My Whirpool washer has gone dead. It had been having an issue for about 2 years. Without any input, it would turn on itself, no cycling, just power on showing 44 minutes as a cycle time. I could sometimes turn it off, sometimes not. When I could not, I would unplug it for a day, plug it back in and it would usually be ok. I assumed it was the membrane switches shorting out, but was not sure. Yesterday, when I selected a cycle it would not come on. As I contined to select a cycle, it would occasionaly power on but then turn off. After a few dozen attempts at this, it will no longer even come on temporarily. My question is, what part do I replace? My first assumption is that it is the control panel that contains the membrane switches, but I also see three other possible parts, electronic control board, motor control board (not likely), and switch-WI. I want to avoid hit and miss parts replacement since most of these parts are quite expensive and replacing them is close to just buying a new machine. BTW, I havn't checked the lid switch yet, but suspect that is not the issue given the other symptons. I am leaning toward the conrol panel.

New control panel arrived, installed in a few minutes and problem is now solved. The issue was as I first guessed, the control panel. These type of switches have been around quite a while but reliability has always been an issue with them. The secret was finding in this repair forum a pointer to the diagnostic manual. It confirmed what I suspected.