Tag Archives: Washer Repair

My washer won’t stop shaking! What can I do?

Is it Time For a Washer Repair?

As you go about your day-to-day household chores, we all know it’s just a matter of time before a wrench is thrown in your well-intended plans. Sometimes it’s unavoidable. And while there are big and small “wrenches,” maybe you’ve experienced this one – a shaking washing machine. Furious shaking coming from the laundry room is anything but pleasant.

If your washer is shaking all the time, it’s not something you need to live with! There are a few reasons this may be happening. Some of them you can easily fix on your own, so keep reading! But after that, it’s best that you call a trusted repair man and get schedule a washer repair appointment right away.

Level your machine

One reason your washing machine may be shaking is because the machine isn’t level on the floor. If this is the case, it’s something you can easily fix yourself! First, tip your machine to figure out which side needs to be propped up. Adjust the leveling screw on the base as needed, so your washing machine has good contact with the floor. And if your leveling screws are old or damaged so that you are unable to level your machine, try using a shim (which can be made out of many materials) to level your machine by sliding it under a corner until the machine is level.

 Balance the load

Another culprit for a shaking washing machine could be an unbalanced load of laundry in your machine. Having all of your dirty clothes pile up on one side of the drum can make your machine lopsided, and this quickly leads to a shaking. If you find there are more clothes on one side of the drum than another, simply move the clothes around until it looks more even and restart the cycle.

 Repairs

If your machine is still shaking after trouble shooting for off-balance clothing and feet, you may Washer Repairbe in need of a washer repair. Vibrating and shaking mean there are a few different parts that could need attention; you could have a problem with a suspension spring, tub spring, snubber ring or damper pad to name a few!

For example, if the shock absorbers (used to absorb movement during the spin cycle) are weak or damaged, unbalanced loads will shake and move the machine while making loud banging sounds. Leaving this piece for long can mean wreaking havoc on other parts of your machine.

Or if you have a top-loading washer, the smoothness of your spin cycle may rely on tub dampening straps that help to control and cushion movement. There are four straps that are made of rubber and they attach from the top of the tub to each corner of the cabinet. Overtime, when a strap is damaged, stretched out or broken, the machine will shake as the tub inside makes contact with the cabinet during the spin cycle.

These are just two examples of how parts wear out over time and require a washer repair. If you’ve tried to level your washing machine on the ground, and tried to balance your wet clothes to no avail, call Complete Appliance Repair. This locally owned and family operated repair shop in Salt Lake City will have your washer up and running, jiggle-free, in no time!

Why Your Washer Won’t Agitate or Spin

If your washer won’t agitate or spin after filling with water and beginning the cycle, your clothes will never come clean. Only a qualified repair technician can help you diagnose your Washer Won't Agitatewasher problems for sure, but in the meantime, here are a few possible causes.

Agitator Issues

In some cases when the washer fails to agitate, the agitator itself may be the problem. Driven by the output shaft of the transmission, this part has a spline that can break or strip away, which can cause the agitator to fail as it becomes disconnected from the drive system.

Depending upon the brand and model of your washing machine, you may have either a single-piece unit or a two-piece, dual-action agitator. If yours is a dual-action model, the upper portion can become disengaged from the lower portion, in which case the directional cogs will need to be replaced.

Defective Lid Switch Assembly or Door Lock

The lid of your washing machine comes equipped with a switch or latch that ensures that the lid is closed before operation (unless you have a vintage model, most of which did not include this safety feature). This door assembly is connected to the motor circuit, and when the lid is shut, the motor will operate. If that connection is not made, the motor won’t run.

If your washer won’t agitate and the motor doesn’t seem to be getting power, you may have a defective door latch. You can inspect the lid assembly for visual damage; however, this mechanism can also fail electrically, so the door switches may need to be tested with a multimeter tool.

Other Causes of Washer Agitation Malfunction

If your washer won’t agitate or spin, you may have an issue with the drive belt, which drives the transmission, or with the drive block, which connects the transmission to the agitator. You can remove the front panel or cabinet of your washing machine to check if the belt, typically located at the bottom of the machine, is worn, loose or broken. Also take a look at the drive block to see if it is stripped or damaged. In rare cases, the drive motor, which drives the transmission, may be at fault.

Damage to other parts of your washing machine, such as the motor coupling, rotor or stator assembly, wash plate or motor control board could also be the cause of your problem. As you may already have concluded, you could be facing a complex repair that requires an experienced technician. Unless you’re familiar with your appliance’s operation, even opening the cover can cause injury. At best, it probably violates any warranty you have.

Don’t take chances. At the first sign of a problem, call the home appliance experts at Complete Appliance Repair. Serving the communities of northern Utah, our professional technicians know exactly how to diagnose and repair whatever is wrong when your washer won’t agitate.