Washing machine making grinding sound and stops spinning

Hi,

If it agitates and drains OK during the wash cycle and also spins and drains OK after the rinse cycle (manually step the timer to the spin section of the cycle timer) I’m wondering if the problem is with the contacts (cams?) in the timer switch that are used to start the rinse cycle.

The timer is an electro-mechanical device that uses cams on the timer’s motor shaft to operate contacts which close or open the circuit for the various functions of the washer at that particular point in the cycle e.g. drive motor, drain pump, water inlet solenoids etc.

Don’t know the washer and can’t find a user manual online but if it has different wash cycle types e.g. normal, heavy load, delicates etc, does this problem also occur on each wash cycle type?

If not or maybe even if so, try cleaning the timer’s contacts with an electronic “contact cleaner” spray (example only) and check if that resolves the problem.

It may be better not to try and open the timer as there are usually approx. 12-14 cams in a timer along with their associated contacts so opening it may cause more problems than what you originally had if it comes apart unexpectedly. ;-)

Disconnect the power from the washer and then access the timer and then liberally spray the cleaner into the timer through any openings in the body of the switch. Allow time for the spray to drain out and/or evaporate (check the product label for details).

If you suspect that it is the timer and cleaning it hasn’t helped, then the part number is WP3948171. I only linked the one above as an example to show what the timer looked like with all its harness wiring terminals. If you search online using the part number only you will find other suppliers that may suit you better.

You probably don’t need this but here’s a link to the parts for your washer, just to show its location. The timer is part #9 in the Controls and rear panel parts diagram.