Parts Needed For Whirlpool Washer Circa 1988

[rbkj64]

Good afternoon! Thank you for adding me to this group. Our 1988 whirlpool washing machine stopped agitating and spinning. The representative from the appliance company diagnosed the issue as the motor is slowly dying. The part number is Motor #WP661600-151 The timer knob also broke when the previous representative was changing cycles to diagnose the issue… I needed that part too… It is Knob #w10801656-28. I could help I’d greatly appreciate it my mother-in-law got 34 years of use out of this machine and I really hate to junk it… I’m sure you all understand where I’m coming from thanks in advance

 

[repairguy]

Your machine was built the 10th week of 1989. What can we help you with?

 

[DADoES]

 
Those parts you cited can be found by searching online.  There are many parts sources that sell online.

WP661600 is the 2-speed motor.  It comes up as out-of-stock at some sources but can be ordered and ship when available (some sources state the expected lead-time).

The timer knob is two parts -- a skirt with the pointer, and a knob to turn it and pull-on/push-off.  The skirt/pointer (which presses onto the shaft) is WP64138.  The knob (which screws on to the shaft) is W10801656.  Both are NLA (no longer available).  Some sources may have a limited supply on-hand.

Can also search eBay for used items, both motor and knob(s).  Some other styles/color/finish of knob may substitute for the screw-on part, or possibly both.

What are the specific symptoms exhibited regards to the suspected bad motor?  Lack of both agitation and spin can be a simple motor coupler (equivalent to a belt) rather than the motor directly.

 

[rbkj64]

Appreciate the replies folks… The machine stopped agitating and the motor hums. It does nothing… I’m not an expert in fixing them by any stretch of the imagination but I was thinking perhaps it was the belt but the repair man said the motor is on its way out… It worked intermittently but now it doesn’t work at all. I joined this forum to ask someone if they had the parts needed for the machine to run again… I have since looked on eBay and found two motors one used one brand new and the timer knob… I’ve asked the vendors questions I wanna make sure that they’re the correct parts.

 

[repairguy]

The good news is that this washer design was made from 1981-2010. There was still some stack laundry using this design but I believe that went away in 2017. So there are many parts out there for these machines. The internet has helped most of us keep our collections of machines going via NOS(new old stock) parts which are new parts that may have sat on a shelf for many years unsold until the inventory was liquidated and put on the internet.

 

[DADoES]

 

There is no belt as such.  It's a two-piece cog with a rubber bushing between the halves that mates the motor shaft to the transmission shaft.

Is the motor humming such that it's stuck or jammed?  Or is the humming sound the motor in fact running but the machine just doesn't agitate or spin?

Does it drain?  The motor has dual drive shafts, one on the back, one on the front.  The rear motor shaft drives the transmission via the coupler.  The pump mounts directly to the front shaft, so the machine will drain when the motor runs accordingly even if the coupler is broken (unless the pump and coupler are coincidentally both broken).


Newer-style couplers (although they were introduced some years ago) have metal reinforcement inserts so as to be more robust against cracking.

If the motor is humming but really not running, then there could be some other electrical problem such as a bad capacitor or motor start switch, or a burned wire.

 

[repairguy]

I am not a fan of the couplings with metal inserts or the heavy duty piece that goes between. Although a pain to have to change when it fails, a drive coupling on any piece of machinery is designed to be the weak spot to protect what it couples together. I prefer the original design personally. I’ve never seen so many ruined motor and transmission shafts because of the metal inserts and all you can do is replace the motor, transmission, or part out the machine.

 

[combo52]

Bad Motor In A 1989 WP DD Washer ?

It very likely is a bad motor from what you and the repair guy are saying, WP had a lot of problems with motor bearings around this time period.

 

Good News is the motor is really easy to change, Bad News is a new one is costly, I would put in a used one but even a used one may cost $100 with shipping.

 

John L.

 

[rbkj64]

THANK YOU !!

Good afternoon everyone I cannot thank you enough for all of the replies that I have read through. I’m happy to say that I found a motor and timer knob on eBay. The timer knob Brand New is arriving Tuesday May 17th. The motor new in stock is arriving Friday, May 20. The appliance repair service is scheduled to come out on Monday, May 23.. Good news is is that the motor is guaranteed for three years…. I’ll let you know how things turn out… Thank you!

By the way I am going to be creating another thread as I need assistance with a vintage stereo turntable radio system details to follow thanks again.. you guys are amazing

 

[rbkj64]

OOPS!

Sorry folks I will not be posting that information around that vintage radio/stereo turntable consul as it does not do laundry – lol. Does anyone happen to know a service in the Baltimore area that would restore/service? I don’t wanna post pictures as it does not comply with the rules of this group…

 

[repairguy]

The yellow “Super” forum is for other appliances and all things about the home. There are some posts there about vintage televisions and radios.