Kitchen Large Electric Appliances - HELP - Washer spinning in reverse!?!?

The strangest thing....I assume it's the transmission, but my "go to" parts store wasn't able to answer the question. It's a 97 GE basic top-load washer. I've had the trans, clutch and tub seal replaced on it once, while under warranty, and thought it might be the same kinda thing going on. However, no oil leaking under the washer. It fills and aggitates fine but in the spin cycles, it rotates counter clockwise causing water to splash out over the sides of the tub and onto the floor (at least that's my best guess from the amount of water that was on the floor after I noticed the problem). I can also smell the motor burning after a load.

Any suggestions?

Hello: Nancy

May be an unusual problem but possible. If the motor is a reversable motor it may be causing the problem. If the pump is not pumping out the water it will splash out while spinning.

The machine may have a seperate pump which is not working or the control is not activating the pump motor. The discharge water hose may be blocked or restricted somewhere or in the pump it self.

If you are not sure which direction the tub is spinning during the spinning cycle, simply lift the lid a tiny bit and note it's direction. Also check to verify if water is being pumped out during that spin cycle.

The pump should be pumping a few seconds or so prior to the engagement of the spin cycle. May not be. Cause may be a defective timer, etc.

Note the above and use the reply button to post the results. More detailed info will help the pros and members posting helpful suggestions, ideas and advice to help further.

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Thanks for your help. However, as stated earlier, all other functions of the washer are working correctly. The pump is pumping fine. The timer is working correctly.

I think the water on the floor is from the fresh water that is spilled in several short bursts over the load during the last spin cycle. As it spills into the tub, it hits the reversed blades of the aggitator which throws the water out instead of down.

The only other difference I noticed in the load of clothes was that they were more damp at the end of the spin cycle than normal - more like a "gentle" cycle than a regular cycle. It's not spinning as fast going counter clockwise than is the usual spin direction.

I would go ahead though and keep it running like it is except that the motor smell gives me more to consider. I don't want to burn out the motor.

How can I tell if the motor has a "reverse" direction and then how can I change it back again?

Nancy

If you smell a motor burning don't run the unit. Have a qualified service technician check it out at once. The least you could get is a ruined motor.

By the way it is most unlikely for a motor to suddenly run backwards.