Our washing machine, a GE GFW650SSN4WW, was bought in early 2023 and has worked out pretty well. One of the features it came with was a light that shines into the drum. At first it seemed kind of silly but it recently stopped working, and we realized how much it helps find those socks or other clothes stuck in various places on the drum. I bought the replacement part, a WH01X29685 – LED Light, on eBay new for around $25. This past weekend I finally put it in…
This video has an excellent teardown of this machine: https://youtu.be/HFsSg-dBTI0
I have taken this machine apart one time prior in mid 2024, when the “Front Load Washer Door Boot Seal Gasket” (PN WH05X29514, replaces AP6983547) got a rip in it from some clothes. The entire front of the machine, counter weights and a bunch of hoses needed removing. I was hoping this time it wouldn’t be as bad.
Here is what the LED looked like when I replaced the boot seal and re-inserted the light into it:
Due to some zip ties behind the front panels, I had to disassemble most of the front of the machine, including removing the door boot seal from the front panel. It wasn’t too bad, and I finished it in about 25 minutes. I can see why the light stopped working…
It looks like vibrations from the drum had split the insulation, then the wire broke. The positive wire was also exposed and damaged. The new part looks slightly different, so time will tell if it lasts.
Now the light works, and we can see into the drum again!
