I have my first vintage automatic washer

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abcomatic

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Feb 16, 2006
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HI Everyone, I have a new old WCD-64 Frigidaire automatic washer. It was working just fine when it was disconnected 15 years ago. I haven't cleaned it up yet; I am going to start later today. I have plugged it in, the timer turns without any problems. I turn it on and it buzzes but that is all.
The tub is in great shape and turns freely, (well, not freely but without a great deal of effort). I haven't tried to use water in it yet.
Any ideas on what might be the problem and how do I go about fixing it?
I'll take some pictures soon. Thanks, Gary
 
Congratulations, Gary!!

I think you found a heck of nice machine to start an automatic collection with! Can't wait to see pictures!!

The buzzing that you are hearing is very likely just the fill solenoids - if you haven't hooked it up to water yet, it is perfectly normal to hear them buzz.

I don't know if the 64's are a 'timed fill' or not but on my 63, you can manually advance the timer into a wash or spin part of the cycle, hold down the safety switch under the lid and let 'er rip.

After 15 years in storage, there could be some issues with water connections, so test it down in your basement if you can.

Again, congratulations!!
 


First thing I would do since you tried it in spin and it would not work is get under the skirt and see if you can find out what's going on.  Make sure it's unplugged of course but try turning the motor by hand, possibly something is blocking the pump, or something is binding in the mechanism after setting for so long, maybe you can get the "workings" broken loose.  Take us some pictures and bring more explanations of your findings and maybe we can help you sort it out.  Congratulations to you!
 
OH OH, I just washed it up a bit, it didn't need much and now nothing is humming or buzzing? Oops, I didn't use lots of water either, just a damp cloth. Gary
 
Just a thought

Solderless connectors like the ones found throughout the wiring harness of your washer(and every other washer)can oxidize over time and sometimes actually block the current path. When this happens, simply unplugging and reconnecting them one at a time can get things going again. It's a relatively easy thing to do and doesn't cost any money. It might be worth a try.
 
That's a nice find! Do you have any pics?

As Paul said, these machines are time-filled.

The lid safety switch stops all action on old Frigidaire washers too.
 
Non Running 1964 Frigidaire Washer

Congratulations Gary, it does sound like the motor, pump or mechanism is stuck, as suggested do try turning the motor by hand [ with it unplugged ], if it no longer hums when put in the spin cycle try resetting the reset button on the control panel if it has one. It is not likely that the wiring contacts have any problems, Thermals used on appliances like this do not corrode easily and even if they appear so will still work well. All the wiring in this washer has 120 volts going through it so unless thermals are burnt or disconnected it will still conduct electricity properly and you will likely do more harm than good by just unplugging trying to clean them and reconnecting them. The terminals on machines like this are plated brass and will sometimes break if disturbed.

 

                                                                                                                                                      Good Luck with your new appliance John.
 
Put a drain hose on it if there isn't one and put a couple of cups of very hot water down the hose, filling the pump.  Allow it to sit for a few minutes, then try turning the mechanism -not the tub- as John suggested (with the machine unplugged).  Once the mechanism turns fairly easily, turn it to spin and try it.  You can advance beyond the fill time in the timer by setting to wash and turning the knob slowly until agitation begins.

Good luck  -
 
Do we know if it is

the newer rollermatic tranny or the original multimatic tranny, this was the transition year- half were built each way.

The multimatics had a quirk, the central bearing inside the tranny could bind up due to wear and lock the whole mechanism.

With the power off I'd try to spin the tranny if this is what your machine has after you have done the hot water test like Greg suggests. There was a bearing for sale in ebay recently, I think under launryrecyclers.
 
Jon, I could be wrong but I think all the '64 models (with the old style cabinets) and "64" in their model numbers were Multimatics. The Rollermatics were introduced in 1964 (and some service documentation talks about the first Rollermatics as being 1964 models) but I think they all had the '65 cabinets and model numbers. But that's according to my mostly Canadian documentation... Do you know if any original 1964 washer with the "64" in model number exists with the Rollermatic transmission?

Starting in the early sixties, the model years of Frigidaire appliances got a bit confusing. Here in Canada, it got even more complicated as some models started to differ a bit more from their US counterparts and fewer were available. 30" free standing ranges were completely different starting in 1962, some washers were also beginning to show differences while still remaining similar. In 1965, there was a line of non Frost-Proof refrigerators (many with Tecumseh compressors) that I don't think were available in the US. The Canadian washer production also ceased offering many models including the TOL models with the introduction of the Rollermatic transmission but there were still some models not offered in the US like the Custom Deluxe suds saver without an "A" in the model number, WCDRC-65 (and with a remote timer knob and lighted dial). I think in the US, it was the WCDAR-65 with the the timer knob on the console.
 
Phil - I'd have to check my documentation on the date, but I have the first Rollermatic service manual covering the conversion during the mid-year change in 1964. The mid-year change is why you see the timer part numbers change by the serial number due to the transmission conversion.

Gary mentions that there are pulleys - so I suspect this yet another example of an early '64 Multimatic. I'd be curious to see what pulsator it has - the green ring 63/64 Multimatic or the commonly changed over blue Jet Action. The advice everyone has provided so far is spot on. Start by getting some hot water in the pump. Let the water sit for about 10 minutes, then gently persuade the transmission by rocking it back and forth to see if it frees up what ever is binding.

Let us know what you find out and we can go from there. Congrats on an awesome find!!

Ben
 
Back again, I worked with it a bit today. The motor seems to be free now. Since there is no light working at all, we just put in a new bulb, I wonder if it could have anything to do with the reset? There was buzzing and the light worked just fine yesterday but now, nothing. We pushed the lid switch down too so that it would work. Nothing.
How do I take the top off of the machine?
Thanks for your help, I can't wait for this to wash. Gary
 
Thanks for all of your help, I find the model number but no serial number at all? Is that normal? It looks like there are places on the plate but they are clear, no markings at all.
I am waiting for a friend to check out the reset switch. I'll keep you all posted when more is done. Thanks, Gary
 

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