Two water level switches bad in 12 months. Last years failure seemed to take out timer also. The current water level switch tests ok. However operational behavior and visual clues tells me it is bad.

top load direct drive Kenmore Elite washing machine
model 110. 16962503
three speed, infinite position water level switch #8528337 timer # 8541110

Present problem - wife tells me washer fills will not agitate. I check 1 hr later; when I pull out timer machine starts to agitate, then as I push in timer, manual advance and pull out timer it will still agitate and also spin/drain. However when I try a second time the washer is completely dead - will not fill, agitate, spin, nothing. I wait 30 min. then try again. same thing - works ok for 30-90 seconds as I manually advance timer. Then dies completely. next morning repeat test same thing - works ok to fill; then 1-2 minutes; then dies.

I opened up the console, removed and tested the water level switch. it tests ok. Timer test ok @ fill / agitate - all switches open/closed per timing chart. Timer motor test ok (2.7 K ohms). Drained machine. Reinstalled the water level switch and the machine fills ok and starts to agitate. I push in timer, manually advance the timer and pull out the timer - the machine keeps working. I repeat 2-3 times and machine stops working. I remembered that I worked on this washer a last year. Checked records - it was 1 year ago, replaced water level switch, the timer and lid switch. The previous bad water level switch was shock sensitive and intermittent when it was bad. So I tap the current switch and wiggle the wire harness. I see sparks from edge of switch where terminals connect to wire harness. Machine starts working - agitating. No more sparks from water level switch. Sounds like timer motor is advancing. (console is still open and turned back with the face away from me for all of this). I stop & unplug the washer. Tested wire harness: violet, pink and tan - ok. Remove water level switch, it tests ok. But I can see melted plastic around the base of the tan terminal where it enters the switch body. I reinstall water level switch and repeat the whole test. Same results - work for a while then stops. If I tap on the water level switch then about 50% of the time it will start working. Remove and test water level switch - ok. Never the less am going to replace water level switch. Do not like melted plastic.

The previous bad water level switch was also shock sensitive. e.g. it would test ok when removed from machine, but then not work when reinstalled. If I tapped on it with screwdriver handle or wiggling the wires leading to the water level switch. Then the machine it would start and stop working. I do not remember seeing any arcing / sparking in the machine at all. I do remember opening the timer and seeing multiple charred or welded contacts.

New water level switch is different part number - W10339317. Is this a better switch or just the same thing with a Whirlpool part number.

Already ordered the water level switch however I was wondering if I should have just called it quits and picked up a new machine. This machine is only about 5 years old. I usually keep washers 15-20 years or more. But already I have spent $350 on repairs on this one. Never had this much trouble w/ Kenmore. Almost for sure will replace machine if this happens again.

water level switch test used: out of machine disconnected; looking for violet - pink = zero ohms; violet - tan=open. Also I blow gently into switch pneumatic port until I hear the switch click: violet - pink = open; violet - tan=open zero ohms

Should I have done something different? Or something else?
Should I be concerned about the high failure rate of this machine? Or is this normal for present generation Kenmore washers?
Do water level switches often go bad like this? e.g. test ok but do not work.
Should I avoid the infinite level switch in the future?

Any advise, critique, tips are welcome.

thanks for making this forum available.

thanks. I was afraid this was the case. Am shopping for new machine. What really gets me is I can not in good conscience even sell this 'used' machine.