The agitator in a washing machine plays a vital role in ensuring that your clothes are getting properly cleaned. It’s responsible for moving the clothes around in the water, creating turbulence that helps to lift dirt and grime out of the fabric. However, over time, the agitator can become damaged or worn out, which can affect the performance of your washing machine. If you’re experiencing problems with your washing machine’s agitator, there are a few DIY repairs that you can try before calling a repairman.
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Types of Agitator Problems
There are two main types of agitator problems: mechanical and electrical. Mechanical problems are usually caused by damage to the agitator itself, such as a broken or loose spindle, a damaged coupling, or a stripped gear. Electrical problems, on the other hand, are usually caused by a faulty motor or switch, or a broken wire.
How to Fix a Mechanical Agitator Problem
If you’re experiencing a mechanical agitator problem, the first step is to identify the problem. Once you’ve identified the problem, you can follow these steps to repair it:
- Unplug the washing machine: Before you begin any repairs, be sure to unplug the washing machine from the electrical outlet.
- Remove the agitator cover: The agitator cover is usually held in place by a few screws. Remove the screws and lift the cover off.
- Inspect the agitator: Once the cover is removed, you’ll be able to see the agitator. Inspect it for any damage, such as cracks, breaks, or loose parts.
- Repair the agitator: If the agitator is damaged, you’ll need to replace it. You can purchase a new agitator at most hardware stores or appliance parts stores.
- Reassemble the agitator: Once the agitator is repaired, you can reassemble it by reversing the steps you took to disassemble it.
How to Fix an Electrical Agitator Problem
If you’re experiencing an electrical agitator problem, you’ll need to troubleshoot the electrical system to identify the problem. Once you’ve identified the problem, you can follow these steps to repair it:
- Unplug the washing machine: Before you begin any repairs, be sure to unplug the washing machine from the electrical outlet.
- Test the motor: To test the motor, you’ll need a multimeter. Set the multimeter to the ohms setting and connect the probes to the motor terminals. If the motor is good, the multimeter will read a low resistance (less than 1 ohm). If the motor is bad, the multimeter will read a high resistance (more than 1 ohm).
- Test the switch: To test the switch, you’ll need a multimeter. Set the multimeter to the ohms setting and connect the probes to the switch terminals. If the switch is good, the multimeter will read a low resistance (less than 1 ohm) when the switch is closed. If the switch is bad, the multimeter will read a high resistance (more than 1 ohm) when the switch is closed.
- Repair the motor or switch: If the motor or switch is bad, you’ll need to replace it. You can purchase a new motor or switch at most hardware stores or appliance parts stores.
- Reassemble the washing machine: Once the motor or switch is repaired, you can reassemble the washing machine by reversing the steps you took to disassemble it.
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How To Fix Washer Agitator
Conclusion
Fixing a washing machine agitator is a relatively simple DIY repair that can save you the cost of calling a repairman. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can troubleshoot the problem and repair the agitator yourself.
