Beloved Maytag A806 Stopped Agitating on a Sunday Afternoon. Ideas?!

[tygerlondon]

My beloved Maytag A806 washer decided to stop agitating/spinning today--Sunday

I ran two loads on Friday with no problems.

There's no hums or weird noises, no trying to agitate. The unit has power, and after switiching things on and off a few times, I got the machine to fire up but only for a few seconds before it stopped.

Anyone have ideas for me? I looooove this machine (it was here when we bought are old fixer-upper house) and I usually fix it myself (belts, springs, pump), but I don't know where to start on this one.

Thanks--you all are great.

 

[rp2813]

Maybe the timer is the issue? 

Does it fail to agitate or spin on the permanent press cycle too? 

 

I don't blame you in the least for wanting to keep your 806 going.  It's my all-time favorite automatic washer.  Give the experts some time to post their troubleshooting advice.  I have a feeling it's not in need of a major repair.

 

 

[yogitunes]

can you be more specific.....

how far in do you realize it has power?

does it fill?....

tub light/panel light...off/on?

when you say 'switching'....plug/unplug?, timer knob?, or lid switch?

what parts have you tested?....timer, motor, switches?

 

[mayken4now]

Could be simply be the lid switch. Like Yogi says, need more information. At which point does it fail? No power at all to the machine(does nothing) = lid switch.

 

[tomturbomatic]

Fortunately, all of my lid switches have failed in the closed position so the machines keep on working. If the lid switch does prove to be working, take the front off and put a test cord on the motor leads to see if it is working. I only suggest this because you have not said that the entire machine is non-functional. I hope it's something easy to fix.

 

[tygerlondon]

It was the lid switch! Thanks for the responses; I enjoy this machine and you all have given me the support and knowledge to get and keep it going.

One last question: what kind of monthly/yearly maintenance is suggested here. I have a toddler, so the machine gets used.

 

[mayken4now]

Keep it clean, change belts, oil motor glides. Actually, nothing if nothing is wrong. These are 100% excellent machines.

Wish I could bring them back into production. Sigh!

 

[yogitunes]

if you don't have kids, I would just by-pass that lid switch.....so many of us have, what better way to watch it operate.....

I have the lid switch by-passed for operation, yet the tub light still comes on when the lid is lifted....

sad though, once you have an 806, you can't go back to a plain Maytag....

 

[beekeyknee]

This thread goes with 69620 (Maytag DG808 Dryer).