Whirlpool Washer Trips GFCI

Washer Repair
1

The above washer was purchased new and installed on 10/26/01.
During the past two years or so it sometimes trips the GFCI.
This usually happens sometime during the initial fill cycle but once in awhile it happens during other parts of the cycle.
This is an intermitten problem and seems to do it when ever it feels like it.
All I’ve been doing is resetting the GFCI and everything seems to be okay.
It worries me because I don’t feel that this should be happening.
Any suggestions please?
Thank you

2

You’re going to have to see if any part of the machine is grounding. First, unplug the machine. Check to see if there is any continuity between the “hot” blade on the power cord and the ground pin; then see if there is continuity between the neutral blade and the ground pin. It is very likely that all you have is a weak GFCI receptacle, but you can’t be too safe.

3

I ran across this years ago, but it was a free standing gas oven. I was new to appliances at the time, so after replacing almost every part of the oven it turned out to be the GFCI…Not saying that is definatly your problem. A bad heating element on the washer can cause it to trip also.

4

[QUOTE=abadfish66;44645] A bad heating element on the washer can cause it to trip also.[/QUOTE]
Send me a photo of a heating element in a WASHER. I’ve never seen one.

5

My bad, was thinking it was a dishwasher :frowning: The new GE front load washers have a heating element in there.

6

First thing I would try is replacing the GFI especially if it is in the wall receptacle and not in the electrical mains box. These often go weak after a couple years and start tripping for no reason. Also they are relatively cheap.
The ones in the mains seem to be better made but then they cost close to 10 times as much.

Also motors etc. can start producing noise spikes as they age and these can often trip a GFI.

7

[QUOTE=abadfish66;44664]My bad, was thinking it was a dishwasher :frowning: The new GE front load washers have a heating element in there.[/QUOTE]
I was just funnin’ you. I know a lot of the new front loaders have auxiliary heaters.

8

Ha Ha LoL :slight_smile: