Topic 'Re: Whirlpool Front Loader Washer Malfunctoning.' in forum 'Home Improvement' - dslreports.com

Re: Whirlpool Front Loader Washer Malfunctoning.

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 19:32:29 EDT

Mr Matt posted : One of my relatives was an executive with an appliance distributor and attended regular seminars about appliance technology. At many seminars the effects of chlorine bleach on washer reliability was discussed. The advice he use to give friends was that in order to maximize the life of a washing machine always do a wash using bleach first. Do not do a bleach washes last. Bleach causes the tub and pump to corrode. Running a normal wash after a bleach wash will flush out the residual bleach.

The technician that repaired my washer introduced me to a product called washer magic, which is designed to break down detergent residue and soap scum in the drum. I added one treatment to the washer and I was amazed how the washer magic mix, initially had no foam but as the solution broke down residues, the solution began to foam. Whirlpool, Tide and other companies make washer cleaners particularly for front loaders.

Re: Whirlpool Front Loader Washer Malfunctoning.

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 19:19:35 EDT

mityfowl posted :

said by Raphion:

said by sk1939:

I suppose, I grew up with washers that have temperatures of hot, cold, or warm. I've since noticed that washers have gotten more advanced in recent years, but I can't help but think that all the circuitry shortens the lifespan considerably. Does it really make that much of a difference (direct drive), my Whirlpool is 15 or so years old and has no issues (knock on wood) which is great considering the $230 or so dollars it cost in the late 90's.

The computer circuity usually outlives the mechanicals. You'll lose the main bearing, drive motor, or drain pump long before the extra electronics go out. The main bearing lives an especially hard life if you can't teach others in your household not to use excessive amounts of detergent...

That's just not true.

Board failure on these products is common.

Re: Whirlpool Front Loader Washer Malfunctoning.

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 19:02:38 EDT

Raphion posted :

said by sk1939:

Re: Whirlpool Front Loader Washer Malfunctoning.

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 11:52:58 EDT

David posted : yep, extended warranties are the best thing for big ticket items. For what the service company spent on my washer the first time around I would have been livid had I had to shell out for the time and repairs.

One that I did buy recently (only because I am sure the pipes in my older home have not been replaced in the last 10-20 years was a sewer and water line protection. I pay roughly $150/yr. Considering my brother just got done forking up $7k for a sewer line break I don't feel so bad.
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If you have a topic in the direct forum please reply to it or a post of mine, I get a notification when you do this.
Koetting Ford, Granite City, illinois... YOU'RE FIRED!!

Re: Whirlpool Front Loader Washer Malfunctoning.

Fri, 13 Jul 2012 11:41:59 EDT

Mr Matt posted : :D I want to thank everyone for their assistance resolving this problem.

1) David's response got me thinking about the service contract I sighed for my central air conditioners. It turns out that I received a comprehensive plan as a promotion that included repair on all appliances.

2) While the technician was attempting to locate the problem I printed the information from the link that Jack_in_VA provided and gave it to him. He decided that the problem was either the flow meter or pressure switch. He decided to replace the flow meter and pressure switch. I had to wait about ten days until the technician obtained the parts. There was no charge for parts and labor because of the service contract.

3) In response to sk1939, I purchased a front loading washer because of low water consumption. We irrigate the lawn with city water. The rate is $7.39 per thousand gallons for consumption over 30,000 gallons. We normally do not reach that consumption level except if we add new plants which must be watered every day for from two weeks to a month.

Water rates per 1,000 gallons

0 to 8,000 gallons 1.85

8,001 to 20,000 gallons 2.31

20,001 to 30,000 gallons 3.25

Over 30,000 gallons 7.39

To clarify, if I use 10,000 Gallons I pay $1.85 per thousand for the first 8,000 gallons and $2.31 per thousand gallons for the next 2,000 gallons.

Re: Whirlpool Front Loader Washer Malfunctoning.

Sun, 08 Jul 2012 00:31:04 EDT

raster44 posted : It was the joke in the family and I would take people down to the basement to show off my $2000 washer and dryer on Pedestals just like you show off a new car. Crazy, I know, but I just had to have it after the demo in the store. Now there's just the two of us and it sits there getting used but a few times a month. The pair work great and you can wash a load in under 50 minutes and dry it in less than 40 minutes. It handles those big comforters that I used to take to the laundromat easily or 10 bath towels. Everything comes out fluffy and wrinkle free with a freshness I've never seen before. By the way they are the original Maytags that were made with US parts.

Re: Whirlpool Front Loader Washer Malfunctoning.

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 23:11:15 EDT

sk1939 posted : I suppose, I grew up with washers that have temperatures of hot, cold, or warm. I've since noticed that washers have gotten more advanced in recent years, but I can't help but think that all the circuitry shortens the lifespan considerably. Does it really make that much of a difference (direct drive), my Whirlpool is 15 or so years old and has no issues (knock on wood) which is great considering the $230 or so dollars it cost in the late 90's.

Re: Whirlpool Front Loader Washer Malfunctoning.

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 22:47:55 EDT

iknow posted :

said by sk1939:

Not trying to be an ass, but why would you buy a $1000 washer? What benefit does it have over a $400 washer?

one thing is you won't find a direct drive washer for $400, those have transmissions, and crappy one's at that. and there are temperature, and other controls not in those cheap models.

Re: Whirlpool Front Loader Washer Malfunctoning.

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 22:02:58 EDT

David posted : this one was one of the HE high efficiency ones. At the time it was the lowest price we could find and felt comfortable with. We looked around for months. My wife can load this one and not kill it

Re: Whirlpool Front Loader Washer Malfunctoning.

Sat, 07 Jul 2012 00:10:53 EDT

sk1939 posted : Not trying to be an ass, but why would you buy a $1000 washer? What benefit does it have over a $400 washer?

Re: Whirlpool Front Loader Washer Malfunctoning.

Fri, 06 Jul 2012 12:28:34 EDT

David posted :

said by Raphion:

^ This, they hook up their laptop to it and read the code history, just like cars these days.

It sounds like the water level switch isn't functioning to me. It's not getting the signal that the water has reached the correct level after running the water for so long, so it "knows" that there is probably a problem with the level sensor, so it stops filling (or attempting to fill, depending on what caused it to fail to see the water level come up), so as to avoid the possibility of turning your laundry room into an indoor swimming pool.

I will 3rd that... that's what they used on my cabrio top loading washer. That's how the guy figured out the bearing at the bottom of the drum was bad. It kept pushing an error code that the computer up top kept.

Good thing is with the $1k I spent for that washer I bought the extended warranty.

So far to date:

New drum cost including repair was easily $700 (that I didn't pay for!)

Recently the control button broke: Another $100 to fix and $150 for the part.

So far for the extra $150 I spent for the warranty till 2014, I can say I am rather satisfied.
--
If you have a topic in the direct forum please reply to it or a post of mine, I get a notification when you do this.
Koetting Ford, Granite City, illinois... YOU'RE FIRED!!

Re: Whirlpool Front Loader Washer Malfunctoning.

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 19:00:09 EDT

tp0d posted : Sure sounds like you have a bad microswitch in the water level pressure switch.. Or, a clogged or split tube feeding the switch. Either way, you gotta take it apart to find out..

Heres the pressure switch..

»www.partselect.com/PS391479-Whir···W9400PL1

..and the tube

»www.partselect.com/PS1489504-Whi···W9400PL1

..and a good place to start, with parts breakdowns to see how it comes apart

»www.partselect.com/AdvancedModel···kMfgID=3

good luck

-j
--
if it aint broke, tweak it!!
currently on FiOS (kick aZZ!)

Re: Whirlpool Front Loader Washer Malfunctoning.

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 10:40:21 EDT

iknow posted : it's very possible it's a corroded connection to the sensors. cleaning then applying grease to stop that works.

Re: Whirlpool Front Loader Washer Malfunctoning.

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 18:19:06 EDT

Raphion posted : ^ This, they hook up their laptop to it and read the code history, just like cars these days.

It sounds like the water level switch isn't functioning to me. It's not getting the signal that the water has reached the correct level after running the water for so long, so it "knows" that there is probably a problem with the level sensor, so it stops filling (or attempting to fill, depending on what caused it to fail to see the water level come up), so as to avoid the possibility of turning your laundry room into an indoor swimming pool.

Re: Whirlpool Front Loader Washer Malfunctoning.

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 16:36:49 EDT

SwedishRider posted :

said by Mr Matt:

My greatest fear is if I call Whirlpool service, when the technician arrives the washer will not malfunction.

I had an issue with my Whirlpool top loading washer (newer HE model) and the tech somehow was able (without starting a load of wash) to get recorded error codes similar to how a car records errors for a mechanic to look at. Even if it doesn't malfunction when the tech is physically there, I think they can somehow pull the error codes from your machine to diagnose it.

Re: Whirlpool Front Loader Washer Malfunctoning.

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 12:28:18 EDT

Mr Matt posted : Jack I really appreciate your advice. Here is some additional information:

1) I flushed out the inlet hoses and checked the filter on the washer inlet fittings and found no blockage. I measured water Pressure at about 60 PSI gauge.
2) When the washer malfunctions and I press the pause/cancel button the display shows that about 5 Minutes have elapsed from the time the start button was pressed. The elapsed time is the same, regardless of which wash cycle is selected. When I press the pause/cancel button thew second time, the drain pump runs for about 5 Seconds and the washer shuts off and the display goes dark.
3) Cycling the power on and off to the washer did not correct the problem.
4) Two weeks ago the washer malfunctioned and then started working again after I ran about 6 wash cycles that failed with the drum empty of clothes.
5) After that the washer worked properly for about 5 loads of clothes before malfunctioning again.

My greatest fear is if I call Whirlpool service, when the technician arrives the washer will not malfunction. I am trying to figure out if the problem is the flow meter which I was not aware of or pressure switch. The one factor that is clearly different between when the washer functions properly and malfunctions is that during the normal fill cycle the water flow cycles on and off several more times than when the washer malfunctions.

Re: Whirlpool Front Loader Washer Malfunctoning.

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 10:40:19 EDT

Jack_in_VA posted : »www.applianceaid.com/duet-washer-help.php

Failure Code F/H

Condition Check/Repair

No water detected entering machine or Pressure switch trip not detected.

If after 30 seconds the control does not detect water entering machine and then valves will be turned off and the error code will be displayed.

Or

If the control has turned the water valves on and after 8 minutes the flow meter has detected 10.5 gallons of water passing through it, but has not detected the pressure switch trip, the valves will be turned off and the error code will flash.

Press PAUSE/CANCEL twice to clear the display.
orange bullet If there is no water in the unit:
1. Make sure that both valves at the water source(s) are turned on all the way.
2. Check for plugged or kinked inlet hoses or plugged screens in the inlet valves
3. Verify inlet valve operation
orange bullet If there is water in the unit:
1. Verify Drain pump operation
2. Pressure Switch Hose is in good condition and properly connected to Tub and Pressure switch
orange bullet Verify there is not a siphon problem
orange bullet Verify wire harness connections to:Inlet Valves, Pressure Switch, Drain Pump, Flow Meter, and Central Control Unit (CCU)
orange bullet Check all hoses for possible leaks
orange bullet Verify pressure switch operation
orange bullet Verify flow meter operation
orange bullet Verify CCU operation

Whirlpool Front Loader Washer Malfunctoning.

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 10:32:32 EDT

Mr Matt posted : I purchased a Whirlpool Washer model number GHW9400PL1 in January of 2006. It worked fine until the beginning of the year. I have been intermittently experiencing the following problem:

Malfunction mode:
1) Load Washer
2) Start Washer
3) Drum starts to fill with water
4) Drum spins and continues to spin.
5) Water flow cuts off
6) About 15 - 30 seconds elapse.
7) Water flow starts again.
8) About 15 to 30 seconds elapse.
9) Water flow cuts off
10) About 15 to 30 seconds elapse.
11) Water flow starts again and continues until the audible alert starts beeping and the display shows an F and an H. Washer immediately drains and shuts off.

Normal Mode:
1) Load Washer
2) Start Washer
3) Drum starts to fill with water
4) Drum spins and continues to spin.
5) Water flow cuts off
6) About 15 - 30 seconds elapse.
7) Water flow starts again.
8) About 15 to 30 seconds elapse.
9) Water flow cuts off
10) About 15 to 30 seconds elapse.
11) Water flow starts again
12) About 15 to 30 seconds elapse.
13) Water flow cuts off and the wash cycle continues until the wash cycle ends.
14) Washer completes the wash rinse and spin cycles and shuts off.

For some reason when the washer malfunctions the water continues to flow into the drum and never stops until the alarm goes off and the trouble codes appear.

Have anyone experienced this problem and how was it solved?