Maytag Washer does nothing

[theripster]

I have a Maytag clothes washer that does not start. It just does nothing. I got it from a man who said he was told by a Maytag repairman that the timer was bad, so I replaced the timer. Still nothing. I do not have it hooked up to a water source because I wanted to make sure it would run after the timer was changed out. I am getting power to the machine. I checked with a voltmeter at the washing machine end of the power cord. Anybody have an idea? All ideas welcome and my thanks in advance for any help offered.

[woodchuck]

The first thing a washer does is fill up with water before it starts agitating. When it reaches the selected water level, a switch is made allowing it to start the wash cycle. It may spin without water if you want to move the selector to spin and see if it works but you need to hook the water up to check it out.

[richapplyguy]

Your washer may be the type with a fuze in the lid switch. Will need model # to verify. Or your lid switch is busted.
Please post.

[theripster]

Sorry for not giving more complete information. The Model number is LAT9706AAE. I tested the lid switch with an ohm meter, and it appears to be functioning correctly. It has four connectors. With lid closed, # 1-2 are hot, #3-4 are not. With lid open, # 3-4 are hot and # 1-2 are not.

I have also tried moving the timer to the spin cycle and still nothing.

It also has an on light that is not coming on. I would think that this light should come on if it has power and the timer is turned on, even if it does nothing else. Still dead in the water so to speak.

Thanks for the fast replies too.

[richapplyguy]

Ohm meters can give false readings. Power comes in one end and out the other. Best to check across the lid switch with a voltmeter. Without a schematic, hard to tell what is going on though.

[theripster]

[QUOTE=richapplyguy]Ohm meters can give false readings. Power comes in one end and out the other. Best to check across the lid switch with a voltmeter. Without a schematic, hard to tell what is going on though.[/QUOTE]

Don't have a schematic, but lets try this. The switch assy is a sealed unit with a 4 amp fuse.
Terminals: 1=neut, 2=line, 3=motor, 4=machine.
Washer plugged in switch off.---no voltage
Washer plugged in switch on.----voltage accross terminals 1 & 2. No other terminals.

Deduction 1: If lid is closed I should get voltage between 1 & 3, or 1 & 4, or 1 & 3 and 1 & 4.

Deduction 2: If I don't get any voltage from any of the combinations in deduction 1, then the fuse must be blown.

Does this sound like proper reasoning? :confused:

[theripster]

I see people are still looking at this thread, but I have not had any sort of reply as to the correctness of my deductions. If anyone reading this knows, please give me a yay or a nay before I purchase a switch that I don't need.

Once again, thanks in advance.

[richapplyguy]

A lid switch is for the unaware,the untrained, the casual user. Power in no power out=bypass the darn thing and get on with the measurements, don't buy parts till you know a part malfunction!!!

[theripster]

[QUOTE=richapplyguy]A lid switch is for the unaware,the untrained, the casual user. Power in no power out=bypass the darn thing and get on with the measurements, don't buy parts till you know a part malfunction!!![/QUOTE]

Sometimes one doesn't see the trees because of the forest. Thanks Rich for stating the obvious. I jumpered the switch between the power and the motor and it ran. Even on the old timer. So I am going to purchase a new lid switch in the morning. Then I'll hook it to water and see if it cycles properly. If it does then I'll be turning the new timer back in.

I'll post a follow up to let you know how it turns out. Once again thanks.

[theripster]

[QUOTE=theripster]I'll post a follow up to let you know how it turns out. Once again thanks.[/QUOTE]

Here's the followup. Replaced the lid switch and it fired right up. Hooked it to water and ran it through a cycle. The motor wasn't running properly though. So I opened up the control box on the top of the motor and cleaned up the points with an old dressing file that I had for my older motorcycles with points. Recycled it and it ran like a champ. :D

Thanks Rich.