please help maytag, A104
- Thread starter dave9999
- Start date
Help Support :
Sounds like a frozen agitator shaft. You would need to replace the transmission.
The Dependable design from Maytag is no longer made.The quality of them had really slipped in the last 10 yrs or so.
As much as most bash Whirlpool direct drive washers, it is the most dependable conventional top load washer made today. The other 2 options are GE and Frigidaire for agitator top load machines.
As much as most bash Whirlpool direct drive washers, it is the most dependable conventional top load washer made today. The other 2 options are GE and Frigidaire for agitator top load machines.
If the washer spins normally, then the brake is fine and doing it's job...does sound like a bad tranny. When the pulley is hard to turn in the agitate direction, you could have a frozen agitate shaft or a broken gear. The orbital tranny had it's share of frozen agitate shafts.
Here's a thought. It may be a long shot, but completely fill the tub with the hottest water possible (crank up your water heater if you have to). Let it sit for a while and see if it'll agitate.
I had a similar problem with A490 that you described and this actually fixed it.
By the way, do you have the older helical transmission or the newer orbital?
I had a similar problem with A490 that you described and this actually fixed it.
By the way, do you have the older helical transmission or the newer orbital?
keithelong
Active member
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2008
- Messages
- 33
Maytag Frozen Agitator shaft
In the helical transmission you would have to teardown the washer to access the tranny. split the top housing from the tranny and drive the pinion from the agitator shaft, shine it up looking for a binding condition, bearing etc., and use center seal grease in the shaft bearing area when reassembling. install new mounting stem seal kit and possibly tub bearing and reassemble. I have freed up the agitator shaft on the orbital transmission by laying the washer down opening the front cover and transmission cover putting a coffee can to catch the oil when you use the drive pulley to turn the transmission then set washer upright,reverse wires ( not common just fill and agitation circuit) pressure switch to allow agitating with no water and spray carburator cleaner to remove burned on lubricant from the seizing condition in the bearing/shaft area while agitating. It will free up then fill oil back in transmission and replace cover. This has worked for me numerous times with the orbital transmission.
In the helical transmission you would have to teardown the washer to access the tranny. split the top housing from the tranny and drive the pinion from the agitator shaft, shine it up looking for a binding condition, bearing etc., and use center seal grease in the shaft bearing area when reassembling. install new mounting stem seal kit and possibly tub bearing and reassemble. I have freed up the agitator shaft on the orbital transmission by laying the washer down opening the front cover and transmission cover putting a coffee can to catch the oil when you use the drive pulley to turn the transmission then set washer upright,reverse wires ( not common just fill and agitation circuit) pressure switch to allow agitating with no water and spray carburator cleaner to remove burned on lubricant from the seizing condition in the bearing/shaft area while agitating. It will free up then fill oil back in transmission and replace cover. This has worked for me numerous times with the orbital transmission.
"Wish mine was orbital :-("
An orbital trans is a direct swap.
It appears that coldspot is probably correct about the diagnosis of a frozen agitator shaft. Just for kicks, I listed the possible causes directly from the service manual below.
1) Defective Motor
(Doesn't seem to be your problem.)
2) Broken or slipping belt.
(This is a possibility if one of the tension springs for the gliding motor assembly is broken or weak.)
3) Slipping or loose clutch
(Replacement of the brake package is the cure for this problem.)
4) Stop lug improperly adjusted.
(This refers to the adjustment made to the brake package directly after replacement. Most likely not your problem.)
5) Worn agitator splines.
(Doesn't sound related to your problem.)
6) Transmission defective
(This is probably the most accurate answer related to your problem.)
An orbital trans is a direct swap.
It appears that coldspot is probably correct about the diagnosis of a frozen agitator shaft. Just for kicks, I listed the possible causes directly from the service manual below.
1) Defective Motor
(Doesn't seem to be your problem.)
2) Broken or slipping belt.
(This is a possibility if one of the tension springs for the gliding motor assembly is broken or weak.)
3) Slipping or loose clutch
(Replacement of the brake package is the cure for this problem.)
4) Stop lug improperly adjusted.
(This refers to the adjustment made to the brake package directly after replacement. Most likely not your problem.)
5) Worn agitator splines.
(Doesn't sound related to your problem.)
6) Transmission defective
(This is probably the most accurate answer related to your problem.)
