FAV6800 service question

[DADoES]

 
Question for anyone with Neppy TL service experience -- If a tub displacement sensor reads 0.5vdc at the depressed position instead of 0vdc, is that within acceptable range? It does read 3vdc at the extended position, and passes the diagnostic check (UO/UC/UO). The machine is having some difficulty balancing and seems to not be reaching full 850 RPM spin with a load, although I haven't yet checked the RPM during a final spin to confirm it. It did step properly through all speeds on a Quick Spin test. The clutch failed and was replaced about 1.5 years ago, and the machine hadn't been used since that repair until 3 or 4 loads have been run in the last few weeks.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Testing with a meter = bad news!

According to Maytag, testing the displacement sensor with a meter can blow it. The only recommended way is thru on board diagnostics. Open the console back and you will find the tech manual with all needed diagnostic routines to check all functions of the washer. I know that may sound like little help but that's the only way to test that sensor according to Maytag...

RCD

 

[DADoES]

 
I have the service manual and followed the outlined procedures. It says not to test the sensor for continuity. A separate service bulletin does say to test it for voltage at the P3 connector. The reading should be 0vdc at the depressed/collapsed position, 3vdc at the extended position, and 1.5vdc at normal/midway position. I get 3vdc at extended and 1.5vdc at midway position, but 0.5vdc at depressed and am wondering if that is acceptable or if it must be 0.

 

[redcarpetdrew]

My apologies!

I had my brains all twaddled up when I posted that. Sorry...

RCD

 

[DADoES]

 
No one else can offer any assistance?

There's definitely a problem happening.

I ran a moderate-size load this afternoon that shouldn't have had any trouble balancing, but it did. I removed the clips so the top can be raised at any time for observation with the lid remaining locked. It almost seems that the lifters aren't rotating backward quite enough during the shift into spin to properly center the load.

On the first attempt at final spin, it had to redistribute several times. At least twice there were impacts into the cabinet. Upon getting an arrangement that should have been OK, it ramped up to 90 RPM, 150 RPM, then stopped and flashed the "dc" error.

I manually distributed (quite nicely), it went directly into spin upon the restart without a redistribution attempt (since the clutch was already in spin mode), very little tub oscillation, ramped up to 150 RPM, stopped, redistributed again (completely unnecessarily), tried twice more, stopped AGAIN with a "dc" error.

On the second manual redistribution (again very evenly), there again was very little tub oscillation, it went to 150 RPM, then stopped yet again for a redistribution cycle. Finally it went on into spin, but only to 550 RPM.

I had it in diagnostic mode during all this ruckus to monitor the tub displacement sensor and RPM. On several of the cases in which there was very little tub oscillation but it still stopped to distribute, I did NOT see a UO on the the display, unless it triggered in the direction I wasn't monitoring at the moment ... but there wasn't enough tub oscillation happening that UO should have been triggered.

I'm hesitant to replace the displacement sensor as it does pass diagnostics and the voltage reading seems within specifications ... except for the question asked up above of whether 0.5vdc is acceptable or if it must be fully 0vdc.

The clutch has already been replaced for a confirmed failure (lifters rotating during spin). The machine has been used maybe four times since the replacement. The lifters definitely are not rotating during spin now, so the clutch theoretically should be OK ... except for the observation noted above that the lifters may not be rotating backward quite enough to center the load.

A service bulletin TDL-0136-B advises of a clutch redesign put into production March 2005 to reduce "dc" errors. My clutch was replaced in November 2008 so it should be the updated design.