I've had my washer for about a month. For the last two weeks, everytime you I do a wash it gives me a "F51" error code. This code always appears after a few minutes in thw wash/spin cycle, which happens to be at exactly the same point where the washer reads 37 minutes left to go. The manuel says to stop the washer and start again. Call sears if problem persists. I called them and they told me to press stop 3 times and on the 4th time to hold the stop button for 6 seconds and release. This did not help. They sent someone out today to look at it. But he didn't even stay to see the problem he just blew me off. Please help. Thank You.
I placed a very detailed post on how to resolve this issue. If you are mechanically and electrically inclined, this will give you pretty much step by step directions. I also analyzed why this is happening. Please disconnect power before any work... There is 120V floating around inside to bite you! Good Luck, GBaxter http://worldofwashers.blogspot.com/2007/06/cabriooasis-f51-error-codes.html
I am on the phone with Whirlpool right now. I think we have discovered the problem.
My Sears Oasis washer purchased in December of 2006 has already had the sensor replaced about 8 months after it was delivered (August 2007). I am a light user. I remember that when the tech replaced the part, he noted that it looked as if it had come loose and wondered if that was not why it failed...he put in a new one anyway, as long as he had the thing open...
So now, here comes December 2009 and after light use for 2 or 3 more years, I got the error again. The first time they came out, it worked so I ended up buying an extended warranty.
Sure enough it failed again today. First wash was fine, second was F51 and I had to restart everything. His computer told him that it had a 'short' (F41) and a failure (F15) which shows that it was intermittent. This time I asked him to check to see if it was loose first, which he did.
Guess what? The sensor that makes it spin, had wiggled loose again on one side! I had always figured that this many components could not have gone bad but that loose barrel might have set up just the right vibrations to cause the plastic grips to let go after time. The tech said he simply snapped it back in and did the test and it was fine.
I will be watching it, but I called Whirlpool to suggest that this was the problem, not a bad sensor.
I think the heat of the water, plus the vibrations, makes for loose plastic grips and the sensor falls out after time. Just my theory... but who knows, I'm just an old computer tech, female!
It was determined that this was a flaw in the way the sensor chip was held into the machine and thus Sears should NOT be charging people when they come and push it back in again. Needless to say, I'm not going to buy this kind of washer again.
The likelihood of having this many bad sensors is not realistic. It's obvious that the sensor is slipping out of its slot.
I have had my machine for 9 years and the dryer had to have the whole control board replaced too.
My old analog washer and dryer ran for 30 years with no problems.... I will never buy this kind of washer again.
And as if punishment for talking about this, it is doing it again, for the fifth time TODAY on March 14, 2015. I am going to get rid of this lemon and have filed to be included in a class action suit.
I'm having the same issue, I replaced the rotor sensor and I'm going to try replacing the control board. very disappointing
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Disconnect three prong rotor position sensor harness located under machine clean connectors crimp harness to fit tighter and it should fix problem if not then replace control board i am a sears tech and isee about 5 a week 90% of time its a loose connection to rotor position sensor
There you go. A Sears TECH has admitted that it is the chip loosened up in the place where it snaps in, which is bound to happen after so much vibration. This makes me angry as I've spent at least $800 on this one repair alone.
But I do not have the strength or the space to overturn the machine and take it apart and fix the sensor position!!!!!
If you see this problem 5x week then this is a LEMON!
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I KEPT HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND CALLED SEARS THEY TOLD ME TO TURN OFF THE BREAKER FOR ONE MINUTE AND TURN IT BACK ON. SO FAR SO GOOD. HOPE THIS WORKS FOR OTHERS.
I reciently tried to fix my oasis kenmore elite he model 110.27062603. I researched on this website (fixYa) and learned that the f 51 code is related to the motor rotor position sensor which sences the motors speed and if it is spinning OK. I read some post describing how the connection to the RPS sensor could be worn or coroded or loose. one of the chats on this subject refered to above (from the world of Washers) described how to take the sensor out (which is not that difficult if you are a handy person. (It involves taking the motor appart).
So, I followed the instructions and took it out and re-assembled it. Stiil had the same problem. I decided to try changing the macine motor control (the computer for the wasing machine) I still had the same f 51 problem. Then I bought a new RPS sensor, and that didn't work either. Finally I kept trying to figure out how to open the top of the clothes washer to look for stuck clothing between the stationionary drum that holds the water and the rotating drum. Someone's posting had described opening the top, but I didn't know how to do this. furthermore, it seemed that I could rotate the drum easily by hand. I did a search on google on how to remove the drum, and there was a photo of the place to pry to open the top of the washer. there are 2 tabs that you have to press in on while lifting up on the top. use a putty knife or a flat screw driver. the place to press is from the outside, on the front of the washer, about 6 inches from each corner.
So, I opened the top cover of the washer (the lid part and the metal part around the lid hinged up and back. then was able to un- snap the plastic cover over the drum and I found a bra that was causing enough friction between the drums that it would cause the RPS sensor to think there was a problem.
So, Now the machine works fine again.
I found a technicians troubleshooting manual which lists all the error codes. It was underneath the inside front of the washer, in a clear plastic bag. It described how to get into the diagnostic test mode in which you can test the washer as it performs varous functions. In the manual test mode, I was able to get the motor to spin at 3 different speeds, slow (23 rpm I think, medium 550 rpm, and 1000 rpm, so I figured there wasn't any problem with the drum, and I thought the computer or the rps needed to be replaced. Anyhow, I spent several days and over $300 in parts before I finally just removed the clothing that was stuck between the drum.
Gordan
I had to remove my lid. Not very easy. You need to push to short flat tip screwdrivers against both clips at the same time. I used a flashlite to see the shiny clips, then put duct tape on front so i could mark the clip locations on the duct tape with a pen. Then pushed in to flat tip screw drivers to get lid up. After that i had to remove all but 2 of the tub lid clips. You will need a tiny screwdriver. Poke the screwdriver down in hole adjacent to clips to pry plastic clips apart. I left the 2 by the water hose attached. Then lifting up, i found a tank wedged in the side wall between inner tub and outer lining. You will need small hands. Big hands don't fit good, but even if they do, as mine barely did, when you pull on the wedged clothing, you will cut your knuckles on the backside of the very sharp inner tub holes. after cleaning up the blood, you will need a channel lock pliers to pull out the clothing, probably tearing it a few times. Then you will need a wire hanger to get the wire hanger you dropped into gap before trying the channel locks.
Thank you for posting this, just saved us a 2 week wait and lots of money. Daughter home from college overloaded the machine and a pillowcase wash wedged between the drums after the F51 code went off and I unplugged and restarted the machine. After some pushing with a plastict putty knife to get the top open we found the problem and it works fine again!
F51 error. Lifted the top and found my son's shorts wedged in the drums. Running an empty cycle now. Hopefully the problem is fixed. Thanks!!!
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I just wash my clothes on the express wash setting now and adjust the water temp and the soil level if necessary. Works for me LOL
Mine gave the F51 code a few min after it started to agitate. Watched a few videos on YouTube and found that the clips that hold wiring harness secure at the RPS had came out. When it started to agitate it must have moved the the wires connected to the RPS to make it think something was wrong. Popped them back in and is working fine. 30 min and no $$$$
Yet another confirmation that this is the problem, which is a definite flaw with the machine. But it will keep happening if you don't insist that Sears fix it free.
So lemme see, had this fixed on my dime FOUR TIMES since 2006 and now today March 14, 2015 it happened again, as if to punish me for talking about it. I cannot tip the thing over so I am going to junk it.
November 4, 2016 and it still working fine. watched a video on replacing the drum stabilizers about a year ago and fix that myself also
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Just had the Sears repair guy out for this and he said disconnecting the part doesn't solve it, and the part will actually have to be replaced, $179 later, we will see how it does! This is a huge problem on these washer and this part should be a recall, even the repairman agreed!
The F51 code is a motor rotor position sensor failure. It's best to call in the warranty service as there is a bunch of tests that need to be run to determine if it's the sensor or control board. If the tech wasn't any help, contact the store for a replacement. Catriver...post back.
Actually the F51 error code can be caused by quite a few different things below is a step by step guide of how to figure it out and get your washer fixed.
Kenmore Elite Oasis Washer F51 Error Code Explained
Kenmore Elite Oasis Washer F51 Error Code Explained
When your Kenmore Oasis washer keeps...
I've had this problem happen twice already, the first time 4 months after purchase - was "fixed" and the next time 2 months later. Sears sold a peice of crap and will not honor a replacement. Going to small claims court seems the only resolution.
Had the same problem, Sears replaced the speed sensor located undr the machine with part nuber 8565188A and replaced the control board unit with p/n W10112113A. This seems to have corrected the F51 code
I had the same problem. I would tell you to have a new one sent but I did that with mine and the second one did the same f51 only after having it a week. I would suggest you call sears and pick out a different model. Thats what I am going to do. Jenine
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is this a common problem? Our Kenmore is about a year old and we have the same problem occurring. 4 kids tons of clothes everyday.... we bought new hoping not to have this problem
car F51 where are you????
sprungdog66
I am having the same problem. I had scheduled a Sears tech to come out last week, but the guy never showed up. After callings Sears twice and being told that the guy was on his wayWe have had our washer for only 1 and 1/2 years. This is making me wish I had not bought this washer--should have stuck with something less tempermental (and less expensive).
I want to extend a HUGE thanks to G Baxter and others on this thread - your fixes worked on our washer, saving us the cost and hassle of dealing with a repairmen.
I have little to no mechanical aptitude but i followed your directions and miraculously they worked. I say miraculously because of my lack of skills, not becasue of lack of faith in your directions. I appreciate the detail you provided as otherwise i could not have done it.
Thanks for helping me score major points with my wife.
We had our washer for about a year and it was working fine (under my wife's guidance) until i decided to do a load this past mother's day while my wife was away from the house. My "help" quicky took a turn for the worse when i saw the oh so popular F51 code. I think i out in too large of a load. Anyway, I thought i was doomed until i found this website.
Thanks Again!!!
John
the never ending F51 code appears during the wash cycle. i have to press stop, shift the clothes around and press start again. this started about 2 years ago. a tech. came out and fixed it only for it to start again some 2 years later. my cousin and aunt purchased the same washing machine and had the same problem. my aunt returned hers...wish i did too.
I am having the same issue, starts to wash, gets to spin cycle then the continuous F 51 error, Sears sent me a new part, they put it in and all was fine for 2 days, then it started back up again....HELP!
We also had the dreaded F51 problem. The issue is the connection between the control board and the motor sensor board. The fix is fully described in the World of Washers web site. Basically, you need to remove the motor magnet assembly, thus exposing the sensor board. Remove the connector to the motor sensor assembly and clean it. What I did was to re-insert the connector after applying Stabilant-22A to the connection. Stabilant is a contact enhancer and is used in automotive and healthcare applications. After doing this, I've been F51 free for about 4 months.
I've had my washer for about a month. For the last two weeks, everytime you I do a wash it gives me a "F51" error code. This code always appears after a few minutes in thw wash/spin cycle, which happens to be at exactly the same point where the washer reads 37 minutes left to go. The manuel says to stop the washer and start again. Call sears if problem persists. I called them and they told me to press stop 3 times and on the 4th time to hold the stop button for 6 seconds and release. This did not help.
Holy cow you are not going to believe this! Since I posted about this again after a very long time of not being on here, and remember now, this is 2015, today I got the error again! I was thinking, I hope I do not jinx myself, but oh boy, a full wash, full of soap, heavy sweatshirts and BOOM, I hear beeping and there it is F51. I slammed the darn junk and it started again, but I'd better start looking for a new machine quick.
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