Repairing Maytag LA208

[liachristine]

So i got gifted a Maytag automatic washer Model number LA 208 or as ive seen A 208. I'm assuming that they are the same thing right?

If no one noticed yet, I am EXTREMELY new to all this. I really want to get this washer fixed up so it will work for our family.

The only thing that seems to be wrong with it is it wont agitate.
I've looked up some parts for this problem on this website and found only these three parts that look to be needed

http://www.partselect.com/Models/A208/Symptoms/Will-not-agitate/

The other problem is the center timer dial. The knob wont catch and turn the dial to use the timer. you have to press down on the actual dial itself to get it to turn without the use of the knob. When you do this the machine will run on the permanent press setting then when it gets to the numbered timer the washer will stop.

I have just started to look up a fix/replacement to this.

Please any help would be wonderful!

I'm 23 with a little boy and we do cloth diapers for my son because he has severe psoriasis. I could car less about going to the laundry matt with clothes but not the diapers, not only is it to pricey but I have actually been yelled at for trying to wash my diapers in the public washers.

Until my machine is fixed I am continueing to hand wash these diapers....

Also the photos I have added. 1 -2 are obviously so you can see the model number and style as well as time period this washer is from, from what I have read this model was probably built in the early 1970's the picture of the belt is the drive belt which i am replacing first because of the large dry cracking on it I am truly hoping that this will solve the agitating problem maybe the cracking is causing the belt to be to loose and its not grabbing properly.

 

[liachristine]

bump bump bump I really need help with this pleaseeee

 

[danemodsandy]

Aleah:

Someone here can probably help you with finding a new timer or determining what's wrong with yours. Timers for this machine are not a big deal - should be fairly easy to find, and not very expensive.

The model number you gave, LA 208, just means an "A 208" (Automatic washer, 208 series), in Almond (the letter "L").

This is a strong, capable machine.

Someone please help on the timer issue!

 

[d-jones]

Aleah

Sandy is right. Mechanically speaking these machines are very simple, so virtually anything that goes wrong can be fixed. The problem you described with the timer knob not really working properly should be easy to figure out. Look at the photo below and you'll notice the timer knob pictured has teeth around the back end. When you push the knob in to make your selection, these teeth engage corresponding teeth that are molded into the timer dial. The knob pictured is made of metal. Yours will be made out of plastic but the principle is the same. Over time, if the knob isn't pushed in hard enough to positively engage the dial when making selections, these teeth will round over and wear off. Pull the little chrome center cap out of the knob(it's pressed in) and you'll be able to see the fastener that holds the knob in place. Once that's removed you can pull the knob off and inspect it. If I were a betting man I'd bet you'll find the teeth warn away on either the knob or the dial. Whichever one it is it won't be hard to replace.

 

The failure to agitate will take a bit more info to sort out. Once you've made your selection on the timer dial and pull the knob out to start the machine, the fill circuit is energized and the machine begins to fill to the desired level. Only when it has finished filling will the agitate circuit be energized. If the failure to agitate is due to bad belts or problems with the motor glides, you'll still hear the motor running. If the motor isn't running then you've got issues somewhere else in the circuits (the belt you showed us above clearly needs replacing so do that regardless). The most likely culprit then will be the timer. If the machine was in front of me I'd be able to sort this out in just a few minutes with an ohm meter. Since it's not, I'll do my best to talk you through some basic troubleshooting. With any luck a few others will chime in with ideas as well.

 

[this post was last edited: 1/18/2015-22:15]

 

[liachristine]

So I gave the machine another run, and you are right, the knob wasnt being pushed in and pulled out hard enough to grab the teeth, I kind of figured this was happening, however I havent been able to find a replacement part for it, everywhere is out of them, that and they arent actually made any more.

Also, I let the machine run through 1 pp cycle today and i bypassed the lid switch so it didnt shut off when i opened the lid to check things out. the entire cycle is running through everything just fine the only thing it wont do is agitate, I'm betting it is the belt. This machine was sitting in someones shed for a good couple years and i got it for free as a donation because I figured I'd be able to fix it...heck i change my own oil in my car, fixing a washing machine couldnt be much worse off than that ha.

I was thinking about replacing the glide kit anyways however I can not for the life of me figure out how to get to the small discs... hmm whatever they are called, the spring pretty much look like new through, no rust no amount of over stretching they still hold very well.

This and I cant figure out how to replace the damper pads either... this machine likes to rock out...all over my kitchen floor and I just cant have that on a second floor apartment.

I already replaced the legs and the pump belt and the timer motor as well. which i found on a machine at the scrap yard all in pretty much new condition so that was free...so far I've only paid 10 dollars total for this great savior.

5 bucks for delivery and 5 bucks for the new drive belt.

Also! Thank you guys and anyone else that helps I really appreciate it! and I gotta say...I'm definitely having fun fixing this one up.

 

[d-jones]

If you've had a look at the motor glide springs then it's safe to say you've had the front panel off. The motors in these machines are reversing, meaning they spin one direction during agitation and the opposite direction for spin cycles. This change in direction is controlled by the timer(different circuits are energized), but a failure to operate in one direction or the other isn't neccesarily the fault of the timer. The problem can also lie in the motor or the wiring in between, though wiring issues are the least likely. Again I'd suggest careful observation of the motor during the agitation cycle. If the motor isn't turning during agitation, is there proper current present at the correct wire terminal on the motor for it to operate? If yes, you've likely got an issue with the motor. If no, then the timer becomes the prime suspect. Every time a pair of contacts in the timer open or close an arc forms breifly between them. Over time this arcing can foul the contacts enough to actually block the current path. When this happens the contacts either need cleaning or replacing, but to be honest, at that point most folks will simply replace the timer.

As for that timer knob, eBay is a good place to look for one. You'd be surprised at what turns up there, but you'll need the part number to do a proper search. I have it out in the garage and can get it in the morning if you don't already have it.

 

[hippiedoll]

GOOD LUCK!!!!

aleah!!!

i hope you can get your 208 working properly & that it won't be too hard to figure out!!!

keeping my fingers crossed for you!!!!!!!!!!!

;o)

 

[redcarpetdrew]

The clear timer knob should be p/n 214196.

RCD

 

[goatfarmer]

I probably have the timer knob, and dial. Let me check.

 

[DigAPony]

cant figure out how to replace the damper pads

If the damper pads are still intact and not too badly worn a lubing may be all that is necessary.

"Redcarpetdrew" has a good post somewhere on how to inspect and lubricate Maytag DC damper pads.

 

[d-jones]

" "Redcarpetdrew" has a good post somewhere on how to inspect and lubricate Maytag DC damper pads. "


 

 

Here it is.

Lubing the damper pads on a Maytag Dependable Care washer. A How To.

Since I had to do one in the field, I'd thought I'd share the process to let people see how it's done and how easy it is, thereby saving you the heartache of a destroyed damper.. Here goes! In the field, there isn't always room to spread out but there is more than enough room here to get it done.

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[redcarpetdrew]

Thanks, guys!

I've been fortunate to create a couple of different how to threads for the old Maytags. Once I reclaim the garage here at Mom and Dad's house, I want to do a couple more. Don't get to see them as much here as I now work for a Electrolux servicer among other brands... I will borrow an appropriate line from the Indiana Jones movies... "My boy, we are pilgrims in a unholy land..." Lol!

RCD

 

[teem]

Need a knob and skirt for my A208

The teeth on the timer knob skirt of our A208 have worn down to the point that the timer can't be turned with the knob. I got an almost-right skirt from an appliance dealer, but it is for a timer with a "Soak" on the skirt, and my timer doesn't do soak. Even the almost-right skirt has a bit of a problem being turned with our knob, and I think the teeth on the knob are also worn.

Does anyone have a good knob+skirt for sale?

The knob is clear acrylic, part number 214196.

The skirt has these words printed on it:
In red: off, permanent press, . 2 . 4 . 6 . 8 knits
In black: off, damp dry, rinse, regular fabrics, delicates, . 2 . 4 . 6 . 8 . 10

 

[goatfarmer]

I might have the aluminum dial. And the plastic "sunburst" knob.

 

[teem]

Images?

goatfarmer, thanks for the reply. Should I post a photo of the dial and the knob? (Will have to study on how to do that.)

P.S. I meant for my user name to be "teej". I'm a real computer wizard.

 

[goatfarmer]

Is your dial plastic, or aluminum? Is the center knob clear plastic, or chrome plated?

 

[teem]

The dial or skirt is aluminum with a plastic inset. The knob is clear plastic, and has teeth that mesh with the teeth of the dial. The teeth of the knob are worn even with the face of "cylinder" part of the knob, which has teeth inside that don't really seem meant to mesh with the teeth of the dial. I have another, maybe newer, knob of the same make, and it has teeth and can mesh with what is left of the dial's teeth, but I think the dial teeth are just going to keep wearing down to their base and maybe cause wear to the knob teeth. I have a dial that is almost the same as my machine's dial, but the cycle steps are not the same.

Sorry to be late with this. My email is [email protected]

 

[goatfarmer]

Let me check.

 

[goatfarmer]

I checked, can't help.