Whirlpool fills, spins, doesn't agitate

Washer Repair
1

I just inherited a Whirlpool Ultimate Care II washer, p/n 3954205. Supposedly it worked perfectly before I picked it up, but now it will not agitate. It fills, spins empty, but doesn’t agitate on any setting. The washer just makes a humming sound for 30-60 seconds, then stops making noise…after a few minutes w/o me doing anything, it’ll repeat (noise for 30-60 sec, then nothing). After a little while it smelled a bit like something was burning.

I checked the coupler - it is not broken on either side. The door switch is fully functional. I pulled the agitator dogs out, but not really sure how to tell if they’re worn or not. Since they’re so cheap I’m going to pick up a set of replacements, but what else should I look at?

My research tells me the timer could be a culprit, but wouldn’t that affect it’s operation all the way around the "circle" of time? If it fills and drains, the timer should be fine…?

I didn’t notice any chaffed wires when I had the thing apart either.

3

Hello,

What is the complete model number of the washer?

Gene.

4

Hi Gene,

The p/n I listed in my original post is the only model/part/serial number I can find on the entire washer (and I found that printed on the upper back of the unit). There is nothing on the control panel or under the lid, and no other labels with any information on the unit.

As an aside, I replaced the agitator dogs today, and still no change.

5

Remove the washer cabinet. Remove the pump from the motor. Remove the motor and put it aside with all wires still connected to the motor. Bypass the lid switch and run the washer on wash cycle. If the motor will do the same thing when it should agitate then most likely the motor itself is bad.

You also may want to remove the timer, disconnect the wire connector from the timer and inspect the terminals.

Post the results.

The numbers you posted is the part number of the control panel.

Gene.