Matag washer frustration

[frisky]

I have an old Maytag top-load washer (1981, I think). The function on the timer dial does not match what it is actually doing.  Appears not to agitate and when it is time to drain, you hear loud ticking or humming. If you give the washer a good shove, it will then drain. I replaced both belts...no change.

Is it the timer or??

Can not afford a new washer, unless the repairs are more than the washer.  Need your help big time!  

Model A608

[RegUS_PatOff]

a model number would be helpful

[frisky]

The model number on the plate on the washer and the one I used to order the belts is A608. I can not read the serial number as it is worn down.

[RegUS_PatOff]

sorry, I didn't recognize that model number.

sounds like it may have multiple problems

The timer may be about $100

I found the wiring diagram...

In another forum, they mentioned that if the water level switch was activated, either by a bad switch, or by water not being completely pumped out, clogged hose, ect, it would keep power to the timer motor and advance to the next cycle.

[frisky]

Would that make it a switch or a timer problem or both?   and would this explain the noises and no agitation?

  Do you know if this model has a reversible motor..one way for agitate and one for spin ..I saw somewhere that the motor could be half burned out so one function would work and not the other.

[RegUS_PatOff]

the reversible motor use the same winding for forward/ reverse.

Does it spin OK, and does it drain during spin, or does it only spin when you "give it a good shove"

Does it make any unusual noise during spin or when trying to agitate ?

[frisky]

Now 70% of the time it only spins when I give it a "good shove."  When it should be agitating, and isn't, it makes no sound and the dial moves along but when it should be draining there is that ticking or loud humming noise that eventually stops.

does that help?

[RegUS_PatOff]

How fast is it ticking ?

Try tapping (closed fist) on the timer. It may help on spin, and maybe on agitate. Otherwise you'd need a volt-meter to make some tests.

[frisky]

The ticking is a fast ticking, like a clock and probably is from the timer and it is doing that loud "humming noise" (i can hear it on the main floor with the washer in the basement  ).

The dial itself is a push/pull function (pull out to start it) so tapping on it doesn't work.

I have a Sear's Analog Multi-tester 18 range, would that work as a volt meter? if you have the patience to explain the testing to me I sure would like to try it.  I do not want to buy a timer and have something else wrong too. I think the dial is stripped and that is why the functions do not line up, but the functions should still work in order.

Thanks for all your help thus far!

[frisky]

The loud "mmmmmmmmmmmmm" noise is present for all of the functions except fill, and that is all it will do now.(and drain if I shove it)

What/where do i test with the ohm meter so that I can go head and order the parts or give up and call a repair person.

Thanks

[RegUS_PatOff]

will it agitate if you "give it a shove" (when full of water) ?
or try to reach in carefully and give the tub a start.

[frisky]

Yes, it will agitate if I give it a "shove"

[RegUS_PatOff]

what about giving the tub a spin carefully to see if that helps the motor start.

[frisky]

I held the lid switch in and tried to move the tub, it does not seem to want to move. Closed the lid, shoved it and it started to spin.

[RegUS_PatOff]

have you tried it on each of the speed settings before starting it ?


continued on page 2