AWN542SP111TW01 Speed Queen Washer - Motor overheats in Regular Cycle but not Perm Press

[phillee1265]

Model Number

AWN542SP111TW01

Brand

Speed Queen

Age

6-10 years

This is a 10 year old Speed Queen I have read through all the threads regarding motor overheating. My particular situation seems to be unique.

Regular normal wash selected, fabric select regular: Washer fills, agitates during the wash cycle, but stops and hums very loud when trying to drain (motor isn't turning).

After reading various threads, I have replaced the following items: Pump, timer, belt, timer, capacitor, cleaned and lubricated the helix.

Now, on Regular normal wash, fabric select regular: Washer fills, agitates, starts the drain cycle, but stops after 20 seconds due to motor overheating. I can watch the temperature on the motor coils climb to over 200F with my thermal camera. So I take the belt off the motor and restart the drain cycle. The motor still overheats. Because the motor overheats all by itself, I have ruled out issues with the main bearings, transmission, etc.

So I put the belt back on the motor and try a complete normal PERM press cycle, fabric select regular. Everything works perfectly. The motor runs normally without overheating. It seems like one of the major differences between Regular Cycle and Permanent Cycle is motor speed during the drain cycle. From the schematic it looks like the fabric select switch is bypassed in the Permanent Press cycle so the drain cycle is on low motor speed.

About the only other items for me to replace would be the wiring harness and/or the fabric select switch. Has anybody else had issues with the fabric select switch going bad?

Thanks in advance. The washer was/is starting to drive me crazy! At least it works on Permanent Press.

 

[Dan O.]

From the schematic it looks like the fabric select switch is bypassed in the Permanent Press cycle so the drain cycle is on low motor speed.

I can't find a wiring diagram to look at. Can you post a clear copy?

Maybe on a regular setting multiple motor windings are being powered by error, causing the motor to overheat? I don't know if the selector or timer might be responsible for that.


Dan O.

 

[phillee1265]

Here's the schematic # 202162. I'm planning to ohm out the fabric selector switch later today. I had the same thought on motor windings. I'm wondering what would happen if both low and high windings on the motor were turned on. I think I'll put a Kill a Watt on the washer to see how much power is being used during each cycle.

This is the first time I've had to troubleshoot a washing machine so I'm a little bit in the dark.

Thanks for your interest.

Phil

 

[Dan O.]

I'm planning to ohm out the fabric selector switch later today.

I'm afraid I can't make out which contacts should switch but if low speed is engergized continually on spin regardless of setting, its contacts will never switch off. Low might be switched between terminal L2 and 2 of the selector switch for spin cycles.


Dan O.

 

[phillee1265]

I tested the Fabric Select switch and it appears to be working correctly. I took the timer off and checked all wires from the motor to the timer for continuity and shorts. No issues.

I put a Kill a Watt on the power cord and measured amps during Regular normal wash, fabric select regular. Normal running 7.5 amps, Drain cycle 25 amps! (I'm not an Electrical Engineer, but I'll have to assume the insane number of amps has to do with motor windings selected being incorrect and/or induction motor power characteristics.) Of course the motor overheated and made a lot of buzzing noise.

Regular Normal wash, Fabric Select Perm Press: Normal running 7.5 amps, drain cycle 7.5 amps. No issues.

Even though the Fabric Select switch appears to be working correctly, I think I'll go ahead and buy one to see if this fixes the issue.

Phil