A washing machine is a crucial appliance in any household, and a malfunctioning one can be a major inconvenience. If your washing machine won’t finish its cycle, there are several possible causes, ranging from a faulty lid switch to a malfunctioning control board. Fortunately, many of these issues can be resolved with simple repairs and replacements. In this article, we’ll go over some troubleshooting tips and repair solutions for common causes of washing machines failing to finish their cycles. Whether you have a top-load or front-load washer, we’ll guide you through the steps to help you get your machine up and running again.
Why Won’t Your Washing Machine Finish Its Cycle? Troubleshooting Tips and Repair Solutions
A washing machine is an essential household appliance that can make laundry tasks more convenient and effortless. However, when it stops working mid-cycle, it can be frustrating and leave you with wet clothes. There could be several reasons why your washing machine won’t finish its cycle. Here are some troubleshooting tips and repair solutions to help you fix the problem.
Replacing the Lid Switch to Ensure Proper Operation
One of the most common reasons why your washing machine won’t finish its cycle is a faulty lid switch. The lid switch is a safety device that prevents the washer from operating when the lid is open. If the switch is faulty, the machine may not start, or it may stop mid-cycle.
How to replace the lid switch/lock assembly on a top-load washer:
- Unplug the washer and disconnect the water supply hoses.
- Locate the lid switch/lock assembly under the top panel of the washer.
- Disconnect the wire harness from the old switch.
- Remove the mounting screws and lift the old switch out of the washer.
- Install the new switch and secure it with the mounting screws.
- Reconnect the wire harness to the new switch.
- Replace the top panel of the washer.
- Reconnect the water supply hoses and plug the washer back in.
How to replace the lid switch in a direct-drive top-load washer:
- Unplug the washer and remove the control console.
- Disconnect the wire harness from the old switch.
- Remove the old switch by releasing the locking tab and lifting it out.
- Install the new switch and secure it with the locking tab.
- Reconnect the wire harness to the new switch.
- Replace the control console.
- Plug the washer back in.
Replace the Washer Shifter Assembly
Another common reason for a washing machine to stop mid-cycle is a faulty shifter assembly. The shifter assembly is responsible for shifting the washer from the agitate cycle to the spin cycle. If it is not working correctly, the machine may not spin, or it may stop mid-cycle.
Replacing the shifter assembly in your top-load washer:
- Unplug the washer and disconnect the water supply hoses.
- Remove the agitator from the washer.
- Remove the protective cover from the shifter assembly.
- Disconnect the wire harness from the old shifter assembly.
- Remove the old shifter assembly by releasing the locking tab and lifting it out.
- Install the new shifter assembly and secure it with the locking tab.
- Reconnect the wire harness to the new shifter assembly.
- Replace the protective cover and the agitator.
- Reconnect the water supply hoses and plug the washer back in.
Replace the Washer Door Lock Assembly
If you have a front-load washing machine, a faulty door lock assembly could be the reason why your machine won’t finish its cycle. The door lock assembly prevents the washer from operating when the door is open.
How to replace the door lock assembly on a front-load washer:
- Unplug the washer and open the door.
- Remove the screws that hold the door lock assembly in place.
- Disconnect the wire harness from the old door lock assembly.
- Remove the old door lock assembly and install the new one.
- Secure the new door lock assembly with the screws.
- Reconnect the wire harness to the new door lock assembly.
- Close the door and plug the washer back in.
Replace the Washer Main Control Board
The main control board is responsible for controlling the functions of your washing machine. If it is faulty, your washer may not start, or it may stop mid-cycle.
How to replace the electronic control board on a top-load washer:
- Unplug the washer and remove the control panel.
- Locate the electronic control board.
- Disconnect the wire harnesses from the old board.
- Remove the screws that secure the old board in place.
- Install the new board and secure it with the screws.
- Reconnect the wire harnesses to the new board.
- Replace the control panel.
- Plug the washer back in.
How to replace the machine control board in a front-load washer:
- Unplug the washer and remove the top panel.
- Locate the machine control board.
- Disconnect the wire harnesses from the old board.
- Remove the screws that secure the old board in place.
- Install the new board and secure it with the screws.
- Reconnect the wire harnesses to the new board.
- Replace the top panel.
- Plug the washer back in.
Replace the Washer Timer
The timer is responsible for controlling the duration of each cycle in your washing machine. If it is faulty, your machine may not finish its cycle, or it may not move on to the next cycle.
How to replace the timer in a direct-drive top-load washer:
- Unplug the washer and remove the control console.
- Locate the timer.
- Disconnect the wire harness from the old timer.
- Remove the mounting screws and lift the old timer out of the washer.
- Install the new timer and secure it with the mounting screws.
- Reconnect the wire harness to the new timer.
- Replace the control console.
- Plug the washer back in.
Repair or Replace the Washer Drain Pump
The drain pump is responsible for draining the water from your washing machine. If it is not working correctly, your machine may not finish its cycle, or it may not drain properly.
How to replace the drain pump in a top-load washer:
- Unplug the washer and disconnect the water supply hoses.
- Tilt the washer backward and support it with blocks.
- Locate the drain pump.
- Disconnect the hoses and wire harness from the old pump.
- Remove the mounting screws and lift the old pump out of the washer.
- Install the new pump and secure it with the mounting screws.
- Reconnect the hoses and wire harness to the new pump.
- Lower the washer and reconnect the water supply hoses.
- Plug the washer back in.
How to replace the drain pump on a front-load washer:
- Unplug the washer and remove the front panel.
- Locate the drain pump.
- Disconnect the hoses and wire harness from the old pump.
- Remove the mounting screws and lift the old pump out of the washer.
- Install the new pump and secure it with the mounting screws.
- Reconnect the hoses and wire harness to the new pump.
- Replace the front panel.
- Plug the washer back in.
Replace the Washer Motor Control Board
The motor control board controls the speed and direction of the motor in your washing machine. If it is faulty, your machine may not start, or it may stop mid-cycle.
How to replace a motor control board on a front-load washer:
- Unplug the washer and remove the top panel.
- Locate the motor control board.
- Disconnect the wire harnesses from the old board.
- Remove the screws that secure the old board in place.
- Install the new board and secure it with the screws.
- Reconnect the wire harnesses to the new board.
- Replace the top panel.
- Plug the washer back in.
Replace the Washer Water-Level Pressure Switch
The water-level pressure switch is responsible for detecting the water level in your washing machine. If it is faulty, your machine may not fill with water properly, or it may not detect the water level correctly.
How to replace the water level pressure switch on a direct-drive top-load washer:
- Unplug the washer and remove the control console.
- Locate the water-level pressure switch.
- Disconnect the wire harness and tubing from the old switch.
- Remove the mounting screw and lift the old switch out of the washer.
- Install the new switch and secure it with the mounting screw.
- Reconnect the wire harness and tubing to the new switch.
- Replace the control console.
- Plug the washer back in.
Conclusion:
If your washing machine won’t finish its cycle, there are several possible causes, including a faulty lid switch, shifter assembly, door lock assembly, control board, timer, drain pump, motor control board, or water-level pressure switch. By following the appropriate steps, you can replace these components and get your washing machine back up and running. However, it’s important to exercise caution when working with electrical components and to unplug the machine before starting any repairs. If you’re unsure about any of the steps, it’s always best to consult a professional technician to avoid any safety hazards or further damage to your machine.
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