Water is Not Filling My Washing Machine

Water is Not Filling My Washing Machine

Here are a few things to try before you call an Appliance Repair Company for service.

Problem:  Water does not enter tub during “Fill” period, but machine agitates in “wash.”
Explanation: this condition is often brought about by either an oversight or improper use of the clothes washer.

Tools and materials needed:
        NONE

Solution:
1. Check to make sure that the water supply valves are open at the faucet. (figure 1 )
2. Advance the timer control knob to “spin dry.” Allow the machine to complete this period of evaporation so that any water left in the machine from previous use can be completely discharged.
Special note: in the construction of modern automatic clothes washer, the quantity (fill level) of water required by the machine is automatically regulated by a device called the “fill level control.” This device in the washer is capable of sensing the pressure created by the weight of the water in the washer tub. This pressure information is then acted upon by the water fill control as an electrical switch either to allow water to enter the washer when called for or to shut if off when it is not required. If the clothe washer is stopped manually during the final “spin dry” period and before all of the water has been discharged from the machine (this may be attempted by the user when “permanent press” and “drip dry” clothing are removed to be hung while still wet), a sufficient quantity of water may be left In the tub to prevent the water fill control from allowing additional water to enter the tub when a new wash load is started. It is important, therefore, to allow the washer to complete the entire cycle to avoid this problem.
3. After all water has been discharged from the machine, return the timer control knob to the “fill”

Problem: water does not enter tub; machine does not agitate or spin.
Explanation: from all indications the clothes washer would appear to be completely “dead.” This can be caused either by simply forgetting to turn on the water supply or by electric power failing to reach the clothes washer.
Tools and materials needed:
(a) A lamp (tabletop or other portable type)
(b) (b) a 3- prong male plug ( heavy duty metal clad type available at any electrical hardware store)
(c)  An electrical fuse ( style and size depends upon fuse to be replaced)
Solution:     1. Check the water supply valves at the faucets to make sure they are open
2. Test the electric outlet to which the machine is connected to see if electric current is present. This is done by disconnecting the washer line cord plug from the electric outlet and plugging a lamp or other electrical device known to be good in its place.
3. If the test lamp lights, the electric outlet is good and a check should be made on those washing machines that have “overload” or “unbalance” protection switches to see that the switch button is depressed to restore machine operation.
Note: not all washing machines are equipped with “overload” or “unbalance” protection switches that can be reset manually by the sure. Review the “user’s instruction booklet” which has been supplied with the machine by the manufacturer to determine whether or not your washer has been so equipped.
4. If the washer does not contain a manual reset button, a careful check should be made of the washing machine line cord plug.
5. Examine the line cord plug for loose prongs and frayed, broken, or burned wires. (Figure 4) if the plug proves defective or even if its condition is dubious, replace the plug with a new one. For complete information see section 2, general repair procedures, how to replace a three-prong male plug.
6. If the test lamp does not light when plugged into the washing machine wall outlet, the outlet is dead and a check of the house fuses or circuit breakers (whichever are used) will probably reveal that either a fuse has been blown or that a circuit breaker has been tripped, as the case may be. See section 2, general repair procedures, how to locate and replace fuses, for this information.
7. Caution: do not connect the washing machine plug to the wall outlet until the fuse has been replaced.
8. After replacing the fuse, star and operate the washer in the routine manner for washing clothes. If the fuse blows ( or circuit breaker trips ) again, it indicates that a serious defect exist in the machine- one which will require further testing by a qualified appliance technician, do not attempt to use the washer until it has been properly tested and repaired.