Clothes washer blues

[RetiredUSNChief]

"The washer won't drain."

*sigh*

Motor hums, no agitation, no spin, no drain.

Motor or starting capacitor, or possibly the transmission seized up.

Pulled it apart, pulled the pump off the motor, and turned the shaft by hand. Turns easily and operates the agitator, no problem. So the transmission is probably OK.

Motor hums but doesn't turn means the motor is getting power, so likely a starting capacitor problem. Can't check with my meter, because it's lost.

Motor: $270 and up.

Capacitor: $35 and up. A frickin' capacitor for this much!

Ordered a cap, as it's likely this. If it turns out to be the motor, I would have replaced the capacitor as well anyway.

Won't be able to put it in and check until next time I get home, though.


My sister said the washer is over 20 years old, might just be time for my wife and me to get a new one. I told her to shut her fool mouth, as I had rebuilt the matching dryer a few years back and this washer BETTER last another 20 years.

No frickin' way I'm spending $600 for a new clothes washer when I can spend $300 and up to fix this one and bust my knuckles up in the process. Screw that. It's printed on the back of my Man Card.

 

[Diablos]

if you have have to get a new one, get a speed queen tc5 (agitator) NOT THE TR5 (no agitator), best washer i've ever used

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

I agree!

Ours is a top loading Kenmore Elite Heavy Duty King Size Quiet Pak II. We like them simple, believing our needs are best served this way than paying a fat four figures per unit that would require huge bucks no matter what part needs servicing.

Knobs and dials, baby! Easier to service yourself!

And you wouldn't think it, but those agitator-less top loaders can really tear up your clothes. Getting the settings right is more important on them.

 

[Les White]

Fills with water but nothing else? Mine did that, it was the timer. In most washers it's a $30 part. In mine it was a hard to find discontinued part and around $250 if you could find one. I just replaced the washer.

 

[jimmyjames8]

Just had dishwasher fixed under extended warranty. Made out like a bandit on that. Fridge is 10 yrs old. On borrowed time. Washer and dryer probably that old. I dont turn wrenches much anymore with all my joints failing and falling apart. Got a buddy that tries to fix everything. I get it but he's got enough money to burn a wet mule. I'd rather be shootin'.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

We bought this set while I was in shore duty back in 2001. After 21 years and three kids, I'd say we more than got our money's worth out of them.

After this repair, if either unit gives us problems again we'll replace them. Who knows how many more years that will be.

 

[patrob86]

I had that happen to my whirlpool a few years ago. It turned out to be the lid safety switch. Took it to a backyard appliance guy down the road and he bypassed the switch and it was good as new. Might be something to check before you spend money on other parts

 

[Amps 13]

I had that happen to my whirlpool a few years ago. It turned out to be the lid safety switch. Took it to a backyard appliance guy down the road and he bypassed the switch and it was good as new. Might be something to check before you spend money on other parts

This! Mine would go through it’s cycle and then would stop and wouldn’t drain or do anything. Put in a new lid switch for under $7 bucks from amazon and she started right up. If I was you I would try the switch thing first. Buy from amazon and if it doesn’t work return it and all you lose is 10 minutes of installation time.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

I had that happen to my whirlpool a few years ago. It turned out to be the lid safety switch. Took it to a backyard appliance guy down the road and he bypassed the switch and it was good as new. Might be something to check before you spend money on other parts

The lid safety switch can't be the problem in my case. The lid switch interrupts power to the timer, which in turn cuts power to the motor.

When I place the timer switch into a position where the motor should operate, you can hear the motor hum. So it's getting power.

A good way to test that switch would be to bypass the switch with a wire, though. If everything works, that's the problem.

 

[Button Pusher]

Have our Kenmore W/D (Whrilpool on the inside) since 1990, saleslady wanted to save me money if I got the electronic models, I like the old school mechanical models. No way could I get a circuit board at a reasonable price after 10 years.