1973 GE washer thermal O/L switch?

[aviatrexx]

Mod: WWA5400NBLWH
Ser: DP182604G

Washer was working perfectly for three loads, then on the fourth it filled and went dead. No agitation on any cycle, much less spin. The schematic indicates a temp over-limit switch in series with the motor but there are no wire color codes listed.

There is a unit that looks like a small contactor (big copper coil, four wires) that I assume is the start relay. Could that be it?

(I doubt the lid-dance motor reset procedure will work on this old girl.)

This has been my only washer for forty years and six homes. The only thing I've had to replace was the splash skirt. It's built like a battleship out of American steel in an American factory; I can barely move it with a hand-truck. There's no moving it at all with a tub full of water and wet clothes... :-/

Very grateful for any help. I'm kinda attached to the old girl.

-Chip-

 

[combo52]

Dead GE FF Washer

Something has died, most likley is a timer contact, it could also be a bad motor or even a broken wire.

 

Check the connection between the cord and the wiring harness to see if it is burned up.

 

[aviatrexx]

Thanks, combo52. I worked on it for several hours yesterday with no success. Went back to it this morning and it's working fine. All I can assume is that the thermal O/L switch takes its own sweet time to reset itself.

Sure hope I don't have to replace the motor to replace the thermal switch. So far all I've replaced is the splash skirt back in the 80's and the drive belt (so long ago I don't even know where we were living). Now it needs two new footpads in the back. Can't say I haven't gotten outstanding service from this old beast.