Washing machines get clothing clean by plunging the clothes through the water and detergent mixture. It is the motion that helps to loosen dirt. In top loading machines, the agitator twists back and forth pulling the clothes down to the bottom of the tub. The clothes then work their way back up to the top where the agitator grabs them again. After the water is pumped out, the inner drum uses centrifugal force to wring out more water from the clothes by spinning at several hundred rpm’s.
The design of washing machines varies by the manufacturer, but the general principles are essentially the same. The controls consist of a timer, gearbox, water temperature selector, load size selector and start button. The cycle selector controls the cycle selection and the start switch.
A lid switch, which indicates whether the lid is open or closed, will interrupt some or all of the washing machine operations.
The water inlet valve connects to the water supply of your home and allows hot and cold water to flow into the tub.
The pump, agitator and spin drum are driven by the motor. Some washing machines use direct drive, in which the motor is connected directly to the pump and gear case. Some machines use a belt drive in which the motor drives the gear case through using a pulley and a belt. On belt driven machines, the pump is typically connected to the motor by a flexible coupling.
The gearbox drives both the spin of the inner tub and the back and forth motion of the agitator. Your washer has either a single direction or a reversing motor. With a single direction motor, an electromechanical device controls whether the gear case drives the agitator or the drum. Reversing motors control the drum when they spin in one direction and the agitator when they spin in the other.
The clutch allows the gear case to grab the drum to get the spinning started.
* Not all machines have the parts that are listed below.
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
DRIVE MOTOR WILL NOT RUN
Check power cord
Check electrical power
Allow motor thermal overload to cool.
Check motor start switch
Check drive motor
Check water level switch
Check water pump
Close lid
Check terminal connections on above parts
Check for broken wires
Replace gear case (transmission)
MOTOR HUMS
Check start capacitor
Check motor start relay
Check that drive motor is not seized
NO COLD WATER
Check water inlet valve (cold coil)
Check water temperature switch
Check terminal connections on above parts
Check for broken wires
NO HOT WATER
Check water inlet valve (hot coil)
Check water temperature switch
Check terminal connections on above parts
Check for broken wires
TIMER DOES NOT ADVANCE
Check water level switch
Check terminal connections on above parts
Check for broken wires
Check lid switch
WASHER AGITATES AND SPINS
Check drive motor coupling
Replace gear case (transmission)
Check two-speed clutch shifter
Check selector switch
Check wiring and connections
WASHER DOESN’T AGITATE OR SPIN BUT DRIVE MOTOR RUNS
Check Drive Motor Coupling
WASHER WILL NOT AGITATE
Check water level switch
Check motor start switch
Check drive motor
Check drive belt
Check control magnet
Tighten set screws on motor and gear case pulleys.
Check cam bar rivets
Replace gear case (transmission)
Check terminal connections on above parts
Check for broken wires
WASHER WILL NOT FILL
See “WATER WILL NOT ENTER WASHER”
WASHER WILL NOT OPERATE
Check electrical power
Check power cord
Check all wiring for bare wiring or terminal touching metal.
WASHER WILL NOT SHUT OFF
Timer
WASHER WILL NOT SPIN
Close lid
Check drive belt
Check control magnet
Check water level switch
Check lid switch
Check motor start switch
Tighten motor pulley setscrew
Check drive motor
Check motor start relay
Check start capacitor
Check clutch for wear
Replace clutch spring
Replace gear case (transmission)
Check for blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker
Check terminal connections on above parts
Check for broken wires
WASHER WILL NOT SPRAY RINSE
Check water inlet valve
Check water temperature switch
Check water pump
Check terminal connections on above parts
Check for broken wires
WASHER WILL NOT STOP FILLING
Listen for running water. If you hear running water, the water inlet valve is stuck open and must be replaced.
Check water level switch
Check air dome
WATER DOES NOT DRAIN
Move drain hose to prevent kinking or replace
Read your installation instructions for correct drain height.
Remove obstructions from drain hose
Check drive belt
Check manifold trap
Clean or replace side check valve
Check lint filter
Check two-way valve
Check water pump
Check pump coupling
Check lid switch
Check terminal connections on above parts
Check for broken wires
WATER ENTERS TUB EVEN WHEN MACHINE IS OFF
Check Water Inlet Valve
WATER FILLS AND AGITATES AT THE SAME TIME
Timer
WATER FILLS AND DRAINS AT THE SAME TIME
Check pump
Check control magnet
Check cam bar
WATER LEVEL TOO LOW
Check Water Level Switch
WATER WILL NOT ENTER WASHER
Check electrical power
Check power cord
Check for blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker
Make sure water faucets are turned “on”
Move inlet hoses to prevent kinking
Remove screens from inlet hoses and clean
Check water inlet valve
Check water level switch
Check water temperature switch
Check terminal connections on above parts
Check for broken wires
WATER WILL NOT SHUT OFF
See “WASHER WILL NOT STOP FILLING”
WARNING: Disconnect power before removing any parts from the oven. If you are not comfortable doing any of these tests yourself, than you should get a technician to check the appliance for you.
The information in this website contains POSSIBLE REPAIR SOLUTIONS. This information is intended to assist customers in troubleshooting the possible problems that your appliance might be having. The information comes from a variety of sources and therefore in no way implies or suggests that this will be a guaranteed solution for your problem. They are merely a guide to help to assist you in troubleshooting your appliance. Any parts that are purchased in the effort to fix your appliance, that do not solve your problem are the sole responsibility of the consumer. Timers that are repaired or purchased from Turner’s Timer Repair are NOT RETURNABLE and our normal warranty policy will take effect.