Thread Number: 3456
Unimatic washer motor failure? (The sad silence of a GM Frigidaire) |
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Post# 85623   9/27/2005 at 19:24 (6,756 days old) by kennywhy (Tucson, Arizona)   |   | |
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Occasionally I use my WO65-2 washer. From time to time I've noticed an intermittent chattering or slight squeal whenever the motor runs, assuming it to be the motor fan and choosing to ignore it. A change in this noise recently included a slight dimming of the lights on the same circuit as the washer, in sync with the chattering or clicking noise. Unwisely, on Sunday I chose to walk upstairs and away from the machine. A few minutes later I could hear the noise much more consistent and louder, and then sudden silence as I ran downstairs to find the machine stopped at the start of the rinse cycle and a smoke filled basement. The first and only time I chose to trust it running without "supervision"! If it is the motor that has "burned out", why don't I at least get the timer to run? The machine is completely dead. The reset may or may not have popped out when the incident occurred (maybe just up slightly), It was hard to tell. The washer circuit didn’t click off. It’s got electricity. Just wondering what you folks might recommend. Rewind and rebuild the motor, or look for a replacement motor? Or might there be something else going on I need to check. I remember hearing some time back, that there may be some new replacement motors out there in Applianceville. It would be great to be able to purchase one. If so, and/or if anyone would like to sell a used motor that they are sure is working, I would be interested in buying it. Or am I better off rebuilding (by a pro motor rebuilder) what I’ve got? If it’s only the motor that’s gone, I guess that’s not so bad. At least it’s rebuildable, replaceable and relatively easily to repair, as opposed to the Unimatic drive. All thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Ken (313) 869-8058, or e-mail; kennywhy@att.net. |
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Post# 85639 , Reply# 1   9/27/2005 at 21:15 (6,756 days old) by mayken4now (Panama City, Florida)   |   | |
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Post# 85660 , Reply# 3   9/27/2005 at 22:32 (6,756 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
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Hi Kenny, sorry to hear about your WO-65-2. OK the first step here is to get back power to the machine. Did you press the reset button on the motor protector? If so and its not resetting (still no power), then the protector switch needs to be replaced. But for testing purposes you can just jump it out of the circuit by using a cord with two aligator clips one on each end. You can buy those at radio shack. Try that and see if you can get power back to the machine. When you say start of the rinse cycle, do you mean rinse fill or rinse agitation? |
Post# 85716 , Reply# 4   9/28/2005 at 07:50 (6,756 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)   |   | |
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I'll bet he has seized starter switch contacts!! The start winding is not kicking out and the motor overheats and draws WAY Too much AMPs. Like RObert says jump out the motor switch and run it for an instant, or sometimes I just manually push down on the motor start switch while trying the power to see if it can even start. |
Post# 85724 , Reply# 5   9/28/2005 at 08:34 (6,756 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
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Post# 85747 , Reply# 6   9/28/2005 at 09:10 (6,756 days old) by kennywhy (Tucson, Arizona)   |   | |
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The question to me from Robert: "Did you press the reset button on the motor protector? If so and its not resetting (still no power), then the protector switch needs to be replaced. But for testing purposes you can just jump it out of the circuit by using a cord with two aligator clips one on each end." Yes Robert, the reset button is in. Who's got an extra "Push to Reset" protector switch on hand? Or I suppose I could buy another timer from Midwest Timer. It's part of the assembly I believe. Only $30 or so. Also forgive my ignorance, but exactly where do I jump the wires to and from? The question to me from Jon: "Like Robert says jump out the motor switch and run it for an instant, or sometimes I just manually push down on the motor start switch while trying the power to see if it can even start." Jon: It may be something obvious I'm missing, but where is the motor start switch to manually push down? Your comments as always, much appreciated. It may be the weekend or longer however, before I can actually get into working on the machine. Thanks, Ken |
Post# 85768 , Reply# 7   9/28/2005 at 10:33 (6,756 days old) by christfr (st louis mo)   |   | |
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Post# 85773 , Reply# 8   9/28/2005 at 10:54 (6,756 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
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Post# 85788 , Reply# 9   9/28/2005 at 14:02 (6,756 days old) by kennywhy (Tucson, Arizona)   |   | |
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Robert, you asked when it happened. It was at the start of the final rinse cycle. I'm almost positive it had started to agitate, then loud clattering and it stopped. Also to be noted is the fact that when I got the machine from John L., it had the motor start problem. The major work I did on it, with help from the Applianceville community, was the replacement of the starter (spoon) switch. I was able to find a new one. The Delco motor was cleaned of oil and the switch installed. Also the fan was replaced with a new part. It's run fine since, except for the chattering fan or motor. Ken |
Post# 85866 , Reply# 10   9/28/2005 at 21:04 (6,755 days old) by jetcone (Schenectady-Home of Calrods,Monitor Tops,Toroid Transformers)   |   | |
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Post# 85885 , Reply# 11   9/28/2005 at 22:09 (6,755 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
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Post# 85887 , Reply# 12   9/28/2005 at 22:12 (6,755 days old) by unimatic1140 (Minneapolis)   |   | |
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Now pull the Incoming Power Wire (should be black) from the Motor Protector bullet terminal and switch it with the wire in the terminal marked Black on the timer box. (Shown in the picture below). BE SURE TO PULL THE PLUG FIRST AS THE INCOMING POWER WIRE IS THE FIRST WIRE OUT OFF THE WALL PLUG AND ITS LIVE WHENEVER THE WASHER IS PLUGGED IN. Replace the timer and parts and give the washer a try in AGITATION. If the is some kind of strang clanking and its not the fan then the problem might be a serious transmission job. Let us know what happens. |