Diagnose Washing Machine Problems

It's wash day, and you just loaded your clothes into the washer. You leave the room and water comes flowing toward you. Perhaps you loaded it and the washer went through the cycles. However, when you went to take out the clothes to put them in the dryer, you realize the washtub is still full of water. What could be wrong? Knowing how to diagnose washing machine problems is not rocket science and it is something you can do yourself. Basically, problems with a washing machine break down to issues with water leaks, a pump not working or the washer not turning on.

Steps

Leaks

  1. Check where on the washer the leak is coming from.
    • The leak will generally come from the discharge hose at the standpipe in the wall. Are there water stains running down the wall? Perhaps, when you turn the machine to drain, water comes out of the standpipe.
    • Adjust the drainage hose if you suspect an obstructed flow or stopped up drain.
    • Another common water leak can be a bad hose or loose connection. Pull out the washing machine and turn it on, allowing water to flow into the tub. Check at the back to ensure there are no cuts in the hose or at the connections as the tub fills.
    • There are two hoses that are part of the cycle system. Check as it cycles to verify the clamps and hoses are in good condition.
  2. Get on the floor to check the bottom and back of the washing machine as it cycles through.
    • You need to remove the bottom panel from the washing machine using a Phillips head screwdriver.
    • Possible leaks can be hidden under the washtub.
  3. Confirm whether you have a worn out gasket. This would make water come from around the top of the washtub during the spin cycle.
    • Raise the top of the washing machine to check the gasket. It is normally held in place with two clips in the front. Insert a thin-bladed flat head screwdriver and pry the top up. The two clips are at the back and act like hinges.
    • With the top up, visually inspect the gasket around the top of the tub for cracks, dirt or anything else that would keep it from sealing off the water.

The Water Pump

  1. Understand that a washing machine works by centrifugal force. It does not cycle the water in or drain it out during the spinning cycle if it doesn't spin.
  2. Inspect the pump the same way you did the hoses on the bottom of the tub by removing the bottom panel at the back and running it through the cycles.
    • Water pumps wear out. They are usually made of plastic and are subject to breaking the fins inside the pump. This would make the pump lose the ability to push the water out.
    • Watch to see if it turns unimpeded or if there is a grinding noise.
  3. Check to see if the belt is worn or has become loose. Turn the machine off and push in on the belt with a straight edge. Hold the straight edge between two points on the belt.
    • The belt should not deflect more than .5 inches (12.7 mm). It is too loose if it deflects more than that.
    • Tighten the belt if possible. Otherwise replacement is the only option.

Diagnosing Electrical Problems

  1. Check the electrical system. You might want to call a professional to do this due to the hazard of electrical shock. There are a couple of things you can do, however, without specialized digital equipment that is unavailable to the average DIYer.
  2. Test the safety switch on the door. Raise the washing machine door. You should find it on the right side near the bottom front. You will find a plastic post pointing down that aligns with a hole in the lip of the opening.
    • This post is the safety switch that keeps the washer from operating when the lid is up. Use a small screwdriver to push down on the switch located just below the lip under the hole with the door open and the machine in wash or spin cycle. The safety switch is good if the machine comes on. Have it replaced if it does not.
  3. Use a continuity tester to see if the washer is getting electricity on the back where the electrical cord is plugged into the outlet. Put one probe of the continuity tester on the hot (positive) post and the other probe on the negative post.
    • The machine is getting electricity, and the problem is inside the control panel, if it lights up. This is when you need to call a trained professional to check it out and fix the washing machine.

Tips

  • Repair manuals can be found on the Internet for most brands and models of washing machine. The manual for your washing machine can offer you better insight as to how to check out your model.

Warnings

  • Never put your hands under the washing machine tub while it is running. You might get your hand caught in the belt turning the tub and pump. You could lose a finger (or fingers) if you fail to heed this warning.
  • Remember, your washing machine is electrical and water and electricity do not work well together. Also, do not stand in a puddle of water while checking out the electrical components.

Things You'll Need

  • Phillips and flat head screwdrivers
  • Straight edge
  • Ruler
  • Continuity tester
  • Water pump pliers.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

You may like

Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Diagnose_Washing_Machine_Problems&oldid=296089"