subject: Home Improvement - Repair A Washing Machine [print this page] Fixing a washing machine may depend on what issues you are having. Some problems are minor and need just a bit of adjusting while others will possibly need replacement parts and/or the services of a professional 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 relate to each individual problem you may come upon when your machine goes bad.
For a dead machine that is making a quiet humming sound perform a few checks. Check to see that the hot and cold water supply lines are open. It is not impossible for the top of the pipe to be in the on position but not actually be on from the shaft. Hence you will have to unscrew the pipe line using a pliers and check to see that the shaft is actually turned in the correct direction. If it is okay then check your inlet hoses, they may be blocked 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 large gush of water, or by blowing air threw them. For frozen pipes you can possiblygently defrost them with a drier however, this effect will not be long-lasting 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 problems. If it occurs as a result of a belt or motor issue you may have to order parts and replace them, it is advisable that you let a professional examine the machine if this is the circumstance. For a jammed machine inspect it closely and carefully remove any pieces of clothing you may discover in the particular area.
If the door won't 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, instead have a professional look on the machine to make sure you do not accidentally damage any parts. If you have the expertise necessary to pump out the water yourself and the door is still locked this could mean that the actual electrical interlocking system has deteriorated. In this case you will definitely need a professional to assess the extent of the damage.
In case 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 need to manually clear the drain by removing any debris from it. However, if the drain is working properly then you will need to check the control system to see that the fill levels are functioning properly. If they are not working well call a repairman to have this problem repaired, it is unlikely you will be able to adjust these levels yourself.
If there is smoke in the drums this could indicate a problem with the control system or fill level. Essentially the heater may have come on without there being any water inside the drum. Turn off the machine at that point and do not try to tinker with this problem yourself instead get a repair man to have checked it for you. If your machine starts working on its own still have a professional look at it just to ensure that it will not happen once more.
If the fuse blows, don't be prompted simply to just replace it this could indicate a serious problem with your electrical wiring. Normally the machine should be put 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 essential to have a qualified electrician look on your machine to prevent constant replacing of the fuse, or more unthinkable, an electrical fire.
Tip
If you prefer to do any repairs yourself, for example changing the fuse, unplug your machine before working to avoid electrical shock.
