Whirlpool Washer spin problem model # LSP8245AW0

[theripster]

I have a lady friend with a Whirlpool washer model number LSP8245AW0 with a spin problem. When it starts spinning, it gets going on the slow speed, but when it tries to hit the high speed it doesn't. It makes a clicking sound but the second speed never kicks in. I have looked at the coupler, and even though it is an older one it shows no signs of failure. I have also turned the coupler by hand (where it connects to the tranny) and it feels awfully free and easy. I can't see in the basket to know if the inner basket is turning, but I would think not for how easy it turns. :confused: Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.(as always)

[Dan O.]

When it starts spinning, it gets going on the slow speed, but when it tries to hit the high speed it doesn't. the second speed never kicks in.There shouldn't usually be any 'slow speed/high speed' for spin. The washer should start spinning, eventually building up to full speed for the chosen wash setting.

Is the tub empty of water *before* it tries to spin?

If it is just not getting to full spin (and the tub is completely drained of water), stray clothing could be caught between the tubs hampering its full movement. The clutch could also be slipping and not able to drive the basket properly.

It makes a clicking soundFrom which component on the washer exactly?

I can't see in the basket to know if the inner basket is turningThe inner basket could be loose on its drive block and not being driven properly. Does the basket feel sloppy when manually articulated or is it tight and only able to rotate around the central axis?


Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site (http://www.appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=Whirlpool+Washer)
=D~~~~~~

[theripster]

Dan O, Thanks for the reply. There is still some water in the basket. Apparently it failed to do anything and she took the laundry out and removed most of the water by hand, but not all of it.

Can't really tell where the clicking is coming from. I have the casing off and am down trying to watch everything, but cannot tell where it's coming from.

How can I tell if the clutch is slipping?

The inner basket does not seem to be loose.

[Dan O.]

There is still some water in the basket. Apparently it failed to do anything You mean it just won't drain or spin rather than "anything".

As long as the motor is running during drain and spin, the pump should drain the water from the tub. Someone might look into that first. Maybe something is caught in the pump and hampering the motor's movements?


Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site (http://www.appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=Whirlpool+Washer)
=D~~~~~~

[theripster]

[QUOTE=Dan O.]You mean it just won't drain or spin rather than "anything".

As long as the motor is running during drain and spin, the pump should drain the water from the tub. Someone might look into that first. Maybe something is caught in the pump and hampering the motor's movements?


Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site (http://www.appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=Whirlpool+Washer)
=D~~~~~~[/QUOTE]

Dan O,

Thanks again. I'll check it and get back to you.

[theripster]

Dan O,
Final resolution. I checked the pump and it seemd to be fine. I decided to run it through a complete cycle from start to finish to see the whole operation for myself. Here's what I found. It filled with water, and ran through the wash cycle fine. At the end of the wash cycle it pumped the water out and started the rinse cycle. At the end of the rinse cycle it pumped the water out and when it went for the final spin cycle is where the problem was. It sprayed water in, but did not spin. then it sprayed water in again, and again did not spin. Eventually it timed out and stopped. Now my diagnosis is the timer. I opened the timer up and none of the contacts looked burned, pitted or broken. So I took the wiring harness connector and sprayed some WD40 on them and connected them back up and ran it through another cycle. Ran perfectly. Conclusion is that the whole problem was being coused by a bad contact at the harness to timer connection. Ya gotta just love WD40. She, of course is a very happy camper. I of course am grateful for all the ideas and help that I received on here while trying to help her. My sincere thanks. :)

[Dan O.]

At the end of the rinse cycle it pumped the water out and when it went for the final spin cycle is where the problem was. Did the motor pause briefly between drain and spin? It has to in order for the transmission to 'shift into gear' to change from just drain to drain plus spin. Failing to pause would usually point to some problem with the timer.

LINK > Direct Drive Washer Timer Pause (http://www.the-appliance-clinic.com/ddtimer-pause.html)

LINK > Whirlpool LSP8245AW0 Washer Timer (AP3099961)

I opened the timer up and none of the contacts looked burned, pitted or broken.How about the cam that activates them?

No foreign material inside the timer which might have been obstructing their movement?

I took the wiring harness connector and sprayed some WD40 on them and connected them back up and ran it through another cycle. Ran perfectly. Conclusion is that the whole problem was being caused by a bad contact at the harness to timer connection. I'd suggest you wait a while before making that pronouncement (it may just have been coincidence) but I wish you luck! http://www.acmeparts.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

BTW. The exact same wires are used for both spin and drain functions. I can't see how doing what you did would make any difference to a missing function. If the wiring was Ok for the drain, that same wiring should work for spin as well. There's no difference between drain and spin except mechanical changes inside the transmission after the timer's brief pause.

JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site (http://www.appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=Whirlpool+Washer)
=D~~~~~~

[RegUS_PatOff]

Here's some info on the Neutral Drain Function

PDF 787771 # 4

Understanding Automatic Washer (https://secured.whirlpool.com/Service/SrvTechAdm.nsf/2cd44500d572193285256a45004fd9d6/2550f737b3129b0c85256b0600504738?OpenDocument)

[theripster]

[QUOTE=Dan O.]
I'd suggest you wait a while before making that pronouncement (it may just have been coincidence) but I wish you luck! http://www.acmeparts.com/forum/images/icons/icon14.gif

BTW. The exact same wires are used for both spin and drain functions. I can't see how doing what you did would make any difference to a missing function. If the wiring was Ok for the drain, that same wiring should work for spin as well. There's no difference between drain and spin except mechanical changes inside the transmission after the timer's brief pause.

JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com
The Appliance Information Site (http://www.appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=Whirlpool+Washer)
=D~~~~~~[/QUOTE]

Well it has been three days now and I haven't heard from her. She has a large family and usually washes one or two loads per day. At this point I will just say so far so good, but it does look promising.