[isaacisland]

My kenmore washer is about 5 years old. I just replaced the motor coupler, and it operated normally for about a week. There was a smell initially which I assumed was some of the spilled oil burning off the case or possibly the clutch. It started to stop operating at transitional times in the cycle a couple of days ago, but would continue after waiting a while and restarting. Then, finally, it will not turn after filling. It hums and draws power as evidenced by the dimming of my basement lights, but does not agitate, drain or spin. I was able to drain the tub into the floor drain with the hose so have ruled out blockage. The motor is warm to the touch. I want this to be the capacitor and not the motor for obvious reasons. Help, please.

Thanks in advance,

Isaac

[PS Volunteer - Appguy]

Pull out pump and motor and short lid switch. Run the motor and if you have an amprobe measure run current(white common wire). If motor now runs without overheating , you have something jamming it.
If there is a lot of oil on the tranny, you have a bad transmission.

[PS Volunteer - Appguy]

Pull out pump and motor and short lid switch. Run the motor and if you have an amprobe measure run current(white common wire). If motor now runs without overheating , you have something jamming it.
If there is a lot of oil on the tranny, you have a bad transmission.

[isaacisland]

Thanks,

I removed the motor and pump and set it to run. Nothing. I gave the rotor a tweak with my hand and it took off running smoothly and quietly. Capacitor?

Isaac

Originally Posted by PS Volunteer - Appguy

Pull out pump and motor and short lid switch. Run the motor and if you have an amprobe measure run current(white common wire). If motor now runs without overheating , you have something jamming it.
If there is a lot of oil on the tranny, you have a bad transmission.

[PS Volunteer - Appguy]

Very rare a capacitor will open, but if not connected they will not work. You may have a bad pin on the motor connector, bad timer contacts, or open start winding in the motor,or a bad motor centrifical switch.

[isaacisland]

I removed the capacitor. discharged it. Tested it with a digital ohm meter. It showed OL no matter what I did. I know that I can't test capacitance by measuring resistance, but I followed the directions I found online for checking a capacitor. From what I can tell, the thing is open. It seemed to have some black tar like substance around the connectors when I removed it; is that normal? The connections were solid at the capacitor, but I did not check voltage.

However, with these new possibilities, I am reluctant to replace a part I am not sure about. The motor does hum like it wants to work (circuit is closed?). That being true, I want to rule out bad timer contacts and bad pin connector. How can I tell if the start winding is open? What about the cetrifical switch?

Isaac

Originally Posted by PS Volunteer - Appguy

Very rare a capacitor will open, but if not connected they will not work. You may have a bad pin on the motor connector, bad timer contacts, or open start winding in the motor,or a bad motor centrifical switch.

[PS Volunteer - Appguy]

All indications are showing no start current. Short the capacitor and briefly turn washer on. If motor now seems to want to start, then yes your start capacitor is open: If true please post.