Washer has to be Tipped Back to run

[Chris MHM]

I have two Kenmore 110.44722401 washers that will not run unless I tip them back by putting a board under the front edge of the washer.  Without the board under the machines they will fill, and might even start to agitate but will stop.  

The lid has to be closed for the machine to fill, and it fills just fine so the lid switch seems fine.  When the first of the two machines developed the problem I replaced the pressure switch and it made no difference.  When the second one did this before I realized that it would run if I tipped the machine I replaced the control board and it made no difference.   When these machines have filled, if you raise the front of the machines they will run, lower them back down and they stop.  If I use the test function to put the machine in the spin cycle it won't drain or spin until you lift the front of the machine.

Any ideas?

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

These look like top loaders? I've hardly ever worked on them as almost all washing machines in UK are front loaders. The main thing that concerns me is two separate washing machines with the same unusual fault. I'd be looking firstly at the wall socket which they both have in common. Does tipping them back somehow move the cable and socket? Try wagging both around to see if the machine stops and starts.

[Chris MHM]

The two machines were in different locations so no shared socket.  The first machine to do this we removed from the apartment it was in and have used it in our shop for the last year where it doesn't matter if it is tipped back.  The second machine is in a different apartment.  All of the wall sockets are in good shape so that doesn't appear to be a problem.  I also look for electrical connections that may be under stress that might be better when the machine is tipped but find none.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Is there a microswitch on the lid that needs to be operated before the washing machine will run? I can imagine a theoretical circumstance where the washing machine wasn't level and was twisting causing the lid to not properly operate the microswitch and tipping it back corrected this issue. However, that is quite a longshot.