My Older Kenmore Washer Won't Spin the Clothes

Bad parts and electrical connections can cause a washer to not spin clothes.

Your older Kenmore washer may have years of service left in it even if it is not spinning the clothes you are washing the way that it should. You can immediately replace your Kenmore washer -- or try to troubleshoot the problem. The spinning problem can be caused by several worn parts or bad electrical connections. You will have to check both parts and their electrical connections to determine where the problem lies and how to fix it. Some fixes may be relatively easy, while others may call for brand new parts.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flat-nose screwdriver
• Ohm meter

Instructions

1. Open the washer's door and grasp its lip with both hands. Pull the washer away from the wall until you can see its electrical plug. Unplug the electrical plug from the wall socket. Move the control panel up and back on its hinge by pressing down on the panel's top clips on either side, removing the clips and unscrewing the Phillips-head screws at the front bottom of the control panel. Press down on the clips exposed on either side of the washer and tilt the cabinet forward to release it from the back panel.

2. Plug the washer back in and set it to the spin cycle. Watch the solenoid to see if it sucks up the plunger that activates the spin cycle. If it remains open, touch the solenoid wire to an ohm meter to check for electrical continuity; the ohm meter needle should move to the right with good electrical continuity. Replace the solenoid if the ohm meter moves to the left.

3. Check the electrical circuit from the timer to the lid switch to the solenoid with an ohm meter. Replace any part that registers low electrical conductivity on the ohm meter.

4. Unplug the washer again. Test for broken wires inside the insulation along the electrical circuit by grasping each wire about 8 inches from a connector or end and gently pulling on it; a broken wire pulls apart, and the insulation stretches. Replace the broken wires with the machine unplugged.

5. Check the set screw on the clutch assembly while the washer is still unplugged to determine if it has pulled back too far, keeping the drum brake on all of the time. Tighten the set screw with a screwdriver. Plug the machine in and set it to spin to see if this fixes the problem.

References

• Appliance Aid: Kenmore Washer Won't Spin
• Appliance Aid: Good Electrical Continuity: Using an Ohm Meter