Where Does This Gray Single Wire Go on Kenmore Washer 110.16852502?

agfreesafety · May 19, 2025

Hey all,

I’m working on a Kenmore 80 Series washing machine (model 110.16852502), and I ran into something I can’t figure out during a motor coupler replacement.

A small gray wire with a black female single-pin connector popped loose while I was adjusting the motor. It’s still attached to the main wiring harness near the motor and capacitor, but I can’t figure out where it’s supposed to connect.

- It doesn’t go into the main motor plug (that’s intact)
- The white socket on the motor is already occupied
- The wire may be a chassis ground or shield wire, but I’d like to be sure before reconnecting it

I’ve taken several clear photos of the wire, motor, and surrounding area if that helps.

Has anyone seen this before or know exactly where this wire goes?

Thanks!

pcgeek11 · May 19, 2025

Does the motor have a starting capacitor attached to the side?
If yes, does it have the wires attached ?

Never mind I see it (Capacitor) with two red leads going to it in your last image.

I would follow hand over hand the wire to see where it goes. You should have a wiring diagram on the rear panel or up inside the controls area...

agfreesafety · May 19, 2025

pcgeek11 said:
Does the motor have a starting capacitor attached to the side?
If yes, does it have the wires attached ?

Thanks for the quick reply!

Yes, this motor does have a starting capacitor mounted on the base of the washer—not directly attached to the motor body, but nearby on the chassis.

And yes, the capacitor does have wires connected to it—they’re intact and still plugged in, so I don’t believe this gray wire with the black single-pin connector was ever part of the capacitor circuit.

Based on what I’ve read and been advised, it seems this loose wire is more likely a chassis or motor ground. Apparently, in Kenmore/Whirlpool direct-drive washers like mine (model 110.16852502), there’s often a single lead that clips onto a metal tab or post on the motor frame or a nearby mounting bracket. It’s used to ground the windings and suppress electrical interference rather than send power.

Does that line up with anything you’ve seen?

Thanks again for helping me sort this out—this wire has been a real mystery!

pcgeek11 · May 19, 2025

agfreesafety said:
Thanks for the quick reply!

Yes, this motor does have a starting capacitor mounted on the base of the washer—not directly attached to the motor body, but nearby on the chassis.

And yes, the capacitor does have wires connected to it—they’re intact and still plugged in, so I don’t believe this gray wire with the black single-pin connector was ever part of the capacitor circuit.

Based on what I’ve read and been advised, it seems this loose wire is more likely a chassis or motor ground. Apparently, in Kenmore/Whirlpool direct-drive washers like mine (model 110.16852502), there’s often a single lead that clips onto a metal tab or post on the motor frame or a nearby mounting bracket. It’s used to ground the windings and suppress electrical interference rather than send power.

Does that line up with anything you’ve seen?

Thanks again for helping me sort this out—this wire has been a real mystery!

Do you see a male terminal in the area that it could plug onto? You are probably correct about the ground, although maybe it's a Neutral...

I would still trace it back to see where the other end connects.

Is the wiring diagram missing?

pcgeek11 · May 19, 2025

Here is what a search shows:

AI Overview
Learn more

Yes, in many Kenmore and Whirlpool appliances, a grey wire is often connected to the drive motor, specifically to the overload protection. This grey wire, or sometimes white, will connect directly to the overload terminal on the motor, ensuring proper functionality.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Overload Protection:

The grey (or white) wire helps to protect the motor from overheating and overloads.
Connection Point:
This wire connects to the specific terminal on the motor designated for the overload protection.
Safety Feature:
The grey wire ensures that the motor can be turned off if it starts to draw too much current, preventing damage.

agfreesafety · May 19, 2025

Quick update: Thanks to your help, I got the wire issue sorted out and reconnected properly.

Now I’m trying to reassemble the washer cabinet, but I’m stuck figuring out how these remaining brackets fit back in place. I’ve attached photos and would appreciate any guidance on where exactly they should go. I tried to get some help from AI, and asked for an image that displayed how the longer/flatter pair of brackets fit in place, but I was unable to figure it out. Does anyone know of a diagram or something that shows specifically how to put both pairs of brackets back in place?

once i figure out how to get this first pair of brackets in place, i'll have to do the same for the other brass-looking set. Thanks for all your help!

pcgeek11 · May 20, 2025

agfreesafety said:
Quick update: Thanks to your help, I got the wire issue sorted out and reconnected properly.

Now I’m trying to reassemble the washer cabinet, but I’m stuck figuring out how these remaining brackets fit back in place. I’ve attached photos and would appreciate any guidance on where exactly they should go. I tried to get some help from AI, and asked for an image that displayed how the longer/flatter pair of brackets fit in place, but I was unable to figure it out. Does anyone know of a diagram or something that shows specifically how to put both pairs of brackets back in place?

once i figure out how to get this first pair of brackets in place, i'll have to do the same for the other brass-looking set. Thanks for all your help!

Watch this video at about the 55 second mark it shows the two sets of clamps that hold the Motor and Pump to the washer.

pcgeek11 · May 20, 2025

agfreesafety said:
Quick update: Thanks to your help, I got the wire issue sorted out and reconnected properly.

Now I’m trying to reassemble the washer cabinet, but I’m stuck figuring out how these remaining brackets fit back in place. I’ve attached photos and would appreciate any guidance on where exactly they should go. I tried to get some help from AI, and asked for an image that displayed how the longer/flatter pair of brackets fit in place, but I was unable to figure it out. Does anyone know of a diagram or something that shows specifically how to put both pairs of brackets back in place?

once i figure out how to get this first pair of brackets in place, i'll have to do the same for the other brass-looking set. Thanks for all your help!

Where did the grey wire attach too?

stargazr · May 21, 2025

agfreesafety said:
Quick update: Thanks to your help, I got the wire issue sorted out and reconnected properly.

Now I’m trying to reassemble the washer cabinet, but I’m stuck figuring out how these remaining brackets fit back in place. I’ve attached photos and would appreciate any guidance on where exactly they should go. I tried to get some help from AI, and asked for an image that displayed how the longer/flatter pair of brackets fit in place, but I was unable to figure it out. Does anyone know of a diagram or something that shows specifically how to put both pairs of brackets back in place?

once i figure out how to get this first pair of brackets in place, i'll have to do the same for the other brass-looking set. Thanks for all your help!

If you still have a problem attaching the back panel, it looks like you have the bracket backwards. I think the notched end hooks into the back panel, and the downward u-shape hooks into the square opening on top of the unit.

agfreesafety · May 27, 2025

I'm all-set everyone, thanks for your time and help!

Where Does This Gray Single Wire Go on Kenmore Washer 110.16852502?

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