SQ AWN432 - Overheat?

[llmaytag]

Tonight I washed a full load of clothes in my AWN432, with the second rinse, then put another somewhat small load, two pairs of jeans, some socks, and a polo, in a second load. I went into the laundry room and notice a bit of a burning smell...and the washer was quiet. I opened the lid and saw that the wash water was still in the tub. The dial looked like it was at the point to start the first spin. I put the lid down and waited, but nothing. Then I pushed the dial in and turned it around to the wash just to see if it would go, but when I pulled the knob out, nothing. I even tried to raise the water level to see if it would fill, but nothing. Finally, I waited a while then it started agitating again and now it's spinning. I'm surprised that it would overhead so easily and perhaps it just needed to cool. It's running now.

Funny, earlier I was talking to a buddy from Atlanta exclaiming how wonderful the machine is, especially the smooth quiet spin....my word!

Should I be concerned?

 

[arbilab]

I can only say, in 60 years of watching/using washing machines I have never seen one overheat and shut down. But these newer ones manage to do (bad) things nobody would have imagined 20 years ago. Burning smell like what? Rubber, or electric?

 

[combo52]

Overheating SQ TL washer

Hi Leonard, This does not sound like normal behavior for this washer, How large was your first load? The motor probably tripped its internal circuit breaker and these can take anywhere from minutes to over an hour to reset itself. I would try running back to back loads for a while to see if this problem reoccurs, it could be anything from low household voltage,  overloaded or a bad motor or tight transmission, main bearings etc. But by using the machine heavily for a while you will soon know if their is really a problem. If you don't think the machine was overloaded try checking the voltage at the outlet the washer in connected to while the machine is agitating at HI SP with a full load. The voltage should not be dipping below 105 and hopefully should be 110-120 range, let us know what happens.

 

[yogitunes]

As JohnL mentioned, motor issues....and low voltage, thats what I would have gone with....motor cut out or not, the water should still be allowed to work, these two are not connected.....so first thing I would consider is a low voltage issue, and may be a one time thing with your power company, or an issue at the pole....which is not a concern right now, but may happen again later, and more common until the problem turns big for the power company to diagnose and find a problem....

just keep tabs of when its happening......

 

[llmaytag]

Thanks

Thanks for the response guys. The smell was sort of electrical, like a burning motor. When it started back up, the smell did dissipate a bit.

Anyway, even though it restarted my thought was to consider scheduling a maintenance call since it's still less than a year old and I think I'm still covered even for labor.

In the not-too-distant past, I've run up to four almost back-to-back loads with no problem. Last night, my first load was full, perhaps about fix or six t-shirts, one polo, eight to ten pairs of socks, perhaps ten to twelve pairs of underwear, a few wash clothes. Water level was max, (I haven't made the adjustment to raise it from the factory set maximum), and though I haven't defeated the lid-switch, lifting the lid it looked like the load was turning over reasonably well during agitation. Anyway, this load finished normally.

The second load was simply two pairs of Levi jeans, one polo, and a few socks. Because they are thick, I had the water level near max. I really don't know if it finished the wash or for that matter, perhaps just as it started the spin. When I found it, the water was still, about where the water level had been set, and the timer was in that area between wash and spin. I waited, but it was taking longer than the usual gap between wash and spin, and of course there was the smell. So I stopped it, turned the dial to see if I it could get it to do anything, but I couldn't. I waited a while wondering what I'd do, tried it again, and it started. As it ran, the smell seemed to dissipate.

I found the manual, which did have a note that the motor does have an overload protection thing that may cause it to stop, but that after a few minutes will start on it's own. It also indicated that if this happens more than once, (presumably in a short period of time), to call for service. I didn't think of low voltage. Only once did I suspect that perhaps we were experiencing low voltage in the area, but not lately, but I also didn't consider that perhaps a tight transmission or other components might be overworking the motor. The idea of more back-to-back loads might make sense to elevate the condition (if there is one) so that I can get the service call and repair done now.

I'll keep you guys posted, thanks!

 

[peterh770]

There is something wrong with your jeans and your socks. The polo didn't cause it.

 

[llmaytag]

Polo

Perhaps during your next visit to So Cal you can examine my jeans and socks and tell me what's wrong with them! Thanks for the levity, but this is a very distressing situation!

 

[lovestowash]

I have the same 3.3 cu. ft. stainless tub...

Granted, it's in an older version of the Amana/SQ, that fills to the top...
But neither of the loads you described sound like an overload...
I might cross that off as a possible cause, and look for others...

George

 

[nmassman44]

I have had this same thing happen with my SQ washer man it stinks. It has happened twice. The last time it happened I took the front panel off and moved the belt back and forth and started the washer up...no problems since.

 

[mtn1584]

I have a Speed Queen also

and like I tell everyone, if you have a problem, or concern, pick up the phone, and call Alliance, you will get your concerns about your washer addressed. You still have over two years parts and labor warranty left, and they do stand behind their machines.
Mike

 

[cfz2882]

motor pulley deposits

could check the motor pulley for smeared on rubber deposits or other foriegn
matter in the groove that could be affecting "clutching"action.Check for a bad
clutch belt too.I've never seen a late model SQ motor pulley up close-is it made
of steel(pulley is steel on my '84 SQs)if pulley is plastic or cast aluminum,
it will wear fast in "clutch belt" application-the driven pulley material not
near as important.

 

[combo52]

SQ TL Washer Motor Pulleys

Are still Steel, plastic or aluminum would wear far too fast to be durable as there is quite a bit of slipping at the motor pulley as the washer drains and gains spin speed.

 

If there is an overload or suds-lock condition you can get a hot rubber smell out of this design, if the motor is overheating you get more of a hot electrical smell.

 

[llmaytag]

Smell

It was a hot electrical smell, (I think, I don't have the best snout). I'm traveling for the weekend so I won't be doing any more laundry until next week, but I'll keep you informed!

 

[llmaytag]

Update

Last night I returned from a weekend trip to the bay area (San Francisco) and of course have a nice pile of laundry. I did two small loads without incident. Anyway, since the serial number is conveniently listed on the inside of the lid, I decided to finally register it since it's already 4.5 months old. Mike had a great suggestion which was to call Alliance. Well, since I was registering the machine on the website, I instead sent a message on their support page, and actually got a response. I do appreciate when companies respond to such inquiries. Anyway, for anyone interested, here is their response:
------------------------------------------
On 02/27/12, Matthew Anderson wrote:


Hello Leonard,

Thank you for your purchase of Speed Queen Home Laundry. The model AWN432SP111TW01 does feature a thermal overload in the motor. If the motor was to overheat the thermal overload would shut the motor off to prevent damage. There are several things that could cause a motor to overheat, including overloading of the machine or the agitator becoming jammed. The thermal overload will stop the motor to protect it from damage. If it has only happened once it is not a concern. If it should continue to happen then I recommend having a servicer out to look at the washer to determine if there is an issue. The warranty on your washer is as stated on the attached warranty bond. 3 years parts and labor on the complete washer, 5 years parts on the motor, 10 years parts on the transmission, 5 year parts on the cabinet assembly against rust from the inside out, and lifetime parts on the stainless steel inner tub.

Thanks,
Matt Anderson
Alliance Laundry Systems
Technical Support and Service Training
Laundry, it's all we do!

-----Original Message-----
From: Speed_Queen_Home_Laundry_Internet_Server
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2012 10:55 PM
Subject: Speed Queen Customer Service Contact Form

First Name: L
State: CA
Zip: 91709
Country: USA
Email: [email protected]
Model Number: AWN432
Serial Number: ***********

Comments: My washer was installed on 10/08/11 (though I just registered it tonight). This last week I had a problem. I washed two loads, and on the second I had two pairs of jeans, a polo and perhaps eight pairs of socks, and I had the water level nearly at the highest setting. It didn't seem like I had overloaded it, but I walked into the wash room and found that the wash water was still in the tub.

The dial looked like it was between wash and spin so I figured it was about to start spinning, but after putting the lid down, it didn't seem to do anything for a long time. Also, I noticed an electrical burning smell. I pushed the dial back in, turned it back to the wash, pulled it out, and nothing. I tried a few more times, but nothing. Wouldn't even fill more when I put the water level to max. I stepped away for a while, came back, then it started.

Reading my manual, I did see that the motor has an overload protection thing that may shut it down, but since I don't think the machine was overloaded, I'm concerned.

I selected a SQ because I wanted a durable strong traditional top-load machine, but I'm concerned. What is my warranty, and what would you advise?

Thanks,
-L

 

[mtn1584]

I am glad you contacted Alliance, and I hope this gives you peace of mind, and your washer gives you years of trouble free use.
Mike

 

[ocalareporter]

I have this same machine that was installed in early January. To date, I have had no problem of any sort. How refreshing that Alliance actually responded to your concern. I am now even more glad that I purchased the Speed Queen.
Dennis

 

[llmaytag]

Update

Well, my washer has been running normally, with no issues. Yesterday I did three loads with the extra rinse on each. The last one was quite full, but the loads weren't back-to-back. I was off from work and was pretty much lazing around the house so the loads were spread apart.

l