Many appliances such as ranges, refrigerators, microwaves, and even dryers have become almost generic in design. Their is a great similarity between manufacturers making diagnosis and repair relatively easy. This is less the case with automatic washers. There are distinct differences between brands. In contrast to refrigeration for instance, to truly understand washers each brand must be studied separately.

However, before going into details by brand (which are fully covered in the flow charts included in Manuals 1-3), there are still many common washer problems. Choose your specific problem from the following list. If the solutions presented there do not solve the problem, go to the professional manuals.

The washer:

• Condition 1. Is Completely dead (no motor or timer noise).

• Condition 2. Will not drain or spin (agitates OK).

• Condition 3. Fill but will not agitate (drains and spins OK).

• Condition 4. Fill but will not agitate, spin or drain.

• Condition 5. Makes strange noises.

• Condition 6. Puts spots on the clothes.

• Condition 7. Is leaking oil or water.

• Condition 8. Will not fill at all or very slowly.

Note: It is not always obvious which manufacturer made a particular washer. If you are doubtful see Uncle Harry's Appliance Trees in Manual 1: Introduction and Automatic Washing Machines.

Note 2: All failures within each Condition are listed with the more common coming first. Are possibilities are covered, but the last ones on each list are far less likely.

Note 3:

• Manual 1: Introduction and Automatic Washing Machines covers general problems that cross all brands.

• Manual 2: Automatic Washers, Part 2 covers all Whirlpool washer products which include Kenmore, RCA, Kitchenaid and InsinkErator.

• Manual 3: Automatic Washers, Part 3 covers all other washer brands.

For further information or brand-specific information, please consult the appropriate Manual.

Diagnostic System