Troubleshooting an Agitator for a Whirlpool Washing Machine
- 1). Review the setup of the washing machine. Ensure the door is tightly closed, a wash cycle has been selected on the control panel and the "Start" button has been pressed. Whirlpool washers will not fill or agitate until the computer detects the door is closed. Selecting a "Soak" cycle and not pressing "Start" will also prevent the washing machine from agitating.
- 2). Unload the clothes from the drum, setting aside the heaviest items for another cycle. Extremely heavy loads will not be washed to protect the motor and drum from damage during the spin portion of the cycle. Ensure shirts, pants or other items with long strips of fabric have not become tangled around the agitator.
- 3). Check the power cord is connected to an electrical outlet and that no fuses or breakers in your home's electrical circuits have blown or tripped. Sudden motion around the washing machine can loosen the power cable from the outlet. Some Whirlpool washing machines use two time-delay fuses to protect the electronics and motor. If one of the pair of fuses or breakers is inactive, the washing machine may function normally but not spin.
- 4). Examine the washing machine's water supply -- making sure the supply hoses are as straight as possible and free from kinks or sharp turns. Both the hot and cold water shut-off valves should be fully open, allowing water from the mains to enter the washing machine without restrictions. Shut-off valves are usually built into the wall behind the washing machine or part of the supply pipes. Your Whirlpool washer will not be able to agitate unless it can fill with water.