In a bustling household, piled-up laundry seems like chaos. Furthermore, trying to run a Kenmore 80 series washer with a bucket full of laundry adds more tension to this frustrating situation. It starts pushing on the nerves even more when you don’t know what’s the problem with the washer. This disruption can affect your daily chores and leave your house smelling unpleasant due to the pile of dirty clothes.
Therefore, to avoid further frustration you need to identify the cause of your Kenmore 80 series washer not running.
The Kenmore washer may malfunction or stop working due to various issues. It could be a blocked hose, a problem with the control board, or a defective lid switch. However, sometimes the cause can be as simple as the opened lid of the washer.
So, instead of becoming frustrated, take the time to inspect your Kenmore washer thoroughly. This article will guide you through the common and rare issues that can cause Kenmore 80 series washers to stop spinning. This aim is to help repair the washer yourself before considering hiring a professional just to fix a simple issue.
What is preventing your Kenmore 80 Series washer from spinning?
A Kenmore 80 series washer is popular among its consumers because of its reliability. However, sometimes like other appliances it can stop running at the start or the middle of the spinning cycle. The reasons in each case are different. However, some issues with this Kenmore washer are commonly reported by customers. This includes:
Blocked Hose
The drainage hose in the Kenmore washer is responsible for removing wastewater from the appliance. It either pours water into the drainage system, outside the washer, or a sink. Moreover, functions during both the washing and spinning phases of the laundry cycle. If this hose is blocked or kinked it disrupts the optimal working of the washer and even makes it stop working.
The washer’s hose is sometimes blocked due to dirt, debris, or lint. As a result, the washer’s drum starts filling with water. Consequently, the filling of water in the drum and clogged hose develops pressure inside the washer. This signals the safety sensors of the washer to shut down the appliance. The same is the case when the hose gets kinked.
Cleaning the hose is easy. All you need to do is take out the hose from the washer to see if it is kinked or blocked. Straighten the hose to prevent kinks. If the hose is blocked, remove the debris. You can use a vacuum cleaner to clean the hose and make it free-flowing.
Uneven Laundry Distribution
Kenmore washers are designed to wash or spin the clothes effectively when they are evenly distributed inside the drum. This is essential to keep a steady balance during the washing/spinning cycle of clothes. Moreover, it helps in preventing vibration and uneven cleaning. However, if the clothes are unevenly disturbed inside the drum, the washer will stop spinning.
In simple terms, the clothes on one side of the drum are more than the other side. In such cases, you need to stop the spinner, evenly distribute the clothes, and restart the appliance. Now see if the washer is working. If the appliance isn’t running, stop it, drain the water out of it, and take the clothes out.
Once the washer is empty, reload the laundry evenly inside it. If you are trying to wash comforters you have to stop doing this. Please note that the Kenmore 80 series washer has a limited capacity and may not be suitable for washing heavy comforters. It’s advisable to use a laundromat equipped with heavy-capacity washers for such items.
Open Lid
Closing the lid of the washer is essential to prevent the contact of its inside components to the outside environment. Moreover, it is also crucial for the safety of the user and other people near the appliance. Therefore, Kenmore washers have an in-built feature that before running makes sure that the lid is closed properly. Hence, when you close the lid the washer’s button gets the signal to activate the mechanism and start running. Otherwise, when the lid is open the washer won’t start spinning and the user thinks that the appliance is malfunctioning.
Uneven Washer Surface
The washer needs a steady surface to maintain a smooth balance while running. If the washer is at an uneven or unlevel surface it will affect the bearings. These bearings are crucial components that keep the drum of the washer even during vibration and operating cycles.
Hence, if the spinner is at an unlevel surface consider adjusting the washer by pulling out its legs. Another idea to fix this problem is to use a water or laser level. It is to make sure that your washer is as level as possible. After doing this test the washer if it is running or not.
Are you still unable to determine the reason why your washer won’t spin?
If your Kenmore washer is still not spinning after fixing the above causes you can still repair it. In simple terms, some other reasons are causing this appliance to stop spinning. Therefore, it is time to delve deep into the situation and analyze the washer completely. A list of other causes is given below:
Damaged drive belt
Like other washers, the Kenmore 80 series washer has a drive belt. The purpose of this belt is to transfer the power from the motor to the washer’s drum. In this way, it aids the motor in rotating the agitator.
Consequently, the washer spins perform washing and spinning cycles.
However, if the drive belt is damaged it fails to provide enough power to the drum to rotate. As a result, the washer experiences sudden surges of power or stops running. Therefore, you have to repair or replace the drive belt to restore the working of this appliance.
For this purpose, you have to open the back control panel of the washer to access the belt. Once accessed, inspect it to see if it is damaged, loose, falls off the motor, or worn out. Perform the necessary instructions in the manual of the Kenmore 80 series washer according to the situation.
Malfunctioning Control Board
The control board of the Kenmore 80 series washer is like a motherboard for it. It regulates various functions of the appliance. Some of its tasks include temperature control, timer and sequencing, cycle selection, etc.
However, sometimes this control board starts malfunctioning and triggers the motor to not run. As a result, the washer won’t function anymore. The reasons that cause this are error detection, electrical issues, software problems, user error, wear and tear, etc.
If your washer is stopping because of a defective control board, you should replace it. For this, you have to follow the manual’s instructions and open the back panel of the washer to fix or replace it. However, it is advised to purchase a new washer as control boards are usually expensive.
Broken Rotor
The rotor is a crucial component of the washer’s motor system. It acts as a bridge between the stator of the motor assembly and the washer’s drum. The stator is responsible for creating a magnetic field that travels through the rotation of the rotor causing the drum to spin. Consequently, your laundry agitates inside the washing machine.
But when this rotor is broken it fails to transfer the power of the electromagnetic field to rotate the drum. As a result, the washer stops spinning clothes. So if the rotor is damaged inspect it to see if it needs minor repairs or it needs replacement. Follow instructions from the manual guide in both cases.
Damaged Motor Coupling
The motor coupling is the part of the transmission system of the motor. Its prime function is to transfer the power from the motor to the transmission, which is responsible for rotating the drum. It contains plastic components that are sensitive to damage.
This is done intentionally as a protective mechanism. For instance, if there is overloading in the washing machine the motor coupling breaks to prevent more severe damage to the motor or transmission. Hence, if your washer’s drum is not agitating the main cause is a damaged motor coupling.
As mentioned earlier, its components are sensitive once broken they are unable to repair. Therefore, you have to purchase a new motor coupling to replace it. Change the coupling using the steps written in the guide.
Defective Lid Switch
Like in other washers, a lid switch is also a safety feature in a Kenmore washer. Its primary responsibility is to stop the appliance from running when its lid is open. This is used to protect the user from internal mechanisms when the washing cycle is in operation.
When a cycle is initiated, the lid switch gets engaged in the process and the lid is closed. However, if the lid is opened during operation the lid switch gets disengaged. As a result, the safety mechanism is triggered causing the motor of the washing machine to stop.
So if the lid switch is defective the safety mechanism is turned on continuously. Consequently, the Kenmore washer won’t spin. To see if the lid switch is defective look under the top panel of this appliance. It’s a small spring-loaded switch. Make sure it is not bent or damaged. If it is, check the wiring or change the lid switch.
Faulty Drive Motor
A drive motor in Kenmore washer refers to the electric motor that drives the spin basket. Its primary functions are agitation, spinning, direction control, and variable speed control. If a drive motor is faulty it fails to perform all these tasks. As a result, the clothes remain unwashed inside the washing machine.
This issue is easily detectable by the burning smell of a hot wire (metal). In simple terms, if the motor is only creating a humming sound and not rotating the drum there is a high need to replace it. However, you can also look for other alternative options to fix it. This is because changing the motor is an expensive option.
Worn Out Clutch Assembly
The clutch assembly is responsible for controlling the rate of spinning and agitation of the washer’s drum. It helps the washer in transitioning between various cycles and functions. If the clutch assembly is broken, worn out, or damaged it causes disruptions in the washer.
These disturbances include no agitation of the drum, no spinning of clothes, interruption in operating cycles, difficulty in setting cycles, etc. You can detect problems in the clutch through its loud grinding or screeching sound and burning smell. Replace the clutch if it is old or defective. This will restore the optimal functions like spinning or agitating the drum of the washer.
Non-Operational Stator
The stator is the stationary component of the motor system. It is responsible for creating the electromagnetic field which travels through the rotor to the drum of the washer. Hence, it plays a key role in running the washer. So, when the stator is non-operational the washer can’t work.
Most commonly the stator becomes defective when its windings are damaged or worn out. Since its windings are unable to be repaired that’s why you have to change the entire stator. This will restore the magnetic field of the washer and it will start working normally.
Dysfunctional Drum Bearing
The drum bearing is a crucial component of the drum’s structure. It ensures that the drum is rotating smoothly during various cycles. It is typically located in the centre of the drum’s assembly. Its function is to provide a surface with low friction effects so that the drum spins effortlessly.
However, when the drum bearing is dysfunctional it fails to provide a smooth surface. As a result, the spinning of the drum creates excessive friction and loud noises. Sometimes the drum stops working when the bearing is seized. Therefore, replacing the drum bearing is a good idea. However, if the bearings are not available you should replace the entire case or drum assembly.
Should you enlist the services of a professional or attempt it yourself?
Most of the issues that cause the washer to not operate can be troubleshooted using simple steps. These instructions are already mentioned in the user manual. So you can perform it easily if you want.
However, if it seems difficult for you to perform the diagnosing procedure or if you are comfortable you can hire a professional.
There is no shame in getting technical help from an expert. But make sure that you search for the best one with good experience and affordable price. You can also see if the warranty of the washer is remaining to get a discount or free services from Kenmore customer service support.
Final Verdict
In summary, it is frustrating to try using the washer that is not working. Therefore, you need to fix the issues related to its functions to restore its running. Hopefully, by reading the above article, you will figure out what’s causing your Kenmore 80 series washer to spin.
You can fix the problems one by one if they are multiple. Just remember you have to be highly cautious while performing any task related to its wiring or control panel. Always make sure to perform a diagnosis only when you are confident about it.
