whirlpool lsr8233eq1 direct drive washer doesn’t spin sometimes

[grshpr]

My Whirlpool direct drive washer has developed a habit of intermittently not spinning. Today I ran a medium sized load of laundry, jammed a socket extension in the lid switch, and watched it.

 

The washer filled, agitated, spun and drained, then it filled again for the rinse cycle, agitated, and it drained without spinning. The basket didn’t move at all. I pulled the socket extension out of the switch and the brake engaged, which moved the basket. Now the spin cycle works perfectly.

 

Yesterday the cycle completed and I found a load of unspun towels. That time I twisted the knob to the spin cycle and engaged the spin. The basket moved very slowly. I could hold it still with my hand but there was some resistance. After pushing the basket to get the spin going it eventually engaged and ran normally.

 

I'm having a difficult time identifying what is likely broken. I would expect a worn clutch to fail consistently. What would likely cause an intermittent failure?

[Budget Appliance Repair]

A bad clutch can sometimes act this way - just make sure nothing is stuck between the spin basket and outer tub.

Also make sure the when it goes into a drain cycle that it pauses after 2 minutes of draining before it starts and tries to spin.  If the timer doesn't do this short pause after the 2 minute drain it won't release the neutral drain system in the transmission and it will continue to run without spinning, (opening the lid will simulate this pause but it sounds like from what you have already done but giving the spin basket a helping hand the clutch is your problem).

[grshpr]

Thanks. I’ll try changing the clutch.

 

I found this article suggesting a possible temporary fix for a bad clutch however the forum link is broken. Any idea what this may have referred to?

[Budget Appliance Repair]

@grshpr It maybe one of my post in the tech forums that you as a "Grasshoppah" are not allowed to view.

I've fixed many clutches by adding a number 10 flat washer in one of the clutch spring cups if the pads aren't worn down to the rivets - also clean up the clutch bell and the pads on the clutch band with emory cloth to break the glaze off them.

One that is as bad as yours is though, I wouldn't really recommend doing that - you are most likely going to find that the pads are worn down to the rivets.   I will only do the above if the spin is just a little weak and I have already pulled the transmission for some other reason.

Won't hurt anything to try it - nothing to loose except the time taking it apart and reassembling and finding is still doesn't work good enough and have to pull apart again to replace the clutch.