My washer is driving me nuts. Had a repair man look at it who claimed he could not do anything to repair the problem. Claimed he replaced the timer but still the same problem. Needless to say, I never hire HIM again!

To me it appears as if it's the timer but I'm not sure. Could it be something else besides the timer? I have to manually move the dial on the timer to take it to the next cycle and then move it again to the next cycle, etc. Sometimes, at times, the washer ran fine through the cycles after this repair man's 'diagnosis' without additional manipulations on my part but lately it has been a dog.

Hate to change the timer and find out it's something else. Also, I looked at the timer and it appears very hard to get at (out of reach so to speak)

Any ideas anyone? Also, how hard it would be to change the timer on this particular model.
Thanks

:confused: Thank you but it had been a while and I have no way to claim or get back with the repair man. The door locks, but is there a way to check if the motor control works properly, despite the locking door? If the door is not locked, no water can enter the tub. I kind of thought it was related to Frigidaire, because a friend of mine has the exact same model, except it reads Frigidaire. No telling how these companies interact and what is what. Thanks for the advice.

Finally figured out how to remove the timer. Turn the little knob in front of the timer anti-clockwise and unscrew the knob. The bigger knob behind it slides out. It will then expose 2 screws holding the timer. Simple. After I took the timer out and removed the 2 plugs (made sure to mark the way the wires were in the timer (2 same identical plugs!!) I then disconnected the wires to the timer motor, applied 110 volt to the timer motor and the timer motor started running, no problem, so..... the timer is GOOD! Glad I did not buy a new timer.
By reading the instructions of the washer I stumbled across a note stating that the timer motor does NOT run continuously. The speed control unit controls the timer motor and advances the timer when needed.
I removed the speed control unit, located at the bottom of the washer, accessible from the back after back panel is removed. Tried to blow it with pressurized air to clean possible obstructions. Could not see anything wrong with it but had no way of checking the speed control unit. Installed it back and tried to run the washer,...no improvement, still have to advance it by hand.
Since i knew the timer motor and switches work fine, I ordered a new speed control unit. At least, this made sense to me but time will tell when I install the new speed control unit. Everything is sooo expensive, so glad for internet to get the best prices.

Good luck all of you home maintenance people!

Kaygirl,
Hard to advice you on this. Are you saying it does not wash or spin AFTER you moved the dial manually to it's cycle? On mine, I had to move the dial manually after completion of every cycle. It would not advance automatically. In other words, after I moved it to the next 'cycle' it performed its functions okay: did the washing and spinning! If yours does not respond correctly after moving it manually to its cycle, it indicates to me that your timer switches may be bad. Again, it is essential that you properly diagnose first before you make a move.

The timer assembly consists of a timer motor which activates the various switches. In my case, the timer motor and the switches work fine as I explained in my last thread. But the timer motor is controlled by another unit mounted on the floor in the back of the washing machine. This is called the speed control unit.

In your case, if the cycles don't operate correctly after you move the dial manually, it would indicate a faulty timer assembly (comes with motor and switches). This is very easy to replace as I explained in my previous thread.
1-Remove the lid of the washer by prying the front of the lid upwards (use a screw driver). Then remove the 4 screws in back holding the lid and the lid is off. You may not even have to remove the 4 screws if you can work with a half open lid! I like mine off completely.

2- Unscrew the large dial knob that sets the machine cycles (most right knob) counter clockwise and remove the knob. The knob behind that one slides right off and you can remove the 2 screws holding the timer. Use a magnet when you are unscrewing the 2 screws to prevent them from falling down, in which case you will have to remove the lower front panel to get at the fallen screws.
3- Remove the 2 wire 'plug assemblies' but make sure you remember where each one goes because they are identical plugs and could possibly be inserted back incorrectly. I marked mine with a permanent marker with a 1 and 2 and marked which side goes 'up'

If you are technically inclined, you can remove the leads of the timer motor and apply 110 volt directly to the leads and see if the motor turns and activates the switches. If it does not turn you have a bad timer motor and should replace the timer assembly. If it DOES turn, it most likely indicates a faulty speed control unit, like mine. I have not received mine so I can't tell you if I have been successful.

One word of caution, if you must contract a repair man, get one who is reliable, not one like mine who dropped the case after he installed a new timer, not willing or able to troubleshoot it any further. We were out over $100 for that useless 'repair' job! Personally, I like the front loader system. I am from Europe and they only have front loaders there. It saves on water and washes more cleanly as far as I am concerned.

Again, when you contract a repair man, make sure to tell him to check out the timer AND the speed control unit, not just change the timer because it is so much easier for him. Tell him you are not paying for a new timer if the culprit is the speed control unit. If he does not know what you are talking about, he is not the right person to undertake your repair job.

Good luck.