New Whirlpool Belt drive agitation problem.... Advice please!

[dustin92]

I just picked up a new Whirlpool Belt drive (2010+ version) model WTW4800XQ2, and it is in really good condition, except for the fact that it doesn't work properly! The previous owner said it wouldn't spin "sometimes", so I connected it to water, power, and drain, and gave it a test- Filled fine, and that's where the poo hit the fan- the agitation started, but only in one direction- when it should have reversed to complete the agitation stroke, it kept going in the same direction (clockwise if I remember right) so, the water was just being whipped up the sides of the tub. I can see why it wouldn't spin- the clothes would likely tangle badly after several minutes of this action and throw the tub off balance when it came time to spin. I did (stupidly) put in an old sheet to see what would happen, and as I suspected, it wrapped around the agitator. I canceled the wash, and set it to a drain and spin cycle, and after unwrapping the sheet from the agitator, it went into the spin cycle properly and sounded fine. I can't seem to find any info on the issue by doing a google search- a couple of the same problem I'm having, but no solution. If anyone out there has any advice or info on the problems I'm having, anything will help. I'd like to fix it if possible because it is less than 5 years old and in good condition overall. Thanks!

 

[DADoES]

 
The mode shifter / speed sensor module is a common failure on these but I don't know if it'd cause this problem.  There's also a transmission/gearbox that could be related to the agitation issue.

Should be a tech sheet in the console with details on accessing diagnostic mode to get any recorded fault codes.

 

[lorainfurniture]

The actuator can cause some weird issues with the vmw washer. Find the tech sheet, there should be a test for the windings of the motor, if the motor checks out ok, I would suspect the board.

You can try the actuator, but I don't think it will solve your problem.

 

[yogitunes]

just as a FYI.....when running a test on some of these models, as in hooking up to water, make sure its both a HOT and COLD water line your hooking up to.....damn sensors inside 'know' if it is or not, and will throw one of these out of whack and not operate properly.....

not that this will fix your particular situation, but a strange thing you wouldn't think of, or would have an effect on the operation of a machine....

 

[dustin92]

Yes I've run into that before- I had it connected to hot and cold (on the proper inlets) and it filled properly on all temperatures- hot, warm, cool, and cold.

 

[combo52]

Malfunctioning 2010 WP Belt Drive Washer

Likely a board problem, if the motor runs one way, it will run the other way, it is not the motor, it is also not the transmission.

 

[dustin92]

I dig into it a little further today, and when it is in service mode, it does the same thing, but doesn't show any unusual error codes- one for lid lock failure, but I caused that one last night. No other codes, green light on the board is lit. All functions work in service mode. It agitates properly on delicate (with no load), and sometimes on casual with no load- when I put an old sheet in while it was agitating properly, it immediately started agitating clockwise only. After pausing it, it does about half a stroke counter clockwise and sounds very strained, then turns clockwise only. I'm wondering if maybe the capacitor is failing?

 

[johnb300m]

If adding something physically demanding to it causes the agitation to change.....do you think it could be something mechanical?
Or maybe actually electrical, where there's not enough torque in the reverse direction windings?
Very strange.

 

[mrb627]

Washer Failure

Apparently a common problem...



Malcolm

 

[dustin92]

Looks similar, but not the same problem. Mine spins perfectly, but does that when it is supposed to agitate- should be reversing but it is not. I've now had it agitate in both directions, seems like it will start in either direction.

 

[lorainfurniture]

These are the easiest washers to work on. Just test the windings of the motor, if they are within the specs replace the control with a $99 rebuilt one and get another 8 years of service. Make sure you calibrate the unit after you change the control.

 

[dustin92]

Just because, I tried to calibrate it today, and it wouldn't finish the calibration cycle (ran the drain pump continuously for about 10 minutes until I stopped it) which is supposed to take around 2-3 minutes. I realized after unplugging it that I hadn't turned the faucets on, and after plugging it back in and turning the faucets on, couldn't even get it into diagnostic mode. Tried several times and nothing. Wondering now if it might be the control board? Seems so weird since everything else seemed fine, but certainly possible.