FIXED Amana Washer LW4303L timer issue?

[deweydomer]

Model Number

LW4303L

Brand

Amana

Age

More than 10 years

A number of times over the past year the washer has stopped in the middle of the cycle. Going to check on it, assuming it to be completed, the lid is opened expecting to find clothes ready for the dryer. The washer is stopped, but it's still full of sudsy water. When the lid is closed, it will start back up and complete the cycle. I would assume it's an issue with the mechanical timer, but the fact that most of the time there is no problem makes me think maybe not. The timer is apparently no longer available new, just as refurbished for close to $200, so I don't want to throw that kind of money at it just to find out it's not actually the problem. The machine is 28 years old. I'd like to repair it if possible. Any thoughts?

 

[jeff1]

Hi,

A number of times over the past year the washer has stopped in the middle of the cycle. Going to check on it, assuming it to be completed, the lid is opened expecting to find clothes ready for the dryer. The washer is stopped, but it's still full of sudsy water. When the lid is closed, it will start back up and complete the cycle.

Maybe it's just me but that kinda sounds more like a lid switch/lid switch probe/lid switch wire/off balanced load issue to me.....esp if the washer jumps back to life after opening and re-closing the lid.
JMO!

Not much is available for this washer.
Out of balance lid switch parts.

jeff sr.

 

[deweydomer]

Didn't think about that, and it kind of makes sense since it seems rather random. The wife tells me that there seems to be more instances where the machine shuts off for balance issues as well, when it's not really that unbalanced. So that also points to that as the possible issue. What are you referring to as the lid switch probe? Is that the part that activates the switch? The same switch is for lid open as well as out of balance?
Yes, I noticed that there are very few parts available for this model, so I'll have to determine if it's worth putting any money into it at all. Too bad, as I like the old mechanical timer rather than having to go with the electronic stuff that they all have these days. Just see more possibilities for problems wit that.
Thanks for the input!

 

[jeff1]

The same switch is for lid open as well as out of balance?

Yes.

Yes, I noticed that there are very few parts available for this model, so I'll have to determine if it's worth putting any money into it at all.

For me, if possible leave in the lid switch so that safety device still works when the lid is opened or closed but rip out the off balance stuff and use the washer as long as you can.

JMO!

jeff sr.

 

[deweydomer]

No, I wouldn't defeat the lid switch. Also, I think it'd be kind of difficult to rip out the balance switch, as the lid switch uses part of that for its operation. What I meant as far as wanting to put any money into it was the fact that since so few parts are available, it may not be worth putting anything into it, only to have something else fail that is not available. The cost of a lid switch doesn't seem too bad, so I may just give that a shot.
Thanks again

 

[jeff1]

Also, I think it'd be kind of difficult to rip out the balance switch

Not the lid/off balance switch....the off balance mechanism ( levers arm, etc ).

the fact that since so few parts are available, it may not be worth putting anything into it, only to have something else fail that is not available.

For sure!

jeff sr.

 

[deweydomer]

Just got back from a week vacation and looked a little closer at the washer, as there had been evidence of leakage. While it was running, there were many drips hanging from the bottom of the tub. Not sure just where they are coming from, but I assume there has to be some kind of main seal somewhere at the bottom. Which part is this that I should look for (if it's even available). If this is not repairable, then there is no point in replacing the lid switch.
Thanks!

 

[jeff1]

LINK> Kit, Hub & Seal

Happy washer shopping time.

jeff sr.

 

[deweydomer]

Well, though it's hard to find, it looks like I can still get the seal kit. Question is, will I need any specialized tools to accomplish this, or just regular hand tools? Tried to find videos for replacement, but so far everything is for other brands, and it does not show the same kind of seal that this has right under the agitator. They are having to use a spanner wrench to get things apart. If I do need special tools, is there an easy source?
Is the rubber seal directly below the agitator (comes as part of R9900189) the only seal that can be the problem, or is there something else on there as well that I cannot see, like below the inner tub or otherwise? When I search for that part availability, the seal in the picture looks a bit different than what I have, like taller.

 

[deweydomer]

So I got the seal off, cleaned it up and it really looks good. There is plenty of crud where the bottom of the seal was. Is it possible that the crud build-up is what was causing the leaking?

I'm finding that R9900189 apparently crosses over to 39508P. I'm told by someone else that the latter number is the correct part. As I've said, though, in some pictures I see, the seal looks a bit different, so not sure if that is actually correct.

 

[jeff1]

Getting the tub support off a spanner wrench made things easier....but a flat screwdriver and hammer can also work.

R9900189

Wrong seal. The manufacturer has replaced part number R9900189 with this item, number 39508P

jeff sr.

 

[deweydomer]

Is this the seal that would be the source of the leak or is there something else for which I would have to take the tub out? If I replace this seal, is that going to take care of the leak?
I've filled the tub with water to the point of just below where this seal goes and there is no water showing up below the tub, so I'm assuming this seal is the source, and replacing it should take care of it.

 

[jeff1]

Is this the seal that would be the source of the leak or is there something else for which I would have to take the tub out?

We can't check where your leak is coming from. Tub seal will leak water past where the tranny shaft enters the outer holding tank. Drive block and seal are more for preventing water from entering into the tranny.

Clear as mud?

jeff sr.

 

[deweydomer]

So even though the seal kit was basically not available, I did find one and installed it. That took care of the leak problem. I also replaced the lid switch, but that has not eliminated the stopping problem mentioned in the original post. The machine just seems to stop randomly. Opening and closing lid restarts it, but there is really nothing out of balance that would cause it to go off. Should I try just bypassing the lid switch to see if that eliminates the problem?

 

[jeff1]

Should I try just bypassing the lid switch to see if that eliminates the problem?

Try it as a test for sure to see what happens.

jeff sr.

 

[deweydomer]

A final follow-up (hopefully). It may be helpful to someone else. I did not get around to bypassing the lid switch. What I did do was to bend the bracket for the out of balance operation so that the tub cannot make contact with it as easily. It has operated pretty much problem free since then. With any luck we'll get more good years out of it.
Since the bracket has not changed over the life of the machine, the only thing I can suspect is that maybe the tub springs have gotten weaker over the years, allowing the tub to more easily swing around and make contact with it.
Thanks again for the input and suggestions.

 

[jeff1]

Thankx for the update.

jeff sr.