Broken washing machine

RoyceSraphim

So after getting up to do a load of laundry, I observed my brother's completed but neglected load.

Not wanting him to tour the streets of Seattle smelling like mildew, I started his load from zero with a tiny bit of soap. Leaving to retrieve a bit of breakfast, I passed by and noticed the machine was silent. I checked to see if I had remembered to close the lid and observed I had.

The machine is broken. Flipping its fuse at the circuit breaker did not fix it. Unplugging it does not fix it.

I shall call sears but what should I do in the mean time?

iRevert

Top loader? Front loader?

The Ender

If it's under warranty, do not tinker with it. If you accidentally break one of the 'this seal voids your warranty when broken' seals, you get be out of luck on getting a replacement / refund.

Leave the machine alone until you've contacted the retailer.

RoyceSraphim

Top loading, I doubt there is a warranty after 8 years

Dunadan019

does it start to cycle at all?

japan

Make/model would be useful.

Does it do anything at all? Does it appear to power up? Does it fill/drain?

Most common fault with washing machines is motor brushes. They're a consumable part (usually a carbon brush in a spring loaded holder) which eventually wear out. If that's what it is then machines will usually fill and run through the programme until the point it needs to start rotating the drum, at which point it stops because it can't supply power to the motor.

mts

Is it full of water?

RoyceSraphim

Top loading, I doubt there is a warranty after 8 years.


It filled with water and never continued the cycle.

Donovan Puppyfucker

RoyceSraphim wrote: »

Top loading, I doubt there is a warranty after 8 years.


It filled with water and never continued the cycle.

japan wrote: »

Make/model would be useful.

Does it do anything at all? Does it appear to power up? Does it fill/drain?

Most common fault with washing machines is motor brushes. They're a consumable part (usually a carbon brush in a spring loaded holder) which eventually wear out. If that's what it is then machines will usually fill and run through the programme until the point it needs to start rotating the drum, at which point it stops because it can't supply power to the motor.

Something's wrong with your motor or drive gearbox, mate. (relatively inexpensive)
Or with the motor control board... (in many cases, cheaper to just buy a new washer)

spool32

It could also be clogged. Are you certain that it never did the wash cycle? It may have filled, washed, then been unable to drain.

There should be a drain hose where you can manually empty it, and then a filter you can clear to see if it will start again.

Spectral Swallow

If it is not making any noise or doing anything it's a lid switch. Jump past it if there are no kids in the house.
Alternately, look on craigslist for an appliance repair guy. I'm on craigslist formerly worked for Sears and my service call is $25.
Sears is $85 and the markup on the parts is usually 20 - 30 more than retail.

RoyceSraphim

Yeah, already called Sears and family will forward money for their home. Still, its 8 years old so I shouldn't be surprised if its nothing besides the motor.

mts

if its stuck with water its likely clogged by a sock or something.

easiest thing to do is to check the pump since its likely clogged. if it cant drain it will stop mid cycle no matter what you do.

its super easy to check to. hardest part is getting to your pump. mine was just a couple clips

spool32

Spectral Swallow wrote: »

If it is not making any noise or doing anything it's a lid switch. Jump past it if there are no kids in the house.

Oh my goodness, this. This is absolutely something to look at. It'll be a little switch that the lid depresses when it's closed - you can do it with a stick or a pen or your finger even, and if the switch doesn't engage it'll do exactly what you describe. Fill with water but never run the load.

A piece of cardboard will fix it for you, if this is the problem.

japan

This is why the make and model would be useful.

Any washing machine I've owned won't even fill if the door switch doesn't indicate that it's closed.

RoyceSraphim

Kennmore something. I'm on campus so I'm not readily available to check it.