Normal Cycles Added Too Little Water, but Test Mode Kept Filling
On Kenmore 796.41262.610, a new pressure switch did not change the complaint. The different behavior between a normal cycle and test mode prevented a simple one-part conclusion.
What had already been checked
- The pressure switch had already been replaced.
- Air passed through its hose and bubbles could be heard in the tub.
- Normal programs appeared to add too little water.
- In test mode, water continued until the next step was selected and reportedly reached the front of the machine.
A similar symptom can have a different cause on another washer. Supply valves, detergent foam, the pressure system, wiring and control logic all remain possible until their behavior is observed under the same condition.
Why replacing the pressure switch did not settle the case
A new switch did not restore normal filling, and the hose was not obviously blocked. That reduced the value of replacing the same parts again, but it did not prove the control board. The discussion also noted substantial foam, which can disturb a pressure-based level signal, and raised basic supply questions about both hot and cold water.
The measurement that could separate valve from control
The proposed technician test was to compare the inlet-valve control supply while the machine filled in normal and diagnostic modes. If the command disappeared but water kept entering, a mechanically failing valve or solenoid would fit the observation. If the command stayed present during unwanted filling, the control path would remain responsible for energizing it.
The thread ended before this comparison or a completed repair was reported. It therefore documents the discriminator, not a confirmed board or valve diagnosis.