Fabric softener doesn't dispense

Nearly all of this style of top loader has the fabric softener dispenser in the centre cup of the agitator as pictured. Fill the dispenser using the amount recommended prior to starting your wash cycle. If it is getting clogged up, remove it and soak it in some hot water to dissolve the residue.

If there is no dispenser, fabric softener will have to be added into wash basket.

When you say you've cleaned both parts - have you poured hot water in and seen it actually drain out of the top peice while it was removed from the agitator? Have you poured hot water into the agitator with the top peice removed and seen it drain out of the holes? If not, repeated flushing (of the agitator) and soaking (of the top peice) with hot water as needed until is drains may be required. Until you can get water to drain out of both peices alone, it will work automatically. Once you have the water draining try again with a regular load of laundry and fabric softener. If it still doesn't work...

Since you've cleaned both parts (the non-removable and removeable top portion) of the agitator - it would suggest that the fabric softener dispenser's actuator inside the agitator is not functioning properly. The fabric softener isn't being released in the rinse (or at all really) and as a result of the centrifugal forces during the high speed spin cycle - it is causes the fabric softener to move up the sides of the dispenser and spray out of the top of the agitator onto the rim. This may be caused a mechanical or electrical failure in the washer or washer control. It will continue to work like this until it is fixed - so I suggest that you do not use the dispenser.

You will likely need to have the washer professionally serviced to have it begin working again. You can save the repair costs and either add the fabric softener yourself during the rinse cycle - or use "dryer sheets" in the dryer instead.

Good luck!

Hello - There are several things that could cause the fabric softener to not dispense into the washer. Are you sure the liquid in the dispenser after the wash is fabric softener? If it is fabric softener, the solenoid that lets the water into the dispenser is not working. This solenoid is located on the back of the dispenser. It only gets voltage during the dispense time and fills the fabric softener dispenser with water. The fabric softener dispenser fills while the washer is filling for the rinse cycle.

When the washer begins to fill for the rinse cycle, the fabric softener solenoid is energized and water flows into the fabric softener dispenser cup. When the cup is full the water siphons out and softener and water flow into the tub.

If the liquid in the fabric softener dispenser is pure softener you may need a technician to diagnose and repair the problem. The voltage will have to be tested to the softener solenoid and a volt meter is required.

If the liquid in the fabric softener dispenser is water you probably need to clean the dispenser cup. **** will build up in the siphon tube and stop the liquid from going into the washer tub. The incoming water will dilute the softener and overflow the dispenser cup and run into the tub. The instructions for cleaning the dispenser should be located on page 43 of the use and care guide that came with the washer.

If you don't have the use and care guide these instructions will help. Open the dispenser until it stops. In the left rear corner of the dispenser, there is a release that is labeled push. Press down on the push area and you can slide the dispenser drawer out.

Remove the insert from the bleach and fabric softener compartments. Clean the bottom of the insert and the bleach and fabric softener compartments. Reinstall the insert and put the drawer back inside the washer.

To test the siphon action slowly pour water into the fabric softener compartment. When the water level goes above the maximum line stop pouring. The water should all drain out.

Hope this information proves to be helpful however if it is ineffective please contact a professional to move forward accurately.

Check and see if there is a cup in the top of the agitator. Some machines have you put it there, turning back and forth during wash doesn't bother it, but the spin to empty the wash water causes the softener to go out through slots in the top of the cup and be held in the agitator. when it stops the softener drains into the tub, ready for the rinse cycle.

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Maytag-Parts/Washer-Parts/Model-A9200/3048/0153200/X2900731/00005?blt=06&prst=&shdMod= I thinking you are referring to item 7 which is listed as a dispensing cup. If I remember right it just sits on the agitator as a means to take off and use to measure soap, fabric softener. Since there is not a water flush line to it, I wouldn't use it to try to dispense the fabric softner. But it probably would do any harm to try it and see how much was actually left in the cup.

Gently remove the fabric softener cup off of the top of the agitator
Using a ratchet, an extension and socket; then remove the retaining bolt under the fabric softener cup.
The agitator will lift off after the bolt is removed.

Installation is:
Drop the agitator in place. Install bolt.... tighten bolt with ratchet, extension and socket. Install the fabric softener cup.

Fabric softener cup is item 14 this link:
http://www.appliancepartspros.com/partsearch/model.aspx?model_id=5170378&diagram_id=28464917#d28464917
The bolt you need to remove is item 4 of the above link.

Thanks for choosing FixYa,
Kelly

Unplug the Amana washing machine from the wall outlet, and open the lid. Pull the liquid fabric softener dispenser straight off of the top of the agitator. Some Maytag washers require the use of a flat head screwdriver inserted between the dispenser and the top of the agitator. Twist the handle of the screwdriver to pop the dispenser off of the agitator.

Remove the barrier cap inside the agitator using your hands. Pull the barrier cap straight out of the agitator. There is an O-ring that attaches to the outside of the barrier cap. If it did not come out with the cap, pull the O-ring out of the center of the agitator.

Remove the bolt securing the agitator to the drive bell with the socket wrench. The bolt is inside the center of the agitator.

Place your fingers in between the bottom of the agitator and the tub. Lift straight up to remove the agitator from the tub. Keep your head out of the way in case the agitator is stuck and unexpectedly releases. If necessary, use agitator hooks. Insert them under the agitator and push down on the hooks to release the agitator.

When you grab the fabric dispenser and move the agitator "counter "clockwise you should hear the rachet noise,once you try and move it back "clockwise" the fabric dispenser should slide inside the agitator and the agitator should NOT move.

the fabric softener spins out of the cup after the wash cycle when spinning the water out of clothes, then the washer fills back up for the rinse w/ your softener having been dispensed. is there a nut at the bottom of your agitator where you see the gunk? If so you can take the agitator out by removing the nut but be careful of the little parts that make the agitator agitate. Do not disturb these little parts if you don't know about them. Does the gunk smell like grease or a mechanics garage? If so chances are it is a lubricant and should not be removed replace the cap and your softener cup and continue enjoying your machine.