Maytag Neptune washer won't spin
Problem
We have this model of washing machine:
And it stopped spinning or agitating. The control panel works and buttons can select different cycles. You can start a cycle and the door locks and the timer counts down, and water flows in and out, but the washer doesn't spin.
At the end of the cycle, the door unlocks, the clothes are very wet, and this diagnostic code appears:
research
I found a manual for this model.
I checked the breaker and it showed no sign of a partial connection.
I found disassembly instructions here: http://www.neptunehelp.com/index_files/Page323.htm
I found this fellow whose washer thought it was constantly unbalanced and he fixed it by shaking the balance switch. http://www.graham.org/node/73
The FAQ here (http://www.neptunehelp.com/index_files/Page704.htm) mentions a "spin-enable switch" that is normally triggered by the door lock. That sounds promising.
Here is someone in Belize with a similar sounding problem: http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?topic=2473.0 They say that "Lr" means locked rotor.
Here is a pretty authoritative-sounding answer about what Lr means: http://www.fixya.com/support/t1005823-maytag_neptune
Check out the motor control board near the floor on the right side. These have a high failure rate on the Neptunes. Maytag redesigned both the motor and motor control board to be more reliable. While inspecting this board, you are looking for a blown 10 amp fuse and /or burnt components. If you have either... then you will need the the new motor conversion kit which includes the motor, motor control board and the wire harness.
See www.neptunewaxmotor.com for disassembly photos and other Neptune information.
help codes
From the owner's manual.
| Code symbol | Meaning | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| do | The washer detects that the door is open when starting a cycle or the door is not locking. | Close the door tightly and restart the cycle |
| FL | The washer failed to lock the door. | Close the door tightly and restart the cycle |
| Sd | Oversudsing has occurred. If this code disappears, the suds recovery cycle was successful. | Reduce the amount of detergent used for that specific load |
| PF | The washer experienced a power failure. | Restart the cycle. If code is still displayed, check to make sure power cord is securely plugged in. |
| nd | The washer experienced difficulty draining. | Check for a kinked drain hose. Check for a plugged stand pipe. |
| LO | The washer has repeatedly tried to unlock the door but has been unsuccessful. | Make sure door is tightly closed. Push the Off button and then wait two minutes for the door to unlock.
OR Unplug the washer for two minutes and plug back in. |
| Lr | Motor not running properly. | Call for service. See below. |
| nF | The washer has tried to fill. | Make sure the water faucets are open all the way. Check for kinked hoses. |
| od | The washer door must be opened. | This is a safety feature. The door must be opened before another cycle is started. |
diagnostic codes
Here is how to read them and what they mean: http://www.fowlercompanies.com/SM/Maytag%20Service%20Manuals/MAHWasherHelpCodes1.pdf
MAH Washer Help Codes In addition to the diagnostic codes which show up automatically when the meter case access door is opened, the Maytag Neptune washers may store additional “HELP” codes. The HELP codes are accessed by first entering the diagnostics/ set up mode by opening the service door switch. Use the lower middle key pad (woolens) to advance to the 2.00 (or 2.SP) step. Then pressing the lower left keypad (Permanent Press) the HELP mode is accessed. The washer saves the last three codes; most recent first as 1h.xx, 2h.xx, and 3h.xx. The following listing shows the most common codes and a brief explanation. Code # Probable Cause: 8 .................. Motor locked rotor, motor not turning in wash steps A ................. Requested speed not available in tumble (this is an early machine code) D ................. Spin parameter out of acceptable range F .................. Suds lock detected or possible machine overload 10 ................. Motor not turning in spin 12 ................. Requested speed not available in spin 13 ................. Unbalance in spin at less than 500 RPM 17 ................. Door was not locked at end of final spin 19 ................. Water level dropped after initial fill , slow fill 23 ................. Drag in spin above 650 RPM could be clothing in door boot 29 ................. Both cycle active flags found set in cycle_supervisor 30 ................. Shut down due to motor speed error. “D11” in diagnostics 31 ..................Spin delayed due to water level sensed for more than 60 seconds at start of spin. “D8” slow Drain in diagnostics code Check pump and drain hose for blockage 32 ................. Unbalance(s) at less than 500 RPM in final spin. Spin aborted 33 ................. Excessive suds detected in wash/tumble step 34 ................. Power at limit, spin below 85RPM too long; cycle paused. “D11” in diagnostics 35 ................. Power at limit too long in tumble “D11” in diagnostics codes 36 ................. Motor continued to run after 2 minute coast down. “D11” in diagnostics 37 ................. Motor running too fast during tumble. Check drive belt tension 39 ................. Motor still running after 2 minutes coast down following an unbalance 40 ................. Motor running faster than 85 RPM and door is not locked. Electrical “Noise” 1b ................. Slow fill; took longer than 4 minutes to reach level 1d ................. Unbalance in spin above 500 RPM but less than 675 RPM 1E ................. wash level seen in spin 1F ................. Unbalance detected during ramp up to spin 2A..................Motor on full power for more than 15 seconds during final spin above 500 RPM but less than 675 RPM, probably load too large. Run motor checks. 2b ................. Wash level seen at start of spin. Slow drain 2d ................. Invalid value found. 2F ................. Shutdown due to over speed error during spin. “D11” in diagnostics