Washer fills, but not agitating or draining

Check the drain pump and as instructed earlier please remove and clean the unit

Cleaning a pump:

check your lid switch ,or debriss in drain pump ,pump can not run will not spin untill machine waterlevel switch comes below a certain level of water pressure

In most cases all brands will fill and agitate with the lid open, but will not drain or spin with the lid up.
It sounds to me like your lid switch is either bad or misaligned.
The first thing to check is the actuator plunger on the lid. Make sure it hasn't fallen or been broken off. Look for a piece hanging down from the lid that looks like a little finger that when the lid is closed, would hit and depress the lid switch ,which is under the top of the washer.
If it looks like the actuator is good shape then the lid switch is either bad or misaligned. Take a pencil or a bic pen and depress the lid switch. Making sure your washer is plugged in and in the spin mode. If it begins to rotate to spin and drain then see if a screw has fallen out that holds it in place or became loose not letting the actuator hit it correctly.
If the switch does not seem loose and it will not start the machine when depressed with a pencil it is probably time to change it out.

The Lid switch is the most common problem with what you have descibed.

some of the lid switches are located in the control area and some are on the right side center lid area and their is a hole where the lid has a plastic pin that presses it.

Double check your symptoms. The problem you are having could be a motor coupling, or a lid switch malfunction.

If the washer will fill, will not agitate or spin, but will STILL drain, these are the symptoms of a broken motor coupling. This is a very simple and inexpensive repair. The following link explains step-by-step how to replace one:

http://www.fixya.com/support/r385252-replacing_motor_coupling_whirlpool_top

The part number is included in the link I provided. You can purchase a replacement on line at appliancepartspros.com for about $11.

If the washer fills and agitates, but stops at the rinse cycle, or, if the washer fills, then stops, this is a common symptom of a lid switch malfunction. The washer will NOT drain either. The following link explains how to access and/or replace one:

http://www.fixya.com/support/r385198-replacing_lid_switch

The lid switch is usually mounted under the washer top casing, on the right hand side on most top load models. It is activated by a plastic piece on the lid (called a "Lid Strike") through a small hole on the rim of the wash tub opening. In many cases the lid strike breaks off the lid, or the lid switch becomes loose and no longer makes contact. Inspect the lid to make sure the lid strike is still intact, and then inspect the mounting screws (adjacent to the small opening on the wash tub rim) and make sure they are snug.

The part number for a replacement lid switch for your model washer is 3949247. It can be purchased at appliancepartspros.com for about $24.

If you have questions please let me know. A motor coupling repair is a little more involved than a lid switch. I would recommend checking the switch first. It may save you from having to take the washer apart any more than you have to.

I hope you find this information helpful.

That sounds like your lid switch. The lid switch on most models of top load washers will be bypassed on fill and drain. As a safety the lid must be closed for agitate and spin.

The lids switch is a pretty easy part to replace and is inexpensive.

Hello, your problem is going to be with the lids switch, in this machine it is going to be a magnetic contact. You can confirm this my pulling the front panel off and accessing the wireing to the lids switch, If you have electrical knowledge bypass the lid switch using a wire nut and run the machine. If all is ok make sure you relpace the lid switch since it is there for a reason. If you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to comment again. Good Luck!!!

check to make sure your lid switch is clicking. Some Kenmore clothes washers will not spin or agitate if the lid switch is not working. Hope that helps.

XCEL Energy Repairman

no definalty not!!! will not drain if the lid switch is bad will however fill and agitate.. you would hear the click as you just about close teh door if indeed the switch was working corrctly

Okay...I'm a little confused on your symptoms. You initially said it fills, but doesn't agitate or spin, but drains.

Then, you finished with the washer filling, no agitate or spin, but now doesn't drain.

Which one is it?

The symptoms you describe are usually associated with the following:

1. Fills, may or may not agitate, won't spin or drain - lid switch.
2. Fills, may or may not agitate, won't spin, but still drains - motor coupling.
3. Fills, may or may not agitate, won't spin or spins slow - gear case.
4. Fills, agitates, spins, but does not drain – water pump.

NOTE: These are the more common failure items with these symptoms.

Double check the lid switch by opening and closing the lid. You should hear a clicking noise to indicate the switch is working. The switch is located under the top panel along the wash tub rim on the right-hand side. If not, check to make sure the lid strike (small plastic piece on the lid itself) is in place. This activates the lid switch when the lid is closed. Also, check the mounting screws along the rim (there are two of them) to see if they are tight.

If the motor coupling were bad, the washer would still drain, but there would be a rattling sound as the washer tries to spin or agitate.

If you need replacement parts, go to searspartsdirect.com and type in your model number in the "Search by Model Number" window. The lid switch can be found under the "Top and Cabinet" heading as item number 11 (part #3949238). Instructions on how to replace are located at the following link:

http://www.fixya.com/support/r385199-replacing_lid_switch_whirlpool_top

If you wish to replace the motor coupling, the part can be found under the “Brake/Clutch/Gearcase/Motor/Pump” heading as item number 13 (part #285753A). If you need instructions on how to replace, just follow this link:

http://www.fixya.com/support/r385250-replacing_motor_coupling_kenmore_top

Now, there’s a couple of ways to drain the washer. If it’s a simple lid switch problem, you don’t need to drain the washer to replace the switch. With a broken switch repaired, the washer will run and drain by itself. However, if you wish to drain the tub you can use a shop vac to pull a vacuum on the drain hose. This may take a few times depending on the size of the shop vac. These wash tubs typically have about a 35 gallon capacity. If you do not own a shop vac, you can by-pass the lid switch by jumpering the two BLACK wires at the lid switch connector that is connected to the console. CAUTION: Make sure you UNPLUG the washer before jumpering, then plug back in.

I hope this information is helpful to you. If I’m wrong about the symptoms, please post back and update me on what the washer is or is not doing, so I can assist you further.