Kenmore water softner: Water going in drain pipe continuously

[gagan]

Hi.

I have a Kenmore water softner Ultrasoft 425. Suddenly the water started going in drainpipe and does not stop even when i unplug the softner. I have tp do water bypass to stop the water from going to drain pipe. Also, when i try to turn on the softner the machine shows err1.

Can anyone help solving the problem.

Thanks in advance,
Gagan

[Akpsdvan]

Hi.

I have a Kenmore water softner Ultrasoft 425. Suddenly the water started going in drainpipe and does not stop even when i unplug the softner. I have tp do water bypass to stop the water from going to drain pipe. Also, when i try to turn on the softner the machine shows err1.

Can anyone help solving the problem.

Thanks in advance,
Gagan

Sounds like it is hung in a cleaning cycle.

Unplugging the softener will not change where the valve is at, thus if it is in backwash that is where it will stay.

You got the ERR 1 when you plugged it back in?

Have you tried to push the regen button and hold to get the system to cycle?

[gagan]

Hi Akpsdvan,

Thanks for replying. Yes, i got err1 after plugging back the machine. I have to keep it unplugged and have to do water bypass otherwise the water keeps going in drain pipe. What can i do to fix the problem?

Gagan

[Akpsdvan]

If you push the Reg Now button will the unit go into a cycle?

Do you have the book for the unit?

[gagan]

I will try that today evening and will let you know.

Thanks
Gagan

[gagan]

Hi,

I tried the "Recharge now" option and that did not solve the problem. The machine did not go into a cycle and after a while it showed "Err1"

Gagan

[Akpsdvan]

Hi,

I tried the "Recharge now" option and that did not solve the problem. The machine did not go into a cycle and after a while it showed "Err1"

Gagan

Sorry that I did not get back to you sooner, was on a service call most of the day, 2.5 hours of driving and 2 on site,,, joys of an Iron filter...

Pull the cover off the unit, look at the silver wheel with the teeth, there are letters on it and there is white plastic that forms an arrow.. what letter is lined up with that?

Make sure that the male/female wire contacts are good and fully on the male spade.

It is possible that the motor that turns that metal wheel with the teeth is dead.. age of the unit? any photos of the unit with the cover off?

[Skip Wolverton]

Error code 1 is normally the motor or micro switch. Check the micro switch to see if the tab is broken. If so, it's best to replace the rotor seal as well as the micro switch.

[gagan]

Hi Akpsdvan,

Sorry for the late response. Could not get the pictures yesterday.

I tried looking for the arrow you had asked for, but could not locate it. I have taken some pictures and am attaching those. Hopefully that will help.

I have some more pictures. Will attach them with another message.

Gagan

[gagan]

More pictures.

[gagan]

Last set attached.

[gagan]

@Skip Wolverton

I already got the switch from Sears and changed that. It did not help.

Have also tried this: http://www.kenmorewater.com/website/animations/product-animation/ts_index.html But no luck :(

Gagan

[Akpsdvan]

If you look at the silver wheel, you see the BW letters? they look to be lined up with the areo that I speek of, with that motor off, turn that silver wheel clock wise to where the S lines up with the plastic part that the BW is now lined up with.

When you have that done you should be able to carefully put the bypass piston back into service .. check to see if water continues to flow to the drain.

When that is done, push and hold the recharge button and see if the motor works, if the motor does not turn or work then it is time for the motor to be replaced.

[gagan]

Will try it today evening and will let you know how it goes.

Thanks for helping out with this. :)

Gagan

[Akpsdvan]

Not a problem.
I will check in later, I need to get out and take care of some items and see some people.

But right now I would have to say that the Motor is the most likely trouble child.

[gagan]

Hi Akpsdvan,

I tried rotating the silver wheel but it does not move. Looks like it is jammed. Also, there is a lot of metalic dust around the wheel. If you look closely, it is visible in the pictures.

Thanks
Gagan

[Akpsdvan]

If the wheel will not turn, then yes the disc may have jammed up because of some thing and will need to be replaced.
Some of the dust is normal, but after a point is it a sign that the motor is stripped out on the in side as the teeth do not look broken.
Depending on the age of the unit Sears kinda has you in a spot.
Cost of motor, Disc, seals and time could run 60% of what the unit cost.

Do you have the book ?

[gagan]

Thanks. Looks like i will have to call the Sears service guys. Which book are you talking about?

[Akpsdvan]

Ownwers Manual.

[gagan]

Yes, i have the owners manual.

http://www.hammerwall.com/Manuals/Kenmore/Description/625.388460/Kenmore%20UltraSoft%20425%20Water%20Softener/L0405137/

[Akpsdvan]

Then you have 2 choices, If you are good with the hands and mind and can fix a number of things with a good owners manual.
You can go over the book, order the parts, take the unit apart and save most of the service time(your time is still worth something).
If it is underwarrenty then some thing there might kick in..
Have the Sears service tech do all of it.

Choices Choices....

You might even find some one that has a complete working valve from a unit that came in on a trade that you could pick up, and replace that part, wire it up and off and on your way again.

[gagan]

I think I am going to go with calling the Sears guys and getting this thing fixed.

Thanks for all your help :)
Gagan

[Akpsdvan]

The only thing that I would do if that is your choice is to have them give you an est as to the cost of time and parts.

Glad that I could help and inlighten you as to what to look for and a better understanding of how it works.

[gagan]

Hi Akpsdvan,

Just to update you. The sears guy came today and he told that the motor and some other parts would need to be changed and it would cost around 400$ . He also told that the age of the unit is around 7 years.

We have decide to buy a Kenmore 350 Series Water Softener and try installing it on our, or in worst case, get a handyman to help with the installation.

Gagan

[Akpsdvan]

Look for the same things to go bad in about the same or shorter time frame.

If you already have the new unit, the by pass assembly should match up with the old one, put the unit in bypass, do what is needed to de-pressure the unit, pull the two black lock rings and remove unit, put new unit in place, put back black lock rings....

let me know.

[gagan]

Changed our mind to get the Kenmore 370 Series Water Softener as the valve for the 370 and 400 serires is the same and would not require any new plumbling. Will let you know how the installation goes :)

[Akpsdvan]

Sounds like a plan.
Have fun..