LA5243XYW1 Whirlpool Washer - Instructions

The PartSelect DIY video made this repair so incredibly easy that even my not-super-handy husband and I were able to do it in about 15 minutes. (And I mostly watched because it doesn't require two people at all.) Every single step that was possibly needed was explained. We actually got the repair right on the first try -- no cussing, no bickering, nothing but a working washing machine in a quarter of an hour. In our book, DIY doesn't get any easier than this. We'll definitely be back for any parts our other old appliances need, and we won't be afraid to try future repairs ourselves. Saved a bundle!

On this particular washer you have to remove the top part of the machine. Where your controls are at, ie: water temp, water level, etc. It takes removing a few screws. Than you have to remove the back of the machine. Unhook the washer hoses going into your machine. This is where your part is on the inside of the back. Remove the back by a few sliding hooks. Unhook the electrial plugins going into the mixer (value inlet). There will be other plugins you have to unplug up around the water level, water temp areas (on top of the machine). Remove the old water inlet value, replace it with the new. Replace all plugin electrical parts and put the back back on. Put top back on, screw in the screws and try your new machine. NOTE: When it comes to these electrical plugins its not that hard. They are are different, they can only go in one way. My wires were all tied together so each plug was at that particular plugin length. Ex: The last plugin was the longest. Pretty easy to know where it go. The other ones were shorter. In other words it was pretty easy to know where they went after unplugging. So don't be scared to try this. There is one wire that is screwed into the metal for a ground wire. Just make sure you do get this back in for your safety. It's the only one that could be over looked. I am a female and I watched and helped my loving father take this machine apart. After this I put this part in myself. I was amazed that my machine was like new again. I agreed to tell my story because by others telling there story is what helped me. It saved me from buying a new machine. When I seen the stories on this particular problem I was ready to take the chance. I had already spent way more than that at the laundry mat. Thank you again and best wishes to you all.

The installation of the Water Inlet Valve itself was a breeze. However, removing the back panel of the machine was what took so much time. It looks like a few screws and off it comes, right? NOT SO!! There are various clips and two brass hangers that are a real pain to get to. My advice is to contact Whirlpool and get instructions on removing the back panel before you start. PS: the machine works great! Thanks for the service.

I removed the backing plate from the top, rear side of the machine & opened it up enough to open the side alittle to access the valve...Once I put the new valve in, I put the back panel back on & cleaned up!! Washer works great Again!!

I looked at the PartSelect video first. It was a tremendous help. I removed the two screws on the right and left front corners of the console and tilted back the console. I disconnected a small electrical plug on the top panel and removed two large metal clips under the console fastening the back panel to the top of the machine. I then slid the one-piece front, side, and top panels away from the back to reveal the inside of the machine (tub, motor, etc.). I then removed the old water valve (combined hot and cold water) from the back panel and instaled the new one, using the mounting plate. I then replaced the cover and reversed the procedure above, finally reinstalling the two screws on the console. The new water valve works perfectly!

Everything worked perfectly---thanks to the suggestion of your call center agent. She suggested that since the replacement door handles were no longer available, I should consider repainting them--it worked like a charm. Please tell her she was a life saver. We rent that house in Fl and my returning tenants had complained about the discoloring refer handles. Thank you

I used the online video provided by PartSelect. It provides a better method of instruction than I can document.

remove the back panel and replacement went real easy once the panel was really easy. perfect fit

I googled Whirlpool washer and then water valve on my I Pad and it showed me step by step how to fix it. Thanks Partselect for the great service. Jimmy

The repair was fairly simple - the hardest part was taking the shell of the washer off and putting it back on.

Note that my washer is over 14 yrs old. With the video I was able to make the repair. However, due to the age of my washer, the repair was not a direct swap - there was one simple preliminary step in addition to the video instructions. This preliminary step was described by instructions received with the part. My advise: always read and follow written instuctions no matter how simple they appear to be - it will save you a lot of time.

I followed the instructions from your web site, and it was very easy. I started to purchase a new washer, but after watching the instructions I thought I would give it a shot. I am 67 and this was my first ever washing machine project. Thanks for your service and web site. If I need help or parts in the future, I know where to go. You saved me a lot of $$$.

I watched the video provided on-line when I ordered the part. When the part arrived, I did just what the video showed to do. The mounting bracket was a little different style than what I took off, but holes lined up for the screws. I didn't have much space to do the work, such as tipping the outside body of the washer forward to get to the back panel, but after wrestling with it a short time I managed to get it opened enough to make the swap of the inlet valve. Hooked everything back up, turned on, checked for leaks, and it was a perfect repair. And a woman at that...

I have had this similar problem with other makes/models of washers so I knew immediately what the problem was. The hardest part was figuring out how the back panel seperated from the front. I wanted the part in-hand before looking on-line. Once I had the Inlet/Mixing valve in-hand and found this website, the ordering was quick and inexpensive. I only wish I would have been able to view the video beforehand to see how the back panel came loose. I would've cut my repair time in half.

The most difficult part was getting the back off the washer. The rest was pretty straight forward. My husband did the work in about 45 min. The part was around $20 so I guess we saved at least $200. I thought I ordered the wrong part and called to cancel but the customer service rep double checked and assured me it was the correct item. I received the part within 2 days. I was going to buy a new washer since this one is 20 years old but the plumber said it was a good one, better than the new ones out there. Great service, great selection, great price.