Mercy Save - Maytag Neptune set!

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

Help Support :

swestoyz

Well-known member
Platinum Member
Joined
Sep 27, 2004
Messages
6,599
Location
Cedar Falls, IA
So, I cleaned out the garage on Saturday and while pulling out junk and house demolition trash I told myself - this is no excuse to drag home more washers.

Well, nice to see that lasted 2 days.

Today was a beautiful day and I needed some quick items from Menards. Before I walked to the used goodies I had a feeling I would find something today. Maybe an AMP Maytag, maybe another Frigidaire Unimatic.

NOPE!

4-14-2009-21-00-3--swestoyz.jpg
 
I couldn't believe how clean the washer and dryer were. I had been toying with the idea of saving a Neptune if I ever ran across one that was clean enough. Gave the tub a good spin and I didn't hear any bearing noise. Crossed my fingers that the washer wouldn't be up to the usual Neptune antics and gladly paid 18 dollars for the set.

10 years ago, my parents bought the exact same set for 1800 dollars. Interesting to see how times have changed.

4-14-2009-21-05-44--swestoyz.jpg
 
Model number. Rolled out of Newton in December of 1998. Dryer was born in the same month too.

Question for the experts - in the service lit it mentions something about a pre 17 series and post 17 series change to these machines. Where is this identified?

4-14-2009-21-12-52--swestoyz.jpg
 
Magazine Ad Shot

So I plugged the washer in and quickly discovered why this pristine set was behind Menards. The motor just hums and hums. After about a minute of humming the machine will turn itself off. The door will lock with the light lit up and the machine does properly turn on. I suspect the wax motor and control board are still in decent shape, but the motor and motor control board are dead.

I haven't decided if I'll try to find a motor/motor board kit on the cheep, or part it out. Once my parents finally get a new washer and dryer, I'd grab her dryer and put the nice panels from this gassy one to clean hers up.

RCD - does the symptom point correctly to my prognosis?

Thanks!

Ben

4-14-2009-21-17-26--swestoyz.jpg
 
Wow Ben, they sure look to be in nice shape. The mold could just be do to the fact that the door has been closed for a while now. Keep us posted on what you decide to do with them.
 
I may have a motor and motor control board if you need them. I did happen to get a neptune that needed bearings and I parted it out. I personally am not a big fan of them.
 
Maytag Neptunes

Wasn't this particular model the first Neptunes produced in 1997? I purchased the second model Neptunes in May of 1999 which has the "auto temp control" feature.
 
Neptune!

NICE!!! I have MAH4000's...LOVE 'EM! They are still going strong with NO mold smell. Though as can be assertained by my screen name I rinse my clothes A LOT so there is plently of water flushing through the machine. I have had several Mother Board's replaced and finally the latch, but I will say that Maytag when it was still MAYTAG covered everything including labor.

Very NICE score! Enjoy!
 
Ben, Nice set. I can see it already had the PHA kit installed (upgraded venting on the door liner, drained boot/tub cover and upgraded machine control board!). The series is found in the first two numbers in the serial number. Yours is a series 34. Born in Newton, Iowa in Dec, 1998 but you knew that already...

The dispenser bezel does break out at the screws but there is a new one that replaces that with a bezel with more 'meat' where the screw eyelets are.

Were the water lines hooked up? You may have heard the buzzing of the water valves BUT the machine shutting off after about a minute does worry me about the motor control board. I'll bet if you pull the front panel to look at the motor board you'll see a blown fuse which means an internal short in the control and even more likely you'll find some crunchied ic's or resistors on it. That was the problem. That board was designed to take ac power, convert it to dc power and then feed it to 3 windings. The board just couldn't take it. The replacement kit changes both the motor and control to a system that just uses ac, no dc. It also comes with a line filter to protect the control and they really beefed up the electronics! I converted my MAH4000AWW and it is SO quiet now. Part number is 12002039 and it isn't cheap but it is worth it if that set is a keeper! Find your best price on the net. Just changing the board with another old one from a donor is a gamble if the motor was at fault. Bye-bye donor board! If there is no obvious signs of damage to the board, test the drive system. To test the board, simply pull the JP4 connector (4 white wires) off the board and set the timer to delay wash and turn it on. The motor should start a 50 rpm tumble in one direction if the motor and board are good.

While you are changing the motor and control, CHANGE THE BELT! You will probably have the old Dayco sourced belt and will want to goto the new Hutchinson sourced belt.

As far as the mold, I'd check the tub brushes. They are attached to the tub cover and form a half circle along the bottom of the spinner. They are supposed to keep coins from going in between the cover and the spinner and jam the pump. They collect lint and other nasty stuff and need to be cleaned every so often. I'll bet they weren't. The new boots come with a anti-microbial property but they are also not cheap. Just kill the mold/mildew and deal with the stains.

Check the wax motor in the door latch. Rule of thumb: If the plunger is the same color as the rest of the wax motor, CHANGE IT! If it's black tipped, OK.

Any other questions, let me know here or email.

RCD
 
Wow, really nice pair Ben!!!

So Ben, (to use one of Lucy's lines) Who do you think you are.... ME?? LOL

You are bringing home machines like I am! Were do you keep them all, or do you play with then for a while and then sell them?

And OMG, both for JUST 18 dollars!!! Awesome find, CONGRATS!!!!!!!!

Kevin
 
Hey Gang -

Thanks for the kind messages! In secret, I am actually very excited about this find. I know it is far from vintage, but 20 years down the road it will be very vintage!

Today I took a crack at finding the root cause to the no spin. I felt horrible realizing how easy it was to take the front panel off the Neptune. It really is sad now, that after a few hours of research, it is clear to me of what was wrong with my mom's Neptune back on '04. If I only knew then what I know now (to quote Bob Seger). I suspect there was something wrong with her wax motor. I threw the Neptune out and replaced it with a beat up A806 - series 2 (which is also long gone).

Trust me, the WO-65 is NOT happy about having Neptune parts strewn atop it! The Duomatic is saying - hey, I'm a front loader too!

4-15-2009-23-18-8--swestoyz.jpg
 

Latest posts

Back
Top