Kenmore washer slow spin/wash

Your washer is a 1970 500 series machine. They were very common in their day. There are others here more competent than I in matters of electricity, but unless you have a fluctuating electrical power supply to the machine, my first inclination would be to check the motor.

This model is a standard capacity machine. Most single and two-speed motors on standard cap. models in the later 1960s-1980s did not use start capacitors (but they did on 3-speed motors), however most all the large capacity machines had capacitors because the motors were under heavier load at start-up. Whirlpool's universal fit belt-drive replacement motor for this machine requires a capacitor however.

If you determine that your motor is the culprit, there are alternatives on ebay that I would recommend at least considering. There are new Whirlpool motors, part number 285222 that can be had for as little at $50 at times, and used ones from $25-$50. I would go that route before spending $144. If you search "285222" on ebay, you'll see nearly all the new and used options at one time unless the seller listed under one of the myriad of original part numbers.

Here is a picture of two 1970 500 series machines. Is your machine like one of these?

Gordon


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Post# 768552 7/6/2014 at 19:56 (3,593 days old) by ind75k99 ()
Checkrate/Likes Kenmore washer #7014502 maybe every third load slow washer speed and spin. So far tighten belt and topped off transmission fluid didn't help. Any ideas what is my next step.

Post# 768576 , Reply# 1 7/6/2014 at 21:04 (3,593 days old) by lorainfurniture (Cleveland )
Checkrate/Likes *What kind of machine?* Try and be a bit more specific. If it is a belt drive machine you are referring to, the next step is to loosen the belt, enough to kind of pop it off, and turn every pulley one by one and see if any are binding. Usually the pump starts to seize, but it could be any one. If everything moves freely, then I would suspect the brake. I don't know much about that part other than there is an adjustment there. Check the simple stuff first.

Post# 768604 , Reply# 2 7/6/2014 at 22:29 (3,593 days old) by whirlaway (Hampton Virginia)
Checkrate/Likes 1 *Mine used to do this!* Hi! On my 55 Old frogeye it started this and I replaced the starting capacitor on the motor its been fine ever since,that is if yours has one.

Post# 769526 , Reply# 3 7/9/2014 at 19:47 (3,590 days old) by ind75k99 ()
Checkrate/Likes Kenmore washer 7014502 Washer slowed down today after washing great the day before. Some times it washes like new. Watched as it slowly picked up speed but not much. I'm thinking the motor is louder than it was. I'm thinking capacitor or motor. Capacitor is about $33.00 or motor with capacitor $144.00. What to do?

Post# 769567 , Reply# 4 7/9/2014 at 21:22 (3,590 days old) by Kenmoreguy64 (Charlotte, NC)
Checkrate/Likes Your washer is a 1970 500 series machine. They were very common in their day. There are others here more competent than I in matters of electricity, but unless you have a fluctuating electrical power supply to the machine, my first inclination would be to check the motor. This model is a standard capacity machine. Most single and two-speed motors on standard cap. models in the later 1960s-1980s did not use start capacitors (but they did on 3-speed motors), however most all the large capacity machines had capacitors because the motors were under heavier load at start-up. Whirlpool's universal fit belt-drive replacement motor for this machine requires a capacitor however. If you determine that your motor is the culprit, there are alternatives on ebay that I would recommend at least considering. There are new Whirlpool motors, part number 285222 that can be had for as little at $50 at times, and used ones from $25-$50. I would go that route before spending $144. If you search "285222" on ebay, you'll see nearly all the new and used options at one time unless the seller listed under one of the myriad of original part numbers. Here is a picture of two 1970 500 series machines. Is your machine like one of these? Gordon

Post# 769624 , Reply# 5 7/10/2014 at 00:38 (3,590 days old) by whirlaway (Hampton Virginia)
Checkrate/Likes *Look at the motor* Is there a capacitor on the side of the motor? It should have a metal shroud over it.Replace it and go from there! Its like an old radio,the caps dry up.Its really nothing but a big battery that stores energy when you need it,Bobby