How can I repair the start button on my LG washing machine that is hard to press?
Ok well I managed to take off the control panel. There is a little plastic arm behind the start button that had been worn down on the end and wasn't making contact with the electronic button underneath.

A little bit of tape on the end of the plastic arm did the trick.

To access the control panel on the WD14700RD:


Disconnect the unit from power and water
Remove the top: take off two screws at the back, push it backwards one inch and lift it off
Take out the soap tray and remove two screws on the soap tray compartment.
Remove the control panel: push down on the two arms on top of it so that it can pop out, and pull it out at the top and then lift it off the bottom hooks. Pull it out a little from the machine, about an inch.
Remove the front plate from the control panel:  there are 7 screws behind it.  Rotate the control panel up or down in order to access the screws behind
Now that the front plate of the control panel is loose, identify the arm of the button that has stopped working. Wrap a small amount (2-3 times around) of electrical or plumbers tape on the very end of the plastic arm.  Or if there is a nib instead of an arm, a small dab of epoxy resin allowed to harden does the trick. 
Refit the control panel and test the button now works.
Reassemble the control panel, top, and turn on water and power.
Test once again.


And that's it! All you need is a screwdriver and some tape. Too easy :)