GE GFW450SSK0WW front load washer won't agitate or spin.

[Ductape]

Model Number

GFW450SSK0WW

Brand

GE

Age

6-10 years

My washer fills and drains ok, but the drum won't spin. It shows an error code of 42 (motor drive operation above design limits) Doing some leg work, I came across this on diagnosing the problem.

http://www.appliance-repair-it.com/front_loader_washer.html

My motor and the speed sensor on it ohm out fine. This leaves me understanding that I have a control board or inverter issue. In the article above it states that you test between the BLUE and WHITE wires in the harness to the inverter, but then clearly shows BLUE and RED wires to be tested for 120 volts while the drum should be spinning. I believe my washer is probably newer than the one in the pictures in this article, so there is no plug before the inverter, but I do have a red and a blue wire going in to the inverter similar to the wires in the pic. Am I correct to set my multimeter to AC voltage and put one probe on the RED and the other probe on the BLUE while the drum should be spinning to see if there is 120v going into the inverter?

Thanks !

 

[Jake]

Here's the Motor Inverter and Shield Kit WH20X27944 for your model, but its No Longer Available.

Yes, Test for 120V AC between the blue and white wires on the supply voltage harness.

The only time this voltage is present is if the main control is calling for the motor to run, so if you are not getting this voltage then the main control is bad. If you are getting voltage and the motor checks ok then the inverter is bad.

Here's the main control board for your model: WH12X24234 UI Board

Here's the motor for your model: Motor Asm Kit WH20X10078

 

[Ductape]

So, I show 118 volts between the red and blue wires going into the inverter. Still no motion at the motor. As much as I'm not crazy about it, I ordered a used inverter off the big auction site. It should be here within a week.... so we'll see how that goes.

Thanks for the help !

 

[Jake]

Here's your service manual: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tWCjxfGEwjvLVJQlBcO7GhQwn3RVhowJ/view?usp=share_link

Page 48 tells you how to test the motor as well, to make sure that is good, if the motor is good, then the used inverter should fix it, if the used inverter is good.