My washer won't spin(small update)

[bananiem]

Is this something dh and I can fix or is it kaput? I really, really like my washer. It's 14 years old.
Instead of spinning it makes a rattling noise.
ETA- I took the front off and looked up repairclinic.com. According to that site I have all the clues that point to needing a $14 coupling thinga-majobber. Hopefully dh and I can figure out how to replace it!!

 

[AKLRULZ]

14 years old seems pretty old - we're on a new one after 9 years. Good luck!

(PS - A broken appliance, even a washing machine, is a good excuse to dine out in our house!)

 

[Frantasmic]

You probably could fix it yourself with a new motor, but unless you and hubby work well together, I wouldn't recommend it. My wife won't put anything together with me because I get so frustrated (not mechanically ept at anything).

My son and I did put together a meat smoker a few weeks ago though. That was an accomplishment.

 

[L107ANGEL]

Could it be a belt

 

[bananiem]

Could it be a belt

That's what I'm hoping.

 

[robinb]

Is this something dh and I can fix or is it kaput? I really, really like my washer. It's 14 years old.
Instead of spinning it makes a rattling noise.

A washer won't spin if the lid is up as a safety feature. My 13 year old washer didn't spin and the problem was with the mechanism that determines if the lid is open or closed. There is a plastic or metal prong that is in the lid that fits into a hole in the top of the washer. Here's where it get's technical, LOL! If the prong depresses a "thingy" inside the hole that means that the lid is closed and the washer can spin. The "thingy" was broken on my washer and it cost about $60 to fix it. I think it's worth a shot to call someone to try to fix it. I went with a repairman who asked me questions over the phone and he had a good idea of the problem before he even came to my house.

 

[bananiem]

If I press down on the lid thingy it tries to spin but makes a rattling noise.

 

[mickeyfan2]

The new ones are so much better with energy and water consumption that it would be wise to replace it.

 

[MareQ]

Honestly - I would just get a new washer. Mine broke like this 3 times over a 10 year period - with $100 a pop to fix I just got a new one when it broke in January - When I got to the store I fell in love with the front loaders, I couldn't get a blue front loader and put it next to my 10 year old white dryer so I had to get that new dryer as well, then I had to have the pedastals(sp?)with the nifty drawer and the little spot for my box of dryer sheets...my broken washer cost me over $3,000 so maybe you should just fix it.....

 

[bananiem]

I've only had 2 service calls on it in 14 years. I'm not ready for a new one!!!!

 

[L107ANGEL]

"According to that site I have all the clues that point to needing a $14 coupling thinga-majobber"
Sounds like your on your way

 

[bananiem]

"According to that site I have all the clues that point to needing a $14 coupling thinga-majobber"
Sounds like your on your way

Oh, yeah, and "crafty people" and "little ball" are tehnical terms too.

 

[Frantasmic]

According to that site I have all
the clues that point to needing a $14 coupling thinga-majobber.

The sites never tell you about the $200 coupling thinga-majobber putter inner though.

 

[bananiem]

The sites never tell you about the $200 coupling thinga-majobber putter inner though.

That's true. I emailed the web page to dh so he can look at it and decide if we can do it or if I call in the professional.

 

[L107ANGEL]

Oh, yeah, and "crafty people" and "little ball" are tehnical terms too.

In my world, yes!

 

[PlutoPony]

When my front loader didn't spin, I did call a repair person and he said it was worn out ball bearings. For this particular model it was pretty expensive (250). I assume yours is a top loader so it could be something completely less expensive.... sorry, guess I didn't help much but good luck anyway!