8 years seems to be the failure point for a lot of stuff in my house. In the last 6 months I've had to repair the following applicances bought when the house was new:
- Side by Side Refrigerator - Controller board (twice in 3 months), Ice Actuator door, Crushed/cube ice selector solenoid;
- Dryer (pre-dates the house by 5 years) - High limit switch stuck open. Main fuse and limit switch replaced
- Furnace 1 - Electric motor failed - replaced
- Furnace 1 - High limit switch failed - replaced
- Diswasher - Wiring harness abraded at door (the way it was designed, this was gauranteed to happen). The design had the wire harness rubbing against a sheet-metal "knife" every time the door is opened. Horribly negligent manufacture. 7 of 15 wires (carrying 120v AC shorting/welding to a fully stainless steel door). A 5 cent plastic sheath (as found elsewhere in non-critical places inside the door) would have prevented this. Wires replaced, new controller board and LED display board.
- BenQ Monitor - Shuts off after 3 seconds. Transistors for inverter known to fail. Ordered new ones on ebay and will replace when delivered.
- Front step and driveway (ground underneath settling and will need to have cement pumped underneath to repair).
I've diagnosed and completed all of these repairs with the exception of the first fridge control board repair (and I'll have to get the concrete work done).
I've learned a couple of things. First, major appliances are really easy to repair with a little electrical knowledge and a multimeter (usually just the continuity tester, the voltage tester and sometimes the ohmeter). Not to mention the internet, as most appliance failures can be diagnose with good accuracy by knowing how to do a google search. You can find articles on your specific model's common failure points and how to diagnose/fix. You can even find factory troubleshooting guides for your model written for the repair technician. I've saved a ton of money and have enjoyed (sometimes) doing the repairs.
"Durable Goods" means goods that will last about 7 years unfortunately in this day and age. It's a real shame.
- Side by Side Refrigerator - Controller board (twice in 3 months), Ice Actuator door, Crushed/cube ice selector solenoid;
- Dryer (pre-dates the house by 5 years) - High limit switch stuck open. Main fuse and limit switch replaced
- Furnace 1 - Electric motor failed - replaced
- Furnace 1 - High limit switch failed - replaced
- Diswasher - Wiring harness abraded at door (the way it was designed, this was gauranteed to happen). The design had the wire harness rubbing against a sheet-metal "knife" every time the door is opened. Horribly negligent manufacture. 7 of 15 wires (carrying 120v AC shorting/welding to a fully stainless steel door). A 5 cent plastic sheath (as found elsewhere in non-critical places inside the door) would have prevented this. Wires replaced, new controller board and LED display board.
- BenQ Monitor - Shuts off after 3 seconds. Transistors for inverter known to fail. Ordered new ones on ebay and will replace when delivered.
- Front step and driveway (ground underneath settling and will need to have cement pumped underneath to repair).
I've diagnosed and completed all of these repairs with the exception of the first fridge control board repair (and I'll have to get the concrete work done).
I've learned a couple of things. First, major appliances are really easy to repair with a little electrical knowledge and a multimeter (usually just the continuity tester, the voltage tester and sometimes the ohmeter). Not to mention the internet, as most appliance failures can be diagnose with good accuracy by knowing how to do a google search. You can find articles on your specific model's common failure points and how to diagnose/fix. You can even find factory troubleshooting guides for your model written for the repair technician. I've saved a ton of money and have enjoyed (sometimes) doing the repairs.
"Durable Goods" means goods that will last about 7 years unfortunately in this day and age. It's a real shame.
