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Bobbynol · Feb 1, 2006, 05:56 PM

I have a 10 year old whirlpool washer that just stopped agitating?? Evry thing els works fine.

applguy · Feb 2, 2006, 06:17 PM

You didn't say how old it was in the other thread. If it's about 10 years old, this might be tricky to track down. It probably won't be the motor capacitor, since the washer will spin. It won't be the motor coupler because it spins. The drive motor runs in one direction for wash and the other direction for drain/spin functions. When the washer will perform one or the other, chances are the motor is OK. I would probably lean towards a timer on this one. You might try accessing the timer and try pushing in on all the wires, checking for jacket discoloration immediately behind the molex plug. Does it make any humming noises when it's supposed to be agitating? Do you have a volt-ohm meter? Get me a model number and I can pull the schematic and give you some points to check if you would like. If you need help getting the console open, there are two phillips screws on the bottom front edge of the console. Remove those screws and pull the console towards you and up. Then the panel will hinge over backwards and you will find the timer. Try pushing in on all the wires, checking for jacket discoloration immediately behind the molex plug.

Bobbynol · Feb 3, 2006, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by applguy

You didn't say how old it was in the other thread. If it's about 10 years old, this might be tricky to track down. It probably won't be the motor capacitor, since the washer will spin. It won't be the motor coupler because it spins. The drive motor runs in one direction for wash and the other direction for drain/spin functions. When the washer will perform one or the other, chances are the motor is ok. I would probably lean towards a timer on this one. You might try accessing the timer and try pushing in on all the wires, checking for jacket discoloration immediately behind the molex plug. Does it make any humming noises when it's supposed to be agitating? Do you have a volt-ohm meter? Get me a model number and I can pull the schematic and give you some points to check if you would like. If you need help getting the console open, there are two phillips screws on the bottom front edge of the console. Remove those screws and pull the console towards you and up. Then the panel will hinge over backwards and you will find the timer. Try pushing in on all the wires, checking for jacket discoloration immediately behind the molex plug.

I narrowed it down to the agitating dog ears inside the agitator, 8 years of up 3-5 loads a day wore them out. $35.00-45.00 on the internet to replace the whole agitator assembly. VERY easy!

Thank you!

applguy · Feb 5, 2006, 04:40 PM

Yes, it it very easy. Although, you can replace just the dogs for about 8.00, and it's almost as easy. Whirlpool part number 80040. Just to clarify, for others who might read this thread with similar problems, the agitator dogs won't stop the washer from agitating completely. This agitator is made of 2 parts; the lower and upper halves. The lower half is directly attached to the transmission shaft, and therefore unless completely broken, will always agitate. The dogs simply advance the upper half to help move the clothes through the tub. The "correct complaint" would be along the lines of "agitator stopped moving, even though washer sounds like it's working". Glad you figured it out.