HELP NEEDED - Washer won't agitate

[blockeight88]

Please help. I'm not sure what this may be. I'm thinking the inlet water valve, pressure switch, or timer (all original). Machine will not start agitating. The lid switch has been permanently bypassed. When I pull the timer, I just hear a loud hum (inlet valve?)

 

Usually when I dial back the infinite water level control it will start agitating. Not the case here.

 

Washer does work if I put it into spin cycle. 

 

I did take out the pressure hose and blew in it and did hear the click in the switch. After doing that, it filled to the desire level, but then stopped and would not agitate. 

 

UPDATE: I unplugged the red wires from the capacitor and plugged them back in, now it works. It did hesitate for a split second to start. Usually it instantly agitates after fill.

 



[this post was last edited: 7/31/2024-20:49]

 

[ryner1988]

Does the washer fill like it's supposed to, including stopping at the correct level?

 

[blockeight88]

It does. I verified its the capacitor.

 

[blockeight88]

So I read if the capacitor is going bad it can make the motor work twice as hard. Is this true?

 

[ryner1988]

I don't know about that, but were you able to get the washer to agitate? I don't guess it matters if the motor is working twice as hard if it won't agitate at all. LOL

 

[blockeight88]

My concern is the internal wiring in the machine may be going bad. I'm not sure. The motor is brand new so it can't be that. I'm sure it's the capacitor. I guess these can slowly go bad over time? I just love this machine and will do anything to save it, except rewire it myself. 

 

[combo52]

Direct Dr., Kenmore motor having trouble starting

Replace the capacitor, if the capacitor is failing, the motor will not start reliably or at all.

It doesn’t have anything to do with the wiring in the machine, if the motor always starts in the spin cycle direction then you may have a timer that is failing, but I would replace the capacitor first.

John

 

[blockeight88]

Capacitor

John, I got it to work again by unplugging the two red wires from the capacitor and plugging them back into the terminals. I also slightly rotated the capacitor. Afterwards it worked but the machine slightly hesitated at start.

I just found it odd that before during agitation it would only hum except if I put into spin. I get the new capacitor today so hopefully that fixes everything because I’d like to keep this machine close to original as possible.

 

[DADoES]

 
Rotating the capacitor has no effect on it ... other than the wires connected to it are in a different position which can be a consideration if there's a break inside the insulation.

 

[blockeight88]

I am currently awaiting the new capacitor. Other than unplugging the machine, are there any precautions I need to take before installing this?

 

[qsd-dan]

Any precautions I need to take before installing this?

Short the capacitor terminals with an insulated screwdriver to deenergize.

 

[blockeight88]

Install new capacitor…

Noticed that the red wire going from the motor terminal to the capacitor is not long enough so I’m starting to wonder now if it wasn’t in all the way before. Anyway, I took all necessary precautions and use the screwdriver on the terminal and the capacitor to ensure all voltage is properly discharged. After installing the new capacitor I put the machine into spin mode and then dry agitation which at first it hummed for about a split second and then began agitating like it should. I am hoping everything is good to go now. Is the half second home normal for a new capacitor? I assume maybe because it wasn’t charged all the way yet?

 

[blockeight88]

I think all is good now

Adjusted the new capacitor alignment on the motor and now the red wire has more slack and is secured. Machine seems to be working fine for now.