help with a washer?!?!?

[5pintshefound]

ok, so this first offf has nothing to do with sex. the DH and i moved to cuba. we're at the base. ok, my washer here {it was in the unit when we got here} needs help, and theres no one on base to fix it. while its running, it sounds like its out of balance. to me it sounds like it needs a new belt. but, im a photographer, not a mechanic. its a GE, so i called GE, and they told me part numbers and prices, but couldnt give any tech advice {im guessing to keep from lawsuits etc} the chick i talked to gave me the international number to set up repair. thats all fine adn dandy, but, they dont come to this base. so i have a washer, that washes great, it just sounds like its going to break down a wall or something, which has got to be hard as hell on the machine as it is. now, my husband is capable of fixing it, but he has no clue how to diagnose the problem. so, i guess, is there anyone out there, thats had this type of problem b efore? any clues on what to do?! help????

~5PHF

 

[HoldenMcCrank]

Never had this problem

but will suggest a couple of things to look at.

First let me ask you this - Are the loads off balance? Are you loading the washer evenly? Have you tried to run the washer with out any thing in it to see if this happens when it is empty (no clothes)?


Take a look at the motor ( you may need to tip the machine over to do this and may spill some water) my guess is that there is a broken mount somewhere. Try goint to "how stuff works . com" or this link http://home.howstuffworks.com/washer2.htm
to give you some picture to look at. Hope this helps.

Just looking again and if you look there is a link to "How to repair Washing Machine"


Holden

 

[5pintshefound]

Thanks holden.. i will defintaly try this *after* my husband gets home from work not something i want to try with just me and a 6 yo, and a 20 mo old in the house... yes ive tryed switching the loads around.. still does it with nothing in... its a horrible sound, and soloud! grr.. anwyay.. thanks for the tips... ill post back when i find out anything.. ty

~5PHF

 

[EJFan]

i used to sell washers (and other white and brown goods). GE's have a cinder block in them to help keep them balanced. try either tilting it up or taking the housing off to see if it's still in place and attached.

a belt is a fair guess... but before you go replacing any parts, make sure it's level (the adjustable feet can correct this if it's not) and check that block. holden makes a good suggestion as well. if all that fails, then maybe it IS something that a repair man has to look at or a part that needs replacing.

 

[5pintshefound]

lol i hope its not something that a repair man has to look at , asi seriously cant find one here on the base...

thanks EJ... im hoping its an easy fix... seems like an awesome washer.

 

[Quoll]

I had a few links here for you but lost them all from a power outage.
Here are the sites I got them from, I did a search on "GE washing machine".
Good luck, gotta run.

http://fileshare.eshop.bg/service_manual/datasheets_a_0.html

http://forum.doityourself.com/

http://www.ehow.com/

http://www.livemanuals.com/

I did get results from all of these sites, I think ehow was looking like the best prospect.

 

[Weird Harold]

ok, my washer here {it was in the unit when we got here} needs help, and theres no one on base to fix it.

There might not be someone "on base" to fix it, but there is certainly someone in the military to fix it and it is their responsibility -- Since I'm retired USAF, I have no idea who might be in charge of base housing where you are, but you need to call them every time that washer makes even a squeak that is out of the ordinary. Base housing types in any branch of the service tend to be moe worried about their budgets than about serving the needs of servicemen and dependents. They won't do anything for anybody who doesn't make a nuisance of themselves.

It is their job to repair or replace the washer if it isn't working right and your description of the problem sounds like it's going to hurt their budget a lot more if it isn't fixed now than it would if they'd just bring in someone to fix it.

Talk to your husband's First Sergeant or Commander if necessary, but make base housing do their job instead of letting your husband cover for them by taking on a repair job outside of his normal competence.

 

[5pintshefound]

There might not be someone "on base" to fix it, but there is certainly someone in the military to fix it and it is their responsibility -- Since I'm retired USAF, I have no idea who might be in charge of base housing where you are, but you need to call them every time that washer makes even a squeak that is out of the ordinary. Base housing types in any branch of the service tend to be moe worried about their budgets than about serving the needs of servicemen and dependents. They won't do anything for anybody who doesn't make a nuisance of themselves.

It is their job to repair or replace the washer if it isn't working right and your description of the problem sounds like it's going to hurt their budget a lot more if it isn't fixed now than it would if they'd just bring in someone to fix it.

Talk to your husband's First Sergeant or Commander if necessary, but make base housing do their job instead of letting your husband cover for them by taking on a repair job outside of his normal competence.

oh, hey sorry harold, didn realiize that i didnt clarify.. housing here doesnt supply the washers and dryers... the ones that are here, were abandoned by the previous occupants.. so, we're stuck wtih it. it actually helps us out a ton, as we dindt bring our set wtih us... of course the prior occupants, didnt leave us the books

`Ness {5PHF}

 

[Quoll]

If you have the model number you/we might be able to track down a manual for it.

 

[Eilan]

If you have the model number you/we might be able to track down a manual for it.

That's true. We bought a home theater system for our bedroom and the company had online copies of the manual available for download. It might be worth a try.

 

[Weird Harold]

oh, hey sorry harold, didn realiize that i didnt clarify.. housing here doesnt supply the washers and dryers... the ones that are here, were abandoned by the previous occupants.. so, we're stuck wtih it. it actually helps us out a ton, as we dindt bring our set wtih us... of course the prior occupants, didnt leave us the books

`Ness {5PHF}

Ah, so...

In that case, googling the model number and the word "Manual" should turn up an online repair manual if there is one.

Another source of information is the base library -- they should have at least one book on houshold appliance repair. -- if not, there is always Amazon, Barnes and Noble online, or Borders online for a copy of "Washer/Dryer Repair for Dummies" or the equivalent self-help book.

Oneother point in your original post that isn't quite clear: You said it sounds like it is unbalanced -- but is it actually unbalanced and shaking or just making noises like an unbalanced washer makes?

 

[5pintshefound]

ok, i hve the part number so i will google that in just a minute, nonw, teh noise, id ton think its actually unb alanced.. ifit was, when it was run wehn it was empty, i wouldnt have made the noise right? it did.. it still made the noise. Andrew didnt get to take anything apart eysteday, i forgot that when he got home, he had to go to bed quick, because he had a nightfire gunshoot, he had to leave for this am @ like 230a...
~5PHF

 

[Quoll]

ok, i hve the part number so i will google that in just a minute, nonw, teh noise, id ton think its actually unb alanced.. ifit was, when it was run wehn it was empty, i wouldnt have made the noise right? it did.. it still made the noise. Andrew didnt get to take anything apart eysteday, i forgot that when he got home, he had to go to bed quick, because he had a nightfire gunshoot, he had to leave for this am @ like 230a...
~5PHF

So is this services code for "Doin' the missus"?

 

[5pintshefound]

dont i wish... no actually , he had a gun shoot today.. hes shooting 9mm, and shotgun ithink. i really wisheh was here righ tnow, as i want a nap, and the kiddos are wide awake..

oh and i googled teh model for the washer and nothing came up

its WCSE3100A0 a ge washer
i typed in the model,manual.

this is sof rustrating

 

[Crewcheif]

Try This

Start the washer with the lid up (use a pin or pencill) push door switch down so washer will statr. you should be able to see if the Tub is actually wobbling inside.
Or you could just reach over the edge of the door (Washer not running at this time)
and force Tub to one side and see if it returns to Center. try this in 3 places arrounr the tub. If it is wobbling and or won't come back to center the one of the self centering springs is broke or off.
If this is not the problem ???? Then it may be the Motor coupling that connects it to the Tub. Let me know and in the mean time I'll see if I can find information on your Model of washer. OK !!!!

 

[5pintshefound]

Start the washer with the lid up (use a pin or pencill) push door switch down so washer will statr. you should be able to see if the Tub is actually wobbling inside.
Or you could just reach over the edge of the door (Washer not running at this time)
and force Tub to one side and see if it returns to Center. try this in 3 places arrounr the tub. If it is wobbling and or won't come back to center the one of the self centering springs is broke or off.
If this is not the problem ???? Then it may be the Motor coupling that connects it to the Tub. Let me know and in the mean time I'll see if I can find information on your Model of washer. OK !!!!

ok, i cant start the washer and put the lid up.. i dont have a door switch, i have a magnet, and we dont have a mag net here strong enough to confuse the sensor. i tried the forcing to the side on the front both sides, and the back, and it moves to each outside edge, but then does center it self again. hopeflly when my DH gets home from teh shoot, he wont be to tried to set it down on its side and see if he can see the coupling
thanks for all your help.. if you have either yahoo messanger or aim you can reach me, yahoo im is asailorsstar and aim is luvmyew2

 

[Weird Harold]

ok, i cant start the washer and put the lid up.. i dont have a door switch, i have a magnet, and we dont have a mag net here strong enough to confuse the sensor. i tried the forcing to the side on the front both sides, and the back, and it moves to each outside edge, but then does center it self again.

Fixitnow.com has a link to this page http://www.american-appliance.com/service_pages/wp_beltdrive_wash/wpbeltdrivesnubber.htm as a response to the FAQ question:

It sounds like a helicopter's taking off and the whole house shakes when the washer goes into spin.

 

[SweetErika]

This might be helpful, too: http://www.repairclinic.com/0047_11.asp

 

[Weird Harold]

This might be helpful, too: http://www.repairclinic.com/0047_11.asp

I found that one too. The problem is that it's a good way to find theparts needed, but it doesn't seem to have any help for trouble-shooting to know which parts are needed. That site does recognise the model number she gave, so she can be assured of getting the right part once she knows which part.

 

[SweetErika]

I found that one too. The problem is that it's a good way to find theparts needed, but it doesn't seem to have any help for trouble-shooting to know which parts are needed. That site does recognise the model number she gave, so she can be assured of getting the right part once she knows which part.

I just went back and looked at the troubleshooting section, and for "noisy" there sure isn't much help! I was just in awe of the ability to "look inside" and identify stuff, and figured it might not be bad in terms of getting familiar with the machine and pointing to what may be broken.

 

[jimbotjones]

I don't work for GE, but....

I do work for their major competitor.

Seeing as this washer has a "AutoBalance Suspension System", I would assume from your description and the steps that you've already taken that there is a mechanical issue.

What that issue is, is hard to tell. There may be a problem in the transmission. These problems are usually evidenced by the "noisiness" being most prevalent when the washer is switching cycles. If the belt is worn, that may be causing the noisiness also. The main trouble is that you've inherited a machine that you have NO idea how it was used before you got there (overloading is the main cause of laundry machine failure).

Here's the link for your specific model, including tabs for the use & care guide and installation instructions. Be sure to level the machine properly after flipping it on it's side!!!

http://products.geappliances.com/Ap...AGE&SKU=WCSE3100AAA&SITEID=DER&CHANNEL=CH0004

Good luck!

 

[wideeyedgrin]

I don't know if this is possible, but can you take pictures of what the washing machine looks like on the inside and post them here? There may be some one that can help by seeing the problem.

The few times I had experience with housing made me realize that there is usually someone in the housing complex that knows how to repair anything. If this is Gitmo, ask around, you may even be able to trade babysitting for repairs.

 

[rakman]

washer manual WCSE3100

Here's a link to the washer manual

http://seiaarons.com/GE WJSE3100AWW.pdf

Sounds like the counter balance block is loose or missing, or one of the springs broke or became unhooked.

 

[rakman]

oops.. owners manual, not service.

Sorry, it was the owners manual.. not service, but here's www.partselect.com unit breakdown:
http://www.partselect.com/MultiModels.aspx?ModelNum=wcse3100a&searchTerm=&RefineSearch=0

and I did find this in a ge repair thread:
http://www.handymanwire.com/ubbthre...47011&page=52&view=collapsed&sb=11&o=&fpart=1

Have a local (not GE) repair shop pop the front cover off your unit. Actually, you can do it yourself as it's quite simple. Use a putty knife, scrapper, etc and insert it in line with the top cover edges into the joint between the top unit and the front cover. There is a spring blade on each side that will release the front cover.

Then put some clothes in your machine and start a cycle. When the unit is agitating you will be able to see where the noise is coming from. It could be a loose motor, transmission, or broken hanger rod assembly - or something much simpler.

These newer GE washers are VERY poorly assembled, in my own opinion. It doesn't take much to loosen components as the machine ages just a bit.

Also, WITH THE MACHINE NOT RUNNING, inspect the bundle of wires that run down to the motor. They could have come loose and may be slapping against the tub during the agitation process, they won't while the machine is in the spin cycle. Also, if you see that any of the wires have become frayed (a common problem on these units) you'll need to repair them (respliced usually).

These washers, interestingly, are quite well designed; but the manufacturing lines (again, in my opinion!) cause 95% of the problems. I've seen such sloppy shoddy assembly workmanship that's it's almost a crime.


Then again, maybe GE deliberately allows this; at least they REALLY push their Service department hard!!

 

[slocomb]

I found this site so helpful that i bookmarked it. It hwlped me fix a Whirlpool. I think if you go here then nose around the site some more you can find stuff about GE as well.



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