Maytag A606 Washer - spin dry not working well

[echolane]

Fixed!

Borrowed a couple of bathroom mats from my neighbor and added some towels for a full load of wash and the agitator seemed to be working much faster (no, it definitely was not on "gentle" cycle before), and the items spun fairly dry, definitely not sopping wet as before, but also dryer than usual. I think the machine sounds a little noisier than it should on the spin cycle and probably could use some sort of "tune-up", if that's possible, but we will hang on to the old machine for a while longer!

THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HELP!

(I really was ready to quit and buy a new washing machine without trying to fix the old one - just because it's so old.)

Jan

P.S. Can't help but mention the cost of the new belts - a little over $50.00 with CA state tax. Seems like a lot for just two belts, doesn't it!

 

[strongenough78]

$50 does seem quite a bit for new belts, however the cost of a whole new machine would be much more and not last anywhere near as long as this set has! You're going to get many many more years out of this set

 

[joefuss1984]

a606 question

Does the light above the timer come on after the load has finished?  I am trying to figure out what model my grandmother had.  It looked almost just like Jan's a606.   I seem to remember that between the white time markings and the knob was silver trim piece that would come off during the spin and just swing around the knob.  I don't notice that on this one.  I do clearly remember the orange light that I would have thought would be on while the machine was running only came on when the load was finished.  

 

[revvinkevin]

Does the light above the timer come on after the load has fi

 

Hi Joseph,

 

No the neon light is on while the washer is operating.  If I remember correctly it goes out when you push the timer or lift the lid and stop the machine.

 

Kevin

 

[goatfarmer]

<blockquote>
P.S. Can't help but mention the cost of the new belts - a little over $50.00 with CA state tax. Seems like a lot for just two belts, doesn't it!

</blockquote>
You can thank Whirlpool for that. Many appliance manufacturers are trying to get you to buy a new appliance VS fixing the old one. So they raise the price of replacement parts.

 

[arbilab]

Even at $50 for 39 years that's only $1.28 a YEAR.

I've had 2 'Tags of the same era and neither belt lasted anywhere near that long. Whether the motor moved or not.

 

[echolane]

Light on the Timer

The light over the timer DOES come on after the wash has finished. An orange light, just above the dial. You have to push in the knob to turn the light off.

 

[joefuss1984]

HOORAY!!!

I have now identified the machine I am looking for.  I wasn't crazy all of these years then!  She bought her machine in the 1960;s used from the home ec department of the highschool in my home town.  It replaced a wringer washer.  She had this machine until 1995 when it stopped and she had said if it needed another repair she was replacing it.  After she bought the new Maytag machine she was sick to learn a belt had broken and needed replaced.  Most likely dry rotted as this was in a room off of the back porch.  Thanks Jan!