The harness and switch are an important part of your unit. Specifically, the sensor on the harness monitors water flow, which is a critical piece in your softener working correctly. Together, let's go through the steps below to replace these parts.
Tools you’ll need:
Phillips/crosshead screwdriver
Step 1 - Disconnecting Old Parts
1. You'll want to unplug your softener from the power outlet.
2. Next, go ahead and remove the top cover. If you need detailed information, check out our article Removing the Top Cover.
3. Looking down from the top of the softener valve, find the white Switch (highlighted in green below.) It's connected to the valve with the orange and green wires. Unclip that white Switch.
4. Next, you'll need to follow the red, white, and black wires to the back left-hand side of the softener. These wires go to a clip (highlighted in yellow below) that wraps around the outlet port. Remove the wire harness clip from the outlet port by unclipping both sides.
5. Now, on the underside of the top cover, remove the red plastic connector from the control board. If your control board is hidden by a cover, squeeze both sides of the cover to release it.
6. Time to remove the old switch. On the top of the softener, you'll see the black motor. You'll notice it has 2 screws (circled below in red.) Grab your screwdriver and unscrew them. Once, they're out, lift the motor off the top and set it down.
7. For this next step, you'll remove the metal motor plate or plastic cap (whichever your unit has.)
- If you have a metal motor plate, you'll see 3 screws holding the plate on. Go ahead and remove the motor plate by unscrewing them. Then set aside.
- If you have a plastic cap, pull if off and set it aside. It's not screwed down.
8. The last step here is to remove the 2 screws holding the Switch in place (highlighted in yellow below.) Next, you'll attach the new parts. If you don’t see screws on this spot, no worries, continue onto the next step.
Step 2 - Reconnecting New Parts
1. We're going to put the new parts on now. Grab the new Switch you received and place it on the valve head. Secure with the two screws (if applicable.) If no screws, just put the Switch down in place.
2. For this next step:
- If you have the metal motor plate, attach that now on the top and secure it with the 3 screws.
- If you have the plastic cap, set it back in place.
3. Now you'll attach the Motor on top with the two motor screws.
4. Take your new wire harness and attach the green and orange wires to the switch. The orange wire should be on the outside. The front-right metal prong (on the inside) on the switch isn’t used.
5. Clip the Wire Harness (highlighted in yellow below) onto the outlet pipe. The clip will only go on in one direction – if you are having trouble, try turning the clip around.
6. Plug the new red connector onto the control board. Make sure the wires are running away from the control board. The red connector should sit flush with the white plastic piece on the board.
7. If you had a cover on the control board, reattach that now.
8. Grab your top cover and place it back on your softener.
9. Last step is to plug your softener's power cord back in. Nice work! You've now replaced your switch and wire harness!
Please let us know if this article was helpful by voting below.