I think my washing machine just died.

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
M

MX2

Lifer
Apr 11, 2004
18,651
1
0
Was going about my normal Saturday routine with the kids clothes and blankets. Washing machine hits "spin cycle" and begins making this horrible noise as if the gears stripped out or is not catching or something:( No spinning at all, just the noise. I would describe it as a sort of clicking fast repetition, moderately loud buzzer type sound. Best I know how to describe it

Anyone have experience with repair on washers? Is it worth the cost of having a service call? Or is just replacing it the way to go? Could I possibly do the repair myself?


Help
 
M

Mark R

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
8,513
16
81
It sounds like it could be something quite simple - like a snapped drive belt. Most WMs are belt drive, and when they go it tends to be during the spin cycle. I assume that the drum can still spin freely - if it can't, or it grinds if moved by hand, it's probably a bearing.

If it is just a belt, then it should a be a quick and simple job to change it. If you are reasonably competent then don't be afraid to take the covers off and have a look to confirm it.

If you want to have someone out to fix it, then to save on callout charges it may be appropriate just to have a general service done at the same time - things like motor brushes need occasional recplacement, and a little bit of grease on bearings, and clean out of the various pumps and filters is all good.

I had my washing machine break a few weeks ago. Just stopped working, and there was a bit of a burning smell. It must be ancient, because it's one of those top-loaders (not seen anywhere sell these for at least 10 years).

Anyway, I wanted to fix it but couldn't work out how to open it up. It took nearly 30 minutes of searching and swearing to workout that the screws were on the bottom of the machine. Once the machine was open it was an easy fix - a bad connection had overheated and burned the wire. I replaced the burned wire, and cleaned up the faulty connection.

 
P

Pepsi90919

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
25,162
1
81
Originally posted by: Mark R
It sounds like it could be something quite simple - like a snapped drive belt. Most WMs are belt drive, and when they go it tends to be during the spin cycle. I assume that the drum can still spin freely - if it can't, or it grinds if moved by hand, it's probably a bearing.

If it is just a belt, then it should a be a quick and simple job to change it. If you are reasonably competent then don't be afraid to take the covers off and have a look to confirm it.

If you want to have someone out to fix it, then to save on callout charges it may be appropriate just to have a general service done at the same time - things like motor brushes need occasional recplacement, and a little bit of grease on bearings, and clean out of the various pumps and filters is all good.

I had my washing machine break a few weeks ago. Just stopped working, and there was a bit of a burning smell. It must be ancient, because it's one of those top-loaders (not seen anywhere sell these for at least 10 years).

Anyway, I wanted to fix it but couldn't work out how to open it up. It took nearly 30 minutes of searching and swearing to workout that the screws were on the bottom of the machine. Once the machine was open it was an easy fix - a bad connection had overheated and burned the wire. I replaced the burned wire, and cleaned up the faulty connection.
Click to expand...
wtf??

and most aren't belt driven
 
B

BHeemsoth

Platinum Member
Jul 30, 2002
2,738
0
76
Originally posted by: Pepsi90919
Originally posted by: Mark R
It sounds like it could be something quite simple - like a snapped drive belt. Most WMs are belt drive, and when they go it tends to be during the spin cycle. I assume that the drum can still spin freely - if it can't, or it grinds if moved by hand, it's probably a bearing.

If it is just a belt, then it should a be a quick and simple job to change it. If you are reasonably competent then don't be afraid to take the covers off and have a look to confirm it.

If you want to have someone out to fix it, then to save on callout charges it may be appropriate just to have a general service done at the same time - things like motor brushes need occasional recplacement, and a little bit of grease on bearings, and clean out of the various pumps and filters is all good.

I had my washing machine break a few weeks ago. Just stopped working, and there was a bit of a burning smell. It must be ancient, because it's one of those top-loaders (not seen anywhere sell these for at least 10 years).

Anyway, I wanted to fix it but couldn't work out how to open it up. It took nearly 30 minutes of searching and swearing to workout that the screws were on the bottom of the machine. Once the machine was open it was an easy fix - a bad connection had overheated and burned the wire. I replaced the burned wire, and cleaned up the faulty connection.
Click to expand...
wtf??

and most aren't belt driven
Click to expand...


The majority of washers are top load buddy. Except for the ultra expensive onese, or those seen often in laundromats.
 
M

MX2

Lifer
Apr 11, 2004
18,651
1
0
Anyone have experience with replacing the motor coupling? That seems to be what the problem points to after doing some investigation.
 
M

Mark R

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
8,513
16
81
Guess the top/front loader must be a US/Europe thing. Top loaders are essentially unheard of here. Anyway, mine was defintiely belt driven, because I took the opportunity to check it and clean the bearings and stuff when I fixed the fault.

If it's not a belt drive, then I guess much of my advice doesn't apply.
 
Squisher

Squisher

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
21,204
66
91
Originally posted by: MX2times
Anyone have experience with replacing the motor coupling? That seems to be what the problem points to after doing some investigation.
Click to expand...

Before you go too far with this reach your hand in along the top edge of the spin basket and see if you feel anything stuck up there like a sock or washcloth. See if you can spin the basket with your hand.

Motor coupling doesn't sound too hard.

 
jadinolf

jadinolf

Lifer
Oct 12, 1999
20,952
3
81
Originally posted by: MX2times
Was going about my normal Saturday routine with the kids clothes and blankets. Washing machine hits "spin cycle" and begins making this horrible noise as if the gears stripped out or is not catching or something:( No spinning at all, just the noise. I would describe it as a sort of clicking fast repetition, moderately loud buzzer type sound. Best I know how to describe it

Anyone have experience with repair on washers? Is it worth the cost of having a service call? Or is just replacing it the way to go? Could I possibly do the repair myself?


Help
Click to expand...

R.I.P
 
M

MX2

Lifer
Apr 11, 2004
18,651
1
0
Originally posted by: dartworth
did you get it fixed...?
Click to expand...

Not yet. I went out of town the day it broke and just returned Tuesday to a pile of other tasks:( Shooting for tomorrow.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom