Fix a GE Washer That Won't Spin
If your washer will agitate, pump the water out, but then not spin, follow these steps. This will take at least an hour, but if successful, will save you $130 or more.
These instructions apply to my GE Washing Machine (model WDSR2080) that I bought in 2007. The principles apply to all washers however. Only the more simple repairs will be discussed. A major repair such as replacing the motor or clutch will be too complicated for the average person to do and is beyond the scope of this article. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Unplug the electric power cord. Disconnect the hoses and pull out the drain hose. Move the washer to a convenient location where you can work on the front and the back of it.
2. No washer will spin when the lid is up. If the lid is down and it still wont spin, the first thing to check is the lid switch. If it's bad, the washer will think the lid is up all the time. You'll need to remove the front panel of the washer to see it.
3. Find the clips that hold the front of the washer on. They are on the front, about 3 inches from the sides. If you shine a light into the crack, you will be able to see these clips.
4. Insert a putty knife, pressing on the clips to release them. Then remove the front panel. Find the lid switch. Mine was on the right side. Make a note of the color of the wires that go to the lid switch. Mine were white and orange.
5. Remove the back panel at the top of the washer where the timer and other controls are located. I needed a nut driver and a torx screwdriver.
6. Inside the back of the head unit, find the wires that come from the lid switch. Disconnect the white plug the wires go into.
7. Attach a volt meter to the end of the plug that comes from the lid switch. Set the meter to measure resistance or continuity. This means when the wires of the volt meter are touched together it beeps or shows a value of zero. Open and close the lid. If the readout on the meter doesn't change at all, then the lid switch is faulty. Replace it and the washer will now spin. If the lid switch is OK, go on to the next step.
8. Washers pump out all the water first, and then start spinning. If the water level switch is bad, the washer will think there is still water in the tub and refuse to spin. From the front of the washer, locate the clear plastic hose on the left side. This goes to the water level switch.
9. Disconnect the hose by pulling upwards. Clean any junk out of the hose. On my washer, this clear plastic tube had some lint in it. By sucking on the tube at the front of the washer, I was able to remove it and the washer then worked perfectly. If this doesn't work for you, continue to the next step.
10. From the back of the washer, locate the water level switch on the right side. Disconnect the plug and attach your volt meter to the wires that come from the switch. Blow into the end of the hose you disconnected at the front of the washer and see if the meter changes. You should hear a clicking sound as you repeatedly blow into the tube. If the meter doesn't change at all, then the water level switch is bad. Replace it and you washer should spin correctly. If you are certain the lid and water level switches are OK, and the water level tube is not clogged. Then the problem is either the clutch or the motor. Replacing these is beyond the scope of this article, and you may need to call a repair professional.
Tags: water level, washer will, front washer, level switch, water level switch, from switch