Possible fix to intermittent spin problem

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Moderator Post: > Maytag Answer to Most Posts - Class Action Settlement by Handyman on 11/29/2004

I have a newer Neptune MAH5500BWW. It did not have all the bad problems of the earlier models and has a modern master control board, improved door gasket, etc. However, it has had its Motor Control board replaced 9 months ago after a hard failure. So even the newer models have their warts.

A month ago (early December) my wife complained that the washer was not going through the final spin properly on about half the loads. A load with 5-6 pair of jeans would never make it through.

I called out the local servicer who replaced motor control earlier in the year. They came out and ran their diags, had Maytag on the phone and nothing came up, said it was probably unbalanced loads. (Note: wife was not happy at all with this!).

I called Maytag service - raised hell about the lawsuit issues. They quickly sent out the motor control repair kit. The local repair company installed it. No help. Same problem.

The standard 'Lawsuit repair kit' does NOT fix this intermitent spin problem!

After reading up on problems and especially using the following site:

www.applianceaid.com/neptune.html

I decided the pump may be clogged or have something wrong with it. I removed the pump per the instructions at the webiste above and cleaned it out. There was noticable build up of some gunk in the section of the pump that had a 'boot' over a section and a red electronic device inserted through the boot. I found no other problem or foreign objects in the pump. Reinstalled pump.

So far 8+ loads, including one with 6 pair of jeans, no problems.

In summary:

Symptoms:
- Washer operates normally except no high speed spin on some or most loads at about the 8 minute mark of the timer.
- Washer does tumble clothes but appears confused. Backups up timer a couple of minutes (on our digital model) and tries to go through again. Finally appears to 'time out' and finishes cycle without high speed spin.
- Clothes are very wet. Water is still in bottom of tub.
- No error messages. No dock lock problem.

Fix (so far):
- Remove pump. Clean - especially in section covered by boot on assembly. Replace.

Hint: To get to pump easier remove the motor control unit. Unscrew two screws holding unit on base and slide forward. It is not necessary to unplug cables.

When removing pump. Look at how electical cables go on. They do go on in a specific way and can not be flipped. Loosen and remove hoses. Twist pump assembly from base of washer.

Good luck.