Home Improvement Skills & Specialties Electrical Appliances

How to Test a Washing Machine Water Level Switch

Water level tube cleaned with cotton swab on back of washing machine

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Your washing machine has a variety of internal switches that control various functions, and any one of them may go bad and require replacement. A faulty water level or pressure switch is one such device. It can have problems due to blockage in its pressure hose, or it can have an electrical malfunction. You can clear the hose with a simple procedure, and you can test the switch for failure with a multimeter.

Warning

Before beginning any work on your appliance, look up the manufacturer and model for a manual and parts breakdown. Also, check if you have a warranty on the machine—most appliance repairs should be done by qualified, trained professionals, and your warranty may offer a hotline to call for cost-free service. Even if you don't have a warranty, consider hiring a professional to avoid causing any costly damage to your machine yourself.

Water Level Switch Function

The water level switch sends power from the timer control to the water inlet valve and the temperature switch each time the tub needs to be filled during a wash cycle. As the tub fills, the switch cuts off the water flow when the water level inside the tub correlates with the setting for a large, regular, or small load. The switch then signals the motor to begin agitating.

Identifying the Water Level Switch

The water level switch is found in different places on different machines—in many cases, it’s inside the control console, but check your owner's manual to find out where yours is.

Warning

Before opening any part of your washing machine, unplug the machine to disconnect the power, and check your model's manual for guidance on accessing the console, controls, and sensors.

You can distinguish the water level switch from other round switches inside the washer cabinet by its rubber tube that runs from the switch down the side of the tub. As the washer fills, water enters the tube from the bottom and increases pressure in the airspace within the tube. When the pressure reaches the critical point, the switch shuts off water flow to the tub.

Inspecting the Tube

Inspect the water level tube and, if necessary, clear any blockage. Always unplug the machine from the wall outlet before doing any inspection or working on your washing machine.

  1. Find and inspect the tube that leads from the bottom of the water level switch to the bottom of the tub. It should be firmly connected to fittings at each end.
  2. Disconnect the tube from the fittings to which it’s attached at each end. This usually involves loosening clamps so that you can pull the tube off the fitting.
  3. Inspect the disconnected tube at each end for debris, sediment, and water.
  4. Inspect the tube for kinks and/or holes. Correct any problems by straightening or replacing the tube.
  5. Clean and clear the tube if you find gunk in it. A good cleaning may be all that’s needed to correct a malfunctioning switch, but continue troubleshooting with the next step.
Water supply tube inspected near water level switch

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Water level tube disconnected from fitting

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Water supply tube disconnected and inspected for debris

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Water supply tube straightened behind washing machine

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Water supply tube cleaned with cotton swab behind washing machine

The Spruce / Kevin Norris

Testing the Switch

Next, test the switch for electrical failure. To test the switch for continuity, use a multimeter (also called a volt-ohm meter) set at OHMS x 1.

  • Find the wires leading to the terminals of the switch. Disconnect them from the terminals: This usually means disengaging a wire plug, but if the wires are connected to the terminals by other means, label them for position before disconnecting them.
  • The water level switch has three terminals. Test them for continuity in pairs. First, touch the meter probes to terminals 1 and 2. Note the reading, which should be either ∞ (infinity, which means no continuity) or some value close to 0.0 (continuity).
  • Touch the probes to terminals 1 and 3, and note the reading (∞ or approximately 0.0).
  • Touch the probes to terminals 2 and 3, and note the reading.
  • Analyze the results of the continuity tests: Two of the pairs should have no continuity, and one should have continuity. If you get a different result, the switch is bad and needs to be replaced.
  • Reconnect the tube to the switch in preparation for the second round of continuity testing, and leave the other end of the tube disconnected.
  • Blow gently into the tube while retesting the terminals for continuity in pairs, using the same sequence as in the first round of testing. You should hear the switch click when you blow into the tube. Maintain the air pressure by pinching the tube closed as you test the terminals, and note the results.
  • Analyze the results of the second round of testing, and compare them to those of the first round. The pairs that showed no continuity in the first round should show continuity in the second round (with pressure in the tube). The pair that showed continuity in the first round should show no continuity in the second. Results other than these mean that the switch is bad and needs to be replaced.
  • If the continuity testing does not indicate an electrical problem in the switch, reconnect the clean, straightened pressure tube to the nipple at the bottom of the tub and run the machine through a cycle to see whether the problem has been corrected.