Encountering issues with your Kenmore washer’s spin cycle is a hassle because you’ll have to deal with both a malfunctioning appliance and a ton of wet laundry. Unfortunately, you can’t just shove all your wet clothes in the dryer—unless you’re fine with them becoming wrinkled. What’s the best approach if your Kenmore washer’s spin cycle is malfunctioning?
A Kenmore washer that won’t spin or remains stuck on the spin cycle likely has a defective lid switch, door latch, drive motor, stator assembly, or drive belt. A quick fix would be to look for blockages in the agitator or manually turn the drum to force the appliance to go into a spin cycle.
If you’re having trouble with your Kenmore washer’s spin cycle, keep reading. I’ll explain what to do with a Kenmore washer that won’t spin, remains stuck on the spin cycle, or spins too slowly.
Kenmore Washer Spins Slowly
Most washers have an average spinning speed of 1,000 to 1,800 rotations per minute (rpm). If your washer’s rpm speed suddenly drops, you’ll have to pinpoint the issue preventing the agitator from spinning as quickly as it should.
Multiple probable defects can cause a Kenmore washer to spin slowly. Going through all of them will be time-consuming. To avoid unnecessary repairs and inspections, I’ve created a simple step-by-step guide to fixing a slow-spinning washer.
Assess the Laundry Load
Your washer is only able to spin-dry a certain amount of laundry. It might seem like a no-brainer, but you’ll be surprised by how often homeowners force their washers to take on extremely heavy loads. As a result, they end up dismantling the appliance and replacing parts that are supposedly fine.
With that in mind, the first thing you should do is assess the laundry load. Make sure you’re not loading your washer with too many heavy items such as blankets, beach towels, jeans, and hoodies, among others.
Unload the Washer
If the washer still spins slowly even after unloading all the excess laundry, you’ll have to proceed with the agitator inspection. Unload all the laundry, leave them out to dry, then unplug the washer.
Afterward, do a visual checkup of the washer to uncover any obvious issues you might have missed—this includes visible signs of deterioration and defects. Check if there’s anything lodged between the agitator as well. Sometimes, coins, pens, keys, and other small items block the agitator’s gears and prevent the washer from shifting into the spin cycle properly.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on April 18, 2021.
Warning: Never attempt to inspect a washer that’s still plugged in.
Clean and Inspect the Drain Pump
One of the most common causes of a slow-spinning washer is a dirty drain pump. Washers cannot properly drain wastewater and spin if there are blockages and buildups in the drain pumps’ valve openings. To resolve this, manually clean the drain pump.
First, dismantle the back panel’s latch. Then, check the pump for any visible deterioration or corrosion. Make sure to clean up all debris and buildup you see. While you’re at it, clean the lid switch as well. Either way, they’re both located in the washer’s back panel.
Once the pump is clean and free of blockages, the valve should drain wastewater properly, and the agitator should have no problem spinning normally. If the pump is beyond repair, however, get a part replacement.
Repair the Underlying Issues
If you’ve done all the steps mentioned above, yet the washer still won’t spin properly, then you might have to go for a parts replacement. Check the lid switch, door latch, drive motor, stator assembly, drive belt, and other parts that commonly cause malfunctions in the spin cycle. You can refer to the next part of this article for a more detailed guide on properly addressing these issues.
Kenmore Washer Won’t Spin
Here are some of the most common reasons why your Kenmore washer might not spin properly:
Slipping Washing Drive Belt
One of the earliest signs that your drive belt is nearing the end of its lifespan is if it starts slipping more often. A slipping drive belt may produce a high-pitched squeaking sound and/or emit the scent of burnt rubber.
Dismantle the flap covering the access panel, locate the drive belt, loosen the screws holding the belt up, then do a visual inspection. If you notice visible signs of deterioration, get a replacement. Don’t reattach a damaged drive belt.
If your washer does not have an access panel, you’ll have to turn the washer on its side and dismantle the lids covering the system’s motor to access the drive belt.
Loose Lid Switch
If you need to slam the washer door just to get your Kenmore washer to shift into the spin cycle, you have a loose lid switch. Fortunately, a loose lid switch is relatively easy to fix. Dismantle the washer’s back panel, locate the lid switch, then tightly press it against the machine. If the switch is in good working condition, your washer should proceed with the spin cycle.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on April 18, 2021.
However, if you notice visible signs of cracking on the switch, you’ll need to get a replacement. A solid aftermarket alternative would be WP8318084 Washer Lid Switch by MAYITOP. It’s an OEM-quality replacement part that’s durable, easy to install, and affordable.
Defective Drive Motor
The drive motor is in charge of spinning the drum. It consists of multiple parts such as the motor shaft, direct-drive transmission, and stator assembly. Although, the last two parts I mentioned are more likely to cause issues with the spin cycle if they malfunction or deteriorate.
You can check the motor for visible signs of physical damages such as cracking and grease buildup or use a multimeter to test the stator assembly for continuity.
Kenmore Washer Stuck on Spin Cycle
Having your Kenmore washer stuck on the spin cycle is no better than not being able to start the cycle in the first place. The loud, constant rattling paired with the malfunctioning user and control board can be quite annoying.
However, you need to calm down. Bear in mind that leaving your washer on the spin cycle for too long is extremely stressful for the machine and could lead to some long-term issues. So before you even begin assessing what the issue is, unplug the washer right away.
Next, perform a master reset. In newer Kenmore models, you can reset the washer by unplugging the appliance for one minute, then closing and opening the door six times in 12 seconds.
Although, this won’t work for all Kenmore washer models. Please refer to your appliance’s instructions manual for a more specific guide on resetting the machine.
Kenmore Washer Keeps Spinning
Did the master reset not work? If so, the next most probable reason why your washer won’t stop spinning is it has a skipping timer.
The washer’s timer is responsible for helping the system transition from one cycle to another. However, as soot and carbon build up on the timer’s electrical wiring system over time, the timer starts having trouble connecting to the camshaft. This malfunction prevents the system from shifting between cycles.
A quick fix would be to clean the soot buildup by hand. Open the washer’s back panel and locate the timer. There, you’ll see sludge-like grease coating the timer’s wiring board. Clean this up with a wet piece of cloth.
However, bear in mind this is only a temporary solution. Carbon buildup comes from the heat produced when the timer sends electrical signals through the wiring. A timer that has once accumulated soot is likely to accumulate more of it at an even faster rate. To prevent the same issues from reoccurring, get a part replacement.
For a high-grade, OEM-standard alternative, try the WP3951702 by Replacement Parts USA. It’s a durable, affordable aftermarket replacement part that’s on par with the OEM parts manufactured by Kenmore themselves.
Kenmore Washer Won’t Spin Makes Clicking Noise
Many modern washers have sensors that halt the operation if it gets dangerous. For example, if there’s too much lint, debris, or clothing stuck in the drain, your washer won’t spin. The clicking noise stems from the washer resetting and trying to spin, but it won’t move since the clothes are trapped in the drain.
Inspect the drain, remove the debris, and try to run the washer. If it still doesn’t work, there’s likely a motor problem. Rust can quickly corrode the motor, causing it to click or grind.
Kenmore Washer Noise During Spin Cycle
All washers produce noises, but you shouldn’t hear buzzing, clicking, grinding, bumping, or similar noises while it’s running. These are often signs of malfunctions.
Clicking often indicates a clogged drain or stuck debris, grinding is usually the motor going bad, bumping is caused by shoes and other large items that need to be removed, and buzzing can mean several problems.
You can fix many of these strange sounds by cleaning the filter, unclogging the drain, removing excess clothing, and replacing the seals.
Kenmore Washer Not Spinning Fast
A Kenmore washer that is not spinning fast enough can be a frustrating problem for homeowners. This issue can occur for a variety of reasons, including an overloaded drum, a worn-out drive belt, or a malfunctioning motor.
A common cause for a Kenmore washer not spinning fast is the failure of a small plastic coupler. This issue can be easily fixed and will take you about 10 minutes. All you need is a wrench and screwdriver to complete the repair.
The motor coupling, a small plastic component, serves as a link between the motor and the transmission of the washing machine. Overloading the washer or normal wear and tear can cause this coupling to fail. This failure is a protective measure to prevent damage to the motor and transmission. When this happens, it can result in the washer not spinning fast or not spinning at all. The solution to this problem is to replace the motor coupling.
Another reason for a Kenmore washer not spinning fast could be the incorrect selection of the wash cycle or spin speed. Some washers have a gentle or delicate cycle that runs longer and spins slower than other wash cycles. Spin settings can also be changed, if available, to slow down or speed up the spin for the load of laundry being washed. To fix this, ensure proper selection based on the laundry load.
Overloading the washer or an imbalanced load is another possible reason. When loading your laundry, you should avoid overloading the washer and large items like bed sheets or towels. If you have small items that should be in their own load, separate them out. When the washer is unbalanced, it makes clothes too heavy for the agitator to spin them dry. To fix this, avoid overloading and distribute the load evenly.
Lastly, there could be a faulty or obstructed lid switch. The door latch on the Kenmore washing machine is designed to prevent the door from opening during the wash cycle. If this switch is faulty, no matter if the door is closed, your Kenmore washer won’t spin. To fix this issue, replace the lid switch if necessary.
Kenmore Washer Won’t Do Final Spin
Many washers fail to do the final spin, but it’s usually not a mechanical issue. Unbalanced clothing loads signal the washer to think it’s done doing its job. Remove some of the clothing and try it again. If it works, wash fewer clothes next time. If it doesn’t, try one of the following solutions:
- Ensure the filter and drain are clean so that they clear the sensors.
- Check if the water won’t drain; It might be stopping the process from completing.
- Loosen the clothing so that it’s not clumped together.
- Inspect all of the sensors and check if a warranty covers them.
Kenmore Washer Won’t Spin Clothes Dry Enough
There are usually three reasons a Kenmore washer won’t spin clothes dry enough:
- Water won’t drain because the drain is clogged.
- The pump is malfunctioning, which won’t allow it to remove enough water throughout the washing, rinsing, and spinning cycles.
- The filter is dirty or damaged, stopping the water flow and making your clothes absorb the excess moisture.
By repairing, cleaning, or replacing the drain, filter, or pump, you can solve any of the corresponding issues.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on April 18, 2021.