Washer filled with water then stopped working

Question

Whirlpool Washing Machine

Repair guides and support for top and front loading Whirlpool brand washers.

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Al Ridley @eatsleepindie

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Maw 8, 2017

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Washer filled with water then stopped working

I have a Whirlpool washer/dryer combo in which the washer has stopped working. This happened earlier today. I checked and the dryer still runs. I have unplugged the unit from the wall for a minute and also opened/closed the lid multiple times within a few seconds and that hasn't reset it or anything. I am not sure where in the cycle the washer stopped because I didn't pay attention to the knob before trying to figure out what was wrong with it, but the washer is full of water. I bailed out about 1/3 of the water and tried to 'reset' the cycle to see if it would start to fill up with water again but it still did nothing.

I should probably note that I recently bought some new towels that seem to have shed quite a bit in the dryer (the lint screen was plum full) but I figured if the washer was trying to drain it would at least make some sort of noise.

Any help would be appreciated. I would really like to get this fixed rather than go through the process of buying a new setup.

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@eatsleepindie does it drain when you move the timer? what exact model is it? If it does not drain but everything else functions i.e. agitator moves program timer advances but washer does not drain, I would suspect an issue with the pump.

crwdns2934271:0Maw 8, 2017crwdnd2934271:0 oldturkey03 crwdne2934271:0

The water does not drain regardless of where I put the timer. In fact now nothing happens in any of the timer positions. It's an old model so I'm not sure if simply turning the timer to a specific position should start the agitator or start it draining, but neither works. So far I've figured it was the timer itself or the lid switch, but if you think it is the pump then I'll likely order a new one. Is there a way I can test to make certain the pump is the issue?

crwdns2934271:0Maw 9, 2017crwdnd2934271:0 Al Ridley crwdne2934271:0

It's a Whirlpool 'Thin Twin'. Definitely an older appliance, came with the house but I'd much rather fix it than but a new one if possible.

crwdns2934271:0Maw 9, 2017crwdnd2934271:0 Al Ridley crwdne2934271:0

Same thing happened to me today! What was the problem? What was your solution?

crwdns2934271:0Ndz 20, 2017crwdnd2934271:0 Gina Buoniconti crwdne2934271:0

@eatsleepindie check your lid switch first.

crwdns2934271:0Ndz 20, 2017crwdnd2934271:0 oldturkey03 crwdne2934271:0

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@eatsleepindie does it drain when you move the timer? what exact model is it? If it does not drain but everything else functions i.e. agitator moves program timer advances but washer does not drain, I would suspect an issue with the pump. — oldturkey03
The water does not drain regardless of where I put the timer. In fact now nothing happens in any of the timer positions. It's an old model so I'm not sure if simply turning the timer to a specific position should start the agitator or start it draining, but neither works. So far I've figured it was the timer itself or the lid switch, but if you think it is the pump then I'll likely order a new one. Is there a way I can test to make certain the pump is the issue? — Al Ridley
It's a Whirlpool 'Thin Twin'. Definitely an older appliance, came with the house but I'd much rather fix it than but a new one if possible. — Al Ridley
Same thing happened to me today! What was the problem? What was your solution? — Gina Buoniconti

score 5 · Answer 1 · 2017-09-20T14:06:42-07:00

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mayer @mayer

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MacHale Enterprises

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Ndz 20, 2017

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Cause 1

Drain Pump

Sometimes, small objects or articles of clothing can get caught in the drain pump. To determine if anything is blocking the drain pump, remove the drain pump and check the pump for obstructions. If the drain pump is clear of obstructions, but is still noisy during the drain cycle, replace the drain pump.

Cause 2

Clogged Pump or Hose

Sometimes, socks and other small articles of clothing can get into the drain system and clog the pump hose or the pump itself. Remove the hoses from the pump and check for any obstructions.

Cause 3

Lid Switch Assembly

The lid switch assembly prevents the washer from spinning when the lid is open. If the lid switch assembly fails, the washer will not drain. To determine if the lid switch assembly is defective, use a multimeter to test each of the lid switches for continuity. If a lid switch does not have continuity, replace it.

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Mines full of water n clothes he made a noise i opening it n close it just made a humming noise then stop what is it

crwdns2934271:0Mud 19, 2018crwdnd2934271:0 Teresa crwdne2934271:0

@teresa41 most likely cause 1 or 2

crwdns2934271:0Mud 19, 2018crwdnd2934271:0 mayer crwdne2934271:0

@teresa41 check your lid switch

crwdns2934271:0Mud 19, 2018crwdnd2934271:0 oldturkey03 crwdne2934271:0

Teresa, mine did the same thing. What did you determine was the issue with yours?

crwdns2934271:0Dzi 21, 2019crwdnd2934271:0 Curt Floener crwdne2934271:0

Wow, I wouldn't have believed it, but my sister was having the same problem and I had her slam the lid and it started working!!

crwdns2934271:0Kul 29, 2020crwdnd2934271:0 wveasey47 crwdne2934271:0

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score 1 · Answer 2 · 2019-07-21T14:11:09-07:00

Tony @fixnpop59

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Maw 21, 2019

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Hey Al.

Have you checked to make sure the outlet the washer plugs into has power? Is it possible that the circuit breaker was tripped?

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Also Al, really would be helpful if you'd include the washer model number, as several members have previously suggested.

crwdns2934271:0Maw 21, 2019crwdnd2934271:0 Tony crwdne2934271:0

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John S Lewis @johnl123 crwdns2934065:0crwdne2934065:0: 13 1 · Answer 3 · 2019-09-03T07:57:45-07:00

John S Lewis @johnl123

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Ndz 3, 2019

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I can’t believe it but I read this because my whirlpool was not working and I also slammed the lid and it started working. Once it finishes, I will see if there are any screws to tighten it.

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Wow i just slammed my lid and nothing but fooled around underneath the lid in the back and then slammed it again as hard as i could and what do you know...it started working again...thanks so much everyone atleast i know its something minor and the whole thing not blown up...mine is older and i HATE these new washers they have now that puts less than an inch of water in the tub and that is supposed to clean your clothes ..no thank you!!!

crwdns2934271:0Maw 18, 2020crwdnd2934271:0 way.kim67 crwdne2934271:0

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Christopher Chan @christophe41523 crwdns2934065:0crwdne2934065:0: 13 1 · Answer 4 · 2020-07-23T22:36:07-07:00

Christopher Chan @christophe41523

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Maw 23, 2020

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I have a Whirlpool "Thin Twin" as well, and mine just had it's 14th birthday. The agitator would not spin despite the the unit receiving power. The drum filled with water, and the dryer operates just fine. I decided to pull out the lid switch. Very easy to do with a phillips screwdriver. I discovered that the amount of travel required to activate the switch increased to a point where the plastic tab on the lid couldn't press it enough to activate the switch. The switch itself was starting to come apart... it is two plastic halves that join together with a type of seal. Not sure what was causing the two halves to lose the ability to hold the switch unit tightly together... but I solved the issue by using a plastic zip tie to fasten the unit together tightly. Now the plastic tab on the washer lid can actuate the switch lever.

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Kristin Roberts @jkjks56 crwdns2934065:0crwdne2934065:0: 1 · Answer 5 · 2018-09-18T10:06:26-07:00

Kristin Roberts @jkjks56

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crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Ndz 18, 2018

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I have had this exact same problem with my Whirlpool. Not sure if yours is a top loader like mine, but I found that slamming the lid would get it going. Then my husband discovered that there was a screw on the side of the lid that was loose. Not sure how a loose screw on the side of the lid prevents it from starting to agitate, but once he tightened it, the washer worked fine. No more lid slamming. Lol

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