6 Whirlpool Washer Troubleshooting and Repair

Whirlpool washer troubleshooting can be done easily if you know how to attend to the problems correctly. Despite being a renowned brand in the industry of home appliances, some components of Whirlpool washers can depreciate and break down over time. However, if you are not experienced in working alone and troubleshoot these issues, do not hesitate to get the help of an experienced technician for this. Make sure not to risk causing any more damage as you might void your warranty.

CAUTION: Always disconnect the power supply and unplug the appliance from the Power Point before you attempt any troubleshooting or repairs. Handle tools with care and wear safety glasses and necessary PPEs.

1. Washer is Leaking

If your Whirlpool washer is leaking, then you should start by checking the waterline, pump, and door gasket to find any signs of leaks. You can find these faults by the following procedures.

Check the Waterline

Check the water supply and drain for any loose connections of the hose. Sometimes there would be some damaged rubber washers in these connections. Bends, breaks, and cracks in the waterline can also leak water. You can check for these issues by following these simple methods.

1. Turn off both the power and water supply of the washer.
2. Take out the washer away from the wall to have more space for working.
3. Examine the waterline for any damages, and if you do, you’ll need to replace the waterline.
4. Check the hose to find any loose connections. If there are any, use a wrench to tighten the connections.
5. Turn on the water supply back and check for leaks again. If you find that water leaks again from the waterline, then check the rubber washer inside the connector.
6. You can unscrew the hose connector from the washing machine and check inside. If the rubber washer is damaged or missing, you would have to replace it. Next, screw the hose connector back onto the washer and turn on the water supply back to check for any further leaks.

Water Pump Replacement

A broken pump may be another cause for leaking water in the washer. You can check your water pump for any issues by the following steps. This checking can be done by any individual, but the replacement of the water pump should be done only by a professionally trained technician. 

1. Before you start, turn off the power to the washing machine.
2. Remove the access panel carefully.
3. Next, you should unclip the drain hose from the tub and check for any debris or particles. Sometimes, there might be even debris of clothing that would block the hose from draining.
4. Remove the belt carefully from the flywheel and check if the water pump turns easily. If not, the pump would need to be replaced.

Check the Door Gaskets

The leaking of water during wash cycles is stopped by the gaskets that create a seal around the opening. So, a water leak might occur during operation if this gasket is damaged. You can check this by opening the washer door, and if there is any hardening or cracking, then you can replace the gasket by following the steps.

1. Turn off the power supply before you start fixing anything.
2. Open the door and remove any clips that hold the gasket in place. Make sure to be careful not to damage anything in this step.
3. After removing the clips, take off the old door gasket.
4. Wipe the area clean with a damp cloth and allow it to dry.
5. Fix a new gasket by using the clips that you removed previously.
6. Run a wash cycle to check whether the problem is resolved.

2. Washer Making Loud Noises and Vibration

Whirlpool washer troubleshooting is required if there is a very loud noise and vibration during operation. It would mean that the worker is not working properly and might damage the washer in the long run. One reason for this might be a broken bearing. Rusted or broken bearings need to be replaced to avoid loud noises when the washer drum spins. However, as several parts would have to be dismantled, you might need to get help from an experienced professional.

Worn-out Washer Belt

A worn-out washer belt would not only make loud noises but also leave your clothes wet as the drum won’t be spinning. This would even result in breaking the washer completely. You can replace the washer belt with the following steps.

1. Start by turning off the power supply.
2. Remove the access panel of your washer.
3. Take off the pump belt and next remove the drive belt.
4. Replace the washer belt with a new one.
5. Reconnect all the belts and connections that have been removed.
6. Screw and fix the panel back into the correct position.

3. Washer Won’t Start

You might encounter the problem where the control panel does not work, but all other lights turn on. If you face such a situation, then you can try troubleshooting your Whirlpool washer in the following ways.

1. First, remove the control panel to find the problem. You might have to use a repair manual to help you remove this.
2. Check for any loose or broken pieces of plastic as sometimes a small broken part behind the start button might be the cause that prevents it from working.
3. Check all electric connections with a multimeter. If the timer, main controller, or CCU has failed, then the entire control panel needs to be replaced.

4. The washer has a Strong Plastic Odor

If you experience the pungent odor of burning plastic or rubber, then you cannot ignore this problem. You can find the causes for this as follows.

1. Before anything, unplug the washer from power and then open up the outer housing.
2. Inspect any discoloration as the problem should be in the rubber drive belt. The slipping, stretching, or breaking of the belt can cause friction and give out a burning rubber smell. The belt should be replaced to overcome this problem.
3. If you cannot find anything wrong with the belt, then there is a probability of an electrical problem in the motor, transmission, or control panel. This problem is more extensive, and the burned-out components would have to be replaced.
4. In all these situations, do not use the washer until you have completely repaired the components so that you might not face any hazards.

5. Cycles Won’t Begin due to Lock Issues

If you are wondering how to fix a Whirlpool washing machine where the cycles won’t begin, you might already know that this happens as the washer lid locks and then unlocks again. There are certain reasons behind this that might be useful to know in troubleshooting a Whirlpool washer.

1. The lid latch would not close properly if it is dirty and has any debris in between. So, the switch would not contact to convey the signal to the washer to begin a cycle. You can clean all contact areas on the lid, and the washer using a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl rubbing alcohol.
2. If it does not solve the problem, then try unplugging the washer so that the control panel resets. Then plug in the washer back to check whether the problem is solved.
3. If the door switch seems to be contacted but does pass the signals, then you should run a diagnostic test. There may be a greater problem, and you can follow these steps to run the test.

• Plug the machine with all indicators off or with only the Clothes Clean or Done indicator on to put the machine on standby mode. Use a button except for POWER, START, or STOP and follow these steps using the selected button.

1. Press/hold for 3 seconds.
2. Release for 3 seconds.
3. Press/hold for 3 seconds.
4. Release for 3 seconds.
5. Press/hold for 3 seconds.
6. Release.

• All indicators on the console will light up for 5 seconds, and the Estimated Time Remaining two-digit display would indicate the diagnostic mode.

1. If indicators are not indicated as mentioned above, then the procedure might not have been done with enough time for starting the diagnostic mode. Try repeating the procedure using another button.
2. Finally, when the diagnostic test is complete, check the error code displayed to determine the cause of the problem.

6. LD Error Code Appearing 

The error code LD refers to Long Drain, which implies that it takes a long time than usual to drain out the water. As a result, the washer stops, and you can fix this by Whirlpool washer troubleshooting. The reasons for this would be, clogging in the drain line or obstructions caused in the pump. 

1. Remove any clogging or obstructions such as coins and button that blocks the pump filter.
2. Turn off the water connections and detach the drain line from the back of the machine. Clean the line using a long brush or a high-pressured stream of water.
3. If none of these steps seem to solve the problem, then the water pump would have to be replaced. You can get professional consultation on this.

Conclusion

You can use these tips and techniques for your Whirlpool washer troubleshooting. However, if you find these problems difficult to handle and much more complex than you expected them to be, you should always contact your technician for help. If your washing machine is old and cannot be repaired inexpensively, then you might have to buy a new one. In that case, make sure not to purchase these Washing Machine Brands to Avoid.

You might also find useful articles on Worst Refrigerators and LG Refrigerator Troubleshooting.