How to troubleshoot your Frigidaire washer
Doing laundry is a breeze with Frigidaire washers. Packed with advanced features and powerful performance, they are a great investment for any modern household.
However, a fault in your Frigidaire washer can be more than a nuisance; it hinders your routine as your dirty laundry piles up along with your concerns about your appliance.
Don’t fret. In this article, we will walk through common problems with Frigidaire washers and ways to troubleshoot to get them up and running quickly.
In case you do not have a Frigidaire washer, but maybe a Maytag or Kenmore, you can still refer to this article to understand the probable cause(s).
What are the most common problems with Frigidaire washers?
For many, the washer is a household staple. Any fault in it can cause a great deal of discomfort. Here are common reasons why your Frigidaire washer may not be working:
- Clogs in the washing machine drain or washer drain pump
- Kinked, twisted or blocked drain hose or a broken hose clamp
- Severe obstruction in the coin traps
- Damaged or worn-out water pump belt
- Fault in the power supply to the equipment
With some troubleshooting steps, we can quickly diagnose these issues.
Is your Frigidaire washer not draining?
If your Frigidaire washer has a troubled drainage system, the reasons for that could be plenty.
To identify the core issue, you might have to examine the drain clogs, washer drain pump, drain hose, coin trap and water pump belt. Let’s take a brief look at each one of them.
Check for drain clogs
You need to examine the drain for clogs to understand why the washer is not draining water. Socks and other small articles of clothing can often find a way inside the drain system and severely clog the pump or the pump hose. This ruins the entire drain cycle.
Check the washer drain pump
Articles of clothing, coins, hair accessories, keys or other small items that fall out of pockets can clog the drain of your Frigidaire washer and affect the spin cycle. It’s the position of the block that determines the flow of water, as it may not drain well or at all.
To diagnose, you may have to remove the drain pump and manually check for any blockage.
A frigidaire washer’s drain pump is located at the bottom right. However, you will have to remove the front panel to access the drain pump to clean or inspect it.
Remove the front panel
- Disconnect power to ensure safety.
- Lift the washer from the front and elevate it with a wooden block by placing it right in the middle. Make sure the wooden block is big enough to help you remove the screw of the front panel with ease.
- You will find two screws in the bottom of the washer’s front panel; remove them.
- Now pull down the panel.
Clean the drain pump
- Separate the inlet sump (which looks like a white dial) as well as the outlet hose.
- Remove the two screws that hold the pump housing to the bottom of the washer.
- Now unplug all the wires from the motor.
- With a flat screwdriver, release the tab on each side of the motor and take off the four screws that grip the drain pump and the housing.
- Finally, you will see a clamp located on the bottom front of the pump; remove it. Also, pull down the coin crap to inspect the areas. Wipe the filter of the drain pump if you see any dirt, grime or foreign objects.
However, this process can be quite time-consuming and technical. It might be best handled by an expert.
Check the drain hose
Refer to your Frigidaire washer’s manual to locate your drain hose. Typically, you can find it behind the front panel on the lower side or at the back. Detach the drain hose from the pump. You can find the pump at the bottom of the washing machine, which is connected to the drain hose.
Study it to identify the cause. It might be kinked, clogged, bent or twisted. Remove any obstructions or blockages with a straight wire hanger or screwdriver. If the problem persists, replace the drain hose.
Check the coin trap
Specific washers are fitted with coin traps. These traps help capture any external objects that might enter the drain and clog it. Periodically, the coin trap must be checked and cleaned.
In case you have missed out on that, there is a fair chance your coin trap is severely clogged, causing your washer not to drain the water properly. Refer to your washer’s manual to locate the coin trap and remove any foreign elements blocking it.
Check the water pump belt (if applicable)
Certain types of washers come fitted with a water pump belt. It looks like a thin rubber belt stretched across the motor and the drum. Typically, you can find it in the access panel located right behind the door lid of the Frigidaire washer. As the armature on the motor spins, the water pump belt helps rotate the drum and tumbles the clothes throughout the dry cycle.
A front-load washer usually has the belts on the back, while a top-load washer has the belts near the bottom of the drum.
A damaged or worn-out water pump belt can be the reason behind your washer making a loud noise or not draining water properly. If you are someone with DIY skills, we put together this step-by-step guide to replacing the water pump belt.
You would need a container (to collect any water spills), a screwdriver or pliers handy, and of course, an extra water pump belt. Please refer to the instruction manual of your washer to understand better.
- Turn off the main switch or unplug the unit and any water supply for safety.
- Before replacing the drive belt, you must take out the cold and hot water-supply lines in the inlet valve. Use the container in case there are any water spills.
- Now unscrew the rear panel with the help of a screwdriver and pull it off slowly.
- Spin the drive pulley as you take out the old belt. (If it’s already broken or hanging out, you may directly take it out.)
- Take the new belt and position it by looping it into the motor shaft. Be sure that the grooves face inward.
- Rotate the drive pulley to make sure that the new belt is fully aligned. Double-check again.
- Now take the rear panel and screw it back to the washer, and also attach the water-supply lines to the inlet valve.
You can now turn on the water supply and plug the power cord back in. Check if the washer works correctly. If the problem persists, seek professional help.
Is your Frigidaire washer making thumping or clanking sounds?
Occasional thumping and clanking sounds are normal during a heavy wash load, especially at the onset of the spin cycle.
To balance your washer correctly, stop the cycle. Open the door and rearrange the load with your hands, then resume the cycle. Improper leveling can also cause your washer to vibrate.
Metal fasteners in apparel or coins in pockets, for example, can also be the reason behind the sounds. Turn the apparel inside out to minimize the sounds before putting them in the laundry. In the case of metal objects, turn the washer off and remove them.
It may indicate a larger problem if there are no foreign objects and the noise persists. Run an empty load to examine it. Doing so will help you gauge whether there’s a fault in the unit.
Subsequently, check the pump for any clogs, and remove any you discover.
Here’s a list of more reasons why your Frigidaire washer might be making thumping and clanking sounds:
- Tub bearing. You can locate the tub bearing in the middle of the outer tub. It is installed to support the inner tub so that it can operate smoothly. Since the entire washer needs to be dismantled to fix this, it’s best to seek professional help.
- Broken spinner arm. You can locate this on the back side of the spin basket. Here’s what you can do to inspect this issue promptly: Open your washer’s door and push up the edge of the spin basket located within the washer tub. If you observe a large amount of play, that means the spinner arm is broken and causing the loud noise.
- Clutch. A transmission helps the drum of the washer to turn on, which is connected by a clutch within the inner tub. It helps the tub to maintain the spin speed. If the clutch is worn out, it may cause loud noises during the spin cycle. An expert can fix this for you.
- Motor coupling. Similar to the clutch, the motor coupling connects the motor to the washer transmission. If the washer is overburdened, the motor coupling will fail in order to secure both the motor and transmission. It may also fail due to normal wear and tear of the washer. Since parts like the motor coupling are best understood by experts, seek professional help to get them repaired.
Is your Frigidaire washer not starting?
For starters, examine the power cord and make sure your washer is getting an adequate power supply. If all looks good, check for tripped circuit breakers on the control board. If the circuit breaker is tripped, it could be due to normal wear and tear, or an internal issue in your washer can cause it (for example, a drive motor failure or a loose wire in the terminal block).
A circuit breaker is a safety device designed to safeguard an electrical circuit from damage that can be caused due to an overcurrent/short circuit. It is generally found in low-traffic areas of the home, like a basement, garage or utility closet. Remember that the laundry center must be on an independent circuit breaker, not shared with other appliances or outlets.
Is your Frigidaire washer not filling with water?
High-quality and efficient Frigidaire washing machines are intentionally designed to consume less water and energy.
So, don’t worry if the water level appears less than what you might have experienced with your previous washer. Frigidaire top-load washers come fitted with sensory technologies to ascertain the correct water level required per load.
The water enters the washer only after this sensory cycle is complete. Note that this process takes a few minutes.
If you still feel that the water pressure is low or has completely stopped flowing, here are some quick DIY steps to help you:
- Check the cold and hot water faucets, and make sure supply faucets are open.
- Locate the water hose, and find any bents or twists. If you find any, straighten them.
- Figure out if any other appliance in your home is consuming water, like a shower or dishwasher. If yes, then it could indicate an issue with the water supply to the house.
- Double-check the door lid of your washer because the washer won’t function with an open lid.
- A clogged filter screen of the water valve might be another issue. To fix this, turn off the water faucet and remove the hose from the valve connections. Now clean out the filter screens before you connect the hose again.
- Finally, check whether the standpipe of the drain hose is upright. According to Frigidaire’s troubleshooting information, it must be a minimum of 36 inches high to prevent siphoning.
Frigidaire’s top-load washers come equipped with a feature called Max Fill that is handy when the laundry load needs a lot of water. However, this feature is not recommended for daily use. If you are still struggling to resolve this issue, we advise seeking expert help.
How much do Frigidaire washer repairs cost?
Like other critical appliances, a Frigidaire washer is an essential home appliance; however, the repair costs for each appliance can vary.
Depending on the issue, you may need a budget between $100 to $350 to repair your Frigidaire washer. If it needs a component replacement (depending on your model number), then the cost will depend on the component that needs replacement.
Unexpected appliance breakdowns come with scary costs attached to them. And in the case of a Frigidaire washer, replacing it can leave quite a big hole in your pocket and is often not a feasible option. That’s why troubleshooting the issue promptly can not only save time but also save you from a big outlay of cash.
Since Frigidaire washers are built with high-end technology, certain problems are best handled by washing machine repair experts, especially if the washer stops abruptly or if there is no water drainage.
Washers are covered under a Cinch home warranty plan
It’s incredibly convenient to have a washer at home. But when your washer goes haywire, it might create a situation of panic as your dirty laundry keeps piling up.
Truth be told, essential home appliances need timely maintenance and proper protection because unexpected breakdowns can be scary.
It’s time to get rid of your appliance-related worries. The Cinch Home Services Appliances plan helps you cover the cost of major appliance repairs, including your Frigidaire washers, so you can avoid a big outlay of cash for future repairs.
Cinch covers most of your essential home appliances, such as dishwashers, refrigerators, dryers and — of course — washers.
Learn more about how Cinch can help keep your major appliances in great shape and save you huge costs associated with surprise breakdowns. Reach out to get a quote today!