Washer Doesn't Agitate

Before you make the phone call for help, try these tips:

1) Verify a circuit breaker isn't tripped

2) Advance the timer control dial slowly 360 degrees-

• If the washer starts spinning, then we know the motor and drive belt are fine but that there is something wrong with either the timer control dial or the agitator solenoid. Call in a professional for this.

• If the washer doesn't budge, then verify that the drive belt(s) is attached and not broken by removing the back panel. If the belt is broken, replace it. If it is loose, then tighten it by loosening up the bolt holding the motor and moving it on its swingarm (much like a car alternator) until there is a 1/2 to 3/4 inch deflection in the belt.
  Some washers use reversing motors. It's possible the motor works on the spin cycle but not on the wash cycle. If so, call a pro.

3) Visually inspect the lid safety switch- Is it loose or cracked? If so, the washer might work intermittently, stopping at different cycles.

4) Check motor and drive belt- Remove the main access panel (usually in the back). Is the motor spinning, but the drive belt isn't? If so, then you have a drive belt problem. Go here.
If the motor isn't spinning, then go here for washer motor troubleshooting.

If none of these tips resolve the problem, then there's probably a more serious problem with either the motor, the transmission or the agitator itself. If this is is the case, call in a pro.

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Comments Agitator on Apartment Sized Kenmore Wasger you saved me a service call and 4 days waiting time for a repair man snipped the water level/air hose, slid them back on and voila, agitator works! $200 used for the pair, $750 plus tax in the store. #7 - Brady - 08/29/2009 - 15:01 Frustrated guy I bought an inepensive moffat (mabe GE) washer a year a half ago, and now it often won't start agitating. It makes a nois like it is trying, three or four times, then stops trying. Sometimes it works. I don't want a repair person, because that will cost as much as a new machine I bet. I am tempted to purchase a new machine, but that is a terrible waste of resources. Thoughts on fixing? I am pretty handy and understand electricity. #6 - Stephen - 05/14/2009 - 15:23 Same Issue, Different Fix My Kenmore washer \\\'hung\\\' right when it should have begun to agitate. Determined that it wasn\\\'t controls, since washer seemed to be still in cycle, just not doing what it was supposed to. So I had a look UNDERNEATH: found a black, foam, sort of rubber-band looking thingy. After MUCH googling, I determined that it\\\'s called a dampening gasket/seal/ring [depends who you ask]. Price is about $6 at Sears....putting it back, well, that\\\'s the fun part.lol. #5 - Kat - 02/13/2009 - 15:31 It could be the agitator dog clutches If you can hear the motor running, and the water is moving a little bit, but not like normal where the clothes are being worked around you might just have worn out agitator dogs. This is a really easy 15 minute do it yourself fix, and the parts are less than $10 and widely available. Here is a how to article - http://zenfixit.com/repairs/appliance-repair/washing-machine-agitator-clutch-repair/ #4 - David LaFerney - 01/15/2009 - 07:32 washing machine issues can a faulty capacitor cause a machine to not agitate? #3 - reuben - 03/18/2008 - 17:21 switch the little spike that when you close the lid touches the switch to make it start doesn't work by closing the lid...but you can do it manually by flicking down the switch...how can i fix that switch #2 - elsaburt444@hotmail.ca - 03/11/2008 - 18:31 Just fixed same problem with my Kenmore stacked w/d I had the same problem w/ my washer: it filled properly but failed to commence agitating. The timer would advance after the correct time period to the drain and spin cycle and that phase worked ok. It just wouldn't agitate. I looked in a bunch of fix-it forums and just about every major part was named as the probable cause. The motor was bad, the timer, the transmission, the water level switch, the thrust bearing, the agitator coupling, the clutch, the motor overload switch, the wig-wah solenoid, the motor capacitor, and the water supply valve. The real problem: The rubber tube going from the bottom of the tub up to the water level pressure switch was old and the ends weren't tight on the nipple fittings. Cut 1/2 inch off each end of the tube and reinstall - no more problems. cost= zero. #1 - Robbyrob - 12/22/2007 - 19:16 :-D Thanks for the "quick fix" support. Now I need to figure out how to find and replace the agitator solenoid. #0 - Lori Lamb - 12/08/2007 - 20:05 Name Title Comment To prevent automated Bots form spamming, please enter the text you see in the image below in the appropriate input box. Your comment will only be submitted if the strings match. Please ensure that your browser supports and accepts cookies, or your comment cannot be verified correctly.