Kenmore 625.348420 User manual

PRINTED IN U.S.A.
SAVE THIS MANUAL Use plastic bag and tie provided, to hang manuals nearby
the softener for future reference.
Demand Special Edition
Water Softener
◆Warranty
◆Start Up / Setting Timer
◆How It Works
◆Care Of
◆Specifications
◆Repair Parts
        
OWNER’S
MANUAL
MODEL NO.
625.348420
Caution:
Read and Follow
All Safety Rules and
Operating Instructions
Before First Use of
This Product.
If you have questions when
installing, operating or main-
taining your softener, and
when setting the timer, call
this toll–free number...
1–800–426–9345

WARRANTY
2
SEARS RESIDENTIAL WATER SOFTENER
FULL ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON WATER SOFTENER
For one year from the date of purchase, when this water softener is installed and maintained
inaccordancewithourinstructions,Searswillrepair,freeofcharge,defectsinmaterialorwork-
manship in this water softener.
FULL TEN YEAR WARRANTY AGAINST LEAKS
Fortenyearsfromthedateofpurchase,Searswillfurnishandinstallanewcurrentmodelwater
softener tank or salt storage drum, free of charge, if either the tank or drum develop a leak.
TO OBTAIN WARRANTY SERVICE, SIMPLY CONTACT THE NEAREST SEARS SERVICE
CENTERTHROUGHOUTTHEUNITEDSTATES.Thiswarrantyappliesonlywhilethisproduct
is in use in the United States.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights which vary from
state to state.
Sears, Roebuck and Co., D/817 WA, Hoffman Estates, IL 60179
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SEARS INSTALLATION POLICY
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SEARS INSTALLATION WARRANTY
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FACTS AND FIGURES TO KEEP
Fill in the blanks below and keep this book in a safe
place so you always have these facts.
Water Softener Model No.†
Serial Number
Date Installed
Water Hardness Grains Per Gallon
Iron Content Parts Per Million
*pH Taste And/Or Odor
Water Pressure Pounds/Square Inch
Water Flow Rate Gallons Per Minute
†Themodelnumberisontheratingdecal,locatedon
the rim, under the salt hole cover.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
3
PAGE
NO.
SECTION 1 SOFTENER START UP
A. SAFETY GUIDES 4
B. CHECK LIST OF STEP-BY-STEP GUIDES TO INSTALL 5
C. PROGRAM THE TIMER 6-7
D. SANITIZING THE WATER SOFTENER 8
E. FILL THE STORAGE TANK WITH SALT 9
SECTION 2 HOW YOUR WATER SOFTENER WORKS
A. FACE PLATE TIMER FEATURES 10
B. SOFT WATER SERVICE AND REGENERATION 11-13
SECTION 3 CARE OF YOUR SOFTENER
A. SALT: REFILLING STORAGE TANK, SALT BRIDGE 14
B. KEEPING THE WATER SOFTENER CLEAN 15
C. KEEP THE SOFTENER FROM FREEZING 16
D. HELPFUL HINTS CHECKLIST 17
SECTION 4 OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
A. DIMENSIONS/SPECIFICATIONS 18
SECTION 5 SERVICE TECH INFORMATION
A. TROUBLESHOOTING 19-22
B. ROTARY VALVE SERVICE 23
C. WATER FLOW THROUGH THE SOFTENER VALVE 24-26
SECTION 6 REPAIR PARTS 29-31

WATER SOFTENER START-UP
SECTION 1
4
1A. SAFETY GUIDES
▲Read all steps, guides and rules carefully be-
fore installing and using your new water softener.
Follow all steps exactly to correctly install. Fail-
ure to follow them could cause personal injury or
property damage. Reading this book will also
help you to get all of the benefits from your water
softener.
▲Your water softener will remove hardness min-
erals and “clear water” iron from water, up to the
limits shown on page 18. It will not remove other
types of iron, acids, tastes and odors, etc. It will
not purify polluted water or make it safe to drink.
▲Protect the softener and piping from freezing.
Damage from freezing voids the softener warran-
ty. See page 16.
CAUTIONS
PLEASEREADANDCOMPLYWITHTHEFOL-
LOWING GUIDES TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO
THE SOFTENER OR OTHER PROPERTY,
PERSONAL INJURY, OR POSSIBLE FATAL
SHOCK.
▲THIS SOFTENER WORKS ON 24 VOLTS
ONLY.BESURETOUSETHETRANSFORMER
INCLUDED, AND PLUG IT INTO A 120V OUT-
LET.
▲Unplug the transformer right away if the
power cable should become damaged or
frayed. Make repairs before plugging back
into the power outlet.
▲Always unplug the softener from electrical
power before removing outer valve covers.

WATER SOFTENER START-UP
SECTION 1
5
1B. CHECK LIST OF ALL STEP-BY-STEP GUIDES TO INSTALL
Refer to the Installation Manual, part no. 7159931, for
stepĆbyĆstep guides.
To be sure you have done all the steps to install the
softener, read the following list. Page numbers
referred to are in the  
✔Is the house    going  the
softener valve ? Tra e piping to be sure.
See pages 10 and 11.
✔Is the plumbing bypass valve (or 3 valves) set for
soft water ? See page 18.
✔Is the valve drain hose onne ted to the drain fitĆ
ting the right way? Does the drain hose run to the
drain point without sharp bends or kinks that
ould stop or redu e water flow? See page 16.
✔Is the softener power able onne ted to the
transformer, and is the transformer plugged into
  120VĆ60Hz ele tri al outlet? See page
20.
✔Be sure to restart the water heater. See page 20.
NOTE: The state of Massa husetts requires a li ensed
plumber to perform the installation.
brass 3–valve
plastic
Bypass
Valves
Water
Heater

WATER SOFTENER START-UP
SECTION 1
6
1C. PROGRAM THE TIMER
FIG. 1
DOWN
button
UP button
display
SELECT button
ON/OFF–HOLD button
(Recharge Tonight–Now)
SELECT
ON/OFF-
HOLD RECHARGE TONIGHT
RECHARGENOW DemandWaterSoftener
Sears Water Line
forCustomerAssistance
1–800–426–9345
Kenmore
hen the transformer is plugged in, the model code
SR17 shows in the face plate display for a few
seconds, followed by a test number (example: S3.0).
After the test number, 12:00 AM begins to flash.
PRESENT TIME and RECHARGE TONIGHT show at
the bottom of the display.
NOTE:
If SR --is flashing in the display, press the UP
button (FIG. 1) until SR17 shows. Then, press the
SELECT button to display the flashing 12:00 AM. If
other than SR17 shows, when the transformer is
plugged in, please see page 17 to reset.
SOUND BEEPER": A beeper" sounds while
pressing buttons for timer setĆup. One beep signals a
change in the face plate display. Repeated beeps
means the timer will not accept a change from the
button you have pressed, telling you to use another
button. For example, in setting the hardness (step 2),
the beeper sounds repeatedly when the display
reaches 1 using the DO N button, or the highest
hardness setting using the UP button.
1. SET PRESENT TIME OF DAY:
NOTE:
If the words PRESENT TIME do not show in the disĆ
play, press the SELECT button (FIG. 1) until they do.
■Press the UP/DO N buttons to set the
present time. Press UP to move the display ahead;
press DO N to move the time backward.
If the present time is between noon
and midnight, be sure PM shows.
If the present time is between
midnight and noon, be sure AM
shows.
NOTE:
Each press of the UP or DO N buttons changes the
time by 1 minute. Pressing and holding the buttons
changes the time 32 minutes each second.

WATER SOFTENER START-UP
SECTION 1
7
1C. PROGRAM THE TIMER
2. SET WATER HARDNESS NUMBER:
■Press the SELECT button once to display 15
(flashing) and HA DNESS.
The grains per gallon (gpg) hardĆ
ness of your water supply is on
your water analysis report. Be sure
to enter water test results on page
2, for future reference.
NOTE:
If your water supply contains iron, compensate for it
by adding to the water hardness number. 
        
         
          
     
15 gpg hardness
2 ppm iron x 5 = 10 +10
(times) 25 HARDNESS NUMBER
■Press the UP/DOWN buttons to set your
water hardness number in the display. The DOWN
button moves the display to 1. The UP button moves
the display to the highest setting (see maximum
setting for your model in the specifications).
NOTE:
Each press of the UP/DOWN button changes the
display by 1 between 1 and 25. Between 25 and the
highest number, the display changes 5 at a time…25,
30, 35, etc. Continuous pressure on the UP or DOWN
button changes the display twice each second.
3. SET RECHARGE (REGENERATION) TIME:
■Press the SELECT button once to display 2:00 AM
(flashing) and ECHA GE TIME.
At the 2:00 AM ECHA GE TIME
setting, the softener begins regenĆ
eration (see pages 11 and 12) at
2:00 AM, ending no later than 4:00
AM. This is a good time in most
households because water is not
being used (see AUTOMATIC BYĆ
PASS, page 13).
If a different ECHA GE TIME setting would be
better for your household, do the following.
■Press the UP/DOWN buttons to set the
desired ECHA GE starting hour. Be sure to observe
the AMĆPM as you did when setting the time of day.
NOTE:
Each press of the UP/DOWN buttons changes the
display 1 hour. Continuous pressure on the UP or
DOWN button changes the display twice each
second.
■      to return
the present time (steady) of day and ECHA GE
TONIGHT in the display.
IF YOU NEED HELP P OG AMMING THE TIME , CALL TOLL F EE, NUMBE 1-800- 426- 9345.
SEE PAGE 10 FO OTHE FACE PLATE TIME FEATU ES.

WATER SOFTENER START-UP
SECTION 1
8
1D. SANITIZING THE WATER SOFTENER
Care is taken at the factory to keep your water
softener clean and sanitary. Materials used to make
the softener will not infect or contaminate your water
supply, and will not cause acteria to form or grow.
However, during shipping, storage, installing and
operating, acteria could get into the softener. For
this reason, sanitizing as follows is suggested①when
installing.
1. The first time you sanitize your softener, e sure to
do  steps in the installation manual, and on pages
5, 6 and 7 of this manual first.
2. Lift the salt hole cover and use a pail or hose to fill
the salt storage tank with at least 3 gallons of water.
3. Remove the rinewell cover and pour a out 3/4
ounce, or 1 to 2 ta lespoons, of common 5.25%
household leach (Clorox, Linco, BoPeep, White
Sail, Eagle, etc.) in the softener rinewell.
4. Press the ON/OFFĆHOLD utton and   
 to start a recharge. This first recharge does
several things.
ĊIt draws the leach into and through the softĆ
ener to sanitize it.
ĊIt fills the salt tank to the water level
needed.
ĊIt gets all the air out of the resin tank.
ĊIt makes the resin ed (see page 11) ready for
service.
NOTES:
This recharge takes a out 2 hours.
You can sanitize the softener   
salt in the storage tank.
①Recommended y the Water Quality Association. On
some water supplies, the water softener may need periodic
disinfecting. Sanitize with or without salt in the storage
tank.
FIG. 2 ADD WATER
Water,
About 3 Gallons
Brinewell
Cover
(remove and add
about 3/4 oz. bleach)
Brinewell
hose
Salt Hole
Cover

WATER SOFTENER START-UP
SECTION 1
9
1E. FILL THE STORAGE TANK WITH SALT
Brine (salt dissolved in water) is needed for each and
every regeneration. The water for making brine is
metered into the salt storage tank by the softener.
However, you must keep the tank filled with salt.
Fill the tank with N GGET or PELLET water softener
salt. DO NOT use rock salts, as they have dirt and
sediments that will stop the softener from working.
Before filling, be sure the brinewell cover is in place
on the top of the brinewell. Salt storage capacity is
shown on page 18.
NOTE:
In humid areas, it is best to fill the storage tank
halfĆfull, and to refill it more often. Salt bridging (see
page 14) occurs more often when conditions are
humid.
Water softening salt with iron removing addiĆ
tives Ċ Some salts have an additive to help the
softener handle iron in the water supply. Although
this additive may help to keep the softener resin
clean, it may also release corrosive fumes that will
weaken and shorten the life of some softener parts.
FIG. 3 ADD SALT
Brinewell
Cover
  Water softeners using sodium
chloride for regeneration add sodium to the water.
Persons who are on sodium restricted diets should
consider the added sodium as part of their overall
sodium intake.
For example, if your water supply is 15 grains hard,
you would have to drink 3 quarts of softened water
to consume 335 milligrams of sodium. That is
equivalent to eating 2Ć1/2 slices of white bread.
Persons who are concerned about their drinking
water should consider a Sears Drinking Water
System that will remove or reduce in excess of 90% of
the sodium and other drinking water contaminants.
YO HAVE NOW FINISHED THE WATER SOFTENER STARTĆ P. AFTER THE SANITIZING RECHARGE,
ON PAGE 8, THE SOFTENER WILL BE GIVING YO SOFT WATER.

HOW YOUR WATER SOFTENER WORKS
SECTION 2
10
2A. FACE PLATE TIMER FEATURES
EXTRA RECHARGE
Sometimes, a manually started regeneration (reĆ
charge) may be desired, or needed. Two examples
are:
-- You have used more water than usual (guests
visiting) and you may run out of soft water before the
next timer started regeneration.
-- You did not refill the softener with salt before it
was gone.
You can start a regeneration right away, or you can
set the timer to regenerate at the next 2:00 AM (or
other preset recharge time). Do the following.
RECHARGE NOW
■Press the ON/OFFĊHOLD
button and    
ECHA GE NOW begins to
flash in the display, and the
softener enters the fill cycle of regeneration right
away. This regeneration will last for about 2
hours. Then, you will have soft water again.
RECHARGE TONIGHT
■Press and release ( 
) the ON/OFFĆHOLD butĆ
ton. ECHA GE TONIGHT
flashes in the display, and the
softener begins regeneration at the next preset
recharge time. If you decide to cancel the regenĆ
eration before it has started, press and release the
ON/OFFĆHOLD button once more to turn off the
flashing ECHA GE TONIGHT.
PROGRAM MEMORY
If electrical power to the softener goes off, the time
display is blank but the face plate timer keeps the
correct time for about 6 hours. When electrical
power comes on again, you have to reset the present
time  if the display is flashing. The HA DNESS
and ECHA GE TIME never require resetting unless
a change is desired.
Even if the timer is incorrect after a long power
outage, the softener works as it should to keep you
water soft. However, regenerations may occur at the
wrong time of day until you reset the timer to the
correct time of day.
ERROR CODE
An error code could appear in the face plate display
if a problem occurs in the softener electronics. If you
see an error code instead of the time of day, please
call you local Sears Service Department for service.
IF YOU NEED HELP ON THE USE OF THE TIME FEATU ES, CALL TOLL F EE,
NUMBE 1-800- 426-9345.

HOW YOUR WATER SOFTENER WORKS
SECTION 2
11
2B. SOFT WATER SERVICE AND REGENERATION
SERVICE
W en t e softener is giving you soft water, it is called
Service". During service, ard water flows t roug
t e ouse main water pipe and into t e softener.
Inside of t e softener resin tank is a bed made up of
t ousands of tiny, plastic resin beads (FIG. 4). As
ard water passes t roug t e bed, eac bead
attracts and olds t e ardness minerals. T is is
called ionĆexc anging. It is muc like a magnet
attracting and olding metals. Water wit out t e
ardness minerals (soft water) flows out of t e
softener and into t e ouse soft water pipes.
After a period of time, t e resin beads become
coated wit ardness minerals and t ey ave to be
cleaned. T is cleaning is called regeneration or
rec arge. Regeneration is started at 2:00 a.m. by t e
electronic timer (see page 13). It takes place in 5
stages or cycles. T ese are:
FILL
BRINING
BRINE RINSE
BACKWASH
FAST RINSE
1
2
3
4
5
FIG. 4 WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
SOFTENER IN SERVICE
ÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏ
ÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏ
ÌÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌÌ
hardwater
IN
softwater
OUT
resin tank
brine valve
saltstorage
tank (salt
not shown)
resin bed
REGENERATION
FILL: Salt, dissolved in water, is called brine. Brine
is needed to clean t e ardness minerals from t e
resin beads. To make t e brine, water flows into t e
salt storage area during t e fill stage as s own in FIG.
5. Fill cycle lengt depends on ow muc soft water
making capacity you ave used since t e last
regeneration. As you use more water, fill time
increases so more brine is made. T e greater
amount of brine cleans more ardness minerals from
t e resin bed.
FIG. 5 WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
SOFTENER IN FILL
ÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏ
ÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏ
ÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏ
ÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏ
ÏÏÏÏÏÏÏÏ
ÌÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌÌ
hard water
IN
soft water
OUT
brine valve
salt storage
tank
fill water

HOW YOUR WATER SOFTENER WORKS
SECTION 2
12
2B. SOFT WATER SERVICE AND REGENERATION
BRINING: During brining, th brin is mov d
from th salt storag ar a, into th r sin tank. Insid
th r sin tank, brin cl ans hardn ss min rals from
th r sin b ads and th y ar discharg d out th
drain. How much brin is n d d to cl an th r sin
d p nds on:
-- th amount of r sin in th soft n r,
-- how fast th brin go s through th b d.
Th nozzl and v nturi (FIG. 6) mak suction to
mov brin from th salt tank into th r sin tank.
Th y k p th brin flow down to a v ry slow rat to
g t th b st r sin cl aning with th l ast salt.
BRINE RINSE: Aft r all of th brin is suck d out
of th salt tank, th brin valv clos s. Wat r k ps
flowing through th r sin tank th sam way it did
during brining xc pt th brin flow has stopp d.
Hardn ss min rals and brin flush from th r sin
tank to th drain. Brining and brin rins tog th r
vary in l ngth of tim th y tak , r lativ to th fill
cycl l ngth.
FIG. 6 WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
SOFTENER IN BRINING AND
BRINE RINSE
ÏÏÏÏÏÏÏ
ÏÏÏÏÏÏÏ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
hardwater
IN
hard water
bypass OUT
brine valve
Ì
drain
nozzle &
venturi
brine
BACKWASH: During backwash, wat r flows UP
through th r sin tank (FIG. 7) at a fast rat to flush
iron min rals, dirt and s dim nts from th b d and to
th drain. Th b d lifts and xpands for good
cl aning.
FIG. 7 WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
SOFTENER IN BACKWASH
ÏÏÏÏÏÏ
ÏÏÏÏÏÏ
ÏÏÏÏÏÏ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
hardwater
IN
hard water
bypass OUT
drain
resin bed lifted
and expanded
FAST RINSE: Backwash is follow d by a fast flow
of wat r down through th r sin tank. Th fast flow
packs th r sin b d and g ts it r ady for r turn to
s rvic (FIG. 8).
Aft r fast rins , th soft n r r turns to s rvic . Hard
wat r go s into th r sin tank wh r th r sin b d
again tak s out th hardn ss min rals. Soft wat r
go s to th hous soft wat r pip s.
FIG. 8 WATER FLOW THROUGH THE
SOFTENER IN FAST RINSE
ÏÏÏÏÏÏ
ÏÏÏÏÏÏ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
ÌÌÌ
softwater
OUT
drain
hardwater
IN

HOW YOUR WATER SOFTENER WORKS
SECTION 2
13
2B. SOFT WATER SERVICE AND REGENERATION
AUTOMATIC BYPASS
During the rining, rine rinse and ackwash cycles
of regeneration,  water goes through the
softener valve and to the house pipes. If a faucet is
opened, hard water is there for your needs.
However, you should not use HOT water, if possi le,
ecause the water heater will refill with hard water.
The softener regenerates from 2:00 AM to a out 4:00
AM, (you can change this time... see page 7). In most
homes, 2-4 AM is a time when not much water is
used, if any.
If you get up early in the morning and you can hear
the softener regenerating, change the time setting.
Set the recharge start time to 12:00 AM or 1:00 AM
(page 7). Then regeneration will start and end that
much earlier and your water heater will not refill with
hard water if a hot faucet is opened.
ELECTRONICS
Two main parts of the softener's electronics are a
WATER METER, and a COMPUTER.
WATER METER Ċ The water meter is in the
softener valve outlet. As water flows through the
meter, it sends electric pulses to the computer. The
computer changes the pulses to a measure in gallons
of water.
COMPUTER Ċ The computer is part of the timer
circuit oard. It is programmed to know the
softener's capacity (how many grains of hardness
minerals it will take out of the water efore a
regeneration is needed). When starting the softener,
page 7, you set it for the grains per gallon (gpg)
hardness of the water.
To find a regeneration pattern est for your needs,
the computer uses: (1) water usage from the meter,
(2) hardness setting, (3) softener capacity, and (4)
time since the last regeneration. The computer
always adjusts this pattern to your water using ha its.
It works to provide you with soft water for the
longest time, at the most efficient salt usage.
Softening capacity is used as hard water goes
through the softener and hardness minerals are
removed. When the computer determines that only
enough capacity remains to provide soft water up to
the next regeneration starting time (2:00 AM, or as
otherwise set), it will schedule a regeneration.
  displays until the regeneraĆ
tion egins. When the regeneration egins, TOĆ
NIGHT goes off and   flashes
during the 2 hour regeneration.

CARE OF YOUR SOFTENER
SECTION 3
14
3A. SALT…REFILLING STORAGE TANK/BREAKING A SALT BRIDGE
WHEN TO REFILL WITH SALT: Check the salt level
a few weeks after you install the softener and every
week after that. Refill when the storage tank is
about 1/3 full. Never let the softener use all the salt
before refillin . Without salt, you will soon have hard
water.
IMPORTANT:
You will have a loss in softening capacity and
may get partly hard water if less than 10
inches of salt is in the storage tank.
PLEASE SEE PAGE 9 FOR SALT FILLING DIRECTIONS.
SALT BRIDGE
Sometimes, a hard crust or salt brid e forms in the
salt stora e tank. It is usually caused by hi h
humidity or the wron kind of salt. When the salt
brid es, an empty space forms between the water
and salt. Then salt will not dissolve (melt) in the
water to make brine. Without brine, the resin bed
does not re enerate and you will have hard water.
If the stora e tank is full of salt, it is hard to tell if you
have a salt brid e. Salt is loose on top, but the brid e
is under it. The followin is the best way to check for
a salt brid e.
Salt should be loose all the way to the bottom of the
tank. Hold a broom handle, or like tool, up to the
softener as shown in FIG. 9. Make a pencil mark on
the handle, 1″or 2″below the top hei ht of the rim,
as shown. Then, carefully push it strai ht down into
the salt. If a hard object is felt before the pencil mark
ets to the top of the tank, it's most likely a salt
brid e. Carefully push into the brid e in a few places
to break it. Do not try to break the salt bridge by
pounding on the outside of the salt tank. You
may damage the tank.
If the wron kind of salt was the cause of the brid e,
take it out. Then fill the tank with nu et or pellet salt
only.
FIG. 9 SALT BRIDGE
broom handle
push tool into salt
bridge to break
salt
salt bridge
water level
pencil
mark
1” – 2”

CARE OF YOUR SOFTENER
SECTION 3
15
3B. KEEPING THE WATER SOFTENER CLEAN
COVERS
To keep your new Sears water softener looking nice,
apply a coat of paste wax and repeat once a year.
When dusty, wipe it with a damp cloth to keep it
sparkling.
NOTE:
Never use cleaners having ammonia or abrasives.
They may scratch and dull the surface.
NOZZLE AND VENTURI
A clean nozzle and venturi (FIG. 10) is a must for the
softener to work right. This small unit moves brine
from the salt storage tank to the resin tank during
regeneration. If it becomes plugged with sand, silt,
dirt, etc., the softener will not work and you will get
hard water.
To get to the nozzle and venturi, remove the softener
top cover. Be sure the softener is in service cycle (no
water pressure at nozzle and venturi). Then, holding
the housing tightly with 1 hand, turn the cap off. Do
not lose the large oĆring seal. Lift out the screen
support and screen, then the nozzle and venturi.
Wash and rinse the parts in warm water until clean. If
needed, use a small brush to remove iron or dirt.
Also check and clean the gasket.
Carefully replace all parts in the correct order.
Lubricate the oĆring seal with silicone grease or
Vaseline and place in position. Install and tighten the
cap, by hand only. Do not overĆtighten and
break the cap or housing.
FIG. 10 CLEANING THE NOZZLE & VEN-
TURI
NOTE: Be sure holes in the
gasketalignwiththeholesatthe
bottom of the nozzle & venturi
housing.
*INSTALL WITH
NUMBERED SIDE UP
CONCAVE SIDE DOWN.
Cap
O–ring Seal
Screen Support
Screen
Nozzle & Venturi
Gasket
*Flow Plug
(HVDC)
Nozzle & Venturi
Housing
Screen
*Flow Plug
(1–EP)
IRON FROM THE RESIN BED
Your water softener takes hardness minerals (calĆ
cium and magnesium) out of the water. Also, it can
control some clear water" iron. See maximum
allowed in the specifications on page 18. With clear
water iron, water from a faucet is clear when first put
into a glass. After 15 to 30 minutes, the water begins
to cloud or turn rust colored. A water softener will
not remove any iron which makes the water cloudy
or rusty as it comes from the faucet (called red water
iron). To take red water iron out of water, or over
the maximum of clear water iron, an iron filter
or other equipment is needed. Your local Sears
store has trained people to help you with iron water
problems.
If your water supply has clear water iron, even
though less than the maximum allowed, regular
resin bed cleaning is needed. Sears has resin bed
cleaner, Stock No. 42Ć34426 for this. Clean the bed at
least every 6 months. If iron appears in the soft water
before 6 months, clean more often. Printed instrucĆ
tions are on the resin bed cleaner bottle.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT CLEANING AND MAINTAINING YOU SOFTENE , CALL TOLL
F EE, NUMBE 1-800-426-9345.

CARE OF YOUR SOFTENER
SECTION 3
16
3C. KEEP THE SOFTENER FROM FREEZING
I the so tener is installed where it could reeze
(summer cabin, lake home, etc.), you must drain all
water rom it to stop possible reeze damage. To
drain the so tener:
1.Close the shutĆo valve on the house main water
pipe, near the water meter or pressure tank.
2.Open a aucet in the so t water pipes to vent
pressure in the so tener.
3.I a single bypass valve is installed, move the
stem into bypass. See FIG. 12 on page 18. In a
3Ćvalve bypass system, close the inlet and outlet
valve and open the bypass valve. I you want
water in the house pipes again, reopen the
shutĆo valve on the main water pipe.
4.Unplug the trans ormer at the wall outlet.
5.Remove the salt hole cover and the main cover.
Take o both drain hoses.
6.Care ully remove the large holding clips at the
so tener inlet and outlet (see Key No. 61, on page
30). Separate the so tener rom the adaptors or
bypass valve.
7.Remove the brinewell cover and disconnect the
brine valve tubing at the nozzle and venturi
assembly (see page 23). Li t the brine valve out o
the brinewell. Tip the brine valve upside down to
drain out water.
FIG. 11 DRAIN WATER FROM THE
SOFTENER
wood block
floor
drain
8.Looking at FIG. 11, lay a piece o 2 inch thick
board near the loor drain. Move the so tener
close to the drain. Slowly and caref lly, tip it
over until the rim rests on the wood block with
the inlet and outlet over the drain. Do not allow
the softener's weight to rest on the inlet and
o tlet fittings or they will break.
9.Tip the bottom o the so tener up a ew inches
and hold      Leave the
so tener laying like this until you are ready to use
it. Plug the inlet and outlet with rags to keep dirt,
bugs, etc. out.

CARE OF YOUR SOFTENER
SECTION 3
17
3D. HELPFUL HINTS CHECKLIST
... TO HELP YOU SAVE MONEY
If your water softener fails to work, make the following easy checks. Often, you will find what's wrong yourself
and you won't have to call and wait for service. If, after making the checks, your softener still does not work
right, call your Sears Service Department, or call toll free, number 1-800-426-9345 for telephone assistance.
NOTE:
1. Also read ERROR CODE, page 10.
2. If an error code is  dispIayed, press and  the SELECT button until (example: 000- -) shows in the
display. Then, press SELECT again and  until an SR code appears. It must show   If any other SR
number shows, the softener computer is working on incorrect input and this would probably be the cause of
the problem. To set SR 17, press either the P or DOWN button. Then, press SELECT to return a flashing
12:00 AM display, and reset the timer on page 6.
PROBLEM CAUSE CORRECTION
No soft water Faucet or fixture may be plumbed to
hard water From the outlet of the water softener, trace the water flow paths in your house pipes. If soft water is not directed to
a faucet or fixture where it is wanted, consult a plumber.
To conserve salt, the installer may have isolated some
fixtures (outside faucets, toilets, etc.) from soft water.
No salt (or salt bridged) in the storage
tank Refill with salt, or break the salt bridge (page 14). Press ON/OFF-HOLD (RECHARGE NOW) button and hold for
3 seconds to start a regeneration (see page 10).
Transfomer unplugged at the wall
outlet, or power cable leads loose, fuse
blown, circuit breaker popped, or circuit
switched off.
Check for loss of power due to any of these and correct.
With the power back on, look at the time display and read
PROGRAM MEMORY, page 10.
Manual bypass valve(s) in bypass
position Look at FIG. 12 on page 18. Move the stem in a single valve to service. In a 3-valve bypass, open the inlet and
outlet valves, and be sure to fully close the bypass valve.
Dirty, plugged or damaged nozzle &
venturi Take apart and clean or replace damaged parts (see page 15).
Valve drain hose plugged The drain hose must not have kinks, sharp bends, or be
raised too high above the softener (see page 16 in your
installation manual).
Water hard
sometimes Hardness number setting too low Press and release the SELECT button until HARDNESS
shows in the display. Read the hardness number in the
display and be sure the same grains per gallon number is
shown on your water analysis report. See page 7 to reset.
Press and release the SELECT button until the present
time shows in the display.
Using hot water when softener is
regenerating Avoid using hot water during this time because the water heaterrefillswith hardwater(see AutomaticBypass,page
13).
Increase in the grains of hardness in
your water supply Ask your Sears retail or catalog store for a new water analysis. Then make a new hardness number setting
(page 7).

OTHER THINGS TO KNOW
SECTION 4
18
4A. DIMENSIONS/SPECIFICATIONS
FIG. 12 BYPASS VALVES
A
B
CDE
F
INCHES CM
ASalt Tank Height 40-1/4 102.2
BResin Tank Diameter (nominal) 8 20.3
CResin Tank Height (nominal) 40 101.6
DInlet-Outlet Height 41-1/2 105.4
EOverall Height 46 116.8
F1Length 19-1/2 49.5
F2Width 16-1/2 41.9
—Distance between inlet-outlet
center lines 3-3/8 8.6
MODEL NO. 625.348420 TIMER SR CODE SR17
NOTE:
      !   "      !  
      "   "  
                
WATER SUPPLY TO WATER SOFTENER
MINIMUM WATER SYSTEM FLOW (gpm) 3
MINIMUM–MAXIMUM WATER PRESSURE (psi) 20-120
MAXIMUM WATER TEMPERATURE (°F) 120
MAXIMUM WATER HARDNESS (gpg) 90*
MAXMUM “CLEAR WATER” IRON (ppm) 3
SALT FOR WATER SOFTENER
TYPE OF SALT NEEDED Nugget/Pellet
ALTERNATE TYPE OF SALT Pure, evaporated, compacted
water softener salt
STORAGE CAPACITY (pounds) 200
*Do not exceed this number when setting hardness in step 2,
page 7. The maximum setting available is 95.
OTHERS
TYPE OF ION EXCHANGE MATERIAL (resin) High Capacity
AMOUNT OF RESIN (cu.ft.) .6
REGENERATION (RECHARGE) CYCLE TIME (min.)
FILL 2–8
BRINING/BRINE RINSE 103
BACKWASH 7
FAST RINSE 3
TOTAL REGENERATION TIME 115–121
gpm = gallons per minute psi = pounds per square inch
gpg = grains per gallon ppm = parts per million

SERVICE TECH. INFORMATION
SECTION 5
19
5A. TROUBLESHOOTING
Keep this manual with your water softener. If repairs are needed, the service technician must have the
information on the following pages. For telephone assistance, call toll free, 1-800-426-9345.
SELECT
ON/OFF
HOLD RECHARGE TONIGHT
RECHARGE NOW
DOWN
button
UP button
display
SELECT button
ON/OFF–HOLD button
(Recharge Tonight–Now)
Demand Water Softener
Sears Water Line
forCustomerAssistance
1–800–426–9345
Kenmore
ALWAYS MAKE THESE INITIAL CHECKS FIRST
1. Does the time display show the correct time of day?
- If display is blank, check power source to the
softener.
- If time is flashing, power was off for over 6 hours.
he softener resumes normal operation but regenĆ
erations occur at the wrong time.
- If an error code (Example: Err 03) shows in the face
plate display, go to   

2. Plumbing bypass valve(s) must be in Full Service
position.
3. he inlet and outlet pipes must connect to the
softener valve inlet and outlet respectively.
4. Is the transformer plugged into a live", grounded
wall outlet, and is the power cable fastened securely?
5. he valve drain hose must be free of kinks and sharp
bends, and not elevated over 8 ft. above the floor.
REMOVETHE TOPCOVER ANDSALT TANKCOVER
6. Is there salt in the storage tank?
7. Is the brine tubing connected? (See water flow
diagrams).
8. Is the brine valve float set right? (See page 22).
9. Press the SELEC button 2 times to display the
hardness setting. Be sure it is the correct setting for
the household's water supply. (Make a hardness test
of the raw water and compare with the hardness
setting. Also test a soft water sample to verify if a
problem exists.) Press SELEC twice more to return
the time of day display.
If you do not find the problem after making initial checks,
do the  Initiated Electronic Diagnostics, and the
Manual Advance Regeneration Check.

SERVICE TECH. INFORMATION
SECTION 5
20
5A. TROUBLESHOOTING
AUTOMATIC ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSTICS
The f ce pl te computer h s selfĆdi gnostic
function for the electric l system (except input
power nd w ter meter). The computer monitors the
electronic components nd circuits
for correct oper tion. If m lfuncĆ
tion occurs, n error code ppe rs
in the f ce pl te displ y.
The ch rt below shows the error codes th t could
ppe r, nd the possible defects for e ch code.
While n error code ppe rs in the displ y, ll f ce
pl te buttons re inoper ble except the SELECT
button. The SELECT button rem ins oper tion l so
the service person c n m ke the M nu l Initi ted
Electronic Di gnostics to further isol te the defect,
nd check the w ter meter.
CODE POSSIBLE DEFECT
MOST LIKELY LESS LIKELY
Err 01 motor inoperative / wiring harness or connection to switch / position switch / face plate
Err 02 face plate
Err 03 motor inoperative / face plate
Err 04 face plate / position switch
Err 05 face plate
PROCEDURE FOR REMOVING ERROR CODE FROM FACE PLATE: 1. Unplug tr nsformer 2. Correct defect 3. PlugĆin
tr nsformer 4. W it for 6 minutes. The error code will return if the defect w s not corrected.
MANUAL INITIATED ELECTRONIC DIAG-
NOSTICS
 To enter di gnostics, press nd hold the SELECT
button until    shows in the displ y.
 The first 3 digits indic te w ter meter oper tion
s follows:
  =Soft w ter not in use, nd no
flow through the meter.
OPENA NEARBYSOFT WATER FAUCET 
    =Repe ts displ y for
e ch g llon of w ter p ssing through the meter.
If you don't get re ding in the displ y, with the
f ucet open, pull the sensor from the v lve outlet
port. P ss sm ll m gnet b ck nd forth in front of
the sensor. You should get re ding in the displ y. If
you get re ding, unhook the  nd  plumbing
nd check the turbine for binding.
…
 The letter (P) nd d sh (or d shes) indic te POSIĆ
TION switch oper tion. If the letter ppe rs, the
switch is closed. If the d sh shows, the switch is
open.
Use the ON/OFFĆHOLD (Rech rge Now) button
to m nu lly dv nce the v lve into e ch cycle
nd check correct switch oper tion.