GE Washer Not Running Repair Guide
your GE washer not running? Fortunately for you this washer repair guide will walk you through the steps it takes in repairing your GE washer. These are the same steps I take when repairing washers professionally. So read each section carefully and your washer will be fixed in no time. If your washer is not running there are a few things that can be wrong with it, but first you need to narrow it down a little. Turn the timer knob to spin then turn the washer on. Now pay attention to what you hear, if it sounds like the motor is running (you may hear the pump run), but the tub wont turn, skip down to the belt and read from there. If you hear just the pump, start from the beginning.
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It’s easy! Just find the model number of the appliance you are working on. Next, type it in to the model number box and it will take you to an illustrated parts diagram for your appliance. Then just simply choose the part you need from the diagram. If you need help finding your model number click here
MECHANICAL LID SWITCH
In this section of my “GE washer not running repair guide” I talk about machanical lid switches. The most common problem for GE washers not running is the lid switch. The lid switch can cause the washer not to spin or wash. But it may just be the lids switch actuator. Lid switch actuators are only found on washers with mechanical lid switches. Actuators consist of two parts, one on the lid and one on the lid switch under the case of the washer (the top of the washer, under the lid there is a hole). Most of the time what happens is the one on the lid switch falls off. In this case when you look through the hole that the actuator is under, it should be white. If the actuator has fallen off there will be nothing in the hole.
To fix this problem, take the front off the washer (insert butter knife between the top and the front pushing on the clips), look for the actuator - its oval and white. It should be in the bottom of the washer. If you find it, take the top off and reinstall it (should snap back on). It’s a good idea to put some glue on it to prevent this from happening again. Now look at the lid to see if the other one has come off, if it has, it needs replacing. If there is nothing wrong with the lid switch actuator, then the lid switch may be bad. To check this, first unplug washer, then remove the top off the washer (held on by two screws behind the front). Now using your ohmmeter , check for continuity between the two wires you had to unplug to take the top off. You should have continuity between the two wires when the lid is closed if not the switch is bad and needs replacing. There are two of these mechanical lid switches switches and they differ in length. The part number for the six inch one is WH12X1044. Order Here The part number for the four inch one is WH12X1043. Order Here . Note that if you are unsure which one your washer uses, order by model number.
MAGNETIC LID SWITCH
In this section of my “GE washer not running repair guide” I talk about magnetic lid switches.
Magnetic lid switches don’t go bad very often and if they are most of the time it’s because of something coming over the top of the tub, ripping the wires off. But if you do think it’s bad (after you have look at other possibilities) you can check it. First unplug the washer and remove front (insert butter knife between the top and the front pushing on the clips). Then cut the wires and be sure to leave enough wire in case you have to reinstall it. Then using your ohmmeter check to see if you have continuity between the wires going to the lid switch. If you have continuity with the lid down, the switch is good if not its bad and needs to be replaced. The part number for this lid switch is WH12X10141 Order Here .
TIMER OR MOTOR
In this section of my “GE washer not running repair guide” I talk about timers and motors. Timers are very hard to check but if the lid switch is good then the timer may be bad. The only other thing it could be is the motor. Timers go bad much more than motors but the only way to tell is to check voltage at the motor. Motors often hum when they are bad. The procedure for checking voltage at the motor varies too much with each model and is too dangerous for me to explain it. But if you know how to read a wiring diagram there should be one near the timer. If you do attempt this (I do not recommend it) you have to do this with the washer on - be careful not to get shocked!! If you do manage do this and you get no voltage at the motor then replace timer, if you get voltage at the motor then replace motor. The timer and the motor can be purchased at AppliancePartsPros.com
BELT
In this section of my “GE washer not running repair guide” I talk about the belt. If your washer is not spinning or washing the belt may be your problem. To check the belt, first unplug the washer and take the front off (insert butter knife between the top and the front pushing on the clips). Now the belt is located under the transmission. Look at it to see if it’s broken or wore out. Belts don’t normally just wear out or break something usually caused this. The most common cause is grease on the belt will make it slip, wear and break. If there is grease on the belt, it’s coming from the transmission and the only way to fix your problem is to replace the belt and the transmission. In this case, replacing only the belt may only buy time. The other thing is the clutch can cause the belt wear or break. The part number for this belt is WH1X2026 Order Here. This belt fits most GE top-loading except HydroWave models.
CLUTCH
In this section of my “GE washer not running repair guide” I talk about the clutch. The clutch is a device that allows the motor to reach full speed before turning the transmission. Note GE stoped using clutches on there washers some time ago so your washer may not have a clutch. If this is the case there will only be a simple pulley on the bottom of the motor. There are two things that normally go wrong with the clutch. One the clip that holds it on the motor breaks causing the clutch to fall off. In this case replace the clip and check the belt, it may have been damaged when the clutch fell off. The other thing that goes wrong with the clutch is it breaks in half. Then this happens replace both the belt and the clutch. The part number for the clutch is WH5X256 Order Here.
TRANSMISSION
In this section of my “GE washer not running repair guide” I talk about the transmission. The transmission can also be bad. To check this, remove the belt. Then attempt to turn the pulley by hand. It should turn freely both ways. If not the transmission is locked up and needs replacing. The part number for the transmission that fits all top-loading washers made after 1995 with the exception of the HydroWave models is WH38X10002 Order Here. .
Use this page to learn more on how to replace a transmission on GE washers GE Washer Disassembly.
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