Kenmore 11081860110 Washing Machine That Fills, Spins and Drains but Will Not Agitate

Here is a transcript of a recent online posting of a Kenmore washing machine repair issue from the Appliance Zone Repair Forum. Hopefully it will give you some guidance if you have the same issue. For any other repair questions make sure to check out the Appliance Zone Repair Forum!

Question:

We have a Kenmore 11081860110 that fills, spins and drains but will not agitate.
In Agitate area of dial (any agitate area) Motor does not run but timer ticks.
I'm also having trouble reading the wiring diagram.

Tech:

Thank you this could be two things ,either a timer contact internally in the timer .
Or the drive motor itself .
for agitation it turns one way for drain and spin it turns the opposite way .
you would have to measure voltage to the motor to see which it is.

Question:

I think the motor is fine.
Here are the motor resistance readings with harness disconnected:

Motor Harness
Open GRN
W W
NoPin Open
NoPin Open
Open RED

Meter Resistance
PROBE PROBE 0.3
Motor
W BLU 1.5
W W/BLK 0.3
YEL RED 7.6

BLK YEL 7.6

BLK W >20M
BLK W/BLK >20M

I remember *somewhere* reading that for a direct drive if you swap 2 wires and put it in
"SPIN" then it should agitate, (assuming it spins in the normal configuration). I haven't found
that *somewhere* again. Would this work as a test?

Also on the distorted, difficult to read wiring diagram I have (3351735) I assume the #s
next to the switches are the timer positions and that the lack of odd "SW. Function's was
for "readability", is that correct?

I suspect the timer (3951734) since I hear no 60Hz from the motor in the agitate mode.

I have the tub filled enough to run on low level.

In the "Cotton/Sturdy" mode I suspect I should see low resistance across the power plug in the agitate mode as I do in the spin state.

Resistance across plug
Cotton/sturdy spin 1.8
Permanent Press spin 2.28K
Delicate spin 2.28K

After spraying timer with contact cleaner
Resistance across plug
Cotton/sturdy spin 1.8
Permanent Press spin 2.25K
Delicate spin 2.25K

Cotton/sturdy agitate 2.25K
Permanent Press spin 2.25K
Delicate spin 2.25K

Tech:

Just go down to the motor at Yellow and Red with the unit in an agitation mode check for 120 volts A/C if you have voltage it the motor if no voltage it is the timer 1

Question:

There is a momentary jump on the DVM set at 200VAC then returns to 0.00.
Based on this I'll get a new timer and post the resolution here.

Tech:

Yes that sounds like the issue .good luck

Trouble Shoot a Washing Machine Stuck on the Same Cycle

 

Is your washing machine stuck on the same cycle?

Follow these steps to remove and replace your washer timer.

1. Unplug the washer and take off the control knob.

2. Take out the screws holding the control panel in place and pull the top panel forward.

3. Remove the screws holding the timer to the front panel. Then pull the timer back and out.

4. Press in on the plastic retainer clips on the sides of the timer plug to pull it from the old timer. Then push the plug into the new timer and start putting it back together.

Note: When disassembling the control panel to remove/replace the timer, layout all the parts in the same order that you removed them. Doing this will make it easier to put it all back together after you've installed the new timer.

Leaky Washing Machine

Do you have a leaky washing machine but can't seem to figure out where the water is coming from? Here are a few tips to point you in the right direct. If you're still unsure then head over to our repair forum at http://forum.appliancezone.com .

Here are some of the common areas that your washer may leak:

Inlet Hose Connections - Check for drips around the supply hose connection on the back of the washer as it fills with water. If the hoses are old, corroded or rusted replace them. But if they're in good shape you can replace just the hose's internal washers.

 

Hose Connectors - Open the cabinet and start the fill cycle. These hoses tend to leak around a worn out clamp, but the hoses themselves can also crack and break. Identify what is causing the leak and replace it.

 

Pump - Open the cabinet and check around the pump. The pump will typically leak around the pulley. If you notice this, the pump will need to be replaced.

Washing Machine Problem/Solution

The washing machine is up there with the refrigerator and the heater/AC unit as one of the three most vital home appliances in modern life. When any of these three machines goes south, it can be cause for alarm. Unlike with the other two, however, repairing the washing machine does not automatically entail a service call from a professional.

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Prevention/Solution
Leaking is a common problem with washing machines. The first thing to do is to locate the exact spot from which the machine is leaking. The problem is that a washing machine has many places from which water may leak. Check all hoses and look for cracks in the unit itself. Tightening a nut or a screw may be all that is necessary.

Prevention/SolutionLeaking may occur before or after the machine has filled. If a machine leaks after it has already filled with water, this indicates that the leak may be the result of loose connections or a problem with a pump hose. If the leaks occur during the filling process, this indicates a possible crack in an inlet hose.

Prevention/Solution
Almost all washing machines vibrate to a degree, but excessive vibration indicates that the level of the legs is off-kilter. The racket a vibrating machine makes might seem to indicate a problem that would be very expensive to fix, but in most cases the solution is as simple as propping up one corner of the machine with a piece of wood, or even tightening an adjustable leg with a screwdriver.

Prevention/Solution
A washing agitator that spins too roughly or too slowly is usually the result of a drive belt that is either broken or has come too loose. Inspecting the belt for wear or checking for looseness is the first thing you should do if your machine is suffering agitation problems. Tightening a loose belt typically requires little more than a socket wrench to loose and tighten the nuts. Even replacing a belt is not difficult enough to require a professional.

Prevention/Solution
When water enters a washing machine too slowly or not at all, the problem is normally located in a kink or blockage in the inlet hose that carries water into the well. A pair of hose pliers can be used to remove the hose from the inlet valves. Simply straighten out the hose. If this does not solve the problem, remove the screens from over the values and rinse them under water.

Prevention/Solution
If the tub of water overflows, the first thing to do is unplug the washing machine. If the flow of water continues, turn off the water faucet, remove the water and replace the inlet valve. Replacing the inlet valve is a relatively easy operation involving the removal of the top of the valve and the replacement of the inlet hose. Typically, all that is required is a screwdriver, and and possibly a dull knife.

Warning
If the flow of water halts after you unplug the washing machine, it is a sign of a defective water-level switch. Fixing it is a much more complicated process that requires a professional. While many minor repairs and maintenance of washing machines can be done by the homeowner, if the repair does not solve the problem, it is better to call in a professional than to continue trying to fix it yourself, as you may end up doing even greater damage to the unit.

The original article can be found on our repair forum at www.forum.appliancezone.com