How to remove the washplate (agitator) to remove loose change .I have removed the plastic cap and removed one bolt but it still doesnt lift up, help

The agitator is fastened to the agitator shaft and its movement is driven either by splines or a simple clutch assembly. The splines are usually plastic or rubber nubs on a cylinder that fits over the agitator shaft. If the nubs wear down, the shaft will not turn properly or it will turn weakly. If the agitator is moving in only one direction, the likely cause is the clutch assembly. The clutch has dogs that depress and pop up with each turn. If those dogs are worn, they will not engage properly and the agitator will turn only in one direction.
Various makes and models differ in how the agitator is removed. In some newer models, the agitator just lifts straight up and out. However, in most models you will have to do some combination of the following steps. First remove the fabric softener dispenser, if any. It should either lift or screw off. Next remove the cap. It may lift off, screw off or failing that, it may need to be pried off.
Beneath the cap some agitators are secured in place by a bolt. Use a socket wrench with an extension to remove that bolt. Some Maytags may have a screw near to the bottom of the agitator post that must be removed. Now try to lift the agitator straight up, possibly with a little back and forth rocking motion. Use caution when pulling, the agitator may come loose suddenly and hit you in the face or send you flying backward.
If the agitator is particularly stubborn, you can loop some rope under one side of the agitator at the bottom and then up over a broom handle. Now loop it again under the other side of the agitator and back up to the broom. Brace one end of the broom handle against the top of the washer and lift up on the other end. Double check that you have removed anything that may be securing the agitator in place. Do not use too much force or you may damage the washer cabinet, agitator or injure yourself.
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Remove the fabric softener on top of agitator and plastic insert. Use socket wrench to remove hex bolt and lift top half and then bottom half of agitator which should then expose chain.

One stupid question on trying to get access to the nut to remove the agitator shaft. After I removed the fabric softener dispenser there appears to be a plastic cap between. I've tried everything I can to remove this piece of plastic so i can get access to bolt.. Am I missing something obvious?

If this is a Whirlpool Cabrio, it has two pumps. One is the drain pump and the other is a recirc pump. In most cases, loose change an other items end up in one of these pumps. The following link explains how to access and check the pump(s) on the washer for obstructions.

http://www.fixya.com/support/r4155097-checking_drain_pump_whirlpool_cabrio

If you have something stuck in the wash tub, you will need to remove the washplate in the center of the wash tub. Follow these steps:

1. Lift the washer top panel by locating the retaining clips in the seam along the front (about two inches in from each side). Use a putty knife to push in while lifting on the top panel to release.

NOTE: Its a good idea to tape the lid shut to prevent it from flying open when you lift the washer top.

2. Remove the wash tub ring. This is the plastic ring around the perimeter of the top of the wash tub. There are a series of release tabs around the tub that you can pry with a screwdriver.

NOTE: The washplate will not come out with the tub ring in place.

3. With the tub ring removed, pop the center post cap off the washplate. Locate the center nut and remove. Hold the washplate with one hand as you loosen to keep it from turning.

4. Lift the washplate out of the tub.

With the wash plate removed, you should easily be able to access anything stuck in the spin basket.

If you have any questions, or if this is NOT a Cabrio, please post back and let me know. I hope this helps you.

There should be a cap on the top of the agitator. Pry off the cap and remove the inner plastic cap down inside the agitator. Remove the bolt in the center of the agitator and lift the agitator out of the washer. Separate the upper and lower half of the agitator and install the new gears. Reinstall everything in reverse.
Hope this is of some help.

The agitator has two parts. One is the bottom agitator and then you have the top agitator that moves the clothes around. If the top part of the agitator is not moving. You probably need to replace the dog ears. Check the agitator dogs inside the top of the agitator, they are bad for wearing out, sometimes the agitator may only agitate one way when the dogs are worn out. This is an instruction sheet that came with the last parts I ordered for a Whirlpool/Inglis style direct drive washer agitator. If you need to replace your agitator dogs, please see this link for some repair aid. -- click on this link directly to get the detailed instruction for replacing dog ear
http://www.american-appliance.com/catalog/newsdesk_info.php?newsdesk_id=136
to remove the whole agitator check out the instructions as follows:
(1) Kenmore washer..... Remove the agitator cap, some caps unscrew and some will just pull off. Look for a bolt and remove the bolt, lift up on the agitator...picture1, picture2.
(2) Kenmore washer.....Remove the agitator cap, some caps unscrew and some will just pull off. Look for a plastic bolt and remove the bolt, the plastic bold will have a square in the middle that the square end of the shaft of an socket extension ( or a very large flat screw driver ) will fit into the square hole to unscrew the plastic nut off...remove the upper 1/2 of the agitator....remove thebolt holding down the bottom 1/2 of the agitator, lift up on the agitator. also you can get the exact required parts from www.repairclinic.com
This will help. Thanks please keep updated. please do rate the solution positively .thank you for using fixya.

remove top of agitator remove plastic cap inside agitator housing. remove 7/16 in. bolt. lift out agitator

Remove the agitator cap, some caps unscrew and some will just pull off. Look for a plastic bolt and remove the bolt, the plastic bold will have a square in the middle that the square end of the shaft of an socket extension ( or a very large flat screw driver ) will fit into the square hole to unscrew the plastic nut off...remove the upper 1/2 of the agitator....remove thebolt holding down the bottom 1/2 of the agitator, lift up on the agitator.

Noises
Often something works it's way into the pump and makes a clicking or scraping noise. Another bad spot on this washer is the snubber ring that sits between the base and the drive unit.
1) Whirlpool, Inglis, (some) Kenmore washer..... Remove the agitator cap, some caps unscrew and some will just pull off. Look for a bolt and remove the bolt, lift up on the agitator...picture1, picture2.
(2) Whirlpool, Inglis, (some) Kenmore washer.....Remove the agitator cap, some caps unscrew and some will just pull off. Look for a plastic bolt and remove the bolt, the plastic bold will have a square in the middle that the square end of the shaft of an socket extension ( or a very large flat screw driver ) will fit into the square hole to unscrew the plastic nut off...remove the upper 1/2 of the agitator....remove thebolt holding down the bottom 1/2 of the agitator, lift up on the agitator.

If your machine uses a washplate or agitator there is one 7/16 bolt under the center cap or fabric softener dispenser. After this a agitator will lift from the bottom and a washplate will need assistance by grabbing the basket and lifting quickly to pop the washplate up so it can be grasped.