Maytag top MAT PD (doesn't spin)

[amartlock]

I have a top loader (MAT PDxxx) that won't spin. It agitates while it washes, then during the first spin cycle it just continues to agitate. Then it agitates while it rinses, then during the final spin cycle, it continues to agitate. I put a new transmission it and it continues to do the same thing. I thought the transmission I bought may be faulty so I put another one it and still it does the same thing. Does anyone know what else could be causing this? (I also switched out the computer board, with no luck.)

[Joseph Baran]

The spinning depends on the direction of the motor...if it doesn't reverse, it will continue to aggitate. I believe the reversing is done with the clear plastic relay. Try swapping that.

[KJD]

1st - Join the premium section and take advantage of the wonderful techs that could have diagnosed this on the first try without you wasting all that time and $ on installing new parts and still not working. $60 bucks a year is a real bargain.

2nd - Go back and install a new relay on the top of the drive motor like Joseph said.

[Robby]

I have a similar problem with a Whirlpool toploader, it will wash fine but will not spin. I tried to move the agitator with my hands and it moves only in one direction. Is the transmission locked up and need to be replaced or?

Is it pretty straightforward to replace the transmission? I have replaced some Speed Queen transmissions as far as experience goes. Thanks!

[amartlock]

I switched out the clear plastic relay last night and it didn't solve the problem. As I observed the cycle during the final spin, it seems as if the agitator was trying to spin but the tub itself won't spin. What makes the tub spin? I can't conceptualize what grips the tub itself causing it to spin.

[Joseph Baran]

The tub spins when the motor reverses direction. The motor needs to stop before it can reverse. If it isn't pausing at all, it's probably the black relay that's stuck.

[KJD]

I did not read the thread clearly. I thought Joseph was talking about the start switch on the motor itself.

That was the part I was saying to replace.

[KJD]

Robby, search WIGWAG, it may help you.

[amartlock]

Thanks Joseph & KJD -- I'll give that a try in the next couple of days and let you know how it works out.

[JimW]

If the machine is actually trying to spin but you don't see any movement of the tub, give this a try: run your hand around the top of the basket (inner tub) just under the white plastic tub cover. You may find/feel a piece of clothing (with me, it's usually a sock) that's gotten thrown over the top of the basket and has become wedged between the basket and the outer tub. It's acting like a brake in there, keeping the basket from spinning.

If that's the case, sometimes you can work it loose without opening up the machine and removing the tub cover.

Also, when you do get whatever the problem is corrected, you're probably going to need to replace the drive belt because the motor should be running even if the tub isn't spinning and that will definitely ruin a belt ... quickly.

[amartlock]

Thanks JimW but there's nothing caught between the two tubs. I've taken the machine apart to put in a new tranny (thinking this was the problem) and there was nothing stuck between the two tubs.

[JimW]

Whoops! I just realized I gave you some bad advice. In the PD models there's shouldn't enough room between the basket and the tub cover to put you put your hand; I was thinking of the older Maytags that had a dome-shaped metal tub cover where there was more than enough room for your fingers and various pieces of clothing.

Still, you may want to try unscrewing and raising the machine top and then remove the plastic tub cover and take a look between the basket and the outer tub. Even with the much smaller gap between the basket and tub cover, I've still had things get through and end up wedged between the basket and outer tub.

[epic02]

Any time a machine agitates You shouldin't have transmission problem.
You should change the breake package on the bottom of the machine.
You will need the break package remover tool. It's better to take the machine out of it's space and lay it on it's back to knock the break loose counter clock wise. Also theres a small screw with a lock washer on the bottem of the agitator shaft conecting the pully, if the threads are bad that could be your problem with out repalacing the break package I've had similar problems and that was the solution. Let me know what happens.

[amartlock]

Any time a machine agitates You shouldin't have transmission problem.
You should change the breake package on the bottom of the machine.
You will need the break package remover tool. It's better to take the machine out of it's space and lay it on it's back to knock the break loose counter clock wise. Also theres a small screw with a lock washer on the bottem of the agitator shaft conecting the pully, if the threads are bad that could be your problem with out repalacing the break package I've had similar problems and that was the solution. Let me know what happens.

It turned out to be the tub seal kit was the problem. That said, I have had instances in the past where replacing the tranny did fix the problem that a machine would agitate but not spin. What you're saying is I probably don't need to replace the tranny in this situation, just replace the break package. What does the break package look like? What is it attached to? What does the tool look like? I'm having difficulty picturing what would be replaced rather than the whole tranny.

[Master Lurker]

Amartlock
This does not pertain to your post but it does pertain to the transmissions you've replaced because the machine would spin but not agitate. Have you kept any of the transmissions that did not work? They are easy to repair and you generaly do not need any parts. Remove the pumpkin cover, inside the pumpkin on the base of the upper shaft there is a retainer clip- remove it. The shaft will pull out the top, this is the tricky part because it will be hard to pull (that is why the tranny is not working, the brass sleeve and shaft are stuck). Once the shaft is removed use emery cloth on the shaft to clean it up. Grease up the shaft and put it back together. I have done this on many trannys in the last 5 years and have not had to redo one of them yet.
ML

[JimW]

I've never heard that part of the transmission housing called a pumpkin, but it's simple, easy to remember, kind of cute, and definitely gives a mental picture that you can (sort of) match to what you see when you look at the housing. Nice.

[epic02]

It turned out to be the tub seal kit was the problem. That said, I have had instances in the past where replacing the tranny did fix the problem that a machine would agitate but not spin. What you're saying is I probably don't need to replace the tranny in this situation, just replace the break package. What does the break package look like? What is it attached to? What does the tool look like? I'm having difficulty picturing what would be replaced rather than the whole tranny.

Okay I figured sense you change d the transmission that you also changed the tub bearing kit. what was I thinking. Next time if the machine is agitating don't change the transmission. The break package is on the bottom of the machine under the pully It kind of looks like a big silver bowl it has a radial bearing you can see if you remove the pully. The tool looks kind of like a c clamp when you attach it to the package and hit the tool with a hammer it will come loose with out putting all your strength into it if your lucky. A usual sign the break is bad is the tub spins freely with the machine off or while it's agitating.
Kenny