Washer won't fill up

[Dawg]

I have a washer, made by Whirlpool that won't fill up with water. When it is supposed to fill with water it goes to the wash cycle instead. Otherwise it works ok. Can anyone tell me why this is? Thanks.

[LazyPup]

Sounds like your water level sensor is stuck in the closed position, otherwise the timer would not advance till the water is full. Pull the power plug then open the back of the control panel and you will see a switch that has a round metal diaphram about 3 inches in diameter with a plastic tube that goes to the bottom of the tub. In operation as the water fills in the tub it also goes up the tube at the same level. As the water rises in the tube the air is pushed up against the diaphram and when it reaches a set pressure it signals the tub is full and advances the timer to run.
Pull the tube off the sensor and blow into the tube to see if it is obstructed. Quite often the lower part of the tubes get obstructed with soap scum. If it is difficult to blow into it that is most likely your problem. Sometimes you can blow real hard and free it, but if not, follow the tube to the bottom of the tub, take it loose and clean it.
If the air flows free when you blow through the tube most likely the problem is in the diaphram. With the tube off the diaphrame (leaving the diaphram open to atmostshere) plug the machine in and set it to a wash cycle. It should start filling water when you turn the machine on.Watch it carefully because there is nothing to stop the fill at this point and it will overflow if you dont stop it.
On some of the diaphram switches you can see the actual momentary contact switch that is pushed by the diaphram. If so,again unplug the machine and try pressing the switch in manually a couple times to see if it is stuck. If the contact is moving free now, plug it in and test it again. If the timer advances to run with the tube off the diaphram you will have to replace the diaphram switch.

[BonesandFeathers]

Might sound dumb but, I had enough no water due to it being shut off that i would ask the customer if the water was on b/4 I went out on the call.

[LazyPup]

BonesandFeathers

I agree, it is very common to turn the water off while checking a machine, then forget to turn it back on, leaving you with a no water condition, but in this case they said the machine started running even though there was no water.

The water level diaphrame switch is wired in series with the timer, and the timer should not advance to a run position until the water diaphram valve is closed.

Given that the water diaphram closes by air pressure when the water level rises, i then suspect the water diaphram is stuck in the closed position.

[Dawg]

Thanx Lazypup...I tried blowing thru the hose and I could hear air coming out inside the washer...then I left it removed from the water level switch and plugged it up...still tells the timer to go to the wash cycle.

[LazyPup]

If you have an ohm meter, first unplug the washer then remove one wire from the diaphram switch and measure for continuity across the two poles on the switch. If you have continuity when the plastic air line is removed the switch is bad. ( be very careful when measuring continuity. It is always best to test for the presence of voltage first, then once you are sure their is no energy on the contacts make your ohm test. Also when making the ohm test to do not touch the metal points of you test leads with your finger tips, you would ultimately test the resistance through your body and get a false reading.

[Dawg]

quote:Originally posted by LazyPup

If you have an ohm meter, first unplug the washer then remove one wire from the diaphram switch and measure for continuity across the two poles on the switch.

Which two poles? There's three wires that run to the switch.

quote:
be very careful when measuring continuity. It is always best to test for the presence of voltage first, then once you are sure their is no energy on the contacts make your ohm test.

Actually when you check continuity aren't you supposed to have the power disconnected? And since you mentioned "then once you are sure their is no energy on the contacts make your ohm test" is there something on a washing machine that stores electricity after being unplugged?

[ammoturtle]

I have a kenmore washer & I have the same problem. Would my washer work like the wirlpool?

[LazyPup]

If your diaphram switch has three wires that is either a dual water level switch, a normal and high water level.. or the third wire will be either green or yellow with a green stripe. The green or yellow with a green stripe is a safety ground wire.

I carry a short piece of the tubing that i can connect to the diaphram and blow into the tube to activate the diaphram while making continuity tests.

Definitely make sure the power is off before conducting a continuity test with an ohm meter. It is best to get into the habit of measuring for voltage across any terminals before testing continuity to prevent damaging your meter.

The only component in the machine that can store a charge is a capacitor which is commonly used on the motor wiring, but that would be under the machine near the motor and is not connected to the control panel area.

[LazyPup]

The diaphram level sensor switch is almost common to all makes of washing machines.

[kschultz]

I recently experienced this problem, pulled the water hoses off and found that they had little filters on the end that had filled with charcoal/carbon granules after the local water authority had done it's regular "flushing" of the water system. [:0]

Check all hoses and pipes for filters and clean them ...

Good luck !