Whirlpool washer not spinning or draining and I'd love to try to get it working!

[wilmapelican]

This washer was in the basement of the house we recently bought. I'm fairly handy and have successfully fixed various washer and dryer problems before, but all newer machines than this workhorse. It's a whole 'nother beast, not quite the simple plastic modularity that I've had good luck with so far.

I recognize and respect the quality of it and I feel compelled to give fixing it a go, but the wife just wants clean clothes. My online searches have led me here, and I figure the combined wisdom of this forum is my best shot to get some knowledge and to revive this sturdy machine.

Here's what I can tell you: Whirlpool LFA5581w1 Serial # C91011983

Tub fills and agitates but doesn't spin or drain. I tilted it on its back and some small drips of oil had collected on the low points of what I assume is the underside of the transmission. Not much oil and seems like it's been there awhile, kinda sticky/gummy so doesn't seem fresh. Slight amount of black powdery dust on the flat surfaces around the belt which itself is kinda dry, but I've seen worse ones work for ages on other types of machines.

Money is tight (see "just bought house" above) but could scrape some together to make this potentially magnificent device work IF I can figure out what's wrong and source parts with the help of you lot.

Any and all help appreciated! If I've missed anything, or can answer any questions please let me know, but my response time might be a bit slow, lots going on right now.

Humble Thanks!

 

[smartdrive1100]

Check to see if the wig wag is working if one the solenoids isn’t working that will be your issue, otherwise I don’t know, I don’t have any experience with these machines whatsoever

Photo of wig wags:

 

[combo52]

Make sure the water pump pulley is turning, a very common problem with this design washer was water pumps that sized up especially older machines that have sat for a while.

 

Also make sure the drain hose is not kinked either inside the rear cabinet or the drain hose itself.

 

Your new machine was built the 10th week of 1979, these were good machines in their day but now it all just depends on how much use it had and current condition.

 

The oil drops on the bottom of the transmission are normal, the black dust is from the belt, normal around the top of the motor.

 

John L.

 

[repairguy]

Congrats on the “inheritance” of the 1979 built Whirlpool washer. Great recommendations above as I would definitely make sure the water pump pulley isn’t frozen. These washers will not spin until most of the water has drained. Check back with us after verifying and we’ll help you get this washer going again.

 

[hippiedoll]

Is that...

An Easy Spin-dryer washing machine in the background?


I totally forgot about the whirlpool washer being a neutral-drain machine and doesn't spin until the washer has drained some of the water out of the machine.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed its an easy fix for you...

 

[cleanteamofny]

 

 

Also, check the wires on the wig-wag. It may be frayed or broken.

 

[combo52]

Broken wires on the control magnet or wigwag

Will not cause the machine not to drain.

John L

 

[washerlover]

I had the same problem with my ‘85 Whirlpool and I replaced the wig wag and that took care of the problem.

 

[DADoES]

 
Failure to spin can be caused by a bad wigwag, but that won't impair draining.

Draining is controlled by the wigwag, but mechanically via agitation shifting, not spin shifting.  The end of the agitate cam bar is hooked to the valve on the pump.  There should never be draining during agition, but always draining when not agitating.

Drain can be affected if the agitate plunger or rivet breaks, in which case the agitate cam bar won't shift and move the pump valve into drain mode ... but then the machine also won't stop agitating.

Spin won't engage with water in the tub until the level drops enough to reset the pressure switch.

 

[bigalsf]

Broken wig wag

As John said a broken wig wag will not prevent the machine from draining if it's not already in agitation. If the agitate side broke while in agitate mode than it will it prevent draining and spin will not engage because the water level switch is tripped (i.e. it will not shift out of agitation)

Does the machine stop agitating when the timer moves to the line/space between wash and rinse? If not then the wig wag solenoid or shifting bar is broken. You need to replace the wigwag (I don't think they sell the cottter pin separately any longer).

Hope this helps.