LG Washer WT1101CW tub locked, won't spin.

[Magnuss73]

Model Number

WT1101CW

Brand

LG

Age

6-10 years

Hello world!
I have the above mentioned washer that made some noise and quit. Found the plastic gear in the clutch assembly in pieces.
Replaced the clutch assembly.
Washer turns on and there is a clicking sound from the Clutch motor.
The clutch is engaged so the tub won't spin.
Throws an E6 code.
With the clutch motor removed, agitator and tub spin by hand. Something is making the clutch motor engage and I am stumped.
Mother-In-Law happens to have the same model so I swapped out the clutch motors, no luck.
Switched out the control boards, no luck.
Called a local service guy with this info and he declined to look at it since he would have done what I did.

HELP!

Please & Thank you

 

[Jake]

It's best to also check the clutch gear assembly. If the gears are broken, the clutch can't engage. To check it, you have to remove the rotor assembly.

Here's the clutch housing assembly for your model:
AEN73131406 Housing Assembly,clutch

Jake

 

[Magnuss73]

The clutch assembly is the white plastic gears, already replaced those. The large metal thing is simply shafts and bearings in a hollow case, the clutch screws to the bottom of it.
Something is sending a signal to the clutch motor to engage, locking the tub assembly.
Can hear the clutch motor clicking and the sound stops when I unplug the clutch motor.

 

[Jake]

The large metal thing is simply shafts and bearings in a hollow case, the clutch screws to the bottom of it.

Yes, the bearings are possibly corroded and seized up causing it to lock up.

Jake

 

[Magnuss73]

I appreciate the thoughts Jake, but as stated above, the clutch motor is energizing, locking the tub.
I can spin the tub and agitator my hand if I disconnect, mechanically, the clutch motor, that is located to the side of it all.

 

[Jake]

Make a video of it doing this problem, I'm not understanding what you mean.

Jake

 

[Magnuss73]

"The uploaded file is too large for the server to process" It's a 108 second video of the machine doing nothing after start up except making a clicking noise.
This clicking noise is the clutch motor in the picture clicking to engage the clutch when it shouldn't.

 

[Jake]

Upload the video to Youtube and post the Youtube link here. Or share your video per Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft OneDrive and post the share link here.

Jake

 

[Magnuss73]

Here is a video of the tub doing nothing because the clutch motor is locked. the buzzing/clicking noise is the clutch motor trying to engage when it's already engaged.

 

[Jake]

Ok, good video!

Well, since you already swapped out the clutch motor and control board, there is nothing left to check but shorted wires to clutch motor, check all your wires from the control board to the clutch motor for shorts.

If your wiring is fine, only left to do is contact LG to come out and see what's going on, or buy another washer.

Jake

 

[Magnuss73]

Thanks, that was my thought too.
nice to have a second opinion before i dive in further.

I called LG they are clueless.
Called their recommended repair guys and they said "I'll pass" because it's not an easy fix and they are stumped too. Their words not mine.

So did like 3 other repair places in town.

Good Times or life is good, or whatever LG's slogan is.

Wife wants a new washer, I'm cheap and handy...

Curious who will win this round.

 

[Jake]

All us techs here recommend Maytag, Whirlpool, and Amana washers for the best reliability and longevity.

Jake

 

[Magnuss73]

Found one winding loose and one winding broken on this thing. I'm guessing that's bad. is there Ohm specs on the three legs?
Leg 2 is open, new stator is like $225, she wins this round, New machine on its way.

 

[Jake]

Measure the resistance of the motor stator windings. You should have between 5Ω and 15Ω across pins 1-2 and 2-3 and 1-3.

4417EA1002K Stator Assembly


Jake

 

[Magnuss73]

Changed out the stator (with a known good part I borrowed) and now the agitator spins, but tub is still locked, and clutch is still clicking/buzzing.
At this point the wife wins and we are getting a new machine.
Thanks for all the advice.

 

[Jake]

Yes, this is a very uncommon problem that I haven't seen before either.

At this point the wife wins and we are getting a new machine.

That's the best thing to do at this point, I agree.

Thanks for the update!

Jake