I have a 5 year old Maytag Neptune TL top loading washing machine. The fabric softener compartment isn't flushing. The compartment isn't clogged...I checked. The problem is that water is not coming through holes in the upper right corner of the machine lid to flush the compartment. The bleach dispenser (which is on the left side of the machine) has water flushing that. It's just the flow to the right that isn't working. In the small space between the machine and the hinges of the lid I can see the 3 small white tubes that send water from the machine through the lid in varying directions...which then flushes the respective bleach/soap/softener compartments. I can see that the tube on the right (which sends water to the softener compartment) is bone dry...so water apparently isn't flowing through it.

Any ideas on what the problem is and how to repair it? :confused:

looked at my FAV6800A when I got home this evening and I feel this is the model you are talking about. This is the Dispenser valve for the FAV6800A/ FAV9800A.

I would go into Service Mode and turn on the Softener dispenser valve. Do you hear it click when you turn it on in Service Mode? If you don’t hear the Softener dispenser valve open and you feel qualified to troubleshoot 120VAC in the machine. I would take a DVM and make sure you see 120VAC supplied to the Softener dispenser valve solenoid from relay K10 on the Control Board. If you don’t see 120VAC on the Softener solenoid valve we may have an issue with connections from the Control Board to the Softener solenoid valve or a defective relay function on the Control Board. Here is the Service Manual for the FAV6800A/FAV9800A. See page 16 of the SM to turn on the Fabric Softener Valve. Post back if you have questions.

My problem is similar to the one the OP describes.
After reading this post, this is what I know so far:

*The fabric softener dispenser reservoir does not drain.

*The dispenser valve check (as done via service mode) seems to be ok.
I say seems to be because it is not so much of a 'click' as it is an 'engagement' like a solenoid. The sound I get when I press Wrinkle Release to activate the valve is a solid 'hum' that stays on until I press the button again to deactivate.

*I am not able to say with certainty whether or not water actually makes it to the reservoir.


Not sure what to check next.


I have the FAV6800.

This helps alot. Running a small load to test now.

Was able to successfully test water flow to the reservoir via the service mode and paper towel method you describe.

I also thoroughly cleaned out the entire reservoir. It appears I have decent flow now... hence the small load run.

I'm feeling good this is working now, though.

You have been most helpful.
Thank you.