Our 6yr old Maytag Neptune washer (model number FAV6800AWW) has recently stoped using Fabric Softener. I have made sure the dispenser dish is clean and I believe I have tested that the Board output to the Fabric Softener Valve is working (i.e In Service mode performed Board Output test).
Reason I say believe is because manual says Normal = Hot Water Valve and Wrinkle Control = Fabric Softener Valve but on panel Normal & Wrinkle Control are same button. But think this is a typo as Heavy Duty seeams to be Hot Water Valve.
Can someone advise if when performing the Board Output Test fot either the Fabric Softner Valve or Bleach Valve should I just hear a hum or water running?
[COLOR=#333333]I have not logged in for some time just been responding to my old previous FAV6800A/FAV9800A post.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#333333]Is the Fabric Softener reservoir filling with water and not draining? If not then you do want to get into Service Mode and turn on the fill valve and check that FS fill valve for proper operation.[/COLOR]
I have a number of post in support of the FAV6800A and FAV9800A machines on this forum. In the search box just punch in DH1200S for future refference. With other projects now going on I have been only responding to questions from e-mail notification on those post.
[COLOR=#333333]Again sorry for the late response……..Dick[/COLOR]
I placed a paper towel inside the reservoirs to help ID water flow into them then closed the washer lid.
[COLOR=black]1. I Entered Service Mode; [/COLOR][COLOR=red]Check [/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]2. Pressed Delicates key LED display indicates ot (Board Output Test)something like that and the lid locks will lock. [COLOR=#ff0000]Check[/COLOR][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]3. Pressed Spin key and the Cold water inlet valve opens and water flows into the wash tub thru the dispenser valve assembly. [COLOR=#ff0000]Check (I could hear water flowing)[/COLOR][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]4. Pressed Bulky Items key, heard humm and water was diverted to the bleach reservoir as verified by wet paper towel. [COLOR=#ff0000]Check[/COLOR][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black]5. Pressed Wrinkle Control key, heard humm but water was not diverted to the Fabric Softener reservoir as verified by dry paper towel.[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=#000000]So does this mean I need a new valve?[/COLOR]
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[COLOR=#000000]Thanks,[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000]Mark[/COLOR]
Any reason I can’t reverse the connections so the Bleach valve becomes Softener & vice versa (i.e. switch pipes and electrical connectors).
This way thinking can prove a valve issue befor purchasing.
Wife very rarely uses the bleach [COLOR=#000000]reservoir.[/COLOR]
Thanks,
Mark[/quote]
Mark I’ll post some old pics of the dispenser fill valve if you have not already removed. I would replace that assembly. From reading the post again “” [COLOR=black]5. Pressed Wrinkle Control key, heard humm but water was not diverted to the Fabric Softener reservoir as verified by dry paper towel.“”[/COLOR]
It looks like that [COLOR=#000000]Fabric Softener valve is stuck closed. I would like to measure 120VAC on the connections just to make sure but with ears only testing (120VAC 60Hz hum testing) it sounds to me you nailed the problem down…a stuck Fabric Softener valve.[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000]""Any reason I can’t reverse the connections so the Bleach valve becomes Softener & vice versa (i.e. switch pipes and electrical connectors). [/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000]This way thinking can prove a valve issue befor purchasing.“”[/COLOR]
From what I see no pipe switching just reverse the 120VAC connections on the dispenser valve assembly… if there is enough wiring harness slack to allow that. I have never done that so I can’t say for sure if it can be done.
If the wiring connections could be reversed then the Bleach Dispenser valve is now turned on by the 120VAC coming from the [COLOR=#000000]Fabric Softener[/COLOR] relay on the Control Board and it will fill that [COLOR=#000000]reservoir at the proper wash cycle calls. I’m not sure if the [COLOR=#333333]Bleach Dispenser [/COLOR][/COLOR][COLOR=#000000]reservoir will drain/release the FS conrents properly you would have to observe. [/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000]Are you sure the Washer Lid is not bowed? I forgot to ask that question. See the last pic. Make sure the dispenser fill ports line up with the water channels to the reservoir’s. [/COLOR]
I still lean toward a valve assembly replacement…I feel you nailed down the issue but if you want to give it a try… just work safely with 120VAC.
3 pic limit per post wiil show additional Dispenser Valve pics.
I finally got around to changing out the dispenser valve.
Unfortunatly still have a problem in softener not being taken.
Something I have uncovered during the output testing is:
If I perfom Hot Water + Softener test the tissue gets wet in the softener reservoir
If I perfom Cold Water + Softener test the tissue does not get wet in the softener reservoir. I hear the water running when I start the cold water [Spin] test and then when I sart the softener [Wrikle Comtrol] test I hear a hum.
Checked cold water pressure… seems to be no issue with that.
Removed the Inlet Water Valve and ensured the sediment fllters were clean.
Dismantled Lid and made sure that everything was aligned, no dents in lid etc.
With lid removed and just the inner panel in place observed the cold water and softner diverter. Seemed like water was diverting.
Still if I do board test with Cold Water/Softner the tissue in softner reservoir is dry. If Hot Water/Softner the tissue is wet.
My wife usually runs machine with Auto Temp control set to Cold rinse. Tested with a Warm Rinse and it was taken.
Think what might be next step is to switch the water lines and see if issue persists…or if it switches to the detergent. Guess that way will know if its the water line or the inlet valve… maybe next weekend
[COLOR=#333333]Your troubleshooting sounds real solid. [/COLOR]
[COLOR=#333333]““Still if I do board test with Cold Water/Softener the tissue in softener reservoir is dry. If Hot Water/Softener the tissue is wet.””[/COLOR]
[COLOR=#333333]The relay on the Control Board (K5) that switches 120VAC to the Softener valve I feel should be independent of hot or cold water flowing to the Softener dispenser valve… but I could be wrong. [/COLOR]
[COLOR=#333333]From you previous troubleshooting you hear the softener solenoid valve hum. [/COLOR]
[COLOR=#333333]This make no sense to me that a warm water test works OK and Cold doesn’t assuming that cold water flows unrestricted to the dispenser fill valve…..and you replaced that dispenser valve assembly. [/COLOR]
[COLOR=#333333]I would like to be onsite with my DVM and watch/measure 120VAC applied to the Softener valve in service mode with proper cold water flow to the dispenser valve………..Dick [/COLOR]
My thinking is if I switch the water feeds if problem persists then its possibly the Water Inlet Valve. If problem moves to the Detergent then it is a Water flow issue (can’t see that as its strong).
So I reversed the water lines so Hot flowing thru Cold Inlet and Cold flowing thru Hot Inlet.
Had exactly same results where with the Board test with Cold [Spin] & Softener [Normal] no water in softner reservoir and Hot [Heavy] & Softener [Normal] water was in reservoir.
So think can safely rule out water pressure.
So very much looks like its the Water Inlet Valve at fault.
I do have a DVM but not sure I want to risk damaging the board.
So if Wife wants cold rinse then think will need to replace the Water Inlet Valve.
[FONT=Arial][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Calibri]Mark,[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][FONT=Calibri]I want to make sure I’m crystal clear on the troubleshooting and fault location process.[/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=#000000][COLOR=black][FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Calibri]“”So I reversed the water lines so Hot flowing thru Cold Inlet and Cold flowing thru Hot Inlet.””[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Calibri]OK that is good way to fault isolate the water inlet valve for Stuck Closed with 120VAC applied to the solenoid or open solenoid field coil in that half of the valve assembly.[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR]
[FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=black][FONT=Calibri]“”Had exactly same results where with the Board test with Cold [Spin] & Softener [Normal] no water in softner reservoir and Hot [Heavy] & Softener [Normal] water was in reservoir.””[/FONT][/COLOR][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][FONT=Calibri]So from where I sit with the troubleshooting the Cold Water Inlet Valve is either stuck closed with 120VAC applied or is not receiving 120VAC from the Control Board down thru the wiring harness to the Cold Water inlet valve. If that is the case so you could never do a Cold Water fill of the washer and the Control Board would have signaled a NF console alarm for No Fill after several minutes. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][FONT=Calibri]Normal the hoses up and Set the washer up for Cold/Cold selection on the Wash/Rinse Temp setting and see if the washer will fill.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][FONT=Calibri]Select Quick Wash so that you do a minimal fill that will be around 6 inches of water in the wash basket. Keep the Hot Water source valve turned off to make sure the Cold Water source valve is only supplying water to the washer.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][FONT=Calibri]If the washer fills we have an intermittent issue with the Cold Water half of the water inlet valve. If no water flows we have a either a stuck Cold Water inlet valve with 120VAC applied from the Control Board via the wiring harness or loss of 120VAC to the Cold Water half of the valve assembly.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][FONT=Calibri]So if it were me I would confirm 120VAC via DVM measurement is applied to that Cold Water inlet valve solenoid. Only make that measurement if you are confident working around 120VAC measurements. Turn off Hot/Cold water source to the machine and turn on the Cold Water inlet valve in Service Mode and see if you get 120VAC applied to that half of the valve assembly. [/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][FONT=Calibri]Other Option is to just replace the water inlet valve assembly and hope this is not an issue with loss of 120VAC to the Cold Water inlet valve.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial][FONT=Calibri]Good luck and I’ll stay with you until resolution. If anyone else has suggestions please chime in to help Mark resolve the issue……………Dick[/FONT][/FONT]
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