Whirpool AWM5145 not spinning at full speed
This is a fairly old machine 10 or 11 years or so, and I've managed to keep it going quite successfully until recently, when it developed a fault in the spin cycle, it would not spin up to fast speed, it would start to spin for a few seconds then power down again, then it would click and after another few seconds it repeats the same process, the timer stays where it is and it just does the same over and over. Now I thought to myself, as the timer is not going round, it must be faulty, new (second hand) timer off ebay, same problem does exactly the same. Thought I'd check the pressure system, quite a bit of gunk in the chamber, cleaned that out, checked switch, seems to be operating ok as far as I can tell. fault still the same, but have just noticed this, it has a variable spin speed switch and if I turn it to the lower speeds, 600 or 400 it works!! and completes the cycle, anything above 600 and I'm back to the original fault.
Do think the fault might be in the variable spin switch or elsewhere? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Solution Summary
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This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.
Whirlpool AWM5145 would not reach full spin due to broken motor loom wire
- The problem
- Whirlpool AWM5145 washing machine would only spin at 400 or 600 rpm. At higher spin speeds it started to spin briefly, then powered down, clicked, and repeated the cycle while the timer stayed in place. Cleaning the pressure chamber and trying a replacement timer did not change the fault.
- Likely cause
- A broken wire at the motor connector/loom causing a poor motor connection during high-speed spin. Excessive motor sparking was suggested as an initial possibility, but the confirmed fault was the damaged connection.
- What fixed it
- Check the motor and motor plug connections carefully, including gently tugging each wire and ensuring the connectors are properly seated. The broken wire at the connector was found, and the wiring harness/loom was replaced. After fitting the replacement harness, the machine returned to full-speed spinning.
- Checks to try
- Replacement timer fitted with no change
- Pressure chamber cleaned
- Pressure switch checked and seemed to operate
- Observed that 400 and 600 spin speeds worked but higher speeds failed
- Motor and motor plug tags/connectors checked
- Broken wire found at motor connector
- Parts or tools mentioned
- Replacement timer
- Replacement wiring harness/loom
Safety: Isolate the appliance from the electricity supply before inspecting wiring or connectors. Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
8 Answers
Take off the back and observe the motor when it's trying to spin (at full speed). If the motor is sparking excessively, with rings of spark or large flashes then it's most likely the motor is worn out. Worn carbon brushes could be an issue but if it's so bad the motor stops the commutator on the armature that the brushes run on is probably worn.
If it was the pressure system the motor would never spin for even a moment. It would only turn at distribution speed and then click off when it should kick into spin.
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Thanks Andy I will check the motor for excessive sparking, although I did replace the motor a few months ago (second hand) which has been fine since, I changed it because the old one was faulty and was sparking excessively, so I know the accompanying noise that it made, and that is not present with this fault, the motor is very quiet, however I will check it and let you know.
If you recently replaced the motor, double check the motor plug tags and connections in both the motor and the motor plug. Gently tug on each one and gently push down on each connector on the motor to make sure none are loose and push down. It's possible for connectors to be slightly out of line with each other and when you push the motor plug on it could force one back so it's hardly making contact. I've known that cause problems with spin.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
You were spot on with the connection problem, one of the wires was broken away from the connector, see pic, unfortunately mullered the connector a bit to see if I could reconnect it, but it doesnt seem possible, so I guess its a new, or replacement loom?
It looks like one of those rubbish connectors where the wire just presses into the metal connector and cuts into it. If you can't reconnect the wire it may need a new connector then but they aren't usually easy to come by as they are rarely required. You might try sending in a query at 4Washerhelp spare parts who should be able to supply or order one.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
I tried that link earlier to look for the harness, but it came up as no longer available, but found one at spares 4 appliances for about £16 which I've ordered, I've now nick named the machine Triggers broom as I'm gradually replacing all the parts lol, thanks again for your help, will be back when the next fault crops up.
I'm surprised anybody actually has one in stock to be honest. Let us know how you get on.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
I was quite surprised to find one too, but its probably because the same basic harness fits quite a few machines as it says on this amazon page. HERE bit pricey from amazon, I got one for around £16, anyway fitted it last night and machine is working fine again, spinning at full speed again.
Thanks for all your help
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