Whirlpool WTW4915EW2 Fills but will not start wash cycle

Washer Repair
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1

Brand: Whirlpool
Model Number: WTW4915EW2
Main Symptom: Fills but will not start wash cycle
What happens & when: After filling with water the wash cycle seems to want to start but stops making the usual noise after about 5-10 seconds. It them waits about 20 seconds and then repeats the process.

Error Code (if any): No error code
Parts or tests already tried: no parts as yet and have only checked your site for troubleshooting.
Photos / video link: No photos or videos either

2

Does the spin basket rotate freely? Also, if the washer is placed into a diagnostic mode and set to the fault code display mode, are there any flashing LED patterns that come up? This tech sheet can be used to access the fault code display mode using the information on page 2 and 3.

techsheet-WTW4915EW2.pdf (2.9 MB)

3

Hi William,

The basket spins freely, yes.

When I reconnected the power it took about 30 seconds but the unit started working again; with nothing in the basket, it went through the wash cycle and into rinse with some additional noises from when we got it. I have a short video on my phone I can upload shortly.
While it seemed to be changing to rinse, it made the normal noise for about 20 seconds then quit; it then restarted the noise and quit again after about 20 seconds and stayed there with the lock locked and the rinse light blinking
I have not yet been able to get to diagnostic mode as I was hoping to get the water out of the basket, but if that is not a concern, I can try that shortly.

Thank you

4

Getting the water out would not be necessary to identify the error codes. This would be important to be able to identify what might be going on.

5

Hi William,

The basket spins freely, yes.

When I reconnected the power it took about 30 seconds but the unit started working again; with nothing in the basket, it went through the wash cycle and into rinse with some additional noises from when we got it. I have a short video on my phone I can upload shortly.
While it seemed to be changing to rinse, it made the normal noise for about 20 seconds then quit; it then restarted the noise and quit again after about 20 seconds and stayed there with the lock locked and the rinse light blinking
I have not yet been able to get to diagnostic mode as I was hoping to get the water out of the basket, but if that is not a concern, I can try that shortly.

Thank you

6

After entering Diag Mode I found out the following:

  1. Sensing Fill Light and Spin Lights blink .5 secs, then wait, then the Done light blinks .5 sec; cycle repeats
  2. Sensing Fill Light, Rinse, Spin, and Done lights blink .5 secs, then wait, the the Rinse and Done lights blink .5 sec; cycle repeats
  3. Sensing Fill Light blinks .5 sec, then the Spin light blinks .5 sec; cycle repeats
  4. Sensing Fill light blinks .5 sec, waits and then cycle repeats
  5. All lights blink .5 secs, wait, and then cycle repeats
7

The first error code is going to indicate a stuck key. The second error is a shifter circuit fault. The third error is an over suds failure. The fourth indicator is no faults found. Since the first error code would be the most recent one, it would point to the main control being the cause of failure. W11124821 Control Board | Genuine Whirlpool OEM In Stock

8

LOL, why did I know it was going to be the most expensive part, LOL

Is there a video on how to install this part?

9

This video can be used as a reference for replacing the control. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3SoBTT7kL8

10

Thank you!

Can I order the part here? NVM, I see that now

Thank you again

11

Good Morning,

I was able to install the new control board and all looks correct.

After installation I started the machine with sheets in the basket.

The basket spins freely in both directions and the sense/fill cycle works fine. The issue now is when it moves from sense/fill to wash. There is a normal sound the machine makes when starting the wash cycle, but now that sound is 2-3 times as loud as it used to be and then it stops with no forward progress. There is a few seconds pause, then the louder sound sounds and then nothing after that.

I went to Diag Mode and found the following (none of the lights in Diag Mode flash either)

  1. Done light on only
  2. Spin light on only
  3. Spin and Done lights on only
  4. Rinse light on only
  5. Rinse and Spin lights on only
  6. Rinse and Done lights on only
  7. Rinse, Spin, and Done lights on only
  8. Wash light on only
  9. Wash and Done lights on only
  10. Wash and Spin lights on only
  11. Wash, Spin, and Done lights on only
  12. Wash and Rinse lights on only
  13. Wash, Rinse, and Done lights on only
  14. Wash, Rinse, and Spin lights on only
  15. Wash, Rinse, Spin, and Done lights on only
  16. Sense/Fill light on only
  17. Cycle Starts Over

Thank you,

Steven

12

This would have been the automatic or manual test mode that was activated. Did the noise occur during this mode at all?

13

This was the manual test mode as you had me do the other day, from the .pdf you sent me. And yes, the noise started at the start of the wash mode, but not before

14

What error code pattern shows up when using the error code display mode?

15

The error code I found was F7E5 so I checked the J12 Shifter connection, dis/reconnected the same and it entered wash mode, completed that and started rinse.

It would not complete the rinse cycle so I started it again and now as it starts rinse cycle it make a horrific noise and stops within a couple seconds, starts over and stops again but will not complete the rinse cycle.

16

What type of noise is it causing and does the noise sound like it is from the top or the bottom of the washer?

17

The noise sounds like a grinding of gears and I cannot tell if it’s from top or bottom, but it’s far louder that when there is a cycle change.

18

It sounds like the clutch might not be fully engaging with the pulley. If you access the belt and pulley area, remove the belt and the pulley, does there appear to be any signs of damage on the clutch arm or with the shift actuator itself?

19

Is the belt and pulley area on the bottom of the unit or in the back?

20

It would be on the bottom of the washer.