Anyone on here good at fixing household appliances? ??? Ever since we moved, our washing machine has been a little weird, and it seems like it is getting worse and not better. But it is sporadic. Sometimes it works just fine. The next time it might not. It is usually fine during the wash cycle, but on the rinse cycle, sometimes it drains as fast as it fills, leaving the water running forever if you don't intervene (thus we can never never leave it running if we're going out.) It isn't leaking anywhere or anything, it just won't always fill and finish the rinse cycle. Sometimes turning it off and on and is enough to kick start it into behaving. Sometimes unplugging it works. Sometimes running it through the rinse cycle on a different cycle works... Sometimes the only thing to do is to use the wash cycle as the rinse and then run it through a spin cycle, but then the next time it'll work just fine. Also, it seems to be worse if you try to wash anything in hot water or on an extra large load.... It's a Whirlpool and less than three years old, but unfortunately out of the warranty, of course. With the baby coming most likely in the next few weeks, I need it to be working right... I remember how many cloth diapers we went through with the girls when they were newborns, and figure it'll be needed every day. I keep asking DH to "look at it", which he does by standing in front of it with a glazed stare and scratching his head. If someone can tell me where to start, I'll try messing with it myself this afternoon because it is driving me crazy. I have better things to do than stand in front of a washing machine all day waiting to see if it is going to work right THIS time.
I know that look.
I have found other appliance repair sites that are really helpful. You might try Googling appropriate terms and study up...then report back here with your results. You know we always want to know how whatever predicament you have gotten yourself into turns out. ;D
:P Now, see here, Glenn! I didn't DO anything to that darn machine... it just freaked out when we moved. The movers had me hook it up and start running it when they got here and it filled up and ran just fine. So I had to sign off saying they weren't liable for any damages to it, and of course, the next load is when it started acting up.
You may want to check the height of your drain, I think washing machines like to see 37" from the floor to the top of the drain to avoid any syphoning. Try http://www.washerhelp.co.uk/diy-repair-help_7.html#cl_q1
Modern product design and engineering practice is to design equipment to work perfectly untill the warranty runs out then break. No spare parts are manufacured so they can't be fixed ever and you have to toss it out and get a new one.
I'd check to make sure the hose is looped higher than the tub. If it is digital try unplugging it for atleast 15 minutes so the the computer can reboot. G/L
I think retired-now has it right in suggesting your drain hose may be too far into the drain. If the end of the drain hose is lower than the level of the water in the tub then water will siphon out and drain away. If it's just slightly lower, then it will start siphoning when the machine first pumps or just randomly. Its common for this to occur when the machine is moved or installed because it was just relocated.
So, pull your washer out a few inches and look behind it. The drain hose should not be pushed down the pipe real far. only 4-6 inches, just enough for it not to fall out .. use a zip tie to hold it if needed. Hope it helps.
Sorry about your troubles HT.
HOWEVER, it is nice to see that glenn can spread himself around to pick on others........ :)
I suppose it could be the hose, however, if the hose is like my last couple machines it has a molded in 180 degree "hook". That would be impossible to stick in too far.
By bet is a faulty solenoid operated valve or a problem with the timer/switch.
I see a service truck in the future.
HT hope you get things straightened out. Oh has anybody missed that four legged creature that your DH loves. Could be stopping up the drain line.
[noidea'
Ladies, ladies, ladies.... I'm sorry -- I was just trying my best to help. [crz]
Have you broken anything lately, Stink? hmm
Hey, believe it or not, I pulled the drain hose out about halfway (which was extra long because it had to kind of stretch at our old house to reach the drain) and ran a load this morning and it worked just fine. I'll keep my fingers crossed to see if works twice in a row!
Looking good. I don't mind being wrong in my suspicions when it saves a service call :) :)