Washing Machine won't start

[DrJ]

I just got home and my wife informed me that the washer won't start at all.Start, fill and rinse nothing but I moved the dial to spin and it would spin and turn on then.But to fill and start it does nothing. It's a Whirlpool top load about 10 yrs old. Any Ideas? Thanks DrJ.

[bearslayer]

Do you hear any noise when you try to turn it on in those positions that it won't run? Check to make sure water is turned on, try different water temp. settings also. It may have a bad water valve not allowing it to fill, in turn causing it not to run. A lot of times only one of the temps, usually cold that's used for wash and rinse both, the solenoid burns out or the inlet screen gets plugged. Try on diffenent temp to start. Usually can hear a real low hum if valve gets energized and is bad, but not always. Otherwise, it would probably be the timer. Should be one of those 2 things. Good luck.

[DrJ]

Bearslayer, Different temps and cycles no change. The problem seems no water coming in. I disconnected both water lines and the water flow is fine.Runs on spin and rinse cycles. The wash cycle won't run without water in the machine if I understand you correctly.Is the valve and the screen inside the machine? Whats next to try? Thanks DrJ.

[TravP]

Do you have a humming sound when the water tries to fill? Try this on hot and cold water.

[bearslayer]

The valve is the part where the fill hoses screw on and the screens are inside the valve. If you know how to use a elctrical meter, you can test if there is power being sent to the valve when you turn on the washer. You have to pull the cabinet off the washer to get at the wires though. An easier test would be to turn on washer in the fill cycle, set on small load size, and then fill the washer manually with the fill hose you disconnected from the washer . When it reaches the small water level, it will trip the pressure switch and turn on washer in agitate. Make sure you stand there with the hose so that it doesn't overflow. If washer turns on when it gets full, then your valve is probably bad, if not probably timer. Let me know if you have more questions or don't understand what I'm saying.

[IFallsRon]

Call AM 1500 on Saturday morning. They'll tell you it's some kind of servo connection between the switch and the motor and likely a cheap fix. Or there's a sock or your wife's slingshot panties spun up and caught between the drum and the tub.

[DrJ]

Bearslayer, I put water in 1/2 way to the top and put the water level on low and the washer started to agitate and work. So I need to replace the water valve? Is that behind the cover where the water enters the washer? I can go to the parts store tommorrow and get the parts that you think I will need. Thanks alot DrJ. PS do you remember that you helped me fixed my dryer last fall. I certainly owe you!!!!!

[bearslayer]

Most likely it's the valve, the only way to know for sure would to use a test meter to insure timer is sending power to valve, but I would guess it's that. To get at valve:

Remove 2 phillips screws that hold counsel to top (1 each side)

Lift counsel, use screwdriver to pop brass colored clips to release cabinet. Also undo quickplug wires on top of cabinet.

Remove or tip entire cabinet forward.

Valve usually on right side where fill hoses hook up.

Remove and replace with new one.

Reverse process of taking apart.

Should be ready to do laundry.

Small world that it was your dryer broke before

[DrJ]

Bearslayer, I picked up a new valve and it works fine now. My wife hasn't read good things about the front loaders and doesn't really want one so I keep fixing the old with your expert help. Thanks again. DrJ.

[heating guy]

lid switch