Solved
WWDC7440

Whirpool WWDC7440 on/off switch issue

KEKenTucky
Asked over 9 years ago 9,943 views
0

Hello. We have a Whirlpool 6th Sense WWDC7440 washer, about 2 years old if that. The on/off button has always seemed a bit flimsy. So a few days ago the button just pushed in without the usual click. I've removed the front control panel and discovered that rather than a solid on/off switch there is essentially a flimsy piece of plastic with a point on it which is supposed push a microswitch on a pcb. But it has snapped. I've ordered the £5 plastic part. The question is how to fit it. The most obvious barrier is that you need to get the selector knob off to move the controller box away from the front...but how? Ive tried to remove the selector knob from the front side but it wont shift. You tube videos show american washers have a button behind the knob which you press to release. But the back of this knob is covered by a red plastic block which also has a wire attached. The wire just clips out, but I'm not sure if the red block is removable. Any ideas how I can remove the selector knob or indeed any advice as to fit this piece of on/off switch plastic. Thanks.

Solution Summary

AI-generated from this discussion

This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.

Whirlpool WWDC7440 on/off button plastic actuator snapped

The problem
On a Whirlpool 6th Sense WWDC7440 washing machine, the on/off button pushed in without its usual click. After removing the front control panel, the fault was found to be a broken plastic on/off button actuator that presses a microswitch on the PCB.
Likely cause
Confirmed broken plastic button assembly/actuator for the on/off switch. The selector knob was initially suspected to need removal for access, but this was not necessary.
What fixed it
The repair was completed by switching off the power, easing out the green PCB on the right by releasing its plastic clips with a small flat-head screwdriver, then removing the broken white on/off button assembly from its holder. The main controller PCB was eased up slightly on each side to create enough room to fit the new plastic assembly. The selector knob did not need to be removed.
Checks to try
  • Front control panel removed
  • Broken plastic actuator identified as the part that presses the microswitch on the PCB
  • Confirmed the selector knob did not need to be removed
  • Green PCB on the right released by undoing 4 or 5 plastic clips
  • Main controller PCB eased up slightly to allow access
Parts or tools mentioned
  • Replacement plastic on/off button part
  • Small flat-head screwdriver

Safety: Isolate the appliance from the power supply before starting work.

Confirmed fixedGenerated 4 Aug 2026 · AI summaries can make mistakes — read the full thread below.
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4 Answers

Accepted Answer
0
WH
WhitegoodshelpVerified Engineer
Answered over 9 years ago

Apologies Ken. Sometimes they get through unnoticed if people post at times when I'm particularly busy. Many thanks for taking the trouble to follow it up. Much appreciated.

Whitegoods Help — appliance repair expert and forum host.
1
KE
KenTucky
Answered over 9 years ago

Nobody replied. But it's all sorted. Before you do anything, switch the power off!!! You don't need to remove the selector knob. All you do is 1) ease out the green PCB on the right which contains the display led's for temp and program time etc. You release it by using a small flat head screwdriver to release 4 or 5 plastic clips. 2) Once that PCB is out of the way it gives you access to the white holder into which the on/off button assembly clips. Again use the small screwdriver to ease out the broken item. 3) You don't have to take the selector knob off. I found you can ease the main controller PCB up a millimetre or so on each side which is just enough to get the new assembly in. 5 minutes all in.

1
GO
GoliHel
Answered about 7 years ago

Thankyou Ken Tucky for responding to your own question this sounds much the same problem my daughter has with hers now we can go further with the repair.Thankyou so much

1
DE
DebDonuts
Answered over 6 years ago

Thank you sooo much for this. Ours broke during the lockdown and thanks to your instructions hubby has managed to take the machine apart ready for the new part to be delivered.

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