Common Solutions

Difficulty Index

To give you a better idea of what is involved in diagnosing or fixing a given problem, we have developed a rating system. This rating of a given problem takes into account the ability of the average person, special tools required, time required to fix and danger associated with the repair. Some problems require highly specialized tools and others require checking components with the power on. These types of problems are rated more difficult than one that can be fixed by unplugging a wiring harness and re-installing the new part.

 

	Easy
	Average
	Harder Than Average
	Extremely Difficult

 

---

 

---

Categories

---

Refrigerators Freezers Dish Washers Washers Dryers Oven/Ranges/Stoves Microwave Ovens

---

Refrigerators

---

Common Refrigerator Symptoms

 

Frost in freezer and not cold enough Freezes everything in in warmest setting Freezer stays warm Icemaker not making ice

---

Frost/ice forms in a frost free freezer and the refrigerator is not cold enough.
Possible Cause 1:
Defective Defrost Timer
Solution:
Replace the defrost timer.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 2:
Defective Defrost Heater
Solution:
Replace the defrost heater.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 3:
Defective Defrost Thermostat
Solution:
Replace the defrost thermostat.
Difficulty:

 

---

Refrigerator freezes everything even when turned to warmest setting.
Possible Cause:
Defective Thermostat.
Solution:
Replace Thermostat.
Difficulty:

 

---

Freezer is staying warm.
Possible Cause 1:
Defective door switch, causing the interior light bulb to stay on after the freezer door is closed.
Solution:
Replace Door Switch
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 2:
Ice maker stuck in ejection mode.
Solution:
Unbind the ejection cam so that the icemaker can advance.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 3:
The items listed in the section "Frost/ice forms in a frost free freezer and the refrigerator is not cold enough." can also cause the freezer to be warm.

 

---

Ice maker not making ice.
Possible Cause 1:
Freezer temperature setting too low.
Solution:
Adjust the freezer thermostat to a cooler setting.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 2:
Defective Thermostat.
Solution:
Replace Thermostat
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 3:
Water inlet tube filled with ice.
Solution:
Thaw and remove the obstruction.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 4:
Defective drive motor.
Solution:

Difficulty:

Possible Cause 5:
Defective water valve.
Solution:
Replace Water Valve
Difficulty:

Return to Categories

Return to Categories

Does not work at all.
Possible Cause 1:
No power from your house to the dishwasher.
Solution:
It isn't quite as easy to check for power at the plug on a dishwasher because the plug is usually behind the unit. However, ensure the Circuit Breakers are properly set and/or fuses are not blown.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 2:
Defective Door Switch
Solution:
Replace the door switch.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 3:
Defective Selector Switch
Solution:
Replace the Selector Switch
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 4:
Defective Timer
Solution:
Replace the Timer
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 4:
Defective Wiring
Solution:
Replace the Timer
Difficulty:

Does not clean well.
Possible Cause 1:
Defective Water Inlet valve
Solution:
Replace the water inlet valve.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 2:
Clogged pump grate/filter
Solution:
Periodically inspect and remove debris from the filter as necessary
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 3:
Clogged transfer tubes and spay arms
Solution:
Periodically inspect and remove debris from the telescoping transfer tube and the spray arm jets as necessary.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 4:
Water Temperature too low
Solution:
The dishwasher depends on hot water to assist in the cleaning and drying of the dishes. Make sure that your hot water heater is heating properly.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 5:
Not enough soap
Solution:
The dishwasher is designed to dispense soap at two separate times during the wash cycle. If you only fill half of the detergent cups then the dishwasher loses a cleaning cycle.
Difficulty:

Water does not drain.
Possible Cause 1:
Incorrectly installed drain hose
Solution:
Drain hoses that are attached to garbage disposals should be installed such that the hose is from three to six inches above the bottom of the sink. This prevents a syphon from being created which draws water from the sink into the dishwasher.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 2:
Defective pump or impeller.
Solution:
Replace pump/impeller assembly.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 3:
Clogged transfer tubes and spay arms
Solution:
Periodically inspect and remove debris from the telescoping transfer tube and the spray arm jets as necessary.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 4:
Broken belt.
Solution:
A few types of dishwashers are belt driven. To repair, replace the belt.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 5:
Defective motor
Solution:
Replace the motor
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 5:
Defective timer
Solution:
Replace the timer.
Difficulty:

Water does not fill.
Possible Cause 1:
Defective water inlet valve
Solution:
Replace the water inlet valve
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 2:
Defective float switch
Solution:
Inspect the switch to ensure that it isn't stuck in the UP position. If it isn't replace the float switch.
Difficulty:

Return to Categories

Washing machine fills and drains at the same time.
Possible Cause:
Drain Hose not high enough.
Solution:
Reposition Drain Hose at least 36" above the floor.
Difficulty:

Washing machine over fills with water.
Possible Cause:
Defective Water Level Switch.
Solution:
Replace Water Level Switch.
Difficulty:

Washing machine is full of water after wash.
Possible Cause:
Defective Water Pump.
Solution:
Replace Water Pump.
Difficulty:

Return to Categories

Dryer takes to long to dry.
Possible Cause 1:
Clogged or restricted venting.
Solution:
Your dryer requires unrestricted flow from the lint trap to the point where your vent exits your wall. Make sure vent system is clear of lint and debris and that vent hose is not kinked.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 2:
Defective Heating Element.
Solution:
Sometimes heating elements burn out but still make enough of a connection to continue heating at very low temperatures. There is no way to repair the heating element, it must be replaced.
Difficulty:

Dryer will not start.
Possible Cause 1:
Improper voltage supplied to the dryer
Solution:
Make sure the dryer is plugged in.
Ensure the Circuit Breakers are properly set and/or fuses are not blown.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 2:
Power cord frayed or burned
Solution:
Occasionally the main power cord becomes severed or frayed and shorts against the housing. This causes a similar problem as described in cause 1 and is a major fire hazard. Power Cord and the corresponding terminal block that attaches the cord to the dryer must be replaced.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 3:
Defective door switch.
Solution:
Replace door switch.
Difficulty:

Dryer will not heat.
Possible Cause 1:
Improper voltage supplied to the dryer
Solution:
Make sure the dryer is plugged in.
Ensure the Circuit Breakers are properly set and/or fuses are not blown. The dryer uses two power sources so it can still tumble and not heat.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 2:
Power cord frayed or burned
Solution:
Occasionally the main power cord becomes severed or frayed and shorts against the housing. This causes a similar problem as described in cause 1 and is a major fire hazard. Power Cord and the corresponding terminal block that attaches the cord to the dryer must be replaced.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 3:
Heating Element is defective.
Solution:
Unfortunately heating elements are not repairable, they must be replaced.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 4:
Thermal Fuse is defective.
Solution:
These fuses are expended when they trip. Replace Thermal Fuse.
Difficulty:

Dryer will not tumble.
Possible Cause 1:
Broken Belt/Idler Pulley
Solution:
The belts on dryers are similar to those on vehicles. They wear over time and they break. Replace the Belt. You should also replace the idler pulley at the same time. The pulleys are inexpensive and easy to replace. See some common belt routings below.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 2:
Defective Door Switch
Solution:
Replace the door switch
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 3:
Defective Motor
Solution:
Replace Motor
Difficulty:

Dryer is tearing my clothes.
Possible Cause 1:
Defective Front Seal
Solution:
This seal keeps clothing from getting between the drum and the front wall of the dryer. If the seal gets worn down or gets torn then your clothes may become lodged between the two components. The continuous turning then tears the article of clothing. Replace the seal.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 2:
Defective Rear Seal
Solution:
This seal keeps clothing from getting between the drum and the back wall of the dryer. If the seal gets worn down or gets torn then your clothes may become lodged between the two components. The continuous turning then tears the article of clothing. Replace the seal.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 3:
Defective Glides
Solution:
The glides support the drum toward the front of the dryer. They wear over time and cause the drum to sag toward the front of the dryer. This creates a pinch point at the top of the drum that can tear clothing. Replace entire set of glides.
Difficulty:

Possible Cause 4:
Defective Drum Support Rollers
Solution:
As with the glides, the rollers support the drum except in the back portion of the dryer. They too wear over time and cause the drum to sag at the back. This creates a pinch point that can tear clothing. Replace entire set of rollers.
Difficulty:

Common Dryer Belt Routings

 

Frigidaire Franklin Kelvinator Gibson	Frigidaire GM Made
GE Hotpoint RCA	Maytag
Admiral Crosley Magic Chef Norge	Amana Speed Queen
Westinghouse	Whirlpool Kenmore Kitchen Aid Roper

Return to Categories