GE washing machine bangs on spin cycle

[amarti2192]

The motor stops about twice per second. On spin cycle it causes a banging sound. The control board costs 160 dollars. There is no obvious damage to the board. Has anyone solved this problem by replacing the board?

Model wpse4200

[ryan111]

Look at this video and tell us if this is what the washer sounds like




Try changing the speed selection of the washer (slow spin to high spin or vise visa) and see if it still does the same thing.

I believe you have a bad motor if it sounds like the one on the video. 

What can happen is one of the motor windings will open. The motor will start on the other windings (start and high) then when the centripetal switch switches to the open winding the motor cuts off. When the motor cuts off the centripetal switch switches back to the start winding and the motor runs again for about ½ second or so. This continues until you turn the washer off.

This is not common but I have seen it a few times.

[ryan111]

If you look closely at the video you can see the motor arcing as the switch makes and breaks.

[swb001]

I just came across this site.  This appears to be what is happening to my washer.  If I read my warranty correctly, it appears transmission is a 10 yr warranty, which I assume the motor would fall under.  How much is typical labor for this repair?

[ryan111]

The motor is not covered.

Labor depends on your location.

[swb001]

Ryan - when I go through the service mode, the problem happens on the SLOW AGITATE (DRY) setting.  When washing clothes, sometimes you can change the wash setting and it goes away.

Does this still seem like a motor problem?  Could transmission be the issue or maybe a switch/relay?

[ryan111]

If it is doing what the washer in the video is doing then it is the motor. A lot of times the motor will only do this on one speed so changing cycles will stop it. I feel like you have a motor problem.

[Washaman]

motor. when it starts to act up it will be super hot.

[swb001]

I do not think the motor gets super hot, but it definitely draws more current when making noise as the lights flicker.  Motor is probably the cause, but could a bad transmission cause similar issues?

[ryan111]

You can confirm by taking the belt off. The motor should act the same way with the belt on or off. This would definitively confirm the motor.

[fixyourboard]

What can happen is one of the motor windings will open.

... ohm out the windings?

[ryan111]

The ones that I have see do this have been an open low motor winding and yes you can check ohms on the coils to confirm. But I have been told by other techs that a malfunctioning centripetal switch in the motor will cause the same problem . I have never seen it but can see how it would have the same effect. So if the low winding was open then you would know the motor was bad but if it is not open then it may still be the motor.     

[swb001]

Changed out the motor today and all runs well.  Thanks to all!

[Washaman]

  Glad to here!