Whirlpool with Fabric Sense left sopping wet clothes [VIDEO]

[davidklaw]

Model Number

WTW4880AW

Brand

Whirlpool

Age

1-5 years

The washer in question is WTW4880AW, one of the Whirlpool top-loaders with the Fabric Sense technology. I can't speak to the history of this machine as I'm house-sitting, but this occurred after 5 or 6 loads that seemed to go along just fine.

I had gone downstairs for something else when I noticed a decent amount of water had made it's way from the washer to the floor drain. I thought nothing of it but in retrospect it seems like useful information. Some time later I realized that the repetitive sound I was hearing was not in fact normal and made my way down to the basement to find the washer doing nothing except making the noise in the video I'm providing. I believe at this point the lid lock light was on as was the light for the final stage of the wash. Since it had been making this noise for quite some time I cancelled the wash and opened up the washer to find the load sopping wet.

I have since performed a master reset. I have my own ideas based on internet sleuthing but I thought I'd post it up here with some video to see if someone recognizes the problem from this cycling noise.

VIDEO: IMG_2170_480.mov

 

[Jake]

Hi David,

That sounds like possibly your shift actuator may be the culprit. But lets verify that first.

You will need to locate your tech. data sheet and check for error codes and post what the error codes say.

Now I'm posting your Lid Lock Switch and the video of how to access and replace it, but I don't want you to replace the lid switch, unless you get an error code saying to replace it. The main reason I'm posting your lid lock switch and video is just to show you how to access your tech. data sheet.

Here's the lid lock switch for your model:
Door Hook W10404050 Order now for same day shipping. 365 day return policy. RepairClinic.com


Watch this video below, Once you have the top up, there should be a tech. data sheet inside the front panel.

[video=youtube;KKxD0oFM85I]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKxD0oFM85I[/video]


Go into diagnostics and retrieve the codes, and clear them. This is very important since most complaints start with the lid lock on and blinking, or the unit will not start and spin.

If, when in diagnostics the codes are F7E1, F7E5, or motor speed codes, then chances are it is a motor, capacitor, or shifter related issue. Once the codes are cleared, put the washer into a manual diagnostic test and run the HEAVY AGITATION; if
after 15‐20 Seconds the motor runs then you can rule out the motor, capacitor, control, and most likely the wiring harness connections (although still check the BK wire from the shifter to the control). Remember, the timing wheel only turns in the
transmission during the spin cycle.

Next, while in Manual diagnostics, try to get the unit to spin; if the motor hums for a split second and then shuts down with the lid lock blinking; go back into diagnostic codes and look for shifter or speed sensor errors.

This is proof that the shifter/sensor assembly is the issue because the optical sensor is not reading the motor speed.

Here's the shift actuator for your model you can order - Video Included:
Shift Actuator W10006355 Order now for same day shipping. 365 day return policy. RepairClinic.com



Let us know what you find.

Jake

 

[davidklaw]

Thanks so much for your help Jake.

Just managed to pull the codes and I'm seeing F8E3, F5E1 and F9E1.

F8E3 makes sense to me. As mentioned above I went downstairs to find water runoff from the washer I hadn't seen during previous loads. Come to think of it, it also seemed to be running unusually long but that seems typical for these sensing washers.

I'll be poking around to see if I can see anything given the service tech manual and wait to hear from you.

 

[davidklaw]

Play-by-play update.

I figured I'd pull of the drain hose and run some water through it just to rule it out. After pulling it a good bit of water drained out of the washer, I ran water through the hose, and then hooked it back up. After doing this the washer again works.

BUT, I ran a medium load and the water level seems quite high - this is it just before it went into the Wash cycle. It seemed a bit excessive given there's still a Large and Super load size. I thought this might be useful in determining if an issue remains or not. It would also seem that water was spraying on the inside. You can see in the photo that it's dripping from the top.

 

[Jake]

F8E3 – OVERFLOW CONDITION

Ok, you're going to have to follow the steps for that error code, look on your tech. data sheet and do what it says to do. If you find it too confusing, you'll need to get Whirlpool to come out and fix this for you.

Jake