5 replies to this topic

[lilmatt]

My GE Profile washer (model #WPRB9220DWW) stopped draining. My wife and I both tried running the "Drain & Spin" cycle to no avail, and while spinning it seemed extra noisy.

A little history:

About a year ago it also stopped draining. The error code was pump overcurrent, which was due to a piece of "pot metal" from the bottom of the basket breaking off and lodging in the pump. After I removed the metal hunk the pump was fine and life continued.

When today's issue happened, I pulled out the mini-manual with the error codes and put the thing into service mode. I found the following error codes, in this order: E61, E30, E61, E30, E00. Based on E00 being last, I'm guessing the most recent error is first in the list.

After that I ran the "spin fast" test, and the thing got up to like 860+ RPM according to the display. No idea if that's correct or not -- guess I need the service manual for that info.

I then popped the cover, found another chunk of pot metal in the drain line heading to the pump, and found the speed sensor.

So here are my questions:

1. Can I somehow replace the pot metal bottom of the basket that keeps losing chunks with something less likely to self-destruct in this way? GE's appliance parts site appears to only sell that thing as part of a $450 basket assembly. No thank you. Does the fact that we're on well water have anything to do with the fact that it seems to fall apart in this way?

2. How can I test the speed sensor to determine if it (or the magnet part of it) needs replacement? Was it what was giving me the 860+ RPM measurements in service mode? If so, does that indicate the thing actually works?

3. Assuming the 860+ RPM was real, is that an appropriate "fast" spin speed for this model?

4. Is there something else I'm missing here?

Thanks in advance

-lilmatt

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

I've PMed you the link the service manual for your washer. This gives you some reading material until some GE washer master can weight in on this.

[lilmatt]

Thank you!
The service manual at least clears up a couple things.

860 RPM doesn't seem so scary now. It says fast spin for cottons should be 850 RPM.
To debug the speed sensor, it says to watch the RPM on the display during the spin tests. Obviously I did that.

So now I'm wondering if the only real problem was the hunk of metal in the drain line, and maybe somehow the water left in the tub during the spin cycle is responsible for the E61 error?

Feel free to tell me I'm totally on crack and jumping to conclusions here. =)

[lilmatt]

I also just saw in the manual that the basket apparently has a lifetime warranty! Does it shedding hunks of metal into the pump multiple times count as a "failure"?


If so, can I somehow steer the warranty stuff so as to replenish samurai beer supplies?

[Samurai Appliance Repair Man]

If you're seeing chunks of basket material caught in the drain pump, I think that qualifies as a basket self-destructing and therefore should be covered under the warranty!

[lilmatt]

GE is telling me:

"

Unfortunately, the only way to determine if the part that is causing the problem will be covered is to have a GE Service technician out to properly diagnose same. As you may know, only the part would be covered, not the labor. I recommend having them come out and giving your an estimate and diagnosis."

Good times =)

Edited by lilmatt, 19 July 2012 - 10:51 AM.