12 replies to this topic

[sparks325]

Hello Grandmaster and All,

I’m posting for a friend who has this Kenmore washer with a temperamental speed problem.  

The following is his description

Agitates fine all three speeds.

Runs complete cycle on heavy duty fast/fast setting

(timer set for final spin no water in tub on the following speed tests) Runs 15 seconds then thermally trips (motor stops) on normal slow/ fast setting

Hand wash plus intermittent extra slow / slow setting – thermally trips instantly

Hand wash casual extra slow / slow setting – thermally trips instantly

Delicate slow / slow runs ok

Note – when switching from heavy duty  (fast/fast) setting to normal (slow/fast ) setting on the final spin – it starts to slow down then thermally trips after 15 seconds. When working properly – no change in speed occurs. Any Ideas?

[RegUS_PatOff]

sounds like symptoms of a bad Speed (Cycle) Switch

(bad switch connects 2 speeds at once)

http://www.repaircli...?R=154&N=828274

 

[sparks325]

Thank you Grand Master!

We will go for the switch.

My friend and I are techs (in another electronics area).  He ohmed out the switch and compared it to the chart from the inside of the machine.

It ohmed ok but under load  …..could be a different story.  The contacts looked ok (one was a little pitted).  There is no substitute for experience.

This forum helped me fix 4 appliances………here’s hoping for 5.

[nickfixit]

It's best to avoid switching the speeds while the unit is running.

[sparks325]

 switch has been replaced still same malfunction.

Checked start switch on side of motor it is ok as well.

Where to next?  The motor windings were ohmed out and they were within specifications.

Really stuck on this one........help!

[sparks325]

A little more information.  My friend is baffled by this phenomenon.  When the machine is not malfunctioning, he can switch from a high speed spin to another high speed spin (with a different speed agitate) and it continues to spin at high speed. When malfunctioning,  even if he stops the machine , opens the lid, then changes the speed, the machine buzzes slows down and thermally trips.

[RegUS_PatOff]

... even if he stops the machine , opens the lid, then changes the speed, the machine buzzes slows down and thermally trips.

the Lid Switch breaks the Neutral Line of the Motor (which contains the Motor Overload)

There would then be no way for the Motor to have any power if the ...... ooohhh

Sounds like one of the Motor windings is shorted to it's case (ground)

> thermally trips < but that would no longer be in the circuit 

Wiring Sheet - 8571878.pdf

[sparks325]

Thanks Grand Master,

We know even in our business sometimes "ohmmeter Lie"   (not really, but the couple of volts that go through the windings while testing them with the meter doesn't act like the 115VAC at 5-10 amps the motor gets during normal operation  )

So, on to the motor......  

[sparks325]

just a question for edification, 

When spinning, the motor spins in one direction.  When agitating the motor spins in the other direction.

This machine is direct drive.  How is this accomplished?????

[fairbank56]

  The timer revereses polarity to the start winding. Reversing polarity to either the start or run winding of an AC motor will reverse it's direction.

 

Eric

[RegUS_PatOff]

with the Motor electrically disconnected, check for shorts form Motor windings to Motor Frame

 

This machine is direct drive.  How is this accomplished?????

mirrors

http://appliantology...nsmission-info/

 

 

[sparks325]

Archimedes burning mirrors…….hence the short!

Just having fun here.

Thanks All!

[RegUS_PatOff]

and read about their "new" (1982) "Neutral Drain" mode Transmission

(prior to 1982, the Washer would switch from Agitate to Spin, and Drain during Spin)

(the Drain Pump is mounted to the Motor, and Drains when the Motor is going in the proper direction)

After 1982, Whirlpool incorporated their "Neutral Drain" mode ...

After Agitate, the Timer would reverse the direction of the Motor, and the Washer would Drain,

but the Transmission went into "neutral" so as not to Spin the heavy Tub full of clothes and water...

Then, after a few minutes of "Neutral Drain", The Timer pauses the Motor for  a few seconds,

the Transmission shifts out of "neutral" and when the Timer energizes the Motor again, the Tub Spins