The shift from mechanical to electronic controls on washers in my shop

I've been in my shop in Spokane for 15 years, and the biggest change I see is the parts I order. Back in 2010, I'd stock up on timers and mechanical switches. Now, 80% of my calls are for circuit boards and touchpad assemblies. It happened over about five years as the big brands switched over. Anyone else find their diagnostic process is mostly a multimeter and a laptop now?

3 comments

3 Comments

milalopez1mo ago

But is that actually worse? Old timers failed all the time too, just different parts to swap.

allen.ruby1mo ago

Remember when a ten dollar relay would leave you stranded? Now it's a two thousand dollar computer doing the same thing. Progress, right? At least the tow truck driver gets more business.

robin6581mo ago

Yeah, the "different parts to swap" thing is real. With new stuff, you're often just swapping the whole expensive unit when one tiny sensor dies.