very Strange problem GE model gtw485asj0ws

[zebtax]

This washer is only just over 2 years old. I hate these computer controlled machines. So all of a sudden in the middle of the night, I hear the machine running. The lid was left open.. no clothes inside. nobody touched it. It just started on its own. It sounds like it is in spin cycle. it is not turning however. There are no lights running on any of the controls to stop pause etc.

I unplugged for 15 minutes, plugged back in, and it just started running again but again..no controls working at all. I can not stop it.

I tried the reset...unplug.. plug in.. lift lid 6 times. Of course it was on when doing this. Still.. nothing.

Please help with any ideas

 

[yogitunes]

many factors as to why and how this happened....the result is you may never know...

I would call GE service center and ask if they know of the reset sequence to get this going....there may be a Q&A on their website...anything is worth a shot...

or check youtube vids, as someone else may have had these issues, and offered a solution...

even pull the tech sheet, just to see if there may be a correction or self diagnostic chart to open up...

many of these new machines are a gamble....a good surge suppressor and keeping unplugged, dryer too, when not in use....its what I do with any digital/electronic machine...

I had one machine that had to be left unplugged for a few days...as a static charge built up inside....ran fine after that....

voltage spikes and the such can cause any electronic to go haywire....

 

[supersurgilator]

The only thing I can think of is that this machine will go into an automatic drain if the lid is left open for 10 or 15 minutes and it senses water in the tub. It will automatically do a pump out. Other than that I'm not sure what is going on. How long did it run for? I'd let it run for like 10 minutes and see if it finally shuts itself off or not. Have you tried starting a cycle, or turning the knob to see if it activates the control and the lights come on?

 

[cuffs054]

Super may be on to something. Maybe you have a leaking fill valve and the washer is going into pump mode as it detects the water. (Now that is a genuine WAG)

 

[Chetlaham]

Failed (shorted) triac in the control board.

 

[deltablu]

There is a GE service bulletin

regarding this problem that has to do with plastic flash in the tub pressure chamber port. One of the symptoms is drain pump starting up on its own.

 

[iheartmaytag]

Did you ever see the movie Christine.

I will venture to say there is the spirit of a Filter-flo trapped in your machine.

Sorry, couldn't resist. Don't have a clue otherwise.

 

[toploader55]

Oh Harley...

Extra Credit.

 

[Chetlaham]

@deltablu:

Thank you! That is gold- never knew this was possible but you learn something new everyday. Extra credit is indeed deserved.

 

[builtbyron]

Replaced circuit board

I replaced the circuit board on this model two years ago because it would not spin or drain. Same issue again this week...washer would not spin or drain. Pulled circuit board and found 6 of the capacitors had gone bad and were leaking.

Anyone else have this issue. Any possible causes for the circuit board to blow our 6 capacitors?

 

[rolls_rapide]

It's probably cheap 'n' nasty electrolyte...

... in the capacitors. Are they Chinese by any chance?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague

From near the bottom if that entry:

"The electrolyte of the faulty Taiwanese capacitors was alkaline, with a pH of between 7 and 8. Good comparable Japanese capacitors had an electrolyte that was acidic, with a pH of around 4."

 

[tolivac]

Electrolyte would mean a liquid used in batteries or plating solutions that is CONDUCTIVE-also liquid resistance loads or dummy loads-wound rotor motor load resistors.A DIELECTRIC would mean a solution that is NON conductive-this would be as in a capacitor.In oil filled caps-the oil is a dielectric-in electrolytics the liquied is the dieletric that keeps the capacitance elements damp for them to operate.-if dried the cap is no longer usable.

 

[henene4]

Not quite

Definition of electrolyte is a liquid substance that contains some form of ions dissolved in it.

In a typical electrolityc capacitor, the dielectric layer is a thin, chemicly created layer directly on the conductive material of one side.
The electrolyte soaked second material is the conductive other Side.

The ph of the electrolyte thus could be a Factor...