subject: Do It Yourself - Repair A Washing Machine [print this page] Do It Yourself - Repair A Washing Machine
Fixing a washing machine may depend on what issues you are having. Some problems are minor and need just a bit of tinkering while others will possibly need replacement parts and/or the services of a certified repair man. A few of these issues that may arise are shown here with guidelines on how to approach repairs.
Required Materials
Replacement Parts (if needed)
Belt
Motor
Required Tools
Pliers
Blow Dryer
Instructions
These instructions are based on each individual issue you may encounter when your machine goes awry.
For a dead machine that makes a low humming sound perform a few checks. Check to see that the hot and cold water supply lines are on. It is not impossible for the top of the pipe to maintain the on position but not necessarily be on from the shaft. Therefore you will need to unscrew the pipe line using a pliers and check to see that the shaft is actually turned in the right direction. If it is fine then check your inlet hoses, they may be clogged up from debris or frozen because of the weather conditions. If it is blocked you may try to unblock it by unscrewing the hoses and flushing them with a big gush of water, or by blowing air threw them. For frozen pipes you can possiblyslowly defrost them with a drier however, this effect will not last long if it is still very cold.
If the drum is not rotating, this may signal: a broken belt, a jammed machine as a result of an article clothing being caught in a specific section or motor issues. If it occurs because of a belt or motor issue you may have to get parts and replace them, it is best you let a professional examine the machine if this is the case. For a jammed machine inspect it properly and meticulously remove any articles of clothing you may discover in the particular area.
If the door will not open this could be the result of water still left in the machine, most times this is the case. Do not attempt to force the door open, rather have a professional look on the machine to make sure you do not accidentally damage any parts. If you have the skills needed to pump out the water yourself and the door is still closed this could indicate that the actual electrical interlocking system has deteriorated. In this case you will definitely need a professional to look on the extent of the damage.
In circumstances where there is flooding or overfilling the first thing your will need to do is check that your drain is not blocked. If it is you will have to manually clear the drain by removing any debris from it. However, if the drain is working properly then you will have to check the control system to see that the fill levels are functioning perfectly. If they are not functioning properly call a repairman to have this problem repaired, it is not likely that you will be able to alter these levels yourself.
If there is smoke in the drums this could signal a problem with the control system or fill level. Basically the heater may have come on without there being any water within the drum. Turn off the machine instantly and do not try to tinker with this issue yourself instead get a repair man to check it for you. If your machine starts working on its own still have a professional look at it just to be sure that it will not occur once more.
If the fuse blows, don't be prompted simply to just change it this could signal a serious problem with your electrical wiring. Typically the machine should be placed on its own breaker, when this is not the case it may disrupt the normal flow of electricity to other parts of your home, hence it is important to have a qualified electrician look on your machine to avoid constant replacing of the fuse, or more unthinkable, an electrical fire.
