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Washing machine DIY

Updated: Jul 29, 2020

HOW TO REPAIR A WASHING MACHINE AT HOME COMMON FIXES AND PROBLEMS DIY

A washing machine constantly fills with water and drains water there are 4 cycles fill, wash, drain and spin, although simple there are still issues that can affect the unit. Just remember that sometimes it is best left to an appliance repair technician than to do it yourself.

MY WASHING MACHINE IS NOT WORKING

POWER/ OVERLOADIING

1. First thing first is check that there is power going to the machine, check your ELECTRICAL MAIN BOARD, POWER CABLE, PLUG ETC

2. Another simple fix is that the washing machine is too full and the OVERLOAD PROTECTOR has tripped the washing machine, to repair the washing machine simply take some clothes out of the machine and restart the machine.

3. Check the LID SWITCH and the part that pushes against the lid switch, if you suspect the lid switch then best take off the lid switch test it and replace it.

4. If still not working the best is to get your Appliance repair technician there to sort it out!

WASHING MACHINE NOT RINSING

Left over residue can cause problems for your appliance especially on the rinse cycle. Follow the instructions in the manual, make sure that you are putting in the right amount of soap and not overloading the machine. If the problem is persisting then see below:

1. SUPPLY VALVES

The hoses are supplied water through the supply valves make sure that these are fully opened.

2. KINKED HOSES

Check that there are no kinks in the hoses like you the ones you find in your garden hose pipe

3. DRAIN HOSE

The DRAIN HOSE can become blocked. This will send old and dirty water back into the washing machine drum.

4.COLDWATER SUPPLY HOSE

Turn off valve to hose, disconnect from washing machine. Put into drain or bucket and turn back, if the flow of water is weak and not strong then you may have a blockage in the hose. Replace the hose.

LEAKING WASHING MACHINE

This normally caused from HOSES and CONNECTIONS. Sometimes this is not the washing machine but a backed up STAND PIPE. You also need to try avoid flooding this occurs when a washing machine SUPPLY HOSE breaks, its best to use steel mesh hoses.

1. FITTINGS

Check all hoses, pipes faucets taps, look for wear and breakages, check clamps, replace hoses also you don’t want the water on when doing this check.

2. OVERUSING


Overusing can cause overflow problems. Minimise the SUDS by mixing half a cup of white vinegar with a quart of water, start using less detergent or a low sudsing type of detergent.

3. SEALS AND BEARINGS

The GASKET may be damaged or have a fault, the TUB SEAL and BEARING might need to be repaired and replaced it is best to call an appliance repair technician to repair this.

MISCELLANEOUS WASHING MACHINE REPAIRS

WASHING MACHINE NOT FILLING CORRECTLY

Water is not entering the machine or is not filling up to the correct volume. Set the machine to the first wash cycle and test the temp setting, check if it is the cold water or hot water setting that is not working.

1. MAKE SURE HOT AND COLD VALVES ARE WORKING

Check the valves

2. SUPPLY HOSES

Make sure there are no kinks in the HOSES

3. TURN OFF VALVES

Release the hoses and check that water is flowing from the valves, make sure that you have a bucket on hand to release the water from the hoses into.

4. FILTER SCREENS

Just on the inside of your supply hoses you will find filters and screens, take the screens out with an implement such as a screw driver, clean the screens if they look faulty then replace them. Try not to damage the threads in the hoses when putting them back in NB sometimes the screens are on the back panel of the washing machine.

5. If these tips do not help call an appliance repair technician

OTHER FILLING PROBLEMS

There could be a syphoning problem if hot and cold water are entering the washing machine with the correct force the water might be draining during the fill cycle. Make sure that the stand pipe is 34 inches above the floor, check this with a plumber.

There should also be an air space between the DRAIN HOSE and the STANDPIPE.

There are also some parts that may be defective these could be the WATER LEVEL SWITCH, TIMER or TEMPERATURE SELECTOR, if the washing machine is overfilling it could be the WATER INLET VALVE or WATER LEVEL SWITCH. A damaged WATER INLET VALVE will cause water to pour into the clothing tub. A damaged WATER LEVEL SWITCH cannot find the right level and tell the water to stop which will result in the overflowing of the washing machine. These types of issues are best fixed using an appliance repairer.

WASHING MACHINE NOT AGITATING OR SPINNING

WHEN WASHING MACHINE IS FILLING WITH WATER BUT NOT AGITATING

If your washing machine is filling up with water but is not agitating, you are probably encountering a BROKEN BELT, a broken LID SWITCH OR the MOTOR has a problem.

1. CHECK SPIN CYCLE

If the spin cycle is working fine this means that there is no fault with the MOTOR and also that the BELT is not faulty. If the spinning cycle is not operational there may be problems with the belt i.e may be loose or damaged.

2. LID SWITCH

The lid switch strikes a TAB the TAB may be broken or the actual switch itself may be damaged, during certain cycles the washer may stop. Push the switch if there is no sound or no “clicking” then you probably have an issue with the switch itself.

3. There are various other probable issues that are a little bit more technical these could be the control or agitator solonoid for these issues you need a REPAIR TECHNICIAN.

WASHING MACHINE DOES NOT SPIN

If all cycles are being completed but spinning is not taking place

1. JAMMING OF CLOTHES

Check that the clothing is not imbalanced in the actual drum, this will cause vibrating or the machine will want to go for a walk to the park! Just put the clothes back in in a more balanced fashion. The OFF BALANCE SWITCH will be reset and rebalanced. If this does not rectify the issue check the FEET.

2. LID SWITCH

Check TAB and LID SWITCH if these are broken or faulty the washing machine may stop during the SPIN CYCLE. Replace LID SWITCH if needed.

3. DRIVE BELT

May not be tightened may be loose may be damaged, tighten or replace it.

4. CONTROLS

Find an experienced repairer near you.

NOT SPIN DRYING

You will know this is the problem when the clothes are still wet after the SPINNING CYCLE

1. LIFT THE LID DURING THE SPIN CYCLE

If you see that the DRUM is not spinning you will need to check the MOTOR COUPLER, in this case you will need an EXPERIENCED REPAIR TECHNICIAN

2. TUB IS SPINNING

Double check that the load of washing is nice and balanced but if the problem persists the parts that may be damaged may be the MOTOR PULLEY, DRUM BEARING, BELT and CLUTCH.

3. DRAIN HOSE

Make sure that the drain hose is not kinked or damaged check the TAB on the LID, if this is the case you might find that the washer is stopping the drain part of the cycle. If the switch is not clicking then you will need to replace the LID SWITCH.

4. WATER PUMP

Water pumps can become blocked or clogged by pieces of clothing or there may be damage with the controls if the CONTROLS are damaged you then should call an EXPERIENCED REPAIR TECHNICIAN

WASHING MACHINE SHAKES RATTLES AND ROLLS

When you have a crazy washing machine that acts as if it is haunted by a spirit it is generally the fault of the user by putting an imbalanced load into the washing machine or that the FEET or not properly balanced. Double check that the load is balanced and that the floor is even.

FIXING WASHING MACHINE SHAKES OR (FRANCIS DRAKES)!

1. UNPLUG

Remember to always unplug the washing machine before doing any work!

2. LEVELING

Do the necessary adjustments to the FEET and check that the floor is level, it helps to use a LEVEL for this work.

3. RUBBER

Check that you have put rubber caps and LOCK NUTS on the FRONT LEGS

4. TILT

If needs be tilt the washing machine slightly forward and re-level the appliance.

Run another spin cycle and evaluate if the vibration is still there.

REFERENCES

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