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Sears Kenmore water softener (C) Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.comKenmore Water Softeners
Sears-Kenmore Water Softener Manuals, Instructions, Contact Info.

This article provides manuals and contact information for Sears Kenmore water softeners.

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Kenmore Water Softeners (Sears) Water Softener Manuals

Sears Kenmore water softener identification (C) Daniel Friedman at InspectApedia.com ... Sears water softener identification photo at InspectApedia.com

Above: a Sears Kenmore 38350 Water Softener and photos of other Kenmore water softener models and data tag and controls above & below.

Kenmore water softener data tag at InspectApedia.com (C) Daniel Friedman ... Kenmore water softener controls at InspectApedia.com

Sears Kenmore HVAC Equipment & Water Softener Softener Age Decoder

Sears uses a range of age encoding formats that allow you to look at digits in the product serial number, as we list here.

 


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Reader Comments, Questions & Answers About The Article Above

Below you will find questions and answers previously posted on this page at its page bottom reader comment box.

Reader Q&A - also see RECOMMENDED ARTICLES & FAQs

Water softener parts for a Sears Elite water softener (C) InspectApedia CJCQuestion: where can I buy a replacement valve like this one for my water softener?

2016/12/31 Anonymous wrote (by private email)

I only know the serial # 3881020 and on the tank it says elite,it is about 20 to 22 years old. Do you know where I can get a piston like the picture I sent.

Reply: Fleck for the piston shown; Sears PartsDirect includes water softener parts for Sears, Kenmore, GE water softeners, Waterworks water softeners and others.

On 2019/07/29 reader Neil Iddison said

this is a Fleck piston. Uncertain of the model may be 3600, 4600, 5600. - thanks Neil.

What you want is the softener manufacturer/brand & model & serial number.

Water sofener internal control-head parts are not exactly generic. But many branded water softeners actually use equipment made by just a few manufacturers, so there is a fair chance that you will be able to find the part you need.

The "Elite" brand water softener is probably a Sears product.

Try calling Sears Parts along with the name and serial number.

Alternatively, stop by your local water softener installer to see if they recognize (or maybe even installed) your water softener from photos of it and by looking at the part.

Sears PartsDirect says that they have parts for every major water softener brand, including GE Water Softener Parts , Kenmore Water Softener Parts , Kenmore Elite Water Softener Parts , Sears Water Softener Parts , Waterworks Water Softener Parts and other brands.

On 2020-07-13 by David Goodall

I have a Kenmore ultra soft 100 water softener, model 625-75112. The date code is 07341. Can you tell me how old this unit is? I can't remember when I purchased it. How much resin does the tank hold?

Also, when I was cleaning it, I found a grey plastic clip and an o ring in the salt tank. The clip looks like the one on the bottom of the float assembly, so I don't know where it is from. Thanks.

On 2020-02-22 - by (mod) -

Jamie

If you watch the softener system during all of its cycles and see that water is being discharged during the brine regen cycle then brine was drawn from the salt/brine tank.

IF brine isn't being drawn, sent through the resin tank, then discharged, and if we think the lines connecting brine tank to control head are intact (no air leaks, no crimps) then the problem could of course be in the control head.

Before you try replacing anything, watch the brine level during all of the stages of the Regeneration cycle. The manual lists the steps for your specific model.

It's normal for liquid level to drop during one of the phases when brine is pumped out of the brine reservoir and onwards through the resin tank but it's also normal for the liquid level to increase again at the end of the cycle when the brine tank water charge is replenished. [Some softeners don't send water in to make brine until the START of a regen cycle.]

see details

at WATER SOFTENER BRINE TANK FLOAT LEVEL ADJUSTMENT

On 2020-02-22 by jamie

Had Culligan tech here to determine why water in brine tank would not go down in my Kenmore softener - he took everything apart and could not figure it out. no clogs, venturi fine etc etc. Now I have to invest in a new Culligan softener.

I guess I'm not understanding why water will backwash and rinse from my resin tank into the drain hose perfectly fine why the brine level in the tank won't suck out as well.

I guess the brine is not being drawn into the resin tank, is that why?

I just don't get it, nothing is clogged or kinked. I watched the tech the whole time check everything out and he's baffled as well. Any suggestions

On 2018-08-16 by (mod) - how to fix buttons not working on a Sears Water Softener Control

Bill

5 Steps Show How to Fix Buttons on a Sears Water Softener Control Not Working

On first powering-on the water softener, code HF36 is what should show when you turn on the equipment. Below the HF36 you will see a test code such as J 1.0. will also show for 4 seconds.

Then the cloick will flash in the display the present time. Use the ^ or V buttons to set the time. you want to set clock etc. just as you suggested.

If HG36 does not display you need to follow the manual's instructions to reset that code while in diagnostic mode.

Here are steps to try if the water softener control panel buttons are not working.

STEP 1: check the plug connectors to the control board

Sometimes the buttons don't seem to work but just need to be held longer.

Sometimes the problem is the control head face or cover is not properly seated, or a connector or plug is not seated. Try removing and re-connecting each of the plug connectors.

STEP 2: check the position and mount of the control board behind the control cover face

Check the position and seating of the control board. Even though have re-made all of the electrical connectors, if the control board is not properly located and seated, pressing the plastic button indicators on the control head face may not be actually be pushing the buttons.

So check that the control board is properly mounted and positioned and secured.

STEP 3: press the buttons directly

With power off:

Remove any plastic cover or sticker over the buttons (OR remove the plastic cover-face of the control) to expose the electro-mechanical switchs right on the control board.

Look for debris, corrosion that can be cleaned off.

Restore power - try pressing a switch directly.

Watch out: Don't get killed by touching live electrical contacts.

If the buttons work in this case then I suspect step 2 didn’t get executed correctly.

STEP 4: re-set the water softener - how to use the bypass valve

How to use the bypass valve on a water softener (C) InspectApedia.com adapted from Kenmore 425 480 UltraSoft Manual at InspectApedia.com cited in detail in this article.Re-set the water softener. Put the unit into bypass mode. [Click to enlarge any image]

Un plug it from power

Leave power off for 2 hours or longer.

Restore power.

Look for an error message. If there is one compare it with the diagnostics in the manyal for your softener brand and model.

On this Sears 435/480, Err1, Err3, Err4 refer to an inoperative motor, a bad wiring harness or connection to the switch, or a valve defect causing high torque on the motor.

Err5 indicates a bad timer that needs replacement.

If there are no error codes, you can enter diagnostic mode (press Select-1 and from a TIME display press and hold the SELECT 1 button for 3 seconds or longer to display a diagnostic panel. More details are in the manual to which we provide a link below.

Try re-setting the controls or the HF number as detailed in you rmanual.

I suspect this won't help in your case since power was off for two years. But I'd try it anyhow in case something got snarled up in your prior turn-on effort.

Watch out: don't forget to restore the water softener to service with proper setting of the bypass valve to the SERVICE position. See details at KENMORE (SEARS) WATER SOFTENER BYPASS VALVE.

STEP 5: replace the control board

Before replacing the control board - which could be at fault:

IF after those basic checks, for sure the up and down buttons don't do anything when you're in SET mode (e.g. at the clock) as per the manual, THEN it could be that sitting for two years moisture and corrosion have caused trouble in the mechanism of the buttons themselves - or their contacts.

I'm nervous giving this advice to anyone but I figure that if I have tried following the manual with great care, and if I'm convinced the control head is not working, I am facing the cost and trouble of replacing it. IN that case I might, with power off, see if I can dis-assemble the control enough to look for signs of corrosion and damage - and maybe I'll get lucky and find a contact to clean.

STEP 6: run an extra regen cycle

With buttons working

Hold down the REGENERATION CYCLE button.

IF the softener display (and noise) doesn’t indicate that a regen step has begun

THEN Hold down the SELECT button for 4 seconds or longer, then release it, then push and hold it again. On some Sears Kenmore models this will enter a secondary-programming mode - see your manual - that displays various options. Scroll to the regeneration cycle.

Select Regen.

The display should change to show status and you should hear a regeneration cycle begin - water flowing.

Step 0 - GET THE MANUAL for your water softener if you don't already have it - we should have done this first. Let's actually read the manual. Don't just use it to sit-on.

Here is what the manual says about the HF36 error code:

If an error code is not displayed, press and hold the SELECT I button until the display changes. Then, press the SELECT I button again and hold until a flashing HF code appears.

It must show HF36.

If any other number shows, the face plate computer is working on incorrect input and would probably be the cause of the problem.

To set HF36, press either the UP A or DOWN V button.

When HF36 shows, press SELECT to return a flashing 12:00 AM display. Reset the present time, hardness number, etc.,

In case you don't already have it, you can download the Kenmore UltraSoft 425/480 manual at SEARS KENMORE WATER SOFTENER UltraSoft 425 / 480 MANUAL [PDF]

For other water softener models and brands see WATER CONDITIONER / SOFTENER MANUALS

Oh Bill, one more thing, when restoring a water softener to service it should be sanitized. See WATER SOFTENER CLEANING & SANITIZING.

On 2018-08-16 by Bill MacDonald - when I turned on the water softener after two years, none of the buttons worked

My water softener (Kenmore 480) wasn't powered for two years; just bought the house. I cleaned the entire system and changed the resin.

When I turned it on, it showed HF 36 and then went to clock which was incorrect of course. The low salt light is also flashing.

None of the buttons work. All buttons turn the well light on and off except the well light button which does nothing. Any ideas on whether this unit is toast or recoverable?

 

On 2017-09-07 by (mod) - salt tank too full of water

Most-likely the brine tank float is not working or the brine tank drain tube is clogged

On 2017-09-07 by Ron

My Kenmore water softner brine tank is almost completly full of water and it has never done that before . What am i doing wrong?


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