Whirlpool Washer Not Running Repair Guide
Is your Whirlpool washer not spinning or washing? This clothes washer repair
guide will walk you through the steps in repairing your washer. These are the
same steps I take in repairing washers professionally. So read each section
carefully until your washer is repaired.
COUPLING
The coupling is a device that connects the motor to the transmission and is on all direct drive Whirlpool washers (pretty much all of them made after the 80s until recent models called VMW models which are belt driven).
To check this, first turn the washer to spin and turn it on. If you hear the motor running and its not spinning it is almost always the coupling. Unplug the washer. Now you need to take the case off. To do this to take out the two screws that hold the control panel in place (one on each side, you may be able to see them in front, you may have to snap off two covers to see them or they may be on the back) then hinge the control panel up. Once its up, you should see a plug attached to the case with three wires - unplug it. Now remove the two clips on each side of the case under the control and lean the case over then slide it out of the way.
Next remove the pump (I don’t remove the hoses but you can) it’s held on by two clips remove them and pull the pump off. Now remove the motor (I don’t unplug wires but you can) it’s held on by two clips remove them and the motor should fall down. Move the motor to the side and you should see the coupling.
There are three parts to the coupling one on the motor, one on the transmission and one in the middle. If any of these parts are broken replace all of them (they all come together).
If the coupling is not bad then your problem more than likely the clutch. The motor coupling and the clutch can be purchased at AppliancePartsPros.com
Whirlpool Washer Coupling Replacement video
Motor coupling (for Direct Drive Washers)
Lid Switch
On most Whirlpool washers the lid switch will only cause the washer not to spin. But some models the lid switch will cause the washer not to spin or wash. Use this link to learn more on how to check the lid switch Whirlpool washer won’t spin Lid switches can be purchased at AppliancePartsPros.com
MOTOR/PUMP
When you turn the washer to spin and all you hear is a buzz, then the problem is most likely the motor. Unplug the washer. Now you need to take the case off. To do this to take out the two screws that hold the control panel in place (one on each side, you may be able to see them in front, you may have to snap off two covers to see them or they may be on the back) then hinge the control panel up. Once its up, you should see a plug attached to the case with three wires - unplug it. Now remove the two clips on each side of the case under the control and lean the case over then slide it out of the way.
Next remove the pump it’s held on by two clips remove them and pull the pump off. Now remove the motor (I don’t unplug wires but you can) it’s held on by two clips remove them and the motor should fall down. Move the motor to the side and you should see the coupling.
Now turn the coupling by hand (both ways) while turning it you should see the tub or the agitator turn. If you cannot turn the coupling the transmission is locked up and needs replacing.
If you can turn the coupling both ways then you need to take the hoses off
the pump to see if there is anything in the pump. If so remove the obstruction
your problem should be fixed. Often it is best to replace the water pump
due to the fact that it can be very hard to remove the obstruction and you can
cause damage to the pump when doing so. If there is nothing in the pump
the motor is bad and needs replacing. Motors and water pumps can be purchased at
AppliancePartsPros.com
Before you replace the motor check the motor capacitor. A few times I have seen the wires pull off the capacitor. When this happens the motor will not start and sound as if it were stuck.
Whirlpool Washer Water Pump Replacement video
If you have figured out the problem with your Whirlpool washer but don’t know
how to disassemble it this page will help