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Thread Number: 58010
/ Tag: Vintage Automatic Washers
Repairing Maytag LA208 |
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| Post# 804800 , Reply# 1 1/18/2015 at 19:31 (3,384 days old) by liachristine () | ||
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bump bump bump I really need help with this pleaseeee | ||
| Post# 804802 , Reply# 2 1/18/2015 at 19:58 (3,384 days old) by danemodsandy (The Bramford, Apt. 7-E) | ||
Aleah:
Someone here can probably help you with finding a new timer or determining what's wrong with yours. Timers for this machine are not a big deal - should be fairly easy to find, and not very expensive.
The model number you gave, LA 208, just means an "A 208" (Automatic washer, 208 series), in Almond (the letter "L"). This is a strong, capable machine. Someone please help on the timer issue! | ||
Post# 804807 , Reply# 3 1/18/2015 at 21:00 (3,383 days old) by d-jones  (Western Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh Area)) |
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Aleah Sandy is right. Mechanically speaking these machines are very simple, so virtually anything that goes wrong can be fixed. The problem you described with the timer knob not really working properly should be easy to figure out. Look at the photo below and you'll notice the timer knob pictured has teeth around the back end. When you push the knob in to make your selection, these teeth engage corresponding teeth that are molded into the timer dial. The knob pictured is made of metal. Yours will be made out of plastic but the principle is the same. Over time, if the knob isn't pushed in hard enough to positively engage the dial when making selections, these teeth will round over and wear off. Pull the little chrome center cap out of the knob(it's pressed in) and you'll be able to see the fastener that holds the knob in place. Once that's removed you can pull the knob off and inspect it. If I were a betting man I'd bet you'll find the teeth warn away on either the knob or the dial. Whichever one it is it won't be hard to replace.
The failure to agitate will take a bit more info to sort out. Once you've made your selection on the timer dial and pull the knob out to start the machine, the fill circuit is energized and the machine begins to fill to the desired level. Only when it has finished filling will the agitate circuit be energized. If the failure to agitate is due to bad belts or problems with the motor glides, you'll still hear the motor running. If the motor isn't running then you've got issues somewhere else in the circuits (the belt you showed us above clearly needs replacing so do that regardless). The most likely culprit then will be the timer. If the machine was in front of me I'd be able to sort this out in just a few minutes with an ohm meter. Since it's not, I'll do my best to talk you through some basic troubleshooting. With any luck a few others will chime in with ideas as well.
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This post was last edited 01/18/2015 at 22:15 | ||
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Post# 804830 , Reply# 5 1/19/2015 at 01:49 (3,383 days old) by d-jones (Western Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh Area)) |
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If you've had a look at the motor glide springs then it's safe to say you've had the front panel off. The motors in these machines are reversing, meaning they spin one direction during agitation and the opposite direction for spin cycles. This change in direction is controlled by the timer(different circuits are energized), but a failure to operate in one direction or the other isn't neccesarily the fault of the timer. The problem can also lie in the motor or the wiring in between, though wiring issues are the least likely. Again I'd suggest careful observation of the motor during the agitation cycle. If the motor isn't turning during agitation, is there proper current present at the correct wire terminal on the motor for it to operate? If yes, you've likely got an issue with the motor. If no, then the timer becomes the prime suspect. Every time a pair of contacts in the timer open or close an arc forms breifly between them. Over time this arcing can foul the contacts enough to actually block the current path. When this happens the contacts either need cleaning or replacing, but to be honest, at that point most folks will simply replace the timer.
As for that timer knob, eBay is a good place to look for one. You'd be surprised at what turns up there, but you'll need the part number to do a proper search. I have it out in the garage and can get it in the morning if you don't already have it. | ||
| Post# 804899 , Reply# 6 1/19/2015 at 14:44 (3,383 days old) by hippiedoll ( arizona ) | ||
GOOD LUCK!!!! | ||
| Post# 804907 , Reply# 7 1/19/2015 at 15:49 (3,383 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA) | ||
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Post# 804912 , Reply# 8 1/19/2015 at 16:11 (3,383 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions) |
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| Post# 804960 , Reply# 9 1/19/2015 at 21:39 (3,382 days old) by DigAPony () | ||
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cant figure out how to replace the damper pads If the damper pads are still intact and not too badly worn a lubing may be all that is necessary. "Redcarpetdrew" has a good post somewhere on how to inspect and lubricate Maytag DC damper pads. | ||
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Post# 804963 , Reply# 10 1/19/2015 at 21:50 (3,382 days old) by d-jones (Western Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh Area)) |
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" "Redcarpetdrew" has a good post somewhere on how to inspect and lubricate Maytag DC damper pads. "
Here it is. CLICK HERE TO GO TO d-jones's LINK | ||
| Post# 804976 , Reply# 11 1/20/2015 at 00:32 (3,382 days old) by redcarpetdrew (Fairfield, CA) | ||
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Thanks, guys!
I've been fortunate to create a couple of different how to threads for the old Maytags. Once I reclaim the garage here at Mom and Dad's house, I want to do a couple more. Don't get to see them as much here as I now work for a Electrolux servicer among other brands... I will borrow an appropriate line from the Indiana Jones movies... "My boy, we are pilgrims in a unholy land..." Lol!
RCD | ||
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Post# 838502 , Reply# 13 8/27/2015 at 14:13 (3,163 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions) |
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| Post# 838504 , Reply# 14 8/27/2015 at 14:39 (3,163 days old) by teem (North Dakota) | ||
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Images? goatfarmer, thanks for the reply. Should I post a photo of the dial and the knob? (Will have to study on how to do that.) P.S. I meant for my user name to be "teej". I'm a real computer wizard. | ||
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Post# 838589 , Reply# 15 8/28/2015 at 13:18 (3,162 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions) |
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Post# 838843 , Reply# 17 8/31/2015 at 14:37 (3,159 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions) |
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Post# 839567 , Reply# 18 9/4/2015 at 14:02 (3,155 days old) by goatfarmer (South Bend, home of Champions) |
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Post# 839747 , Reply# 19 9/5/2015 at 19:30 (3,154 days old) by pdub (Portland, Oregon) |
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This may be what you need. | ||
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