I need help with diagnosis: the washer will fill, drain, spin, but not agitate during wash or rinse cycles. I have inspected the coupler assembly, its intact, pump is clear and OK. I need to check the motor, the transmission, and timer. I will remove the washer cover. If the motor works during wash cycle, but doesn’t move the drive shaft, then its the transmission? If motor only hums during wash cycle, and doesn’t move, then the motor needs replacing? Any way to check the timer? (I don’t have a multi gauge).
You can take the cabinet off, by pass the lid switch and operate it to see if the motor is turning during the agitation cycle.
But first check the agitator dogs, this part here.
There is a video that will show you how to change them out.
Sorry, I forgot to say that I did inspect the dogs, they are fine. I tried a new motor, and same thing: it hums instead of agitate.
Okay, given that it spins this suggests something is hung up in the transmission when it is on agitation cycle.
Could be a bad timer. Unclip and remove the drain pump from the motor (leave hoses connected) and then remove motor and set it on the floor still connected. Not necessary to bypass lid switch for agitation cycle. See if motor will run now in agitation cycle. If it just hums again, rotate motor shaft quickly by hand to see if it will start. If it does, looks like bad timer. You can also rotate the transmission input shaft by hand counterclockwise. This should cause the lower agitator to move back and forth.
Eric
I’ll try this and report back. If it is the timer, could be hard to find a replacement!
Part number 3950227, not available from us but it is available elsewhere.
Eric
The transmission input shaft is where the motor coupling connects? When I rotate this counterclockwise by hand, nothing happens to the agitator.
Then the transmission is faulty but I’m not clear on what the motor is doing. Is it rotating ok during agitation or not?
Eric
I have to either bypass the vacuum hose valve, or fill the tank to check the motor during agitation?
OK. Motor will run during rinse and spin, but not during wash.
Then it appears you have at least two different problems which is strange so I don’t have much confidence in the information you are giving me. Hard to diagnose this way. I think I’m done here.
Eric
I took the gearcase out, and with a power drill attached to the coupler, I was able to observe the shaft operate both in spin and agitate (i e, back and forth) directions. Its operates smoothly, so that should mean a functional gearcase.
So, I installed a new motor: same problem, no agitator.
I removed the gearcase, and rotated the shaft in both directions using a high speed hand drill. It works as it should. I think that leaves the timer. Am I over looking something?
I guess I should buy a multi-meter, and find directions on testing the timer before ordering a new one. I found a helpful Youtube video. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
There is also the possibility that the water level pressure switch is faulty. You now say that the motor does not run during agitation cycle. Does it make any noise at all or is it all quiet? Does the timer advance while in agitation cycle even though motor is not running? If the motor is quiet and timer does not advance, then looks like a bad pressure switch. If motor does hum but won’t rotate, it’s likely the timer. The timer reverses polarity to the start windings to make the motor start rotating in the opposite direction than it does during drain/spin.
Eric
Thanks for the info, I’ll report back ASAP. I did get a multimeter, hopefully that will help with diagnosis.
I removed the water level pressure switch and checked for continuity with a multimeter; it failed.
I’m going to check some other components to eliminate the possibility that there is more than one problem.
The solution was a new water level pressure switch; certainly cheaper than a timer. I’m glad that I bought a multimeter and learned the basics, otherwise it would cost a visit from a repairman. The problem is resolved.
My Kenmore 90 series has a similar but slightly different problem. It fills, but then buzzes (sounds like the motor is trying to start) for about 10 seconds and then throws the circuit breaker. Once I reset the breaker, I can move the timer over to the rinse cycle and it will drain and spin properly. I have checked the lid switch, coupler, all ok. I put a power drill on the motor shaft and it spins properly in clockwise motion, and agitates properly in counter clockwise motion, so the transmission seems ok. It seems like the motor will not start in agitate mode. What else should I be checking?
What’s the model number? Probably a bad timer or speed switch if it has one but need model number to see wiring diagram.
Eric