How to Fix Washing Machines

A broken washing machine can put any household into a tailspin. Whether it's water leaking all over the floor, or a noise that makes your hair stand on end, take a look at the washer to assess the situation, and to see if you can fix it yourself. There are three main parts to every washer: the hoses, the electronics and the transmission. Start with the most obvious options, then move on from there. Some problems, once identified, will be easy to fix. Others will require professional repair, or even replacing the washer. But knowing the problem in advance will save time and money.

Things You'll Need

• Two-prong voltage tester
• Screwdriver
• Gloves
• Bearing oil
• Teflon pipe sealer

Instructions

1. If there's a leak, check the back of the washing machine. If water is running down the back of the unit, that means there's a bad hose, or a loose clamp. Inspect all hoses, apply Teflon pipe sealer on the inlet and outlet pipes, and tighten all clamps. If a hose is broken or split, it will have to be replaced. Do this by unscrewing the old hose, and swapping it with a new, identical model.
   Any water leaking out from the bottom of the unit probably is from a main washer seal. A main seal is not a do-it-yourself option, and you will have have to call a professional for repair.

2. If it won't start, heck the wall unit that powers the washing machine. With the voltage tester, make sure there is power coming to the unit. Sometimes a breaker switch can be thrown and you won't know it, because a washer has a dedicated circuit. You can fix this by flipping the breaker back into place.

3. Also, see if there's a problem with the circuit board. The circuit board controls all the washer's functions through the upper control panel, whether it is a dial, a turning knob, or an electronic push pad. If you activate the wash functions, and only half of them work, then it's a circuit board problem. Changing out a circuit board is not a do-it-yourself project, and a professional will have to be called.

4. Listen to the sound of the motor. If there is power to the unit, but no motor sound, you'll have to check the motor itself. To do this, open the back panel with the screwdriver. Be careful as there are usually a few sharp edges, so wear a pair of gloves for protection.

5. Unplug the washer. Check the electric motor. Most motors have attached circuit breakers, which will cut out if the wash load is over the limit, or an article of clothing is caught.

6. Check for jams. Generally on the bottom side of the motor will be a large red button. Find this button and push it in. Turn on the washer. If it begins to work, you are good to go. But, if you turn on the washer, and the power cuts out again after a few seconds, look for something jamming the function of the motor or the wash tub itself.

7. If the motor runs at this point, but is squealing and howling, the likely cause is nonlubricated motor bearings. You'll see a shaft that runs out of the motor, so take the bearing oil dispenser and squirt a couple drops of oil on the shaft. Let it run down into the motor. Turn on the washer, and the noise should be gone.

8. If the motor keeps kicking off, or you can hear the motor running but nothing is happening, check the transmission. With the panel off, the transmission will be attached to the motor and the wash tub. You can check to see if there is something jamming the transmission. A jammed transmission will not turn, and will cause the circuit breaker in the motor to kick off. Pull out any jam and restart the washer.
   If there is no jam, turn on the washer and watch the transmission spin. If it doesn't spin, and the motor cuts out, the transmission is bad and needs to be replaced. If the transmission spins along with the motor, but the wash tub doesn't move, the transmission is shot and will have to be replaced. Generally, this is a job for a professional repair service. Sometimes, it can be less expensive to simply replace the washing machine entirely.