[jpolett]

There is suddenly a problem with my washer. For a normal load of clothes, it filled, washed as normal, then started making a very loud grinding noise when it was time to drain and spin. I have removed the clothes, but the washer is still filled with water. I have made minor repairs to both my washer and dryer in the past, so I think I can do it if I know where to start and how to diagnose?

[Gene]

Hi jpolett

Does the motor run?
If it does, does the washer agitate?

In order to provide the most accurate advise I need as much information as possible.

Gene.

[jpolett]

To stop the grinding, I pushed the control knob in (off). When I turn to anywhere else in any cycle and pull the knob (on), the noise starts again. No agitation, filling, draining, just the loud grinding noise.

[kooler]

Most of the problems I've seen with this particular style of washer (direct drive) has been with the pump... With the cabinet removed and the lid switch jack plug jumpered, you can remove the pump from the drive motor and then listen for any grinding noise while momentarily operating machine in spin cycle... If it's not noisy anymore then the pump probably has one of junior's socks in it and needs replacing... Of course now you have a tub full of funky water that will take some ingenuity to remove before pulling the hoses off the old pump or have a pile of towels ready... I did one machine a few years back that a family was using to wash the blankets off their horses... Geez, the amount of horse hair alone clogging the impeller was enough to gag a maggot not to mention the water stench... I was able to pinch the hose with locking pliers to keep the water in the tub...
Hope this helps, kooler

[Gene]

In addition to kooler's recommendations, I would recommend to check the motor drive coupling after you removed the cabinet.

Gene.

[Admin / APP Team]

Drive coupling is number 13 on this diagram.

[jpolett]

Do I need something special to be able to jumper that switch plug? On the diagram it looks like a multi-pin plug.

[Gene]

Yes, it has three pins. According to the wiring diagram it's going to be the gray and the black-white wires.

Unplug the washer first, bypass the switch and then plug it back.

Good luck.
Gene.

[jpolett]

Thanks very much for your help! The new pump did the trick. Thanks for the extra information and wiring diagram.

[ssampath]

Our whirlpool washer LA9580XWW1 does not spin or agitate. It makes a loud ratcheting noise. When I moved the switch dial just before OFF position the water drains. Seems like the pump does work. Should I check the motor drive coupling? Any other ideas are greatly appreciated.

The info on the original thread is extremely useful. Thanks.