As an Amazon affiliate, we earn a commision from qualifying purchases.
Today, we shall guide you in fixing most problems that you might encounter when using your Whirlpool wtw5000dw washing machine.
We shall help you fix all kind of problems – from simple ones such as the washer not starting to complex issues such as a washer that won’t stop spinning
P.S we shall try to be as comprehensive as possible.
Whirlpool wtw5000dw problems
Below are the solutions to most problems your Whirlpool wtw5000dw washing machine might run into during its lifetime…
Whirlpool wtw5000dw won’t start
Start by confirming that the power cord is properly plugged into the power outlet.
Next, check to see if the circuit breaker to the washer has tripped – if it has, be sure to reset it.
If the problem persists, test the power outlet to confirm that power is flowing through it – you want a reading of 120v AC.
If the outlet is faulty, have an electrician come and have a look at it.
In the meantime, plug the washer into another working outlet.
Additional solutions – check for water supply problems
If power is not the problem, confirm that both water faucets are fully open.
And while at it, confirm that the water hoses are properly connected – hot to hot and cold to cold.
Other than that, test the water pressure – for the washer to start, it requires that the pressure be between 20 and 116 psi.
Other than that…
Carefully inspect both hoses for signs of kinking – if they are kinked, be sure to straighten them out.
While at it, check for leaks along the hoses.
Now, if the hoses are leaking, you can either seal them or get replacement water hoses.
Moving on…
Test the water inlet valve for continuity – if it lacks continuity, then, it is faulty and will need to be replaced.
For this, we recommend getting a valve that is compatible with this model – order a compatible water valve on Amazon.
Something else; it could be that the lid lock switch is faulty.
But before judging it, why not test it?
That being so, take out the lid lock switch and test it for continuity (the switch should have continuity when the lid is closed and no continuity when the lid is open).
Now, if the switch fails this test, then, it is faulty and will need to be replaced.
Again, we recommend getting a replacement switch that is designed for the wtw5000dw models (get the replacement switch on Amazon).
Final solutions – test the motor
It could be that the motor is acting up – follow the steps below to pinpoint what might be wrong with the motor:
- Disconnect the washer from the power outlet and visually confirm that the J2 and J16 connectors are properly inserted into the control board. If not, be sure to insert them correctly.
- Reconnect the washer to the power outlet.
- Connect the black probe of your voltmeter/multimeter to J16-5 (N) and the red probe to J16-6 (CW winding).
If 120 AC cycles on during CW rotation, proceed to step 4.
Otherwise, order a replacement control board (part #W11116590/#W10803586).
- Connect the black probe to J16-5 (N) and the red probe to J16-7 (CCW winding).
If 120v AC is cycling on during CCW rotation, go to step 5.
Otherwise, the control board is acting up and will require to be replaced – again, order part #W11116590 as it is the compatible board.
- Disconnect the washer from the power outlet.
- Remove the J16 connector from the control board and check the resistance across the following pinouts:
Quick tip: if the console has a cycle selector knob and 4 rotary switches, the motor size is 1/3 HP.
| Size | Motor winding | Pinouts (resistance Ω) |
| 1/4 HP | CW winding | J16-5 & J16-6 (5 to 9.5Ω) |
| CCW winding | J16-5 & J16-7 (5 to 9.5Ω) | |
| 1/3 HP | CW winding | J16-5 & J16-6 (3.5 to 6Ω) |
| CCW winding | J16-5 & J16-7 (3.5 to 6Ω) |
If your readings are open or out of this range, proceed to step 7 below. Otherwise, proceed to step 11.
- Tilt the washer back to gain access to the drive system.
- Carefully inspect the mounting bracket and electrical connections to the motor and shifter. If the connections are loose, reconnect them and repeat step 1. Otherwise, proceed to step 9.
Testing the motor – steps contd.
- Check the wire harness for continuity between the control board, motor and run capacitor using the test points below:
| Motor harness to check |
| Motor connector pin-1 to chassis ground |
| Motor connector pin-3 to main control J16-7
Motor connector pin-3 to run capacitor pin-3 |
| Motor connector pin-6 to main control J16-6
Motor connector pin-9 to run capacitor pin-1 |
| Motor connector pin-9 to main control J16-5 |
If the continuity test passes, proceed to step 10.
Otherwise, replace the lower machine harness and repeat step 1.
- Check the resistance of the motor windings at the following motor connections:
| Size | Motor winding | Pinouts (resistance Ω) |
| 1/4 HP | CW winding | Pins 6 & 9 (5 to 9.5Ω) |
| CCW winding | Pins 3 & 9 (5 to 9.5Ω) | |
| 1/3 HP | CW winding | Pins 6 & 9 (3.5 to 6Ω) |
| CCW winding | Pins 3 & 9 (3.5 to 6Ω) |
If values are open or out of this range, the motor is gone and should be replaced (motor part number is W10006487).
On the other hand, if the values are correct, proceed to step 11.
- Test the motor run capacitor (a faulty capacitor may cause the motor not to start, to turn slowly or to “hum”).
Discharge the capacitor by touching the leads of a 20,000 Ω resistor to the two terminals.
Disconnect the wires from the capacitor terminals.
- Using an ohmmeter, measure across the terminals and note the reading.
If you note a steady increase in resistance, proceed to step 13.
Otherwise, the capacitor is open or it has shorted – replace the capacitor, calibrate your washer and repeat step 1.
- If the above steps do not correct the motor, replace the control board (order a compatible board on Amazon).
Finish by calibrating the washer and performing an automatic test to verify the repair.
Whirlpool wtw5000dw problems – Whirlpool wtw5000dw not draining
Start by confirming that you are using the right wash cycle – using a slow cycle on heavy clothes such as comforters will leave them wet.
Another thing, make sure that you are not overloading the washer. Utmost, fill it up to ¾ way.
Also, if the washer is new or has been installed recently, confirm that the drain hose is installed no more than 96”.
And while at it, straighten out any kinks that might be on the drain hose.
Next, remove the drain hose and carefully inspect it for clogs – you can use a vacuum cleaner to remove any clogs that might be present.
Moving on…
Check to see if the washer is overly sudsy.
If it is, chances are that you have either used too much detergent or the wrong detergent (and this is preventing the washer from draining).
To fix this, simply run two consecutive cycles to get rid of the excess suds.
Once done, be sure to use the right amount of HE detergent during the next wash cycle.
Finally…
If all the above fails, chances are that the drain pump is acting pump.
That being so, remove the pump and inspect it for clogs.
If there are no clogs, chances are that the pump is gone and will require replacing.
Again, be sure to get a compatible replacement pump – in this case, part# W10876600 or W10727777 (order a new pump on Amazon).
Whirlpool wtw5000dw not spinning / Whirlpool wtw5000dw not agitating / Whirlpool wtw5000dw does not spin / Whirlpool wtw5000dw won’t agitate
Here, start by confirming that water is flowing into the washer – the steps above under check for water supply issues should guide you along.
Something else, your washer might be having trouble draining.
This is more so if your washer stops spinning mid-cycle.
That being so, refer to the section above on Whirlpool wtw5000dw not draining for steps on how to troubleshoot drainage problems.
Next, confirm that you are not overloading your washer.
And while at it, confirm that the washer’s load is well balanced – if it isn’t, press the pause button and open the washer to re-balance the load.
Also, if you were trying to wash a small load of clothes, throw in a few more clothes to help the washer balance the previous load.
In addition to that, confirm that your washer is well-leveled.
Additional solutions
If your washer still won’t spin, proceed to test the lid lock switch – if faulty, it could be the cause of your washer acting up.
Typically, the switch should have continuity when the lid is closed and no continuity when the lid is open.
If your switch fails this test, then, it is faulty and will require to be replaced – again, we recommend this compatible lid lock switch.
Moving on…
It could also be likely that one or more of the suspension rods have snapped.
This would result in the washer being unbalanced hence it won’t continue to spin.
To identify if this is the problem, unplug and drain the washer.
Proceed to open the lid and take out the clothes.
Quick tip: if you are having trouble opening the lid, you can check out our other article: how to unlock a whirlpool washer without power.
Once you have emptied the washer, proceed to remove the wash basket from the tub.
Has any of the suspension rods snapped?
If yes, you will need to replace the rods – order Whirlpool wtw5000dw suspension rods kit on Amazon.
Maintenance tip: when replacing the faulty suspension rod, be sure to also replace the rest. Replacing one only results in the rest failing sooner than you might expect.
In any case, the rods come as a set of 4 hence no additional cost on your part.
Final solutions
Inspect the washer’s belt – if it is loose, be sure to tighten it (use the drive pulley to do this).
However, if the belt in your washer has snapped, we recommend you get a replacement belt that is designed for your washer model – order a replacement belt part #W10006384 Amazon.
The final suspect is an acting up motor – refer to the section above (test the motor) to see how to go about testing the motor.
Whirlpool wtw5000dw problems – washer not washing
Start by confirming that the washer is not experiencing spinning problems – the steps above under Whirlpool wtw5000dw won’t agitate will guide you along.
Other than that, confirm that you have selected the correct wash cycle for your laundry.
For instance, selecting the Delicate cycle when washing heavy jeans or comforters will leave your laundry still dirty.
That being so, if you are having trouble figuring out which cycle to use, you can always confirm from the user manual which cycle to use.
Alternatively, you can have a look at our other article: washer cycles explained (and what to wash)
Moving on…
Confirm that there is enough detergent inside the dispenser – it could be that the detergent is finished hence your clothes won’t come out clean.
However, if there is still detergent inside the dispenser, the dispenser valve is likely clogged.
That being so, be sure to remove any clogs that might be in blocking this valve.
Whirlpool wtw5000dw won’t balance
Have you put only one piece of cloth in your washer?
If yes, add some more.
This is because the washer won’t be able to balance one cloth.
The only exception to this is when you are washing large items such as sheets or comforters. In this case, you should use the Bulky Items/Sheets wash cycle.
Something else worth checking is that the washer is properly leveled.
Finally, it is likely that one of the suspension rods is gone.
Subsequently, remove the wash basket from the tub and inspect all the suspension rods.
Remember that if any of the rods is faulty, then, replace all the rods to avoid the washer running into the same problem in the near future.
Again, here, we recommend you get this wtw5000dw compatible suspension rod replacement kit.
Whirlpool wtw5000dw problems – more solutions
Moving on…
Whirlpool wtw5000dw stopped working
Start by confirming that the washer is getting power – refer to the steps above under Whirlpool wtw5000dw won’t start.
Other than that, it is highly likely that the washer is experiencing drainage or spinning problems.
That being so, also refer to the troubleshooting steps under the sections Whirlpool wtw5000dw not spinning and Whirlpool wtw5000dw not draining above.
Whirlpool wtw5000dw won’t stop spinning / Whirlpool wtw5000dw stop spinning
Start by confirming that the washer is indeed draining – a slow drain cycle might result in the washer spinning continuously.
To first stop the spinning, either open the lid or unplug the washer from the power outlet.
Next, remove any clogs that might be within the drain hose or the drain pump.
For additional troubleshooting steps, refer to the section above – whirlpool wtw5000dw not draining.
Other than that, it could be that there are static charges on the control board that are resulting in this problem.
To fix this, unplug your washer and let it sit for five minutes – this will allow all the static charges to flow out of the board.
Quick tip: for the most part, wtw5000dw models do not have a timer hence no need to order a timer replacement.
Whirlpool wtw5000dw problems – final words
Once you install a new electronic component such as a motor or control board, remember to calibrate your washer and run a diagnostic test to verify the repair.
Additionally, when ordering a replacement part, be sure to confirm that the new part number matches the old part number.
After all, you do not want to order a new part only for it to be incompatible with your appliance.
ALSO READ
How to clean sludge on top load washing machine
Fix washer that is leaking from bottom left
Whirlpool washer stuck on sensing [fixed]
