Machine barely agitates but spins fine

Brand:Whirlpool
Model Number:WTW4816FW2
Main Symptom:minimal agitation
What happens & when:When in wash cycle the agitation only slightly moves in each direction. Makes a hum at each interval as if trying but barely moves in each direction. Spin cycle has plenty of power so we know the motor is strong. I pulled the splutch apart and found the smaller plastic clutch half was sheared off, no brainer repair there. Ordered and replaced the splutch. Same symptoms, …barely moves in agitation mode. Will check splutch again and reset control board. Any thoughts?

Error Code (if any):
Parts or tests already tried:
Photos / video link:

Hi mattsw,

When the washer goes into the spin cycle, you mentioned that it spins with power. Is that with a load of clothes in it,If it only struggles with clothes inside, it sounds like the motor could be getting weak.

Also, have you checked the capacitor? If so, what reading are you getting on it? That will help determine if the capacitor is still good or if it could be causing the issue.

Flipped her on its side this morning to find the brand new splutch half that I installed was split again at its base

Appears to have melted .

Wondering if the solenoid is not separating the two pieces of clutch when it goes into spin mode causing overheat ?

Or .., bearing maybe heating up causing meltdown ?

The bearing appears to be good though

Transmission shift solenoid I meant

The very first cycle agitated properly with brand new splutch

Broke after first spin cycle

Hi mattsw,

Have you tried putting the washer into diagnostic mode? If so, did it display any error codes? Those codes can really help narrow down what’s causing the issue.

did you check the pulleys ?

Hi mattsw,

Here’s a tech sheet that can help you identify those error codes. Once you get the codes from diagnostic mode, compare them with the sheet

techsheet-WTW4915EW2.pdf (2.9 MB)

Pulleys looked good I’ll check again

I’ll try

No digital screen on washer fir codes

thanks for tech sheet

Lots of tests to run looks like