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How to Use Diagnostic Mode on a Speed Queen Washing Machine

Video Guide
This guide was transcribed from a YouTube video.

What you need

    • Empty the washer, keep hands and loose clothing away from moving parts, and keep children and pets away during any spin or agitation tests.

    • Unplug the washer before removing any panels or unplugging any wire harnesses.

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    • Unplug the washer from the wall outlet, wait about 30 seconds, and plug it back in.

    • Watch the display during boot, and leave the washer sitting at the last-used cycle once it finishes starting up.

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    • Use the washer’s built-in key numbering system to enter diagnostics because test commands are entered by pressing two keys at the same time.

    • The keypad is commonly numbered one through 32, and most diagnostic tests use keys one through 20.

    • The FF7 and TR7 use very similar touchpad layouts, but the exact key numbering can differ slightly between models.

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    • Within five minutes of powering up, press the Temp key and the White key at the same time to enter the factory test mode.

    • On the FF7 panel shown here, Temp is key two, and White is key seven.

    • Confirm the washer entered the mode by looking for “FL” on the display.

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    • When the display shows a “P” value at test five, press every key on the touchpad until the washer has detected them all.

    • Watch the display and key backlights to confirm each press registers.

    • Press the Start button to conclude the key-press test after all keys have been pressed.

    • Use the door-closed (DC) test by opening and closing the door, or by pressing Start/Pause, to confirm the door switch state changes.

    • On a TR7 top-loader, lift and close the lid to satisfy any door or lid state checks.

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    • Press the Start button to advance through most factory test steps.

    • Let fill tests run when required because some steps will keep filling until the pressure sensor reaches a set level and Start won’t advance the test.

    • Expect a very loud fill sound during certain fill tests.

    • If the washer doesn’t have a heater, the heater test may be skipped automatically and the sequence will move to the overflow test.

    • During the drain-to-spin portion, wait for the washer to drain because it will automatically advance into spin once draining is complete.

    • Read the RPM value as tens units until you advance to the following test step.

    • Treat breakaway agitate mode as a moving-parts hazard because it unlocks the door and requires opening the door to advance.

    • Unplug the washer to exit at the end of the factory test because the last screen can lock out the controls and Start won’t exit.

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    • Use a 5/16 inch screwdriver to remove the two screws at the rear of the machine.

    • Slide the casing rearward and lift it off the washer.

    • Find the schematics and internal paperwork inside the cabinet, and use them to look up test behavior and error code definitions for the specific model.

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    • Unplug the washer before working behind the touchpad.

    • Use a 5/16 inch screwdriver to remove the four screws along the top of the front interface panel.

    • Use a long 5/16 inch screwdriver from the rear of the washer to remove the two hidden screws that secure the bottom of the interface to the chassis.

    • Lift the interface panel up and away from the front of the washer.

    • Unplug the wire harness to the interface to make DIP switch access easier.

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    • Locate the DIP switch block on the interface board, positioned roughly in the middle of the upper section of the board.

    • Identify the eight DIP switches because they control hidden features and behaviors on the washer.

    • Treat DIP switch changes as a major modification that may affect warranty, performance, or model-specific behavior.

    • Focus on DIP switches two and three because they control the most commonly requested water-level behaviors on this FF7 series interface.

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    • Flip DIP switch three to the ON position to enable the extra-water programming feature.

    • Flip DIP switch two to the ON position if you want to turn off energy-saving water and fill levels.

    • Reinstall the interface panel enough to power the washer safely before attempting any programming.

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    • Plug the washer in and press keys eight and 14 at the same time to enter extra water mode on the display.

    • Press key three to increase the extra water setting shown on the display.

    • Choose from five settings: 00, 05, 10, 15, or 20.

    • Interpret 20 as 2.0 inches of additional water during each wash, and expect the value to wrap back to 00 if you go past 20.

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    • Enter and run the TR7 factory tests using the same power-up timing and two-key command style used on the FF7.

    • Use the lid for state checks on a TR7 because it’s a top-loader, and agitation behavior will differ from an FF7 front-loader.

    • Expect the DIP switch block to be in a similar location because the TR7 uses the same interface board family.

    • Some TR7 units may use three or four Torx screws on the top so the panel can roll forward for interface access.

    • DIP switches two and three are commonly used on a TR7 to change spray rinse behavior and enable water temperature and fill-level programming.

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Conclusion

Use the factory tests, the DIP-switch settings, and the tech sheet together so you can confirm actual washer behavior before changing programming or replacing parts. After diagnostics, exit cleanly and return any temporary configuration changes you do not want left active for everyday use. Repair didn't go as planned? Ask our Answers community for help.

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Ben Schlichter

Member since: 01/21/25

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