Maytag motor problem

[eric]

I have a 1985 vintage Maytag LA 712 washer which developed a motor problem. I rigged up a test wire and the motor works when wired for both spin and agitation settings. However, when I re-attach the wires (matching up the colors properly) from the control panel to the motor and select a wash setting, the motor does not work.

Is there something wrong in the control panel?

Thanks in advance

Eric

 

[goatfarmer]

I would think more of a lid switch problem.

 

[eric]

motor

Goatfarmer
Thanks for the suggestion. As a first step, I tried turning on the machine with the lid up. Nothing happens on the spin setting, but I get the same 'humming' sound when I put it on the wash seting. I would expect that if the lid switch were operating properly then I would get nothing at all.

Next I suppose I'll need to get in to those controls. Would you think that by-passing the switch would be advisable as a test?

Thanks again

Eric

 

[arbilab]

If I remember my two 'Tags correctly, the earlier one (late 60s) would fill and agi with the lid open, but not spin. The later one (late 70s) would not do anything with the lid open.

If it is humming it is trying to run. But one motor coil alone (see diagram on other thread) will not start the motor. The most likely suspect given what we know now, is the timer contact set for 'reverse start'. See diagram again. The run winding polarity is constant with respect to the line. For reverse start the polarity of the start winding is reversed at the timer. If any of those 3 contact sets (monopolar run, bipolar start) fails you get hum but no motion. And the motor contacts are the first to go because they are the highest current.

This can be confirmed with a voltmeter while energized (use HIGH caution) or an ohmmeter unplugged (preferable). Refer again to diagram for wire color.