How to Repair a Washing Machine That Won’t Finish Its Cycle

Washing machines are a convenient and essential household appliance that saves time and effort. But what happens when your washing machine refuses to finish its cycle? You’ve loaded it with dirty clothes, added detergent, and started the machine, but it keeps stopping midway, leaving your clothes soaking wet. This can be frustrating, especially when you don’t know how to fix it. In this article, we’ll discuss troubleshooting tips and repair solutions to help you fix your washing machine that won’t finish its cycle.

Why Won’t Your Washing Machine Finish Its Cycle?

Troubleshooting Tips and Repair Solutions

Before we delve into the repair solutions, it’s important to identify the reasons why your washing machine won’t finish its cycle. Some of the common reasons include:

• Faulty lid switch
• Defective shifter assembly
• Broken door lock assembly
• Malfunctioning control board or timer
• Faulty drain pump
• Water-level pressure switch

Once you’ve identified the reason, you can then proceed with the appropriate repair solution.

Replacing the Lid Switch to Ensure Proper Operation

The lid switch is responsible for detecting whether the lid is closed before allowing the washing machine to start. A faulty lid switch can cause the machine to stop mid-cycle. Here’s how to replace the lid switch/lock assembly on a top-load washer:

1. Unplug the washing machine from the power source.
2. Locate the lid switch assembly and remove the screws holding it in place.
3. Disconnect the wires attached to the switch and remove the old switch.
4. Install the new switch and reconnect the wires.
5. Reattach the lid switch assembly and secure it with the screws.

If you have a direct-drive top-load washer, the process is slightly different. Here’s how to replace the lid switch:

1. Unplug the washing machine from the power source.
2. Remove the control panel to access the lid switch.
3. Disconnect the wires attached to the switch and remove it.
4. Install the new switch and reconnect the wires.
5. Reattach the control panel.

Replace the Washer Shifter Assembly

The shifter assembly is responsible for shifting the motor between agitate and spin modes. A faulty shifter assembly can cause the machine to stop mid-cycle. Here’s how to replace the shifter assembly in your top-load washer:

1. Unplug the washing machine from the power source.
2. Locate the shifter assembly and remove the screws holding it in place.
3. Disconnect the wires and hoses attached to the assembly and remove it.
4. Install the new shifter assembly and reconnect the wires and hoses.
5. Reattach the assembly and secure it with the screws.

Replace the Washer Door Lock Assembly

The door lock assembly ensures that the door of the front-load washer is securely closed before allowing the machine to start. A faulty door lock assembly can cause the machine to stop mid-cycle. Here’s how to replace the door lock assembly on a front-load washer:

1. Unplug the washing machine from the power source.
2. Remove the screws holding the door lock assembly in place.
3. Disconnect the wires and hoses attached to the assembly and remove it.
4. Install the new door lock assembly and reconnect the wires and hoses.
5. Reattach the assembly and secure it with the screws.

Replace the Washer Main Control Board

The control board or timer is responsible for controlling various functions of the washing machine. A faulty control board can cause the machine to stop mid-cycle. Here’s how to replace the electronic control board on a top-load washer:

1. Unplug the washing machine from the power source.
2. Remove the back panel to access the control board.
3. Disconnect the wires attached to the board and remove it.
4. Install the new control board and reconnect the wires.
5. Reattach the back panel.

If you have a front-load washer, the process of replacing the machine control board is slightly different. Here’s how to replace it:

1. Unplug the washing machine from the power source.
2. Remove the top panel to access the control board.
3. Disconnect the wires attached to the board and remove it.
4. Install the new control board and reconnect the wires.
5. Reattach the top panel.

Replace the Washer Timer

The timer controls the various cycles of the washing machine. A faulty timer can cause the machine to stop mid-cycle. Here’s how to replace the timer in a direct-drive top-load washer:

1. Unplug the washing machine from the power source.
2. Locate the timer and remove the screws holding it in place.
3. Disconnect the wires attached to the timer and remove it.
4. Install the new timer and reconnect the wires.
5. Reattach the timer and secure it with the screws.

Repair or Replace the Washer Drain Pump

The drain pump is responsible for removing the water from the washing machine during the drain cycle. A faulty drain pump can cause the machine to stop mid-cycle. Here’s how to replace the drain pump in your top-load washer:

1. Unplug the washing machine from the power source.
2. Locate the drain pump and remove the screws holding it in place.
3. Disconnect the hoses attached to the pump and remove it.
4. Install the new drain pump and reconnect the hoses.
5. Reattach the pump and secure it with the screws.

If you have a front-load washer, the process of replacing the drain pump is slightly different. Here’s how to replace it:

1. Unplug the washing machine from the power source.
2. Remove the front panel to access the drain pump.
3. Disconnect the hoses attached to the pump and remove it.
4. Install the new drain pump and reconnect the hoses.
5. Reattach the front panel.

Replace the Washer Motor Control Board

The motor control board is responsible for controlling the speed and direction of the motor. A faulty motor control board can cause the machine to stop mid-cycle. Here’s how to replace the motor control board on a front-load washer:

1. Unplug the washing machine from the power source.
2. Remove the top panel to access the motor control board.
3. Disconnect the wires attached to the board and remove it.
4. Install the new motor control board and reconnect the wires.
5. Reattach the top panel.

Replace the Washer Water-Level Pressure Switch

The water-level pressure switch determines the amount of water needed for each cycle of the washing machine. A faulty pressure switch can cause the machine to stop mid-cycle. Here’s how to replace the water-level pressure switch on a direct-drive top-load washer:

1. Unplug the washing machine from the power source.
2. Locate the pressure switch and remove the screws holding it in place.
3. Disconnect the hose attached to the switch and remove it.
4. Install the new pressure switch and reconnect the hose.
5. Reattach the switch and secure it with the screws.

Conclusion

A washing machine that won’t finish its cycle can be a frustrating experience, but with these troubleshooting tips and repair solutions, you can fix the problem and have your washing machine up and running in no time. Always make sure to unplug the machine before attempting any repairs and consider seeking the help of a professional if you’re unsure of what to do. By following these steps, you’ll be able to save money and extend the life of your washing machine.

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