maytag A606 washer

[pappasteve]

Thanks to all that helped in my other post for Maytag part numbers. That has helped a lot in the search for nos parts.

The problem my mom is having is that she will do 3 or 4 loads of cloths and it will usually run fine until the last load. The washer only messes up in the spin cycle. It is always the last spin before the load is done and ready to be put in the dryer. The washer timer will move but the washer doesn't start the spin cycle. I replaced the timer with a brand new maytag brand (NOS). It did fine the first 6 loads or so and then started to do it again. This weekend i replaced the motor on it to see if that will help.

Are there any other components within the washer that can cause this to happen? I thought that the timer and motor was the only things that activate the drum to spin or agitate.

 

[qsd-dan]

It could be dirty/worn contacts in the motor start switch. It's odd that it works fine until the last spin on the last load. Maybe the thermo overload protection circuit is kicking in?[this post was last edited: 5/15/2011-17:59]

 

[yogitunes]

I was just saying this to someone earlier about my Mom's GE FF, and how that thing lasted so long, and one thing I always remember from her is she would not run load after load back to back....she would let the machine cool down for about 20 minutes before starting her next load......usually after unloading, and hanging out the load on the line, then when she came back in, it would be time to load and start another load.........just her way I guess!.....

 

[combo52]

MT A606 WASHER THAT WON'T SPIN ON FINAL LOAD

Did you replace the timer motor or the machines main motor? at your last attempt repairing the washer.

 

[akronman]

Maytag 606 spin

Do you hear anything trying to work? Do you hear the motor start and run, but no spinning occurs? If so, there's better experts than I, but I'd wonder about good new belts, and proper tension on them. Seems like if they're old and/or loose, by the time it gets to a last spin, belts could be warmer, stretched out a bit, at the limit of their ability.

I've for sure bought items only to find out it wasn't exactly the problem, so save your old motor and timer, they may be working, and not the culprits.

Like I said, there are more experienced folks here, this is just my 2 cents from one Maytag.

 

[pappasteve]

The first time it messed up the timer would keep moving and the agitator motor would not do anything. I replaced the timer and timer motor. It worked for about 6 loads and then did it again. So this last time I replaced the motor with one that is not very old, I bought it new and I know that it works. My mom has not used it yet since then, so i don't know if that helped or not.

I don't live with her so I'm not there to see exactly what is occuring. My brother does and said that the last time it made some sort of sound just before it stopped. Almost like it wanted to start the spin cycle and stopped. My mom turned it off and waited about 15 minutes or so and it started back up fine.

I'm just trying to figure out if there are other things that can cause this problem. Could the belt be causing this to happen?

It did have the original belt on it for the agitator until about 2 years ago. She had problems with it trying to start the spin cycle and the motor would shut down. The good people here told me the belt was not slipping enough at start up and I needed to replace it. I did and it cured that problem. The belt that is on there was a new one and has only been on there for about 2 years.

I'll talk to my mom this week and see if it did okay or not and post here how it did.

Thanks.

 

[combo52]

MT A606 WASHER THAT WON'T SPIN ON FINAL LOAD

Yes this what I guessed was happing the belt is not slipping as the motor tries to start for the final spin. And because the motor is hot from running several loads it goes out on overload more quickly. You do not have a bad motor start switch. Most likely the main drive belt is sticky with oil, if it is remove the belts and take solvent and old rags and clean all oil off the pulleys and replace the main drive belt [ the pump belt doesn't matter unless it is falling apart, oil won't hurt its performance ]. Also check the plastic motors in the motor carriage assembly and make sure that the motor moves easily, if they are balky use a few drops of turbine or any other light oil you have on each of the four rollers and work the motor back and forth until it mover freely. If you still have problems you can add a motor start capacitor and that will differently solve the problem.

 

[pappasteve]

I'll look for a new belt before I go back down there to put on just in case. The belt does look a little glazed. Would a brake cleaner that doesn't leave any residue be good to use on the pulleys before putting the belt on.

I know the wheels and track for the motor work freely but I'll take another look at them when i go down there next time.

Thanks for the info.

 

[pappasteve]

One other thing I just thought of was you mentioned oil on the belt. I have noticed there is a oily / thick red grease looking substance under the unit. It looks like maybe the seal on the transmission has gotten bad. There is not a lot of it but if the oil has thicken over time could this be causing the trans to put more of a load on the motor and causing some of the problems?

Can you still get parts for this to be able to fix a trans seal? I know it would take a lot of other parts too since the whole machine has to be taken apart. My mom loves this machine and really doesn't want to have to buy a newer one that won't last very long.

I found a Maytag belt set with springs for $10 on ebay. Should have this for the weekend I hope.