I have an old hotpoint washer that came with my house. I noticed today that when it agitates it sounds funny. I opened the lid to the washer and push the lid sensor in, and noticed that it was not agitating. When I push down on the agitator it starts to agitate, but as soon as I release it, it stops. Any help would be appreciated.

Sounds like a 'short' somewhere.

XenoSapien

Mnay units have to have the lid close (switch depressed) to drain and spin, but will aggitate. The switch may be bad causing this. Cheap repair. As far as the noise if it is a direct drive could be the coupler. If belt drive coule be a pulley or belt. You will have to investigate to pinpoint the noise. Be careful though, if unit is older you won't want to put more in repairs than a new one with warranty would cost.

With the Lid switch pushed it, It sounds like the agitator is trying to move. There is a slight move mint. When I push down on the agitator it works while I hold it down. As soon as I lift the agitator its stops working again. It's like the agitator is not making contact until I push on it. What does the agitator coupler do? If it moves when I push down on it, how can it be a belt?

It could be the splines on the agitator are stripped or the bolt that holds in on has loosened. There is a spring clip that has been a common problem with GE/Hotpoint that will let the agitator push up or come out. Reread your original post and it's when you push on agitaor not the switch, sorry. Also just checked and this unit will not agitate unless the switch is depress, same as in drain/spin cycle.

Do you know if it's very much to replace the agitator? Thanks for the help.

Go to Appliance Parts from RepairClinic.com - HomePage (http://www.repairclinic.com) and there is a parts site with your model # that will give you a price. I would remove agitator first to verify before getting parts, though. Many times you can go to used appliance store with your model # and get used one that is just fine

I have worked on some washing machines and found this site which shows a GE/Hotpoint

When you mouse over the parts starting at the agitator, and work down to the transmission, the drive and to the motor.


Appliance Parts from RepairClinic.com - Detailed Appliance Illustration (http://www.repairclinic.com/0100_24.asp)

I believe the problem is the bolt that holds agitator in place.
Try to pull agitator up and see how far it comes up... it may
Lift out of the machine, you have the problem in hand... when
You push down the agitator engages...
If this is the problem you need to use an impact to tighten the
Bolt that holds the agitator in place...


Please rate my asnwer

I did try to lift it and it does feel like it will come all the way out. I had clothes in it at the time. I will try that. What is an impact? Are you referring to a tool? Or lets say a rubber malot. LOL.. I did hit it with a rubber malot thinging that maybe it would knock it back in place or something. It moves a little better, but not good enough to wash clothes. Thanks

I took out the agitator and pulled apart the agitator, and the inner hub. Is there suppose to be something holding them together. Appliance Parts from RepairClinic.com - Detailed Appliance Illustration (http://www.repairclinic.com/0100_24.asp) it looks like it from the site. I can hear the innor hub moving/slipping, but unless I push down on it. The outer one doesn't move. Do you think this would be expensive to get someone to repair?

I really can't tell you how expensive repairs are,
Depends mostly on where you are?

The agitator runs during the wash cycle ---
The drum turns during spin cycle...
The gearbox controls their operation,
They should not be attached to each other...

Reference my previous post (impact) meant
Impact wrench to tighten bolt...

So is it the drum that isn't turning until you push down?