FIXED Noise from LG washer WM3700HVA

[Eric M.]

Model Number

WM3700HVA

Brand

LG

Age

1-5 years

Hello everyone,

I've seen a lot of posts regarding noise issues but, since I haven't opened my washer yet, the fact the it does work, and that I took the time to make a small video, I figured it would be quicker this way and eventually help someone else... maybe. Always easier to identify when you can hear it

We purchased this LG washer in Aug. 2019.




For a little while now, when it's rinsing, or in the spin cycle (I think), it makes a loud noise. From the timing and cycle it's in, it might very well be related to the drain pump but, it's not a sound I've ever heard before from a washer (had a Whirlpool Duet for over 10 years and replaced a lot of parts in it).

Please take a look at the video and let me know what you think. I did edit the video to remove the "quiet" part between the 2 sections.

Thanks in advance!

 

[traveye]

Hey everyone.
I'm having this same issue on my WM3700HWA. I was just about to make a new post when this thread popped up. Haven't seen any other posts that covered this issue, and the rest of the internet seems useless.
Just going to piggy-back here instead of making a duplicate thread.
To add some detail that may help:
There are no Error Codes in my case.
I put our washer in "Test Mode" and ran it through the various cycles several times. Not sure about Eric's circumstances, but in my case this noise only occurs during the "circulation" and/or "drain" cycle.
Side note: I'm having trouble telling when the "circulation" cycle triggers during testing because nothing seems to happen with the standing water in the drum.
But once it's in the "drain" cycle, the drain pump runs and I can watch the water level in the drum go down without the washer making this strange noise until the water level gets very low and it sounds like the pump is trying to push the last of the water out. That's when it starts making this noise.

It also makes this noise during the spin cycle when actually running a load of laundry, but I've ruled out an issue with the actual "spin" part of the cycle by testing both the "low" and "high" drum spin cycles in "Test Mode". I believe it's just related to the washer trying to drain the little bits of water getting spun out during the "spin" cycles.

My washer/dryer is stacked in a small hall closet and will be a royal PITA to access and pull apart, so I'm really hoping to get some guidance here before spending an entire weekend pulling everything out and going in blind.

Thanks in advance, and thanks Eric for saving me the trouble of uploading a very similar video

 

[Jake]

Hi all, I've not run into this problem on any LG models, but it sounds like either a bad drain pump bearing or a foreign object inside the drain pump causing that noise.

If not the drain pump, then its possibly something rubbing on the rear drum rotor or the bolt on the rotor is loose.

 

[Eric M.]

Thanks for the info guys. I will open it up tomorrow and let you know what I find.

 

[Eric M.]

I opened up my washer this morning, disconnected the hoses that connect to the pump, to check is something was stuck in there. Nothing. I stuck my finger inside the pump, from the cleanup space, all the way to the impeller. Something I noticed is that there is a little play with it, where I was able to move it a little, back and forth. Not sure if this is normal.

Doing a wash now to try and figure where the sound is actually coming from since I know now where everything is... it might be easier to figure out what part needs replacing.

 

[Jake]

Something I noticed is that there is a little play with it, where I was able to move it a little, back and forth. Not sure if this is normal.

Yes, that's normal.

Doing a wash now to try and figure where the sound is actually coming from since I know now where everything is... it might be easier to figure out what part needs replacing.

Ok, sounds good, hopefully you can pinpoint that noise.

 

[Eric M.]

Tried to listen to where the sound comes from but, it's kind of hard with all the panels on the washer. Didn't think to check if I could remove the side panels before reassembling the front panel but, it seems to be coming from the bottom front side and this is where the drain pump is located.

One thing I did notice is this: I pulled the drain hose from the wall pipe in order to see if the noise is heard when water is coming out... And it is but, not all the time. Sometimes I could see a constant flow of water in silence, and I only noticed the noise when the pump seemed to be pushing water in little bursts and even there, it was not all the time. Really weird. I just can't figure out what can make this exact sound... Doesn't sound like the pump impeller is catching on to something, or like a damaged bearing or anything round turning in something else (spindle in seat). Really strange.

In any case, I found a replacement pump on Amazon for 45$ CAD so I ordered it... Well see if replacing it will fix the issue.

 

[traveye]

Thanks for being the guinea pig, Eric.
Hopefully the new pump fixes it. I'll keep an eye out here if you don't mind updating us with your results.
Thanks again.

 

[Jake]

Ok Eric, yes let us know how it goes.

 

[Eric M.]

Finally received the pump and installed it, which solved the issue. Again a quiet washer. I am kind of annoyed that a pump would fail after 3 years but I guess this is how they build appliances these days. At least, I didn't have to pay someone to replace it for me.

Thanks for the tips everyone and I hope this helps other people.

 

[Jake]

Excellent Eric, glad to hear the new drain pump fixed it.

What was the part number of it? I show 2 different ones for your model: Pump Assembly,drain AHA75693425 and Pump Assy, Drain AHA75853804

Looks like it depends on the revision number WM3700HVA/01 takes Pump Assy, Drain AHA75853804

 

[traveye]

Thanks so much for following up with the solution, Eric.
Guess it's time for me to order a pump and get started planning how I'm going to get everything out of my tiny hall closet so I can install it.
Jake, I think the part numbers you reference might actually be for the housing that the pump bolts onto. Looking at the schematic for my washer, the part ID# in the diagram is K340, which corresponds to part number EAU63743803.
But I can't find that anywhere on Amazon. Pretty much the only pump I can find on Amazon is part # 4681EA2001T.
Eric, what part number did you order?

 

[Jake]

Ok traveye,

Look at your model number tag for a revision number.
WM3700HWA/00
WM3700HWA/01
WM3700HWA/02
WM3700HWA/03

WM3700HWA/01 takes Pump Assy, Drain AHA75853804

This model has multiple variations. Here is an example of how to locate your factory suffix.

 

[traveye]

So I just finished my repair and wanted to follow up here in case anyone needs this in the future.
Replacing the pump motor is what fixes this issue.
The pump motor itself for this model is part number EAU63743803. The description for it is MOTOR ASSEMBLY, DC, PUMP. I've attached several images to this reply showing the pump.
The part numbers Jake listed above are for the housing that the pump goes into. It took me forever to figure this out, but after finding a couple pictures of each item on the web I was able to sort it out.
Like Eric, I'm pretty furious that an electric-motor-based pump failed after only 3 years, but whatcha gonna do.

For general reference I also attached an image that shows the location of a screw which, after removal, makes it waaay easier to do this repair a second/third/etc. time in the future if you're like me and stack your washer/dryer in a closet. It's the one that screws into the back of the control panel from inside the washer, underneath the top cover. After the first time you take the washer apart, just don't put this screw back. Throw it away. It's the only thing keeping you from being able to remove the face plate without having to take the dryer off the top. Subsequent repairs will be sooooooo much easier if you don't put this screw back, and it serves no structural purpose other than to help hold the faceplate on.

Long story short, replacing the motor fixed it. Thanks to Jake and Eric for your help, and good luck to anyone else who has this issue.

 

[Jake]

Excellent, good job.

Thanks for adding that additional information!