Model #EWA5600G0WW, this top load washer was washing properly, but during the last load, water was still remaining in the tub. The customer selected a drain and spin cycle to try and spin the rest of the water out of the load, but even after several attempts, there was still a measurable amount of water remaining in the tub. Unable to get the washer to drain itself, the customer called for service to get this unit back up and running.



Generally, when a washer of any type does not drain, it is a matter of locating the blockage from the drain line to get water flowing again. This may be something in the line itself, or more commonly the drain pump will be the problem. Drain pumps are often going to be the narrowest part of the drain system and can either be physically blocked or simply stop working due to mechanical or electrical issues. No matter the cause, if water isn't flowing, start looking for the reason.

Now when I talked with the customer about the call, the part the customer failed to mention was what kind of laundry was being washed. Now I often don't care because it's still broken, but when I arrived and had a look, the strands of green yarn were a good indication there may have once been a rug washed in this unit.

The customer confirmed my suspicion and really thought it would be as big a deal as it turned out. There was green yarn everywhere and when I tried to drain the tub, the pump simply groaned in protest. With water remaining in the tub, I knew things were going to get wet and I proceeded to remove the pump from the drain line and have a look. The drain pump itself was packed tight with green yarn rendering it useless and by all accounts toast, to use a non technical term.


To get this washer running again, I had to remove the wash basket from the tub to clear out all remaining bits of yarn or the replacement pump was destined for a similar fate. Once I had everything clean and the new pump and motor assembly installed, I ran some water into the tub and then started a drain cycle to flush out the exterior portion of the drain.

After about an hour of work, I had the washer running like new. The customer had learned a valuable lesson in what not to put in your washer. And for those that have not had this experience any of the rubber backed rugs, or blankets with tasseled ends, or the kids favorite well worn stuffed animal are not good candidates for your washer.

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