My Estate by Whirlpool washer began making a very loud, constant like a motor running sound between the wash and rinse cycles. As soon as I heard it I hit the kill switch and began bailing water out of it. I’m certain this was when it was attempting to drain the soapy water before filling for the rinse cycle. After removing most of the water and all of the garments, I pressed the knob back in to see if it was just overloaded but, alas, it made the same loud grinding/loud motor running sound. Some potentially good news, however, is that it was in fact draining while making the alarming noise. I let the washer finish draining and right before it started to fill for rinsing turned it off and unplugged it. Not going to attempt to work on it as it’s almost midnight here in Louisiana. Will attempt to remove some of the cabinet in the morning to diagnose. In the meantime, any of you happen to know what the problem could be right offhand? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. (In a bind on the bayou)
Might be something in the drain pump. A youtube video would be helpful. I would remove the cabinet and bypass the lid switch so you can run it with the cabinet off. Unclip and pull the drain pump (leave hoses connected) off the motor shaft. Now try spin cycle to see if the noise is gone. If so, then you can take the hoses off and check inside the pump.
Eric
Appreciate your prompt response, Eric. I took the cabinet off and, instead of bypassing the lid switch and trying to run it with the pump off, I disconnected the hoses and removed the pump from the motor shaft. Next I looked inside the pump and used a screwdriver head to spin the impaler. Didn’t appear to have anything in it. I’m a bit iffy about attempting to run it with the cabinet off because of the water that came out upon disconnecting the hoses from the pump. Guess I should have followed your instructions to a T, less I wouldn’t have that problem. Anyway, I rigged up a wire to bypass the switch, which I plan on doing tomorrow. Just want to be certain, the wiring harness I disconnected to enable me to lay the control panel back (it has a white, green, and gray wire coming from it) is the correct place to use the jumper wire? I place one side in the white wiring harness slot and the other in the gray (both white and gray being on the outside of the wiring harness with the green wire in the middle)? I have a healthy respect for electricity and just want to be safe, hence the questions. Another day without a working clothes washer here in Louisiana. Thanks for all past and future help, guys and gals.
Yes, jump the two outside wires to bypass the switch. The green is ground for the cabinet. Again, a video would be helpful as I may know right away what the problem is if I can hear and see what’s going on.
Eric
My father in law helped me to take most of the agitator and motor off and we discovered that it was the most common part on these washers that breaks: The motor coupling. Called Sears and they wanted almost $25 with tax and shipping for a replacement. I found one on ******** for about $2.50 with free shipping, however it didn’t have the metal insert. I found another for about a dollar more with a metal insert and decided that was the best way to go. Just waiting for the part to arrive so I can put everything back together. Again, thank you for your replies. If I need anymore help reassembling my washer, I know exactly where to go for answers. Happy trails!
Well, if you had indicated that it was no longer agitating or spinning, I could have told you it was the coupler. The cheap ones are junk knockoffs and will not last long. I would suggest that you buy only genuine Whirlpool FSP parts. We sell them for $10 and they are warranted for one
year.
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/whirlpool-whirlpool-direct-drive-285753a-ap3963893.html
Eric
Make sure that when you install it, that you use a socket and hammer and tap them on until the two halves are flush with the shafts of the motor and transmission. If you don’t, you will ruin the bearings in the motor very quickly.
I now have another problem! While waiting for the part to come in, I left my washer laying on its back with the pump off. About a day later, it began leaking oil, presumably from the transmission. Apparently, I should have stood it back upright, because I think the weight of the transmission and motor at the angle it was laying broke the seal somewhere. Is this easily fixable? Is the transmission ruined? Thank you in advance.
Kevin
It probably leaked out of the small vent hole on the top cover of the transmission. If it’s just a small amount, don’t worry about it. If it leaked out of the seals around the spin pinion gear and agitator shaft, you should check inside the clutch and clean it out if oil got into it.
Eric
Got it all back together and it’s working fine. Thank you kindly for all your help, Eric. If anyone I know has appliance diy problems, I’ll definitely refer them to this site.
Sincerely, Kevin