1994 Whirlpool top load washer troubleshooting

[rdm81]

Hello, I’m trying to troubleshoot my 1994 Whirlpool washing machine’s issue, to make sure that I buy the correct part or if I should sadly just replace the machine. I’m pretty sure that it’s the timer, but it might be a wiring issue. All the cycles on the machine no longer work. For example, the heavy duty cycle will fill and wash the clothes, and the timer will advance, but it will continue washing for the entire 30 minute cycle. The Normal cycle washes, drains, spins, rinses, drains, does a spray rinse, but not the final spin. The delicate cycle washes, then drains without engaging the pump, causing the water to drain and slosh over tub as it spins, goes onto the rinse cycle and stops with the tub still full of water. I haven’t tried the permanent press cycle because it was water, so I’m not sure if it works properly. The issue started a few years ago, with the machine going into the spin cycle as it’s draining (when before it would drain and then start spinning) and sometimes stopping the final spin cycle half way to do a spin rinse and not do the final faster spin. The timer is $300 through whirlpool so I want to make sure it’s the right issue since I can’t return it after I’ve installed it. Sorry for the long post and thank you for any advice you can give me!

 

[repairguy]

Just so we can be sure of what you have to offer advice a model and serial number or possibly a picture would be great.

 

[ryner1988]

Definitely sounds like the timer to me. Wonder if there's a way to visually inspect the timer after pulling it from the machine to make sure.

 

[rdm81]

My apologies. The model number is LSC8244BNO and I attached a photo. I am also slightly confused about the timer. My owners manual says that the timer part number is 3361181 which Whirlpool says was replaced with part no. 3946449, but when I opened up my machine’s control panel to take a look, the part number is 3946448. I’m not sure if I should stick to that part number or stick to the 3946449 timer that Whirlpool suggests as a replacement.

 

[repairguy]

3946448 or WP3946448 are the numbers I see for the timer on your washer. A timer may or may not fix your no spin issue. Once the washer drains if running as intended the timer pauses the motor to engage spin. I’ve seen timers that skip this pause and that is a timer issue. Many direct drives have problems with the neutral drain assembly that is inside the gearcase. These washers will go directly into spin while draining. This is hard on the clutch but I have known many of these washers to operate in this condition for many years. That’s a good looking washer hopefully you can keep it going.

 

[rdm81]

I did take a look at the timer and use a can of compressed air to blow any dust or debris that might be lodged in it. The machine is pretty clean since about 3 years ago I replaced the tub seal, drive block, spanner nut, the lid switch, snub pads, tub springs, and agitator dogs, then gave the machine a good wipe down and deep clean. It is leaking transmission oil and has been for a few years but it seems to have gotten worse due to the machine not cycling properly. I live alone so I only wash about 1-2 loads (small ones at that) per week, so the machine is getting gentle use in her old age.

 

[DADoES]

 
The last character (engineering revision) of the model is a number 0 (zero), not letter O.

Adding to what Melvin/RepairGuy advises, I find parts diagrams for LSC8244BN0 reference the (original) timer as 3361178.  3946448 (which is renumbered as WP3946448) is the current substitution/replacement for 3361178.  Has the original timer already been replaced on a previous repair, thus the current one is labeled with the substitution number?

3361181 timer is for LSC8245BN0.  It's NLA with no substitution referenced.

LSC8245 has more buttons (8) on the panel (apparently for separate High and Low agitate and spin speed selections with four temp choices?) and an end-of-cycle buzzer.

LSC8244 apparently has (6) buttons for four temp choices and Extra Rinse On/Off, no buzzer.

The timers are different between the two models to provide for the buzzer and agitation/spin speed buttons instead of speeds programmed into the timer cycles.

Which do you have?

 

[rdm81]

Thank you for pointing out my error about the owner’s manual (I potentially could have purchased the wrong part!) When I opened my machine and saw the 3946448 number I was confused and afraid I could short out the wiring if I had purchased the 3946449 timer, hence I came to make a posting here. My machine is the LSC8244BN0 model. I had to look up the manual online and didn’t notice the number was off. Yes, the timer was replaced sometime between 1999-2001 from my recollection. I remember watching the man make the repair and he also replaced the agitator dogs during the same visit.
My mother purchased this machine brand new the summer of 1994 (when I was 11), replacing a 1980 Whirlpool Surgilator. Coincidentally that machine had a timer issue too when its was replaced, as only the normal cycle worked for the last several years she had the machine. I inherited this machine about three years ago when my parents built a new house and decided to buy a new laundry suite.
I’ve been trying to maintain it as best I can and it’s in mint condition cosmetically, but I know the leaky transmission will be the end of the machine. The timer issue I’m sure is exacerbating the leak as the machine will suddenly stop mid spin and kick back in before making a full stop, which I’m sure is putting a strain on the transmission/clutch especially when it’s now doing a spin drain, instead of the drain, 2 minute pause, and then spin, like it used to.
The timer issue became problematic just before Christmas but I can still use the machine, but it involves me starting the wash in the normal cycle and then advancing the timer to the final spin of the heavy cycle and then use the extra rinse option to rinse and do the final spin (the regular first rinse in the heavy cycle doesn’t always work.)

 

[dominic20]

hey

You probably need to rebuild the transmission on it. Its easy.