FIXED NTW4516FW2 Amana washer won’t drain/spin to complete wash cycle (after working fine for 2 loads with new drain pump)

[grillmarkedX]

Model Number

NTW4516FW2

Brand

Amana

Age

1-5 years

I have an Amana top loader that will not complete the wash cycle. It won’t drain or spin.

I did a lot of research and watched a lot of videos. I wound up taking the back panel off to make sure there were no clogs in the hose. I took the drain pump off and saw nothing clogged in there either.

I wound up just buying a new drain pump (a couple months later), and I usually don’t spend money on parts if I’m not 100% sure what the problem is. Seemed like it was worth a shot since there were no clogs and most research I did seemed to point towards the drain pump.

Anyway, I put the new pump on and it COMPLETED THE CYCLE from start to finish! (wash, rinse, spin). First time in months! Then I did a small load and everything still worked fine, once again it completed the cycle start to finish.

Cool, everything works now, right? Wrong! Next load was a regular load and I ran into the same problem— it won’t complete the wash cycle. It fills and agitates but won’t drain and/or spin.

Now, why is it that it wouldn’t complete the wash cycle, I put a new drain pump on and it works fine for 2 loads, and then during the 3rd load it stops and once again won’t complete the wash cycle (no drain/spin)??

I did do the diagnostic (L, R, R, R, L, R) today to see if that would somehow help and then tried to run a “normal” cycle but still no luck.

Any help would be appreciated. We’ve had this washer for a few years, but I’m not really sure how old it is since it was from rent-a-center.

Thanks

 

[Jake]

Cool, everything works now, right? Wrong! Next load was a regular load and I ran into the same problem— it won’t complete the wash cycle. It fills and agitates but won’t drain and/or spin.

Do you hear any sounds at all, after the wash cycle, before it goes into drain then spin?

Its possibly the main control board malfunctioning. Here's the main control board for your model: W11170317

Here's your tech. data sheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_VSk1cuHgkuPVOZYUPCZVccBNI6G6KQG/view?usp=share_link

You can get into the ACTIVATING THE SERVICE DIAGNOSTIC TEST MODES and see what fault code you get.

On Page 2 of your tech. data sheet do: ACTIVATING THE SERVICE DIAGNOSTIC TEST MODES

Then do FAULT CODE DISPLAY MODE on Page 3

Then you can see what fault code/codes you are getting on Page 6 and Page 7: FAULT/ERROR CODES

 

[grillmarkedX]

Do you hear any sounds at all, after the wash cycle, before it goes into drain then spin?

Yes I hear a couple sounds from the bottom of the washer, it sounds like it wants to start the drain/spin cycle but it just doesn’t happen. I want to say I hear it maybe twice. It’s not a buzzing sound. I can try and record audio of it if it helps. To me it sounds like something is either getting power or trying to get power and just doesn't start pumping the water.

I noticed the washing machine “tub” or bottom was basically touching the floor when full. Not sure how far these drop down normally when a load is in the machine with water. I can get pics and/or audio if you’d like.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[Jake]

Yes, audio and pics would help a lot.

Yes I hear a couple sounds from the bottom of the washer, it sounds like it wants to start the drain/spin cycle but it just doesn’t happen.

I put the new pump on and it COMPLETED THE CYCLE from start to finish! (wash, rinse, spin). First time in months! Then I did a small load and everything still worked fine, once again it completed the cycle start to finish.

Since it worked good after you replaced the drain pump, and now its not, its possibly a defective drain pump.

You can remove the electrical connector to the drain pump and see if its getting 120 volts to the drain pump, when it should be draining.

Here's the drain pump for your model: https://www.repairclinic.com/PartDetail/Drain-Pump/W10919003/4461359

 

[grillmarkedX]

Here’s a short clip of the fault/error codes. I didn’t have a lot of time today to do much. I “believe” I’m reading F2E1- Stuck Key, on page 6.

 

[Jake]

Yes, you are correct F2E1- Stuck Key.
One or more keys on the User Interface were actuated for 15 consecutive seconds.
--->Fault occurs during Diagnostic Test Mode if a stuck key is detected.
--->See TEST #4: Console and Indicators, page 16.

Have you noticed any stuck keys before? That could be a old error code. You can clear it and see if it comes back.

Look on Page 3 of your tech. data sheet.
2. To clear fault codes:
--->Turn cycle selector knob until the status LEDs flash ON and OFF (see figure 2, page 2).
--->Press and hold the START button for 3 seconds to clear all fault codes and exit Fault Code Display Mode.

 

[grillmarkedX]

No, I never noticed any stuck keys before. I wonder if that was from me holding the “start” button in. When this thing stops in the middle of the wash cycle, I hold the button down to “cancel”. Once I do that though, it acts like it wont power back on when I push the “start” button. I literally have to unplug the power (or breaker) to have anything happen again when I push the start button. Even if I hold it in.

I think what I’m going to do next is clear the codes and then run diagnostics again. I’ve had this thing unplugged and powered off (breaker) a million times, so I’m thinking that could’ve cleared other codes?

 

[Jake]

I think what I’m going to do next is clear the codes and then run diagnostics again. I’ve had this thing unplugged and powered off (breaker) a million times, so I’m thinking that could’ve cleared other codes?

No, it still keeps that error code even when you unplug it.

You have to manually clear it.

Look on Page 3 of your tech. data sheet.
2. To clear fault codes:
--->Turn cycle selector knob until the status LEDs flash ON and OFF (see figure 2, page 2).
--->Press and hold the START button for 3 seconds to clear all fault codes and exit Fault Code Display Mode.

 

[grillmarkedX]

Well I believe I found the problem. The black/white wire between the harness and the drain pump, is severed. You can see the little stubby coming out of where the electrical tape is on the harness. It must not have been completely separated (or I’m blind) when I looked when I replaced it. The original pump is probably fine. Who knows.

 

[Jake]

Yes, I see that in your photo, good find.

Thanks for the update!