Washing Machine Won't Spin

[Event]

Really no other place to put this... the washer I got off craigslist last week won't go into the spin cycle. it agitates and drains fine but here is what it does when put in spin:


(not my video)

I messaged the person that put that video up, and I'm still waiting. It looks like the clutch will need to be replaced... anyone know how much a new one will cost and if I could do it myself with basic tools?

 

[Omnis]

My dad had a similar problem with one he got off of craigslist. Hint: That's why it was on craigslist.

 

[Northstar]

My cousins did that, unfortunately it did it while my clothes were in it. They just wound up buying a new one.

 

[Event]

My dad had a similar problem with one he got off of craigslist. Hint: That's why it was on craigslist.

not everything on craigslist is junk. this however makes me think that people really are hopeless. good thing I only spent $300 for the pair. 👎 shame on me for not knowing what to check when buying a washer or dryer. chalk this one up as a life lesson learned. still, I need to know how/what I need to fix it

 

[Slick Rick]

My washing machine stopped spinning once, I opened it up and found an allen key I left in my pocket was jamming the drum....

 

[breakpoint]

Remove the cover and you will be able to see the bottom where the transmission and drum meet. On the bottom there will be a piece called the motor coupler, it is two pieces of plastic that connect the drum to the transmission. They make the coupler plastic so if you overload the washer it will hopefully break the 13 dollar coupler instead of burning out the transmission:tup: I had to replace mine a few months back, you turn the washer on and it does all the filling and all that stuff but the drum just won't turn, and there are some nasty noises sometimes as well. Look on youtube on how to replace a motor coupler, its really easy to do. The part looks like this.

 

[Event]

Remove the cover and you will be able to see the bottom where the transmission and drum meet. On the bottom there will be a piece called the motor coupler, it is two pieces of plastic that connect the drum to the transmission. They make the coupler plastic so if you overload the washer it will hopefully break the 13 dollar coupler instead of burning out the transmission:tup: I had to replace mine a few months back, you turn the washer on and it does all the filling and all that stuff but the drum just won't turn, and there are some nasty noises sometimes as well. Look on youtube on how to replace a motor coupler, its really easy to do. The part looks like this.

I don't think its that, sadly. the drive shaft from the motor protrudes out the bottom of the motor, which is connected to the drive pulley. The drive pulley is connected to a larger pulley via the belt which then goes to the transmission. the drive pulley spins when the agitation mode is on, but not with spin cycle. the way I understand it is that the motor spins one direction which activates the agitation of the transmission. when the motor spins the other way, the transmission stays put and spins the drum. Which is why I think its the clutch that failed.

 

[breakpoint]

If its a belt drive then no it won't have a coupler, they are on direct drive types. Hopefully you can find a clutch fairly cheap.

 

[Event]

If its a belt drive then no it won't have a coupler, they are on direct drive types. Hopefully you can find a clutch fairly cheap.

looking like list price is $165, more than I paid for the washer. one site has it for $135. I wonder how involved the installation would be...

 

[TigJackson]

I wonder how involved the installation would be...

I don't know anything thing about this matter, and I'm going to assume that your particular machine actually has a clutch. A quick Google search for "washing machine clutch" yields this little gem in the first link listed:
"Clutch Assembly
Not all washing machines use a clutch assembly. Given that it is such a complicated component, you should have a qualified appliance repair technician examine and repair it for you."
http://www.partselect.com/washing-machine+no-spin-agitate+repair.htm

As you probably already know, there are plenty of other links listed with the search option that I used, including:
How to replace a washing machine clutch
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-replace-a-washing-machine-clutch

Good Luck!

 

[Omnis]

not everything on craigslist is junk. this however makes me think that people really are hopeless. good thing I only spent $300 for the pair. 👎 shame on me for not knowing what to check when buying a washer or dryer. chalk this one up as a life lesson learned. still, I need to know how/what I need to fix it

Yeah, I would never buy any kind of appliance or complex machine off of craigslist. Hope you get it fixed. Good luck.

 

[Event]

I don't know anything thing about this matter, and I'm going to assume that your particular machine actually has a clutch. A quick Google search for "washing machine clutch" yields this little gem in the first link listed:
"Clutch Assembly
Not all washing machines use a clutch assembly. Given that it is such a complicated component, you should have a qualified appliance repair technician examine and repair it for you."
http://www.partselect.com/washing-machine+no-spin-agitate+repair.htm

As you probably already know, there are plenty of other links listed with the search option that I used, including:
How to replace a washing machine clutch
http://www.doityourself.com/stry/how-to-replace-a-washing-machine-clutch

Good Luck!

It certainly has a clutch. The hardest part of the job will be to get the old one off. In the pictures I don't see a keyway so it's probably an interference fit which means lots of hammering or I'm going to need to get a hold of a pulley puller. I saw a used clutch assembly with a 90 day guarantee go on ebay for $37 today, so i may not be in too bad of shape. Hopefully I can get it done before I need to do a load of laundry!

#608

 

[Event]

I took the clutch apart and here's what I found, worn shoes:

if I can find just the shoes I'd be golden. going to take some parts to an appliance store tomorrow.

 

[Radracing]

I took the clutch apart and here's what I found, worn shoes:

if I can find just the shoes I'd be golden. going to take some parts to an appliance store tomorrow.

Now is a good time to buy the part online. Just figure the model number or serial number plus manufacturer.

 

[Event]

Now is a good time to buy the part online. Just figure the model number or serial number plus manufacturer.

I found a used clutch for $40, but I'm looking to get just the shoes. gonna have to talk to someone about that one....

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Can you supercharge it?

 

[Solid Lifters]

Looks like you got things under control.

Next time don't buy a GE! GE is crap! Kenmore is what you want.

 

[Max Powers]

Looks like you got things under control.

Next time don't buy a GE! GE is crap! Kenmore is what you want.

My parents still use a Kenmore dryer in their house that they received as a wedding gift in 1978. Kenmore is legit.

 

[breakpoint]

I have been using our GE every single day for 6 years now, and when I say we wash clothes everyday I mean it. We don't have enough clothes to wash one day a week or whatever most people do.