Whirlpool washer on the fritz!

Washer Repair
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1

Any help would be much appreciated!

Hey guys,

During a load on Sunday our washing machine started to make a clunking noise and then completely stop I think it was in spin cycle. We tried to restart it and we could here the motor running but nothing was happening inside the barrel. We tried to drain it but all it would do is fill with water. We tried to do another load with it completely empty from the beginning and it filled with water began to agitate then make a very loud hum and stop. We emptied the water manually and then took it out to the garage.

After doing some reading we diganosed the couplings or lid switch. The lid switch is still clicking and after removing the motor the couplings appear normal as well as the rubber washer. We are stumped.

We brought it back inside to try and see if maybe (hopefully…pretty please) it was just a one time thing and maybe us messing with the couplings fixed something. One could hope!

We brought it in hooked everything up. We tried another extra small empty load. It filled with water. It agiated and spun normally except for a very loud humming noise which was obvouisly not normal. But it drained and then stopped. My husband added a few light weight clothes and tried it again and it filled with water and then started agitating and stopped but we could still hear the motor running but nothing was happening up top. Would appreciate any insight on this dilemma. I am not electric smart but can try if you can provide a good source of directions. I REALLY do not want to buy a new machine since we have never had any issues with this one. If the costs to repair parts are to high then obvouisly we will just cut our losses and get a new one but if the parts are not over $100 I am fine with doing it myself. I have not checked currents to any switches because like I said I really thought it would be the couplings.

This is the third appliance that has either broken or malfunctioned in 3 weeks. When it rains it pours apparently.

3

This really sounds like a coupling problem, and it is possible you could not see the damage.

If you put it on spin with water in it and it drains then the coupling is a likely suspect.

If the coupling checks out the next suspect is the transmission, which is replaced as a unit. It is expensive though, and you might be better off with a new model, as a basic top loader like you have can be bought for about $300.00 when they are on sale.

4

Sounds like you may have an obstruction in the pump. Remove the pump from the motor (leave hoses connected). With tub empty, put it in spin mode and see if it works. The rubber part of the coupling is not a washer, you must remove it and inspect it to be sure it’s not torn between the holes that the plastic parts of the coupling fit into.

Eric