This advice is for Kenmore Elite, Whirlpool Duet and Maytag Epic model FRONT LOADING washing machines. If you experience a problem where the washer does not drain properly or the drain pump makes excessive noise, here’s the information you need to check the drain pump:
- Unplug the washer while servicing inside the unit.
- Remove the lower kick panel under the door by removing the three 7mm screws under the bottom edge of the panel. HINT: Use a couple of blocks of wood to prop up the front feet of the washer to gain better access to the screws. Once the screws are removed the panel should drop down, and then pull off. If the panel becomes stuck, a slight tap on either side will dislodge it.
- Locate the drain pump. It will be located directly under the wash tub (it is the only pump this washer has).
- There is an access removal cover on the pump that can be removed to clean out the trap. BEFORE doing this, it is strongly recommended that you remove all residual water from the wash tub & drain line or you will have about a gallon or so inside your washer and on the floor to clean up.
- Here’s a helpful way of quickly removing the residual water. If you own a wet/dry shop vac, remove the drain hose from the standpipe at the wall and pull a vacuum with the shop vac. This will empty the wash tub, pump and drain lines. If you don’t own a shop vac, grab a bunch of old towels and open the access on the pump slowly so that it comes out at a trickle. Allow the towels to soak up the majority of the water. Close the access and stop the water if you need to get additional towels.
- Open the pump access and remove once you have all the water drained. Check the drain pump for foreign objects and debris. Check the pump impeller and make sure there’s nothing caught in it. Items as small as toothpicks or cotton swabs have been known to stop this pump from working.
- Clean out the pump thoroughly and reinstall the access cover. Make sure the cover is snug, but do not over tighten.
- Place the drain hose back in the standpipe (IMPORTANT – DO NOT FORGET!).
- With the bottom panel still off, plug the washer back in and select the following on the operator console – DRAIN SPIN, NO SPIN, and then press any button under OPTIONS 4 times (it must be the same button). “C00” will show on the console display as the washer begins diagnostics mode.
- Check the drain pump for leaks as the washer fills. The pump is gravity filled and will hold water even it is not pumping. Allow washer to run through diagnostics until it begins the wash tub tumble cycle.
- At this point, you can stop the diagnostics procedure by pressing PAUSE/CANCEL 2 times. The drain pump energizes and the washer will begin to drain.
- If the drain pump works normal and there are no leaks detected, reinstall the bottom panel and tighten screws.
NOTE: It is normal to have residual water left inside the wash tub under the wash basket. This is why it is important to leave the door ajar when not in use so this water does not become sour.
Lorie Niethe Sep 25, 2011
Thanks so much for your help, A 15 minute job saved me alot of money!!! After removing a pen and $6.38 in change it runs like new. Now to get the men in my life to remove their change....that would be priceless!!!
Keith Oct 06, 2011
Practical solutions by someone really knowledgable is one of the FANTASTIC things about the internet. Thanks so much for taking the time to post this. You saved me a lot of money and a big hassle.
Joey Gamache Nov 04, 2011
I have removed the drain pump and have also removed two big balls of gunk. I am still getting the same error. F21. I have notived that the black drain line that goes from the bottem of the washer into the drain pump closes togother(almost like it is being suctioned back into the washer). I have cleaned all drain lines. what can I do or is it the drain pump?
Jeff Rockwell Nov 07, 2011
@Joey, If you've cleaned the drain pump reservoir, ensured the drain lines are all clear and still have an error code present, then more than likely, you have a defective drain pump. I have found the pumps available at the following websites: searspartsdirect.com pcappliancerepair.com appliancepartspros.com repairclinic.com NOTE: If the pump housing is still in good shape, you can save yourself some money by purchasing only the pump motor. The motor can be removed easily from the pump housing by removing three screws. However, most part websites only sell the pump as an entire assembly. I have found several sellers on Ebay that sell the pump motor at much less than what the manufacturers are asking for an entire pump assembly. DO NOT purchase anything used and only look for sellers with a reputable rating. Make sure you seat the o-ring correctly when installing, or the motor will seal correctly. If you have any questions, please let me know.
tk 101 Jan 22, 2012
Same as below...saved me a lot of $ and the fix was rather simple once I found this website. Maytag 9000 with steam with F21 & Sud error. No luck creating a vacuum effect from the drain hose with the wet vac. Once access door unscrewed, stuck the vac hose in there and caught most of the water (still needed the towels). One sock was right behind the trap door but once done with the job, 2 more socks inside the wet vac?!?! Washer back in operation. This website is AWESOME...thank you!
tk 101 Jan 22, 2012
Same as below...saved me a lot of $ and the fix was rather simple once I found this website. Maytag 9000 with steam with F21 & Sud error. No luck creating a vacuum effect from the drain hose with the wet vac. Once access door unscrewed, stuck the vac hose in there and caught most of the water (still needed the towels). One sock was right behind the trap door but once done with the job, 2 more socks inside the wet vac?!?! Washer back in operation. This website is AWESOME...thank you!
joe blow Feb 12, 2012
This was an extremely easy fix. Took me 15 minutes on a Sunday morning. 4 baby socks were the culprit in our pump trap. Problem solved! Thanks!
Mean Green Jun 13, 2012
Thanks! Had shoelace wrapped around the pump impeller! Pulled it all apart, cleaned everything and she's as good as new!
tim peterson Sep 04, 2012
Great Advice! Took a while because I cleaned some pens out of the trap, made sure the inlet & outlet lines were clear, but still the pump wouldn't pump & had a gravelly sound - F-02! Relaced the pump, and I'm good - turns out the old pump had a broken shaft... Thanks again!
dixiekgirl Sep 22, 2012
LADIES - I spent more time begging my husband to do this than I did just doing it myself. Don't call a repairman, this was super easy! Toddler sock was our culprit... good as new!
marksjewelry Feb 16, 2013
My problem 2 time don't wash toddlers socks or thongs
Bob Burgess Apr 30, 2013
baby sock for sure. SO glad I came to fixya.com instead of making that Maytag call!
Ryan Dumas May 16, 2013
thanks for this! you just saved me about 150 dollars!
Bradley Quillen Jul 08, 2013
Extremely helpful information, much more than the manual provided. Easy fix and $$$ saved...thanks!
Paula Ordunez Jul 13, 2013
Awesome advise, we got the washer from my dad with no manual and were lost at what to do. Thank you for posting.
mnscer Nov 21, 2013
Great advice. This worked for me. All sorts of gunk in the trap. I only went as far as 8 then put the panels back on. I had just about written it off, as before that I plugged it in, and there were no lights anywhere. Is that a power interlock switch on the right side of where the panel goes? Anyway, to my surprise, after putting panel back, and pushing a button on the control panel, it came to life. Thanks.
Richard Iazzetta Dec 28, 2013
Awesome advice. Thanks worked well. Quarter, penny, paperclip all in the the trap. Watching it work now. Very happy.
Christy Parker Apr 28, 2014
I have checked the trap, and I have nothing in it. Any other idea what might be causing an F02 error besides a clogged trap?
Jason Lowe Jan 23, 2015
The 7 mm screws are placed where there is no room for a screwdriver. This is for kenmore elite.
Katrina M. Norris Jan 26, 2015
Thank you for posting this. The hubbs and I just went through the steps and fixed our washer. Service call for this would run about $350. Cost us $0 and took about 20 minutes.
Brenda Nicolay Apr 14, 2016
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the awesome step by step instructions! It worked:)
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