Free Troubleshooting Guide for Whirlpool Washing Machines

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Whirlpool Washer Repair

Appliance repair > Washers > Whirlpool Washer > Troubleshooting Guide

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Troubleshooting Guide
Whirlpool® washing machines (direct drive)

Troubleshooting Guide

Problem	Possible Cause	Remedy
Washer will not operate.	No electrical power.	Check electrical power.
	Power cord.	Check power cord.
	Open circuit in timer.	Check timer.
	Short (bare wire touching metal).	Check all wiring for bare wire or terminal touching metal.
Water will not enter washer.	No electrical power.	Check electrical power.
	Power cord.	Check power cord.
	Water faucets closed.	Make sure water faucets are turned "ON".
	Inlet hoses kinked.	Move inlet hoses to prevent kinking.
	Plugged inlet hose screens.	Remove screens from inlet hoses and clean.
	Water valve.	Check water valve. Note: Do not tamper with screens.
	Water level switch.	Check water level switch.
	Water temperature switch.	Check water temperature switch.
	Timer.	Check timer.
	Loose terminal.	Check terminal connections on above parts.
	Broken wire in wiring harness.	Check for broken wire.
Water level too low.	Water level switch.	Check water level switch.
Drive motor will not run.	No electrical power.	Check electrical power.
	Power Cord.	Check power cord.
	Drive motor overheated.	Allow motor thermal overload to cool.
	Drive motor start switch.	Check start switch.
	Drive motor.	Check drive motor.
	Water level switch.	Check water level switch.
	Pump.	Check pump.
	Timer.	Check timer.
	Lid open in "SPIN CYCLE."	Close lid.
	Lid open in last 2 minutes of agitate.	Close lid.
	Loose terminal.	Check terminal connections on above parts.
	Broken wire in wiring.	Check for broken wire.
	Gearcase.	Replace gearcase.
Washer will not agitate.	Water level switch.	Check water level switch.
	Drive motor start switch.	Check start switch.
	Drive motor.	Check drive motor.
	Timer.	Check timer.
	Gearcase.	Replace gearcase.
	Loose terminal.	Check terminal connections on above parts.
	Broken wire in wiring harness.	Check for broken wire.
Knock during agitation.	Suspension sticking.	Clean suspension plate and pads with liquid detergent.
Knock during agitation.	Agitator splines.	Check agitator.
Tries to agitate during spin.	Broken drive motor coupling.	Check drive motor coupling.
Tries to agitate during spin.	Gearcase.	Replace gearcase.
Does not agitate or spin but drive motor runs.	Broken drive motor coupling.	Check drive motor coupling.
Water does not drain from washer.	Drain hose kinked.	Move drain hose to prevent kinking or replace.
	Too much suds.	Add cold water. Use less detergent.
	Incorrect drain height.	Read your "Installation Instructions."
	Plugged drain hose.	Remove obstruction.
	Pump.	Check pump.
	Timer.	Check timer.
	Lid switch.	Check lid switch.
	Loose terminal.	Check terminal connections on above parts.
	Broken wire in wiring harness.	Check for broken wire.
Basket is slow or will not spin.	Lid open.	Close lid.
	Water level switch.	Check water level switch.
	Lid switch.	Check lid switch.
	Drive motor start switch.	Check start switch.
	Drive motor.	Check drive motor.
	Timer.	Check timer.
	Weak clutch spring.	Replace clutch spring.
	Clothes between basket and tub.	Remove clothes.
	Gearcase.	Replace gearcase.
	Loose terminal.	Check terminal connections on above parts.
	Broken wire in wiring harness.	Check for broken wire.
Washer leaks water or splashes water on floor.	Hoses not secured.	Make sure hose clamps are tight, both inside and out of the washer.
	Hose leaks.	Check hoses and replace.
	Pump.	Check pump.
	Use of low water level with high agitation.	Use higher water level.
Washer will not spray rinse.	Water valve.	Check water valve.
	Water temperature switch.	Check water temperature switch.
	Timer.	Check timer.
	Loose terminal.	Check terminal connections on above parts.
	Broken wire in wiring harness.	Check for broken wire.
Washer will not shut off.	Timer.	Check timer.
Washer shakes or moves around.	Shipping material not removed.	Remove shipping material.
	Unbalanced load.	Move clothes evenly around basket.
	Washer not leveled.	Adjust the front feet and ear leveling feet.
	Weak flooring.	Floor must be solid.
	Basket ballast missing.	Replace basket.
	Suspension plate.	Check suspension pads.
	Suspension pads.	Check suspension pads.
	Tub support.	Check tub support.
	Suspension springs.	Check suspension springs.
Water will not shut off.	Water valve.	Listen for running water. If you hear running water, the valve is stuck and must be replaced.
	Water level switch.	Check water level switch.
	Air leak or kink in water level switch hose.	Check hose.
	Air leak in air dome.	Check air dome.
	Timer.	Check timer.
No hot water.	Water valve.	Check water valve (hot coil).
	Water temperature switch.	Check water temperature switch.
	Timer.	Check timer.
	Loose terminal.	Check terminal connections on above parts.
	Broken wire in wiring harness.	Check for broken wire.
No cold water.	Water valve.	Check water valve (cold coil).
	Water temperature switch.	Check water temperature switch.
	Timer.	Check timer.
	Loose terminal.	Check terminal connections on above parts.
	Broken wire in wiring harness.	Check for broken wire.
Washer damages clothes.	Too much bleach or fabric softener poured on clothes.	Read your "Laundry Guide."
	Too many clothes.	Read your "Laundry Guide."
	Agitator.	Check agitator.
	Basket.	Check basket.
	Water level too low.	Increase water level.
	Foreign objects.	Remove.
Timer does not advance.	Timer motor.	Check timer motor.
	Timer.	Check timer.
	Water level switch.	Check water level switch.
	Loose terminal.	Check terminal connections on above parts.
	Broken wire in wiring harness.	Check for broken wire.
Washer leaks oil.	Gearcase.	Replace gearcase.
Basket won't stop in 7 seconds.	Brake show rollers, cam, or lining.	Replace.
Brake squeal.	Linings.	Replace.

- Troubleshooting guide

- How washers work
- Removing washer cabinet (Taking your washer apart)
- Replacing timer knob
- Testing/Replacing water level switch
- Testing/Replacing water inlet valve
- Replacing water inlet hoses
- Repairing agitator problems
- Replacing drive block
- Checking/Replacing water pump
- Testing/Replacing motor switch
- Checking/Replacing motor drive coupling
- Testing/Replacing washer drive motor

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