1980's GE Filter Flo only Spins on slow speed?

[keepitclean]

Hello,

I have what I believe is a 1980's GE Filter Flow Model# WWA340VCLAD, I just picked it up. Cosmetically very nice. Problem is it ONLY SPINS ON SLOW SPEED regardless of selecter switch position, and clothes are very wet and end of cycle.

Agition is fine, no noises. I was thinking it may be a problem with the speed switch? Any information would be great. Id like to fix it in place if I can? 3rd floor unit, tight stairs, not easy to get in or out.

I do have another filter flow that works fine. Should I just swith them out or can it be easily fixed?

Thanks

 

[arbilab]

Both speeds work for agitate, but only slow works for spin? When set to high for spin (from stop), does the motor hum? If it is spinning on slow and you switch to high, what happens?

 

[keepitclean]

Hey, thanks for your reply.

When set to high from spin it makes a light hum, but not something that seems out of the ordinary, similar to my other machine. I had an early 80's GE 1 speed that spun like a airplane propeller!

When I switch the speed to high from slow while it is spinning, nothing changes?

 

[yogitunes]

If your not worried about the slow speed....I would either disconnect, or remove the solenoid actuator.....high speed all the time.....

unless....there is something wrong with the clutch, could be the two arms that fly out for the higher engagement are stuck....but then again, you do get high speed agitation, so that would probably rule this out...just something to be on the lookout for should you remove the solenoid, and still get slow speed.....

yeah, those single speed clutches KICK ASS for agitation and spin....

let us know how you make out.....

 

[tecnopolis]

@keepitclean

keepitclean, Having just gone through what you are describing. I'll give you a few things to check to verify the position of your clutch during operation.

**The GE workshop manual specifically states DO NOT switch speeds with the motor engaged**

1) All muti-speed GE flo's start out in gentle, then switch to regular agitate.
2) If your machine starts out in regular fast or won't engage gentle, your solenoid is not getting power or jammed. The default speed is regular if there isn't any interaction from the actuator arm.
3) This last one is the hardest. Get a very bright flashlight and verify the position of the speed actuator arm. If it's down and not making any contact with the clutch cams, you should have normal/fast. If it's in the up position with it's paw holding one of the 2 clutch cams, you're in gentle. If you have it switched to Normal/fast and the cam is still up, you either have a short in the wiring keeping the solenoid energized or the cam arm is sticky/bent to far upwards and isn't comming down low enough to clear the spinning clutch cams. (Which was what happened to me when a leak energized the actuator during the wrong time, bending the arm, I took a long screwdriver and rebent the arm back down to clear the clutch cams and restarted the machine with normal back in biz.

 

[tecnopolis]

.

 

[tecnopolis]

Here is a breakdown of the differences between the single and 2 speed clutches.
If you need more info, check out my thread, Filter-Flo Nation.

 

[keepitclean]

Thanks for all thhe great info tecnopolis. Im out of town for a week. When I return I will start trouble shooting the FF. Ill update and post pics with what I find.