How to Repair a Washing Machine That Won’t Finish Its Cycle

A washing machine that refuses to complete its cycle can be a frustrating problem for any homeowner. You load up the machine with dirty clothes, add detergent and press start, only for the cycle to stop before completion, leaving you with a load of wet laundry. But don’t fret, as there are some troubleshooting tips and repair solutions that you can try to get your washing machine back up and running in no time.

Why Won’t Your Washing Machine Finish Its Cycle?

Before we get into the repair solutions, it’s essential to understand why your washing machine is not finishing its cycle. Several reasons could cause this problem. Here are some of the most common:

1. Lid Switch: The lid switch is an essential safety feature that prevents the washing machine from spinning when the lid is open. If the switch fails, the machine will stop functioning mid-cycle.
2. Shifter Assembly: In top-load washing machines, the shifter assembly controls the agitator and spin cycle. If it fails, the machine may not complete its cycle.
3. Door Lock Assembly: Front-load washing machines have a door lock assembly that must be engaged before the machine can start its cycle. If the lock fails, the machine may not function.
4. Main Control Board: The main control board is responsible for regulating the machine’s functions. If it fails, the machine may not complete its cycle.
5. Timer: In top-load direct-drive washing machines, the timer controls the various cycles. If it fails, the machine may not complete its cycle.
6. Drain Pump: The drain pump removes water from the washing machine at the end of each cycle. If it fails, the machine may not complete its cycle.
7. Motor Control Board: The motor control board regulates the machine’s motor. If it fails, the machine may not function correctly.
8. Water-Level Pressure Switch: The water-level pressure switch controls the amount of water in the machine during each cycle. If it fails, the machine may not function correctly.

Troubleshooting Tips and Repair Solutions

Replacing the Lid Switch to Ensure Proper Operation

The lid switch is an essential safety feature that prevents the washing machine from spinning when the lid is open. If the switch fails, the machine will stop functioning mid-cycle. Here’s how to replace the lid switch/lock assembly on a top-load washer:

1. Unplug the washing machine and remove the control panel.
2. Disconnect the lid switch wire harness.
3. Remove the old lid switch.
4. Install the new lid switch and reconnect the wire harness.
5. Replace the control panel.
6. Plug in the washing machine and test the lid switch.

How to replace the lid switch in a direct-drive top-load washer:

1. Unplug the washing machine and remove the control panel.
2. Disconnect the lid switch wire harness.
3. Remove the old lid switch.
4. Install the new lid switch and reconnect the wire harness.
5. Replace the control panel.
6. Plug in the washing machine and test the lid switch.

Replace the Washer Shifter Assembly

In top-load washing machines, the shifter assembly controls the agitator and spin cycle. If it fails, the machine may not complete its cycle. Here’s how to replace the shifter assembly in your top-load washer:

1. Unplug the washing machine and remove the control panel.
2. Remove the agitator.
3. Remove the gear case cover.
4. Disconnect the shifter wire harness.
5. Remove the old shifter assembly.
6. Install the new shifter assembly and reconnect the wire harness.
7. Replace the gear case cover and the agitator.
8. Replace the control panel.
9. Plug in the washing machine and test the shifter assembly.

Replace the Washer Door Lock Assembly

Front-load washing machines have a door lock assembly that must be engaged before the machine can start its cycle. If the lock fails, the machine may not function. Here’s how to replace the door lock assembly on a front-load washer:

1. Unplug the washing machine and remove the top panel.
2. Locate the door lock assembly and disconnect the wire harness.
3. Remove the screws holding the assembly in place.
4. Install the new door lock assembly and secure it with screws.
5. Reconnect the wire harness.
6. Replace the top panel.
7. Plug in the washing machine and test the door lock assembly.

Replace the Washer Main Control Board

The main control board is responsible for regulating the machine’s functions. If it fails, the machine may not complete its cycle. Here’s how to replace the electronic control board on a top-load washer:

1. Unplug the washing machine and remove the control panel.
2. Locate the main control board and disconnect the wire harnesses.
3. Remove the screws holding the board in place.
4. Install the new main control board and secure it with screws.
5. Reconnect the wire harnesses.
6. Replace the control panel.
7. Plug in the washing machine and test the main control board.

How to replace the machine control board in a front-load washer:

1. Unplug the washing machine and remove the top panel.
2. Locate the machine control board and disconnect the wire harnesses.
3. Remove the screws holding the board in place.
4. Install the new machine control board and secure it with screws.
5. Reconnect the wire harnesses.
6. Replace the top panel.
7. Plug in the washing machine and test the machine control board.

Replace the Washer Timer

In top-load direct-drive washing machines, the timer controls the various cycles. If it fails, the machine may not complete its cycle. Here’s how to replace the timer in a direct-drive top-load washer:

1. Unplug the washing machine and remove the control panel.
2. Locate the timer and disconnect the wire harnesses.
3. Remove the screws holding the timer in place.
4. Install the new timer and secure it with screws.
5. Reconnect the wire harnesses.
6. Replace the control panel.
7. Plug in the washing machine and test the timer.

Repair or Replace the Washer Drain Pump

The drain pump removes water from the washing machine at the end of each cycle. If it fails, the machine may not complete its cycle. Here’s how to replace the drain pump in a top-load washer:

1. Unplug the washing machine and disconnect the water hoses.
2. Tilt the machine back and support it with a block of wood.
3. Locate the drain pump and disconnect the wire harnesses.
4. Remove the screws holding the pump in place.
5. Install the new drain pump and secure it with screws.
6. Reconnect the wire harnesses.
7. Replace the water hoses.
8. Lower the machine and plug it in.
9. Test the drain pump.

How to replace the drain pump on a front-load washer:

1. Unplug the washing machine and remove the lower front panel.
2. Locate the drain pump and disconnect the wire harnesses.
3. Remove the screws holding the pump in place.
4. Install the new drain pump and secure it with screws.
5. Reconnect the wire harnesses.
6. Replace the lower front panel.
7. Plug in the washing machine and test the drain pump.

Replace the Washer Motor Control Board:

The motor control board in a front-load washer is responsible for controlling the motor’s speed and direction during the wash cycle. If the motor control board is defective, the washer may not operate correctly, and you may need to replace it. Here are the steps to replace the motor control board in your front-load washer:

1. Unplug the washer from the electrical outlet.
2. Locate the motor control board, which is usually located at the bottom of the washer, near the motor.
3. Disconnect the wire harnesses from the motor control board.
4. Remove the screws that hold the motor control board in place.
5. Install the new motor control board in the same position as the old one, and secure it with the screws.
6. Reconnect the wire harnesses to the new motor control board.
7. Plug the washer back into the electrical outlet and test it to make sure it is operating correctly.

Replace the washer water-level pressure switch:

The water-level pressure switch in a top-load washer is responsible for sensing the water level in the washer’s tub. If the water-level pressure switch is defective, the washer may not fill or may overfill. Here are the steps to replace the water-level pressure switch in your top-load washer:

1. Unplug the washer from the electrical outlet.
2. Locate the water-level pressure switch, which is usually located at the top of the washer’s cabinet.
3. Remove the screws that hold the water-level pressure switch in place.
4. Disconnect the wire harness from the water-level pressure switch.
5. Install the new water-level pressure switch in the same position as the old one, and secure it with the screws.
6. Reconnect the wire harness to the new water-level pressure switch.
7. Plug the washer back into the electrical outlet and test it to make sure it is operating correctly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a washing machine that won’t finish its cycle can be a frustrating problem to deal with, but it is often fixable with some troubleshooting and repair solutions. If you have tried the basic troubleshooting tips and still can’t fix the problem, you may need to replace some parts. Follow the steps outlined above to replace the lid switch, shifter assembly, door lock assembly, main control board, timer, drain pump, motor control board, or water-level pressure switch, depending on the specific issue you are facing. With a little patience and some basic tools, you can save yourself the cost of a professional repair and get your washing machine back to working order.

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Oak Ridge, Meadow Woods, Alafaya, Belle Isle, Azalea Park, Orlovista, Fairview Shores, Bithlo, Lockhart, Holden Heights, Doctor Phillips, Bay Hill, Conway, Hunters Creek, Horizon West, Ocoee, Maitland, Apopka, Orlando