Washing Machine Tips
Common Problems with Washing Machines
Washing machines are important to daily life. Not only do they wash clothes well, but also they do so quickly and without creating a mess. People are so accustomed to tossing their clothes in the machine and turning it on that they do not know how much they depend on their washing machine until it breaks. At this point, people are in panic mode because they need clean clothes and potentially cannot afford to fix the machine or buy a new one. Fortunately, there are some common problems with washing machines that are quite easy to fix yourself.
Problem: The water will not turn on to fill the washing machine.
Solution: When you turn your washing machine on and no water enters the tub, then you should first check the inlet hoses. Sometimes the machine may be pushed back, causing a kink in the hose so no water can enter. If that is not the problem, then there could be a problem with the water level switch. You can identify the water level switch in the control panel because it has a clear tube on it. You will need a VOM to check the terminals to see if they are working properly. Always make sure the machine is unplugged first.
Problem: Water remains in the washing machine and will not drain.
Solution: Sometimes after you wash a load of clothes, the water will not drain properly, or at all, from the tub. If that is the case then you should first check the drainage hose. Sometimes it is clogged or in a kink and cannot drain properly. If this is the problem, it is an easy fix of cleaning out the hose or straightening it. If that is not the problem then you will need to check the pump and the drive belt as either one of these could be the culprit.
Problem: The washing machine will not run.
Solution: If your washing machine will not turn on or run, then there is definitely a problem. It could be something simple like not being plugged in. This might seem silly, but many people find their machines may come unplugged over time from so much vibration or for some other reason. Check this first. If the machine is plugged in and it will not run, then unplug it and check the actual outlet for voltage. You can do this by plugging something else in the outlet and it will identify if the outlet is okay or if there is an electrical problem. If this checks out okay, then evaluate the power cord to see if it is in good condition. If so, then you will need to check some other things. It truly is a process of elimination and it could be the lid switch, timer, or something else. Check each issue in order in order to determine what is wrong.
These are some common washing machine problems you may experience. Luckily, most of them are easy fixes if you can identify the problem through process of elimination and follow directions to solve them. However, if you still cannot locate the problem, rather than pay an expensive engineer to call, purchase a good Washing Machine Repair Manual. Visit our store where these can be purchased inexpensively for the majority of machines.