Hi. I've got a Whirlpool Ultimate Care II Washer, Lsq8543jq0, and

It agitates, it drains, but it won't spin... most of the time.
I have a screwdrive stuck in the door switch so I can see what's going on, and when it gets to the rinse cycle I have to stop the machine because it will almost never spin. Sometimes a wild shake of the washer and then turning it back on will get it going, other times spinning the knob to different cycles and trying will work, sometimes just shutting it off and turning it on will kick it in.

Then it will go through the normal rinsing cycle... and again, will not spin dependably. Again, if you klunk the washer while it's off, and then turn it back on, it will go, and sometimes if you dial it to the rinse cycle of a different setting it will... it's not dependable anymore at all, and if you miss the first spin before the rinse, the clothes are still soapy. It's easy to tell if the final spin worked, because the water has just drained and the soggy clothes are sitting at the bottom. The washer is only about 5/6 years old, and I don't have the $$ to get anyone to come out.

Please help

May be a stripped out drive block under the spin basket. You'll need to remove the agitator to see what's going on in there.

Jeff has a "plain man's guide" to this style of washer at:

http://www.applianceaid.com/direct.html

Hm. I jumpered the lid switch to start with a small test, and ran a small load of laundry. When the washer began to drain, it kept draining, it did not spin.

Both times during the cycle, I pushed the knob off, then pulled it back on... then the spin began. It is normally not this easy to get it to spin so I'm thinking it may be the small size of the load (??)

I read through lots of web pages, and easily took the cabinet off. I cannot see anything obvious... I'll scrounge up more dirty clothes for the next test, someone would direct me.

How would I check the drive block?

Thank you

If the 2 ear slots on the drive block are worn, then its bad. Now I have seen the basket drive wear out and cause it to not spin properly as well.

That link Mad Mac gave you should go into lots of detail about it.

Jake

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Now....I'm beginning to wonder if this is a different issue. When you get to spin, what should happen is two minutes of drain, then the machine stops briefly. You should hear a "thump" sound, then when it restarts, it should spin for about four minutes. Check this by running a cycle from the very start and report back.

Thanks for the tips guys, I appreciate it. I don't mean to take so long getting back. I have not been at my boyfriend's house since I took the shell off and posted last time... and he hasn't done anything yet, so I will be there this weekend, I'll try your suggestions for the next test. I really appreciate your help. Thanks

Gina

Sounds good Gina,

Keep us updated,

Jake

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Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
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Ok, here's what he reported back to me:

I finally got around to my washer and paid really close attention. Here's what I saw/heard:
The washer spins 4 times during a wash cycle

1st time: After agitation and while tub is full of water.
According to Mad Mac from Repair Clinic
When you get to spin, what should happen is two minutes of drain, then the machine stops briefly. You should hear a "thump" sound, then when it restarts, it should spin for about four minutes.
What I found was that there was a pause after the agitation phase, then the water started to drain. At the exact same time the water began to drain the agitation stem moved about 1/16 of a rotation then stopped. This looked to me like it was trying to begin the spin cycle but something stopped it. There seemed to be two distinct sounds: one being the pump draining the water and a second sound I would describe as a dry pulsing sound. I waited and timed what happened. After about 40 seconds all the water appeared to have been drained from the tub. After 1 minute I may have heard a click, but if I did it was very faint and brief. After 1 minute 10 seconds I could hear the pump sucking air. After 2 minutes 15 seconds, when nothing changed I stopped the spin cycle. I reengaged it and it didn't want to spin so I stopped it again and rocked the tub a little then once again reengaged the spin cycle. This time it began to spin.
After this 1st spin cycle is a pause and then a 2nd spin.

2nd spin: With the tub empty it began the spin cycle with no problem.

3rd spin: Full tub after agitation. Everything was the same as the 1st except I didn't hear the click this time.

4th spin: Empty tub. No problem.

I never heard a what I would call a thump, unless it was just the sound of the spin cycle engaging, which was kind of a hard sound and it really seemed to me like it was trying to engage immediately when the draining started. Plus it really seemed to make a difference when I moved the tub around those times when it didn't start.

So that's what I found out about that. I am worried about tearing that gear box apart, but I'm guessing that is going to be the next step.

That's latest report, and I'm grateful he finally did some laundry before I go over there this coming weekend (looks at the date of last post... yes it has been nearly month)

Good details!

Sounds like what may be going on is either the basket drive/clutch is worn out, possibly the gear-case is as well. This is like a major overhaul, it can get very costly to repair/replace these parts Gina.

Jake

__________________
Appliance Repair School 1987-1988
Star Appliance Tech. 2 yrs. 1988-1990
Wards Appliance Tech. 11 yrs. 1990-2001
Sears Appliance Tech. 4 yrs. 2001-Oct. 2005
Jake's Appliance Repair Nov. 2005-present

If you need more repair advice help on your appliance, click Here

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Ok, he got around to checking it once again... (must be quite a pile of laundry in the basement) Here's the report:
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Well, the ears were all in tact and the bushing looks like new and there is no oil spattered anywhere. I was hoping maybe just tearing it apart and putting it back together would do the trick, but no luck with that either. I guess that means the coupler needs to be replaced. Not sure if that is within my capabilities or not. At least it still runs even if it is like it was before. I cut my finger on it too, hope it heals enough to practice soon, I don't want to lose what ground I've gained recently. Oh well, it was certainly worth a try. If there are more options at least I know how to get that far now.
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He is referencing his guitar playing damn washer is interfering with band practice! heehee

thanks guys.

Gina