GE Fresh Vent GFW850SPN2RS not detecting door lock status

[red66stang]

Model Number

GFW850SPN2RS

Brand

GE

Age

1-5 years

I have an 18-month old GFW850SPN2RS that suddenly stopped detecting if the door is locked at the start of a cycle. If I start a cycle, I can hear the door lock cycling between locked and unlocked. The machine then gives me a "door" error. After this, I can open and close the door, and it will cycle through two more door lock/unlock cycles and then act as if the cycle is completed.

I first replaced the door lock mechanism with a new part from the same parts supplier all the local repair shops use (i.e. not a knockoff part). I tried installing the new door lock mech on both positions (this machine has a reversible door). I checked the continuity of the wiring between the door lock mechanism and the main board and had good checks on all three wires.

I ordered what should have been a compatible new main board and replaced that today with no change to the machine's behavior. The main board assembly I ordered was part number WH22X29532. I noticed the part number on the board itself is different than the original (original 290D2863G109 vs new 290D2860GXXX) but I don't know a way to confirm they are compatible.

My next step was to check the front control panel by removing it and taking it to my local Lowes, where, surprisingly, a manager let me install my front panel on a floor display. Everything functioned normally, which suggests to me that the front panel controls are not the problem.

I can enter service mode and try to run a spin test, but it will not start because it does not sense the door is actually locked. When I check codes, I get #23 - critical door lock failure. I also checked the field service mode #13, and it correctly identifies the door position of open/closed.

Looking for any advice or service manuals. Should I try a second door lock in case I possibly got a bad one? I opened the original up, and it seems to be a mechanical switch with contacts that are opened or closed based on the door being closed and the lock position.

 

[Coldspot]

Is there any adjustment on either locking mechanism sides (up or down)? Slight bend in sheet metal? sounds like it just doesn't like where it is.

 

[bigbuck]

This is the tech sheet he is using: https://visualizador.serviplus.com.mx/datos_pt/lava/manuales/ServiceManual_31-3000219-3.pdf
Did you program the new board.Here is a old thread: https://www.applianceblog.com/mainforums/threads/gfw850ssn0ww-ge-washer-personality-id.95358/

 

[red66stang]

This is the tech sheet he is using: https://visualizador.serviplus.com.mx/datos_pt/lava/manuales/ServiceManual_31-3000219-3.pdf
Did you program the new board.Here is a old thread: https://www.applianceblog.com/mainforums/threads/gfw850ssn0ww-ge-washer-personality-id.95358/

Is the personality ID tied to the main board or to the control panel? The personality ID showed 4 in both cases so I did not take the step of programming it specifically.

Also, thank you for sharing the tech sheet. I am a little frustrated that GE's support did not mention it or the tests and codes I could run. I only discovered it once I opened the washer to try to look at the main board.

 

[red66stang]

Is there any adjustment on either locking mechanism sides (up or down)? Slight bend in sheet metal? sounds like it just doesn't like where it is.

There is not really any adjustment to the locking mechanism. The latch on the door is not rigidly mounted and can slide side to side to line up as the door is closed. I tried several times to remove the latch from the door and latching it into the locking mechanism to verify it was locking and whether the continuity of the lock sensor changed as it was inserted or not (using both sides of the door's wiring as well). When I had the original lock sensor opened, I could see which contacts were opening and closing based on the latch being in the lock sensor or not. I even tried using pieces of paper to hold the contacts open to simulate the latch being in the lock and the door closed with no change to the machine's behavior.

The door definitely locks. It cannot be opened when the lock actuates and I sometimes have to run another cycle to be able to open the door when the actuator is cycling through locking/unlocking.

 

[drusbek]

There is not really any adjustment to the locking mechanism. The latch on the door is not rigidly mounted and can slide side to side to line up as the door is closed. I tried several times to remove the latch from the door and latching it into the locking mechanism to verify it was locking and whether the continuity of the lock sensor changed as it was inserted or not (using both sides of the door's wiring as well). When I had the original lock sensor opened, I could see which contacts were opening and closing based on the latch being in the lock sensor or not. I even tried using pieces of paper to hold the contacts open to simulate the latch being in the lock and the door closed with no change to the machine's behavior.

The door definitely locks. It cannot be opened when the lock actuates and I sometimes have to run another cycle to be able to open the door when the actuator is cycling through locking/unlocking.

Did you ever resolve this issue?

 

[red66stang]

I did. I ended up replacing the mainboard. I ordered the newest version of it directly from GE. It was also cheaper to get just the main board, not the plastic case that holds the mainboard inside the washer. It has been going strong for about 3 months now.