Kenmore 80 Series 110.24862300 - Does Not Agitate or Spin

[mjcotter]

I'm wondering if our 20 year Kenmore is on its death bed?

It will not agitate and it will not spin.  Water drains fine.

First thing I did, I installed new Agitator Dogs (the dogs I replaced were pretty much non-existent, some crumbling plastic remains, but that's it.)

I then changed the motor coupler (the one I removed actually looked fine).  I've changed the motor coupler at least 1 other time, don't remember how long ago it was.

I installed a new clutch kit in July 2022.  It can't be that again, right?  My understanding is the machine will not spin if it is the clutch kit, but that it will still agitate.  I also installed a new water pump at the same time due to a small leak.

The motor seems fine.  While I had the motor unhooked to do the motor coupler, I laid the motor on the ground and kept it wired.  I then ran a spin cycle and observed the motor spinning a-ok.  So, I think this tells me my motor is good and also my motor capacitor is good.

I will say, with the new motor coupler installed, when I try to rotate the spindle that the water pump attaches to...  the spindle rotates great counter-clockwise.  When I rotate the spindle clockwise, it rotates fine (that is after I've spun it counter-clockwise for a bit), but then when it "catches up" from all those counter-clockwise rotations, then it does take some force to spin it clockwise.

Sign of a bad transmission?  Any other tips to test the transmission?  If it is the transmission, then I think it is time to call it and move on to something new.  I see transmissions run over $150 bucks.

Anything else that I'm missing?  TIA!

[16345Ed]

Check spin tube (basket drive) and drive hub. 
 

Part number: 388952

http://www.appliancepartspros.com/ShowPartImage.aspx?forumimg=388952

Part number: 389140

http://www.appliancepartspros.com/ShowPartImage.aspx?forumimg=389140

[Budget Appliance Repair]

Won't agitate or spin and the motor runs - you replaced the drive coupler.

Did you by any chance take a look at the motor drive shaft?  You say you replaced it one other time - was it one of the new style with the metal insert?

The metal insert motor drive couplers have a bad habit of rounding off the motor drive shaft.

[mjcotter]

Yes, metal insert on the coupler.  I did not pay too much attention to the drive shaft honestly.  I mostly focused on the coupler.  I had read that the couplers can get rounded out and not be strong enough to really "bite" at high speeds.  Not really sure if the coupler I replaced was really rounded out.  It didn't really look like it was, seemed to catch just fine, but figured for $7 bucks it was worth swapping out.

I am leaning toward checking out the clutch that I replaced last year to see its condition.  I did not replace last June with OEM, just some $12 or $13 part I bought off Amazon.  Figure it is a cheap enough fix, if the clutch looks bad.  Maybe I did a crap job installing it last year and am to blame?    

I did order a new GE top loader and GE dryer last night, taking advantage of MA tax-free weekend. Delivery is next Monday. I have a week to try to save myself $1K.   I don't believe the $29 "haul away" add-on said that the washer needs to be in 1-piece for them to take it away - so might as well check out that clutch.  Ha!!

 

 

[mjcotter]

I really wanted to satisfy my curiosity on this...  Took it apart again today to confirm the condition of the clutch, which I replaced last July.  The clutch still looked like new and the spring had a really good amount of resistance when I tried to spin it.  I observed the spindle that the motor coupling sits on and it did not appear rounded.  Put it all back together.  Tested to see if it would both agitate and spin and...  nothing.  Nothing at all.  At least before I got the hum of the motor trying to do its thing.  Complete silence.  What the heck!!??  Ran the assembly back in my mind - yes I did make both wire connections.  No idea what went wrong.  Other than this bugger gave me her heart and soul for 20 years and it's probably just time to move on with teary eyes.  Rest in peace old girl.

 

[ServiceTech_Daniel]

Simple question : Did you check the basket for any nails that may have gotten stuck in the basket and keeping it from turning? Since you have taken it apart numerous time's i figured you would have seen something already, but still worth asking

Did you check the capacitor? 

I gotta go with what @16345Ed said , you might have a bad spin tube or hub drive 

[RobinWinter]

Pretty sure that can only be a messed up transmission if it's draining properly,  assuming the coupling is installed properly.  Spin tube/brake and drive block issues wouldn't prevent agitation, a weak or failed capacitor probably wouldn't allow drain (though I would still rule this out before giving up on it), bad lid switch wouldn't allow drain, bad timer wouldn't run the motor uncoupled, clutch wouldn't have any affect on agitation, something jammed between tub and basket wouldn't prevent agitation and something jammed in the pump would prevent both but wouldn't allow drain.  In a case like this I would drop the transmission and turn the coupling manually in both directions to see if it's turning the shaft and clutch, and test the capacitor as well just to be sure.  I would also check all the wiring connected to the motor and capacitor for weak or damaged connections within the connector

Edited August 15, 2023 by RobinWinter

[mjcotter]

Still curious, took a quick look today and the lid switch plug had come undone, guess I didn't snap it in securely enough.  So, the old girl does indeed tries her hardest - the motor grinds away trying to do something.  She will not agitate and spin.  The agitator ever so slightly shimmies and the drum does not spin.  

This little lady gave us her heart and soul for 20 years and it's probably just time to move on with teary eyes.  Rest in peace old girl.

I think I've run out of, or am running out of, the simple and cheap things that could be wrong with her.

@RobinWinter says it could be a messed up transmission.  Is it really worth swapping that out in a 20 year old model?