Thread Number: 33389
Maytag A606 Washer - Working, but.... |
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Post# 502614 , Reply# 1   3/9/2011 at 01:34 (4,769 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)   |   | |
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Jan, you should try to lift the lid and press a piece of cardboard behind it where the lid switch is so you can see what is going on. Your agitator has threading that holds it in place. Sometimes,especially at this one's age, these plastic "Teeth" ware out and the agitator needs to be replaced.I have one here (the larger one for the larger tubs)and could send it out if you need it.I always remove the back panel of the control backsplash and pull the lid switch wires splicing them together so the machine no longer stops when you open its lid.I always hated the Maytags due to that feature. Other brands like Frigidaire, Westinghouse and Whirlpool would at least agitate with the lids open.The Maytags and GE/Hotpoints didn't do anything once the lid was open.email me at (freerinse@aol.com) if you need the agitator.
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Post# 502619 , Reply# 3   3/9/2011 at 02:12 (4,769 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon)   |   | |
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Post# 502707 , Reply# 6   3/9/2011 at 11:12 (4,768 days old) by mixfinder ()   |   | |
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Check to be sure the drain hose is not kinked and there is free flow for quick draining. Sometimes this can cause greying or clothes finishing the cycle less than perfect. |
Post# 502740 , Reply# 7   3/9/2011 at 13:08 (4,768 days old) by polkanut (Wausau, WI )   |   | |
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Post# 502759 , Reply# 8   3/9/2011 at 14:02 (4,768 days old) by akronman (Akron/Cleveland Ohio)   |   | |
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When your machine is stopped, end of cycle, empty, you should barely be able to turn the agitator by hand more than maybe an inch in either dirction, the belt tension and brakes should be holding it pretty well. If it moves relatively freely, that's a sign of worn out splines inside the base of the agitator where it meets the transmission shaft. If it seems pretty darn hard to move, as if you're working against the motor and brakes and tranny, that's a good sign, leave it alone.
Motor mounts---with the front panel removed and washer turned off, you should be able to push the motor towards the center of the machine by approximately a half inch, and springs and small visible wheels should pull it back to original position immediately. BE careful if you try with the machine in spin cycle. You'll hurt yourself with the heavy tranny spinning inches away, you won't hurt the machine. Again, it should change the sound of everything and immediately spring/roll back to it's original position. If not, the springs and 4 wheel and special lube are usually under $10 on Ebay. There is no other tension adjustment for the agitator belt, just these springs and wheels. Maybe your husband replaced the pump belt, now it's time for this one? The agitator belt is EXACTLY MAYTAG SPECIFIC, available on Ebay for under $30, don't replace it with any other belt. The pump belt is pretty darn loose, isn't as specific to Maytag only, and there are 3 small bolts from pump bottom thrugh the base of the machine that allow you to slide the pump closer/further from the motor by about 1/2 inch. Press both halves of the belt together under the machine, with normal hand pressure they should stay about 1/4 inch from each other. There are plenty of pros on this website, keep checking back for other and often better advice. And with any washer, trick that lid switch and watch/listen to an entire cycle of a normal full load. Does the agitator stay in a very steady rhythm throughout the agitation or does it seem to slip at times? Does the tub stay in place or turn? It shouldn't move more than maybe 1/2 inch back/forth as the agitator strokes back and forth. Is drain water as speedy and fast out the hose as you always remember? When spin draining, it starts somewhat slow since it's full of heavy water and clothes, then once the pump catches up and the weight of 90% of water is gone, a minute or so, spin speed should noticeably improve. These are signs of good belts. Also, under the base of the machine, there should be no grease or oil on or near those pulleys, the belts will slip when it isn't intended. Maytag relies heavily on the exact MAYTAG belts, and properly installed they work well for decades. Like I said, keep checking back here for a few days, lots of folks with LOTS more experience than me are happy to make suggestions. |
Post# 502812 , Reply# 9   3/9/2011 at 16:56 (4,768 days old) by laundromat (Hilo, Hawaii)   |   | |
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For good maintanance,I replace my two belts,both inlet hoses and the jet spray tube every five years.It makes sense and lengthens the long life of the true Maytags.The Jet Spray is in two parts on the upper/under left edge of the top. You release the clamp that holds it in place and remove the plastic cone shaped tube out of the rubber,sock like cover. I usually replace them both but,you can normally get away with just replacing the rubber tube.Once in place,replace the clamp and then tilt the washer back and remove the two existing belts. One goes from the motor to the trans and the other goes from the motor to the pump.Old belts wear and get loose and skip as the pulley spins to either agitate or spin.This too could be the cause of your dilemma.The hot and cold water hoses are crucial and should,no matter what brand of washer you have, be replaced every five years. Just like the jet spray,the rubber wears and stretches making the hoses weak enough to burst and cause some serious flood issues.
Are you using any special type of detergent you have been using all along or have you switched or just buy what's on sale?? Liquid or powder? that too could be a cause and raise the red flag as far as cleanliness goes.I know for a fact that many of the detergents we all know and love have changed their own formulas drastically.I,myself,use Gain with Bleach liquid or powder in my front loading Frigidaire Affinity.It gets everything clean but,it is what it is. That is, a front loading washer. Not a top loading one like the Maytag you have. |
Post# 502815 , Reply# 10   3/9/2011 at 17:04 (4,768 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions)   |   | |
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It's really not a "stupid" idea to keep the wires on the lid switch hooked up. For one thing, it stops the machine should it go unbalanced. It also keeps young hands out of the machine when it's running, should that be a concern. All to see the agitator go back and forth. But do what ya gotta do....
It's possible that the grease in the transmission has hardened over the years. That might cause it to not agitate correctly. |
Post# 503787 , Reply# 12   3/13/2011 at 07:00 (4,765 days old) by mrb627 (Buford, GA)   |   | |
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Post# 504190 , Reply# 14   3/15/2011 at 00:47 (4,763 days old) by appnut (TX)   |   | |
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Jan, what waterr temperature are you washing all your laundry in? If it's always cold, that could be a contributor. Also, buy a small package of regular (non-green) landry detergent and see if that improves cleaning. wouldn't surprise me at all.
Kinda memorize the above video and see if your machine is agitating comparbly. If not, the combination of the green detergent, cold water, and less than normal agitatio can all be contributors.
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