FixDamnedNearEverything
11-09-2007, 06:57 PM
In our second attempt to encourage green manufacturing, we bought a LG combo washer/dryer model WM3632HW in November 2003. It is similar to the other LG combo models except the largest of the bunch. It takes up a minimum of space and worked well off-and-on for a few years.
It cost something over $1,000 directly from a distributor. Just after the 1-year warranty expired, we called a service rep to diagnose and repair why it quit. He diagnosed a defective main circuit board and ordered a new one. He was so clumsy handling the old board that I asked him not to install it, just order it. I installed it and the unit worked again after paying $250+ for the almost helpful repair call.
Recently it quit drying effectively. After trying local service centers (only 2 left now compared to 6 back when we bought the combo) who felt useful beyond reading the user's manual to us. I phoned the distributor and they talked me through taking part the combo to make sure nothing got lodged inside the condensing unit. There were some paper scraps and a once-lost car key. No damage was noted, however. The moving parts still moved. Reassembled, and after several tough hours, the combo still didn't dry worth a damn. A message left of LG's web site for service assistance brought no response yet (2 weeks since the message was left).
This kind of unit looks like something that will conserve steel and energy--eventually. It hasn't gotten to that point yet.
Next week we shop for convention washer and dryer! And put this lemon at the curb with a big sign warning about LG combo unit repair record (or "lack of repair" record).
It cost something over $1,000 directly from a distributor. Just after the 1-year warranty expired, we called a service rep to diagnose and repair why it quit. He diagnosed a defective main circuit board and ordered a new one. He was so clumsy handling the old board that I asked him not to install it, just order it. I installed it and the unit worked again after paying $250+ for the almost helpful repair call.
Recently it quit drying effectively. After trying local service centers (only 2 left now compared to 6 back when we bought the combo) who felt useful beyond reading the user's manual to us. I phoned the distributor and they talked me through taking part the combo to make sure nothing got lodged inside the condensing unit. There were some paper scraps and a once-lost car key. No damage was noted, however. The moving parts still moved. Reassembled, and after several tough hours, the combo still didn't dry worth a damn. A message left of LG's web site for service assistance brought no response yet (2 weeks since the message was left).
This kind of unit looks like something that will conserve steel and energy--eventually. It hasn't gotten to that point yet.
Next week we shop for convention washer and dryer! And put this lemon at the curb with a big sign warning about LG combo unit repair record (or "lack of repair" record).