[larrysynak]

REALLY NEED HELP HERE. Our Kenmore agitates only just slightly and is making a loud clicking noise on every slight back and forth movement of agitator. Also, on agitate it seems to be working extra hard and overdrawing electric as the lightbulbs in the room will flicker slightly now on each movement of the agitation. Slight burning smell which leads me to believe the motor is working too hard but not sure why. Spin cycle seems okay.

All started yesterday upon suspect the spin was not operating properly because of damp cloths. I inspected and replaced the motor coupling in the process just to be safe, removing and reinstalling the pump and motor to do so. Only different thing was I slightly turned the transmission drive by hand to better align the coupling holes upon motor reinstall, no big deal. The first wash after assembling I get the clicking noise, weak agitation, smell, flickering lights, and can't figure it out why after the simple coupling replacement. Took the motor off again to inspect, all is in place properly though the motor was warm to the touch which I suppose would be normal anyway? Read several posts, on my way now on Sunday morning to buy new dogs and/or agitator repair but am worried about the light flickering issue and the slight burning smell mentioned above.

If just the agitator dogs, why the flickering lights?

Am in some hot water with the Missus over this one and could really use some sound advice. Thanks much. Larry.

[cjwdoyle]

we are tearing into our sears washer as I write. Found black stuff on floor under washer. Did you find anything like that. cjwdoyle

[larrysynak]

No, did not. But everything I have been told is that black shavings would be the rubber coupler that connects the motor to the drive. I am beyond that with my own issue but it sounds like it is your solution. An easy fix.

[bettyboop]

To ease your mind, the agitator dogs won't stop or have an ill affect operation of your motor, and will wash ok. if your lites were flickering, I would look into the motor bearings binding, or a sock under agitator, or something in the pump.
Sir bettyboop

[larrysynak]

Thanks. With the pump removed and motor disconnected from the gear box, the motor cycles on and off quickly every two seconds or so, but make a loud clanking sound and vibrating sound at the end of each two second cycle. When mounted to the gear box it has very little power to agitate though the spin cycle runs just fine. Am guessing a new $135.00 motor will fix my problem but trying to make sure that there is nothing else I am missing that might cause the motor to act this way.
Any help appreciated.

[bettyboop]

What you are probably experiencing is the motor starts, then the run part of the motor dosen't work so it goes back to start and back to start,ect you need a new motor

[larrysynak]

Thanks for the reply Betty Boop. I have a new motor in my posssession, will install tonight and update this forum. Two questions though.

1.) The motor was never even an issue until after I re-assembled after a simple coupler replacement. Even then the original coupler was not even broken and I replaced as a precaution. Could I have done something wrong on the coupler replace to cause the motor to fail so suddenly?

2.) Someone else told me that the additional electrical stress from the bad/weak motor placed on the wiring harness could have weakened the feed wires which may have an adverse effect on the new motor, limiting it's power and potentially shortening it's life.
What's your opinion of this and should I think of replacing the wire harness as well, all the way up the control switch?

[bettyboop]

The someone that told you about wiring harness stress,also still belives in the tooth fairy. I had a motor go bad almost the same way, but i put a new motor in and runs like a fine watch!

[larrysynak]

NOT working out for me at all. Installed the new motor tonight and am still getting the clanking sound every 2 seconds and minimal agitation, but spin works just fine. Same as before with the old motor on. Am thinking now a problem with the gear box but with the motor removed, the agitator will rotate when I turn the gearbox shaft by hand, and the drum will rotate when I turn the shaft by hand in the opposite direction. Seems to me the gearbox would have shown that problem during the hand turning. So why does it not agitate when the motor is in mounted and running? Was also told to double check the two prong connection leading to the 3-stage motor. Not much I can do to check that other then jiggle the wires. Gearbox is about $250.00 and not even sure that's the problem. Looks very complicated to tear into. I am afraid after all of your help and advice, all I can do is go with the Missus and buy another washer. Can't believe I screwed this us this badly by just replacing a perfectly good coupler with a newer one. Any last chance advice you can throw at me would be greatly appreciated, but I am ready for at trip to the appliance store. An expensive lesson.

THANK YOU for all of your time and help on this one. Hope I can return the favor.
Larry.