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My washing machine was working perfectly. I just did 4 loads

 
 
 

Customer Question

My washing machine was working perfectly. I just did 4 loads of laundry. I had the lid open while the 5th load was agitating. I left the room. When I walked back in my children were touching the agitator. I sent them out of the room. The agitator was still operating. Then, I closed the lid and within minutes, I heard a noise. I looked inside the washer and it was no longer agitating. The children swear they did not force the agitator and that they did not put anything in it. Nonetheless, it no longer agitates. I got every piece of clothing out after the cycled timed out and had to squeeze the water from each piece since the spin cycle merely allowed the water to drain and did not "wring" out the clothes by agitating. We are a single income military family and I am struggling to pay bills. What can I do to fix this for the least cost? I am rather handy. Can I fix this myself?

Submitted: 160 days and 12 hours ago.
Category: Appliance
Status: CLOSED
 
 
 
 
 
 

Optional Information

Optional Information:
Make: Kenmore
Model: Lady Kenmore

Already Tried:
I set it to different cycles but it never agitated. I looked for obstructions underneath the agitator. There was nothing there. The load was set to medium. So,I am confident that a sock did not float over the rim and clog the pump. I know the pump is working because the water drained from the tub after the cycle timed out. Once all of the clothes were out, I set the level to small and started a cycle without clothes. It still would not agitate.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 12 hours ago.

Response From Expert

Hi welcome to just answer my name is XXXXX XXXXX i will be helping you today with your problem.

Can i have the model # XXXXX it is under the lid.

If this has been helpful please press accept.Smile

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 12 hours ago.

Customer Reply

Good Morning. The machine is KENMORE ELITE. I mistakenly typed Lady Kenmore. The model number is XXXXX(NNN) NNN-NNNNA.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 12 hours ago.

Response From Expert

When you put it in wash what exactly does it do does it make any sounds ?

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 12 hours ago.

Customer Reply

I am filling it with a small load right now (no clothes) to verify what, if any, sounds it makes. But, to the best of my knowledge it made it made an initial sound as if it was trying to work but then became silent until it timed out and the water drained. I will know in a minute for sure, though, since the water is almost filled to the SMALL LOAD level in the tub.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 12 hours ago.

Response From Expert

ok let me know.

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 12 hours ago.

Customer Reply

It is making a humming sound, as if it is trying to work. But, the agitator refuses to move.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 12 hours ago.

Response From Expert

Put the machine in spin does it spin out ?

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 12 hours ago.

Customer Reply

Yes, the water is draining like it did last night. But, the agitator is not moving. So, if there were clothes in there, they would be dripping went like they were last night after the SPIN cycle since it did not technically spin but rather drained the tub of water.

The tub is now empty but the agitator NEVER moved.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 12 hours ago.

Response From Expert

The lid switch needs to be engaged for it to spin. You will need to close the lid.

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 12 hours ago.

Customer Reply

Yes. But, I can tell with the lid closed that the agitator never moved because when I did open the lid, the agitator did not stop suddenly like it has in the past when I have opened the lid during the spin cycle prematurely.

Do you want me to fill the tub with water again and SPIN it out while depressing the lid switch?

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 12 hours ago.

Response From Expert

You don't have to put water in it just put it in spin and engage the lid switch.

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 12 hours ago.

Customer Reply

OK. I am trying to depress the lid switch but cannot seem to locate it. It is not in plain sight.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 12 hours ago.

Response From Expert

There is not a hole on the right side of the body where the lid closes ?

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 12 hours ago.

Customer Reply

No. Nothing stands out to me.

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 12 hours ago.

Customer Reply

I just realized I gave you the wrong model number...

It is 20982992.

I apologize for the inconvenience.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 12 hours ago.

Response From Expert

If that is the case there should be three numbers in front of that like 110 or 665.

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 12 hours ago.

Customer Reply

Yes...they are very small. They are 110.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 12 hours ago.

Response From Expert

You have to close the lid to make it spin. The lid hinge at the back is what engages it. You will be able to feel the machine vibrate if it spins.

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 11 hours ago.

Customer Reply

No, it is not vibrating when it is in the SPIN cycle with the lid closed. I can hear humming and the pump trying to work. But, no spinning. And, when I open the lid, I do not "catch it" suddenly stop spinning like I have in the past. There is no movement whatsoever.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 11 hours ago.

Response From Expert

Ok pull the machine out and lean it back against the wall. In the middle will be the gears case. Just in front of that is the motor. In between the two is the coupler inspect it. For any wear or damage.

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 11 hours ago.

Customer Reply

Okay. Do you want me to lean the front of the machine against the wall so that I can see the back of the machine and look for the coupler?

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 11 hours ago.

Response From Expert

No lean it against the back of the machine then look to the front inbetween the gear case and motor.

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 11 hours ago.

Customer Reply

Okay. Do you want me to lean the back of the machine against the wall and look underneath the washing machine?

Or, do I need to disconnect the front facing of the washing machine so that the tub is exposed and I can see the coupling near it? I have only had one repair done on this machine after 11 years of owning it and it was a couple of months ago. One of my daughter's socks went over the rim and clogged the pump. I watched the repairman unscrew the front facing and expose the insides of the machine. I think I could do that again, if that is what you mean.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 11 hours ago.

Response From Expert

No for now just lean it back against the wall and have a look under it.

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 11 hours ago.

Customer Reply

Okay. I am trying to see inside. At the moment, though, I can see black material...debris on the floor directly underneath that opening. And, there appears to be oil coming out of the motor. I am going to get a closer look.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 11 hours ago.

Response From Expert

You said you knew how to take the shell off well do that now please.

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 11 hours ago.

Customer Reply

Okay. Also, while looking underneath, I found a couple pieces of broken plastic and the floor seemed oily.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 11 hours ago.

Response From Expert

That is fine. The problem is the coupler it needs to be replaced once you have the shell off let me know.

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 11 hours ago.

Customer Reply

I just got the f=drill out of the garage and pulled the dryer out of the way. Am I correct in thinking that I unscrew it from behind the washing machine?

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 11 hours ago.

Response From Expert

No see where all the knobs you need to pull the end caps of the control panel. Grab them from the top. Under them are two screws the hold the controls to the top remove them flip the panel up. Then there are two clips the hold the shell to the back pop them out. Undo the connector for the lid switch tip the shell forward and pull it off.

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 11 hours ago.

Customer Reply

I got the top screws taken off both end caps but the bottom portions of each end cap seem to be connected somehow. I am afraid I will break them if I pull much harder.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 11 hours ago.

Response From Expert

The end caps are just clipped on they should just pull off.

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 11 hours ago.

Customer Reply

Okay. I pulled and the bottom plastic connector broke off of the right end cap. How do I avoid that happening from the left end cap. It does not want to release. The sides have released quite easily. But the bottom portion of the endcap does NOT want to release.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 11 hours ago.

Response From Expert

Here watch this video it may help.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XIsK3W_Qcg

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 10 hours ago.

Response From Expert

I have to step away for 30 minutes. Once you have the shell off then in the front under the tub is the pump. Pop the clips off with a screwdriver and pull the pump off. Then remove the wire harness from the motor. then there are two clips that hold the motor they have screws in them remove the screws then pop the clips off and the motor will come away you can now replace the coupler. I will be back.

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 10 hours ago.

Customer Reply

I got the end caps off and the face plate lifted but am having problems disconnecting the lid switch. It is the big plastic piece with a bundle of wires. It does not want to release.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 10 hours ago.

Response From Expert

It only has three wires in the connector it is on the left.

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 10 hours ago.

Customer Reply

That is right. I typed too quickly. The bundle of wires is behind it. The switch itself only has 3 wires coming out of it. But, it will not release. I have tried depressing with a flat head screwdriver. No joy.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 10 hours ago.

Response From Expert

There is either a little tab you lift or there is a little clip that slides inside you put the flat head screw driver inside and separate the two halts and pull it apart.

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 10 hours ago.

Customer Reply

It will not release. I am looking at a different video I found on-line of how to remove the switch.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 10 hours ago.

Expert's Answer

You can remove the switch from the body if you can not get it apart. Once you have the case off watch this video it will show you how to replace the coupler. In the video he lays the machine down you do not have to do that just lean it back against the wall. You should not have a problem.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYn0_qCFdec

If this has been helpful please press accept.Smile

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 9 hours ago.

Customer Reply

I am not done trying to remove the front cover of the washing machine yet in order to get to the coupler. I cannot get the switch out. I have already broken at least two plastic parts on my machine trying to get THIS far.

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 9 hours ago.

Customer Reply

I got the switch off!!!! But, the front does not want to come off the machine. It appears there are hoses still connecting it. They seem to have c-clamps. Do I squeeze and remove those? Also, how do I order or get this coupler part? Do they sell it at Sears or do I have to order it on-line? And, what is the part number?

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 9 hours ago.

Customer Reply

Are you there?!?!?!

 
 
 
 
 
 
Posted by Tom Johnston 160 days and 9 hours ago.

Response From Expert

Did you watch the video i sent you?

 
 
 
 
 
 
160 days and 8 hours ago.

Customer Reply

Yes I am watching it. I finally got the front cover off. I am in the process of removing the clips from the motor, as the video instructed. I just want to verify that the part I order is the whirlpool #285753A. I am on AMAZON.COM right now and do not want to order the wrong part.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Accepted Answer

Yes that is the correct part.


If this has been helpful please press accept.Smile

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Expert: Tom Johnston
Pos. Feedback: 97.4 %
Accepts: 7324

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