Maytag Performa washer overflows when filling on any size load. Will stop when I push in the timer knob.

Overflow is usually caused by a "stuck-open" fill valve, with the cold water half of the valve 'sticking' open from sediment buildup inside the valve.

This can also be caused by the fill system control components: pressure switch, pressure tube, or pressure tube dome/port. So let's take a look at these.

First of all, determine whether your overflow condition is mechanical or electrical. Start the washer filling, then turn the timer off by pushing the knob in. If the fill continues, pull the washer plug. If filling continues with the washer unplugged, you have a mechanical problem - nearly always a stuck valve ***'y. Replace the fill valve.

If however, the fill stops when you unplug the machine, you are looking at an electrical fill control problem, and it gets a little more complicated.

Here a small piece of rubber or plastic tubing is handy. Unplug the washer and open the console where you'll see the pressure switch. This is the switch with a small rubber tube, usually clear, sometimes black, attached. Pull this tube off and replace it with your short tubing. Blow a bit of pressure into the switch using your mouth, and listen for a click, then another when you release the pressure. Hear two clicks? Good! The switch is probably OK

Plug the washer back in (being aware that components in the console are now 'hot' - live electric, use extreme caution , u can be SHOCKED), and start the washer filling again. With it filling, again blow a bit of pressure into the switch. If the switch is good, the fill should stop and the machine should start to agitate.

This verifies that the pressure switch is working, and causes us to suspect the pressure tubing or a clogged port/dome to which it connects. Wipe off the end of the original tube you removed from the switch, and blow into it. You're blowing air down into the tank now, and you should feel very little restriction. If it is very hard or impossible to blow through this tube, the tank dome or port is clogged.

Really old Maytags were known for this, and if you have one, spin out all water, remove the 'Corbin' clamp from the pressure tube outside of the tank and pull the tube off. (Pull washer front off - 2 Phillips screws at bottom, then two 3/8 in. hex screws release top, which swings upward) You will probably see 'gunk' clogging both the rubber tubing and the 'spud' that is a part of the tank. The hose ***'y can be taken to a sink and flushed clean with hot water, and an old toothbrush used to clear the tank spud, which, in the Maytags, is about 3/4 in. ID.

Very important: WHENEVER THE PRESSURE TUBE IS REMOVED, BEFORE REINSTALLING IT, BE SURE ALL WATER HAS BEEN SPUN OUT OF THE WASHER! Otherwise, the water fill level will be incorrect and you'll be back in trouble.

You will need to replace the water level switch. It is located in the control panel and can be acquired through the link below.

Water Level Switch $57.25

Kelly