Solenoid Failure.....?

[pulsator]

The solenoid on the Bradford washer has decided to quick engaging which causes for MAJOR indexing of the tub, (enough to force water up and over the top of the tub ring and onto the floor.) And it won't engage after spin or as the emergency brake either. What happened? Is the solenoid dead? Stuck? What?

 

[coldspot66]

I think there should be a tension spring that holds the brake cam against the brake tab on the tranny??? IIRC the solenoid pulls in to release the cam away from the brake tab so the tub will spin. Am I making sense???

 

[jasonl]

AHA!

So that's what was wrong with my Great-grandma's Marquette washer (Bradford mechanism). I remember when it agitated, it would throw water.

 

[pulsator]

WHEW!!! All it turned out to be was that the solenoid had gotten stuck. Thank god there was nothing wrong with the electrical connections!

 

[toggleswitch]

Bradford? What's a bradford?

May I request pics?

 

[pulsator]

Sure, here ya go!

http://www.automaticwasher.org/TD/THREADS/VINTAGE/5656x45.htm

 

[westytoploader]

Jamie,

Have you tried WD-40-ing the solenoid to make sure that doesn't happen in the future? The plunger seemed a little stiff on the AMP and after that it works effortlessly. Cleans a lot of the gunk off too!

 

[pulsator]

Where do I put the WD-40 on the solenoid?
-Jamie

 

[westytoploader]

Just on the plunger...not the coil. Push it back & forth a couple of times as well.