off the cabinet. You can prop up the bottom front edge of the washer or cushion and lean it against the wall to access and remove the screws more easily.

Once the panel is off, reach up along the inside of the front panel and locate the bottom of the door lock and switch assembly on the right side. Locate the tear-drop shaped tab then gently pull it down until a click is heard, and then open the door.


The door lock and switch assembly may need to be replaced if the problem persists. The replacement procedure is here.

FLAT TIP SCREWDRIVER, REMOVE CLAMP ALONG THE BOOT. BEND BOOT BACK TO ACCESS THE DOOR LOCK BEHIND PANEL. TAKE TWO SCREWS OFF FOR THE DOOR LOCK, AND IT SHOULD COME OUT BETWEEN THE PANEL AND THE BOOT. GOOD LUCK

TIMOTHY 714-334-1998

There is an auxiliary switch in the door lock and switch assembly that is activated at the end of the wash cycle for the machine to advance to the spin cycle. This is a safety feature to prevent the door from opening during the spin cycle and the machine will not spin unless the switch is activated. The machine works except advancing to the spin cycle and this signifies that the auxiliary switch cannot be activated and the door lock and switch assembly is faulty. Replaced the door lock and switch assembly (part #131763202) to address the issue.

Disconnect power to the machine. Open the washer door then look for the retaining hoop securing the door seal around the lip of the door opening. Stretch the retainer spring of the door seal retaining hoop then remove it.


Carefully peel off part of the door seal from the lip of the door opening near the door lock and switch assembly. Remove enough of the door seal to gain access to the door lock and switch assembly.


Remove the screws securing the door lock and switch assembly to the front panel. Once the screws are removed, lift the door lock and switch assembly then pull it away from the front panel.


Take the door lock and switch assembly out of the machine. Disconnect the electrical connections then connect it to the new door lock and switch assembly.


Put the new door lock and switch assembly back into position in the front panel and secure it with the securing screws.

Properly put the eased part of the door seal back over the lip of the door opening then secure it with the retaining hoop.

There is an auxiliary switch in the door lock and switch assembly that is activated at the end of the wash cycle to advance to the spin cycle. When the machine works except advancing to the spin cycle, it signifies that this auxiliary switch cannot be activated and the door lock and switch assembly is faulty. Replaced the door lock and switch assembly (part #131763202) to fix the washer.

Disconnect power to the machine. Open the washer door then look for the retaining hoop securing the door seal around the lip of the door opening. Stretch the retainer spring of the door seal retaining hoop then remove it.

Carefully peel off part of the door seal from the lip of the door opening near the door lock and switch assembly. Remove enough of the door seal to gain access to the door lock and switch assembly.

Remove the screws securing the door lock and switch assembly to the front panel. Once the screws are removed, lift the door lock and switch assembly then pull it away from the front panel.

Take the door lock and switch assembly out of the machine. Disconnect the wires from its terminals then connect it to the new door lock and switch assembly.

Put the new door lock and switch assembly back into position in the front panel and secure it with the securing screws.

Properly put the eased part of the door seal back over the lip of the door opening then secure it with the retaining hoop.

Your door lock is bad. Don't trust the door lock light because this will fool you. Even tho door locks 1 of the circuits is not continuing. Replace the door lock. Very easy to do. Do this by peeling back the door boot at the lock side. Reach hands inside for access to wiring and remove door lock switch.

The clicking sound is coming from the door lock/switch assembly trying to lock the door but it cannot. After six trials, the error code "FdL" shows up on the display. Press PAUSE/CANCEL button twice to clear it.

The only way to fix the problem is by replacing the door lock/switch assembly with part numer 8181700 and costs about $40-$55. Some vendors listed it as part number 1094190 or PS972231. Below is the replacement procedure.

Door Lock/Switch Replacement Procedure

1. Unplug the machine and open the door.
   
2. Stretch the retainer spring of the seal boot retaining hoop then remove it. The seal boot is the gray rubber around the door opening. The retaining spring is located at the bottom of the door opening. The door lock/switch assembly is located on the right side of the door opening.
   
3. Ease the part of the seal boot off the lip of the door opening near the door lock/switch assembly. Remove enough of the seal boot to gain access to the door lock/switch assembly behind the front panel of the washer. Be careful not to tear the seal boot because it will cause water to leak from the tub.
   
4. Remove the three screws securing the door lock/switch assembly to the front panel.
5. Lift the door lock/switch assembly and pull it away from the front panel then pull it out of the machine.
   
6. Disconnect the wiring harness connector and connect the new door lock/switch assembly.
7. Reinstall the new door lock/switch assembly and the seal boot in reverse order of the procedure above.

Either the switch striker/actuator on the door is worn or the door lock/switch assembly on the right side of the door opening is faulty. It is recommended to replace both parts when one is faulty or worn. The door lock/switch assembly is part number 1094190 and costs about $55. The switch striker/actuator is part number 906446 and costs about $5.

Door Lock/Switch Replacement Procedure

• Unplug the machine.
• Open the machine's door.
  
• Locate the retainer spring of the seal boot retaining hoop at the bottom of the door opening.
• Stretch the retainer spring apart then remove the retaining hoop.
• Ease the edge of the seal boot off the lip of the door opening near the door lock/switch assembly. Remove enough of the seal boot to gain access to the door lock/switch assembly behind the front panel of the washer. Be careful not to tear the seal boot. It will cause water to leak out of the machine.
  
• Remove the three screws securing the door lock/switch assembly to the front panel.
• Slightly lift the door lock/switch assembly, pull it away from the front panel then pull it out of the machine.
  
• Disconnect the wiring harness and connect the new door lock/switch assembly.
• Reinstall the new door lock/switch assembly and the seal boot in reverse order of the procedure above.