Washer does not spin

hi Jlove.
Washer Fills but Does Not Agitate. If your washer fills with water but doesn't agitate, the problem is likely to be a faulty lid switch, a broken belt, or a problem with the motor. (Note: Direct-drive washing machines do not have belts..
Washer Doesnt Agitate or Spin
Top Load Washer will not agitate or spin Google Search

This assumes that you have a basic Kenmore / Whirlpool top load, direct drive, neutral drain (it doesn't spin until the pump removes most of the water) machine.

First, see the Sears parts site for your washer:
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/index.action

Enter your model number (###.######) and you'll see a list of major sub-components with diagrams and parts.

Top load, direct drive Whirlpool / Kenmore washers use a reversing motor.

It turns one way for agitating and reverses for draining and spinning.

It sounds as if either the motor is shot or one of the connectors is bad.

As a place to start, see the Whirlpool Service manuasl (with wiring diagrams) for their top load, direct drive washers.

WHIRLPOOL INST AND MAINTENANCE INCLUDING HOW TRANSMISSION WORKS

https://secured.whirlpool.com/Service/SrvTechAdm.nsf/2cd44500d572193285256a45004fd9d6/f7e2147fa98b28cf85257122007475cb/$FILE/L-55.pdf


WHIRLPOOL TRANSMISSION DESCRIPTION AND SPRINGS

https://secured.whirlpool.com/Service/SrvTechAdm.nsf/2cd44500d572193285256a45004fd9d6/2550f737b3129b0c85256b0600504738/$FILE/787772%20%234.pdf

If you have motor sounds after water fill,but no agitation or spin it could be a broken direct drive coupling. If it will not pump out water,there could be something stuck in the drain pump.

This assumes that you have a basic Kenmore / Whirlpool top load, direct drive, neutral drain (it doesn't spin until the pump removes most of the water) machine.

First, see the Sears parts site for your washer:
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/index.action

Enter your model number (###.######) and you'll see a list of major sub-components with diagrams and parts.

First, see the following Whirlpool Kenmore installation and service manual for top load, direct drive washers.

https://secured.whirlpool.com/Service/SrvTechAdm.nsf/2cd44500d572193285256a45004fd9d6/f7e2147fa98b28cf85257122007475cb/$FILE/L-55.pdf

If it drains and you can hear the motor trying to turn the transmission for the agitate mode, the obvious first answer is the Motor coupler. I'd replace it just to be sure.

If it's not the Coupler, the problem points to the transmission itself.

There are only two components of the gearcase that are used for both agitating and spinning.

One is the Agitator shaft which drives the agitator and holds the spin pinion that drives the clutch for spinning.

The other is the main "Bottom and pinion gearcase" itself.

Please see the following Whirlpool parts list for commercial top load direct drive washers although the consumer models use the same transmission parts.

http://shared.whirlpoolcorp.com/assets/pdfs/literature/Repair%20Part%20List%20-%20W10114743.pdf

You have a bad motor. Your washer is a direct drive machine. It turns in one direction to agitate and the other direction to both spin and to pump. You have lost one direction in your motor.

This assumes that you have a basic Kenmore / Whirlpool top load, direct drive, neutral drain (it doesn't spin until the pump removes most of the water) machine.

First, see the Sears parts site for your washer:
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/index.action

Enter your model number and you'll see a list of major sub-components with diagrams and parts.

Also see the Whirlpool / Kenmore installation and operations manual for top load direct drive washers.

https://secured.whirlpool.com/Service/SrvTechAdm.nsf/2cd44500d572193285256a45004fd9d6/f7e2147fa98b28cf85257122007475cb/$FILE/L-55.pdf

Also look at the Whirlpool parts list for top load direct drive commercial washers (the consumer model is basically the same.)

http://shared.whirlpoolcorp.com/assets/pdfs/literature/Repair%20Part%20List%20-%20W10114743.pdf


The Whirlpool / Kenmore top load direct drive washer uses an agitate shaft from the transmission with splines on its' top that fit into slots in the agitator. If the slots in the agitator are damaged / worn, the washer may not agitate.

Remove the fabric softener dispenser, remove the top agitator cap (a short screwdriver works well), and you'll see a 1/2" square drive bolt. Use a 1/2" socket extension to remove the bolt, pull up on the top agitator and carefully turn it over. You should see four plastic "dogs" that allow the top agitator to turn one way only. If they are worn, they are easily replaced.

After removing the top agitator, you should see a bolt (I think it's 5/8").

Carefully remove the bolt and the rubber washer under it and the main agitator should come off. You'll see the top of the transmission agitator shaft with it's splines. Check them and the slots inside the main agitator.

If the splines on the transmission agitator and main agitator are OK, the washer spins and drains and the timer moves through its' cycle, the problem points to an agitate gear in the transmission itself.

See the parts PDF for the transmission.

Replacing the gear in the transmission is a bit complicated (and messy) but it's a lot less expensive than a $170 transmission.

If you decide that you want to work on the transmission (it's not really that hard) post another question on Fixya and I or someone else should be able to walk you through it.

This assumes that you have a basic Kenmore / Whirlpool top load, direct drive, neutral drain (it doesn't spin until the pump removes most of the water) machine.

First, see the Sears parts site for your washer:
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/index.action

Enter your model number and you'll see a list of major sub-components with diagrams and parts.

The Kenmore / Whirlpool top load uses a reversing motor to initiate the pump for draining and the transmission to spin.

If you cannot hear the motor trying to turn the pump, (but the washer will agitate) the problem points to the Timer, or the Lid Switch.

Try to bypass the Lid Switch by removing the Console and jumping the two outermost pins on the switch.

This is the Whirlpool PDF on installation and maintenance of direct drive washers. See the section on how to bypass the lid switch and on the transmission.

WHIRLPOOL INST AND MAINTENANCE INCLUDING HOW TRANSMISSION WORKS

https://secured.whirlpool.com/Service/SrvTechAdm.nsf/2cd44500d572193285256a45004fd9d6/f7e2147fa98b28cf85257122007475cb/$FILE/L-55.pdf

Following is an illustrated description of how to remove the cabinet on Kenmore / Whirlpool top load direct drive washers.

http://www.american-appliance.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsPath=16&newsdesk_id=137

Since it won't drain, the problem points to the lid switch. You already have the cabinet off so replacing the switch isn't too difficult.
The Sears site has the Sears (and probably Whirlpool) part number.

This assumes that you have a basic Kenmore / Whirlpool top load, direct drive, neutral drain (it doesn't spin until the pump removes most of the water) machine.

First, see the Sears parts site for your washer:
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/index.action

Enter your model number and you'll see a list of major sub-components with diagrams and parts.

Following is the Whirlpool installation and maintenance PDF on how top load, direct drive washers work with a troubleshooting section.

https://secured.whirlpool.com/Service/SrvTechAdm.nsf/2cd44500d572193285256a45004fd9d6/f7e2147fa98b28cf85257122007475cb/$FILE/L-55.pdf

Following is the Whirlpool parts list for commercial top load, direct drive washers although the consumer washers are basically the same.

The problem seems to point to the Agitate Cams in the transmission that raise and lower the Agitate gear on the main transmission shaft. These are relatively inexpensive to replace.

I'd also check the splines on the main agitator shaft and the two pronged "washer" on top of it.

Leaks water...check the pump first. The fill valve and hoses may be the next step. See how to take apart info. With the use of plastic drain hoses on many machines today, this has become a common leak trouble maker. The drain hose can rub the wall or a pipe and this will rub a hole in the drain hose.
 

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if you hear the motor running while it is supposed to be agitating or spinning then it is most likely the direct drive coupling between the motor and transmission. if you already checked this and think it is a different problem then let me know, i will help you figure it out.  Mike