Washing Machine Repair Help needed

[BlueCollar]

Guys/Gals

We don't have a home appliance repair forum here so I'm looking for some advice.

My Whitlpool washing machine has stopped working reliably. It fills with water, agitates etc. but won't drain and spin in any of the cycles. I've already replaced the timer hoping that would do the trick but no luck.

I'm thinking my next option is to replace the pump. Am I on the right track here or am I just throwing parts at this problem? If anyone has a thought or two on this I'd appreciate any advice. I can't afford 275-300 for a new washer this close to Christmas. Or does anyone know of online resources to troubleshoot this? Most of my searches just take me to commercial repair sites.

Maybe we should consider an appliance/home repair forum. Of course, if there's a DUer in the appliance repair business reading this and and lives in Tarrant County...then I'd be glad to give him/her the business for the repair.

Thanks in advance...

[trotsky]

1. Try this site:

http://www.repairclinic.com/

They have some How-To guides as well as part ordering info.

Here is the start of the Washing Machine troubleshooter:
http://www.repairclinic.com/0088_11_1.asp

[BlueCollar]

8. Thankyou

I just spent a few minutes looking at the site. No time to spend on it this evening but I'll definitely use it in the morning. Thanks a million.

:hi:

[medeak]

2. had the same problem last week.

try keeping lid open... if it then drains and spins it's a small trigger on top of machine.

cheap to fix...and you can still do laundry for now.. just don't close lid until repaired.

edited to say.. that's what repairman told me until part was ordered..he may have done something to make it work that way?

[BlueCollar]

4. I'm trying that right now

but I thought they wouldn't spin unless the lid was closed. I'll let you know.

thanks

[BlueCollar]

6. he probaby bypassed the safety switch

anyway, it didn't work...instead of draining and spinning it continues to fill with water...eventually it stops though. I'm beginning to think the problem is with the pump...which is going to suck since the basket is full of water....

[seriousstan]

3. Check the pump and pump line.

This is easy to do. Remove the line from the tub to the pump. See if it drains. If it does, move to the pump. If it spins, it works. Next check the line from the pump out to the drain.

I had this problem in the past and it was a childs sock stuck in the pump.

Good luck.

[BlueCollar]

5. OK Thanks

There's a lot of water in the tub, and the washer is indoors so this is going to get messy at some point...lol

I'll let you know

Thanks

[sam sarrha]

7. check to see if something is stuck in the impellers of the pump keeping it

from turning.. probably the pump..

[BlueCollar]

9. starting to look like all roads are leading to the pump

hopefully it's just clogged...

[Deb]

10. I had a problem just like that

on my old machine. Turned out that the machine's clutch was bad.

[yellowdogintexas]

11. check the little dealy in the lid that locks in to the top of the

machine. Mine came apart and if that isn't locked down, the machine won't spin.

I figured it out because I noticed the little flange was missing, so I held the mechanism w/my finger and the washer spun. I found the missing part, and my husband hard wired it into place and it worked until he blew out the tub liner when he washed a sleeping bag.

When the machine died, I replaced it with a front loader. WHICH I LOVE!!!

My GE had this plastic thing in the lid that stuck down into this little clip/mechanism in the top of the washer. That was what locked the top in place so it could spin.

HOpe it is this as it is a less expensive problem.

there is a place on Camp Bowie that stocks parts for everything and will also repair anything. I can't think of the name of it but it is on
580, west of Alta Mera in West Ft Worth, near Oliver Dyer's