A loud GE washing machine can be an annoying issue for many homeowners. It can disrupt your day and suggest a larger issue in the GE appliance. There are many ways to solve the issue and get your GE washer running again. In this post, we will explore the causes that are most commonly associated with the GE washer’s loud noise, and provide you with some easy-to-follow tips and tricks to fix the issue. If you’re experiencing noises that thrash, bang or rattling sound we’ve got all the answers. So, let’s get started!
Pump & Motor:
The drain pump in a GE washing machine is designed to push water from the tub prior to and following the spin cycle. The pump can be motor driven, belt driven, driven or possess its own electric motor. A sound coming from the GE washing machine in the course of or following the spin cycle may indicate that the drain pump is experiencing been unable to function or is damaged. How to examine and repair the pump motor of the GE washing machine:
- To identify the pump, unplug the GE washer and remove the front panel or cabinet. Connect your washer to the outlet and run a cycle to determine if it is the pump that is the cause of the noise. Use caution as you are now in contact with moving components and electrical circuits.
- If the noise emanating from the pump is confirmed, you should remove the inlet tube.
- It is recommended to examine the impeller of the pump for foreign objects or indications that might be causing noises or damage. You should also attempt to manually turn the impeller to ensure that it’s not damaged or seized. It is recommended to remove any foreign objects that could be found in the vicinity of the pump.
- If you find any signs of damage or wear, or if the impeller seems to be damaged, you’ll require to get a replacement motor for the pump. GE washers that are front load utilize a self-contained electrical drain pump. The motor might be worn or damaged and will require a complete GE replacement pump.
Drive Belt:
The drive belt connects the drive motor with the transmission of certain top load GE washers or connect the drive motor to the wash basket in most front load GE washers. The drive belt is used to connect the drive motor and the transmission in some top load GE washers, as well as the drive motor to the wash basket in most front load washers made by GE. A drive belt may be one of two V-shaped or multi-ribbed belt. It is generally made from rubber, but may also include a fabric cover. For front load GE washers, the drive belt is typically a multi-ribbed belt and is intended to be used to make sure it is tight. The drive belt for top-load GE washers, which are belt driven is usually a V-belt with a bit of slippage. It might be covered in rubber with an idler pulley, or other tensioning device to minimize friction when the motor starts. How do you determine if your GE washing machine’s drive belt is wearing? The power source must be disconnected from your GE washer.
- Then, take off the access panel or cabinet.
- Locate the belt that drives it. It will be attached to the drive motor at the other end. Once you’ve found it, take off the clamps that hold the belt in place , and then remove the belt in order to inspect it.
- Be sure to inspect the belt for any evidence of burning, fraying or wear, or other damage.
- You’ll require a new GE drive belt in the event that you experience any of these symptoms.
Direct Drive Motor Coupling:
Some top load washers from GE use a direct drive motor coupling to transfer power from the motor into the transmission. The drive coupling joins the motor to the transmission. It’s comprised of two plastic drive forks that have a rubber coupling connecting them. One of the drive forks is attached to the drive motor shaft while the other one is connected to the shaft of the transmission’s input. As the shaft turns the rubber coupling between the drive forks and the shaft absorbs the torque to prevent the forks from breaking. Normal usage will result in wear on the coupling and eventually, the drive forks could slide off and cause a rumbling sound. If the transmission seizes or if the spin basket can’t rotate freely, the coupling could fail and once again, you may hear an eerie sound. How do you check the condition of theGE washer’s direct drive motor coupling:
- Unplug the GE washer.
- To find the motor coupling on your GE washer, simply open its cabinet. It may be necessary to remove the drain pump or motor to gain access to the motor coupling depending on your model.
- It is recommended to inspect the motor coupling for cracks wear or damage. If you find one of the above, then you’ll need a GE direct drive replacement coupling.
Shock absorbers:
All front-loading GE washing machines feature shock absorbers. They are used to dampen tub movement in the spin cycle. To get to the shock absorbers, or struts you’ll need to remove either the rear or front panels. The GE washing machine can make an ear-splitting noise when it spins if the shock absorbers become weaker or damaged. This can cause damages to other parts. How do you check the shock absorbers in the GE washer:
- Remove the GE appliance form the source of power.
- Remove the front or rear panel, depending on your model, to find the shock absorbers.
- Inspect the shocks for signs of broken attachments, leaked fluids or a weakening dampening effect.
- You’ll require replacement shock absorbers from GE If either shock exhibits any of the signs. Both shocks should be replaced at the same time.
Tub Dampening Strat:
Top-load GE washers could employ tub dampening straps in order to cushion the tub’s motion in spin cycles. The tub’s top and each corner of the cabinet are secured by four straps. These straps of rubber may wear out during normal use. When straps become damaged or stretched, the tub can contact the cabinet during the spinning process, which can cause a loud banging sound. The straps are more stretched if they are exposed to loads that are too heavy. How to check the tub dampening strap of your GE washer:
- After disconnecting your GE appliance from its electrical source, open the cabinet inside your washer.
- Find your tub dampening clips. There will be four, each mounted to the cabinet as well as one on the corner.
- The straps should be inspected for fraying, wear or damage. If any of the previously mentioned straps shows signs it is time to replace four GE tub dampening replacement Straps. It is suggested that you change all four straps simultaneously as they wear out at around the same rate.
Drive motor:
The main motor of a top load GE washer operates the transmission and rotates the wash basket. Some GE washers also feature a pump motor. On front load GE washers, the drive motor operates an electric belt that is driven by the pulley of the wash basket. One of the most frequent signs of an unsound drive motor is a buzzing or humming noise when the motor starts, sometimes accompanied by an odor of burning. Thermal overload is a condition in which the drive motor senses an overcurrent situation and stop power supply to the windings. This could be due to a component that is driven by the motor that is seizing or a flaw within the motor itself. How to test the GE washing-machine drive motor with a multimeter
- Make sure you disconnect the appliance prior to starting it since you’ll be handling electrical components.
- Locate the motor that drives it by taking the cabinet from the GE washer. When you’ve located the motor, carefully disconnect the wires connected to it and remove it from the washer in order to test it.
- With your multi-meter set to Rx1 Check for continuity by placing the probes on the same terminal for each. A reading should be zero , or very close to zero.
- To test for a connection to the ground, with one probe still touching a terminal touch another probe to the bare aluminum housing that houses the motor. This test should not yield any readings.
- It is necessary to replace a GE drive motor when the results of your tests differ from the ones described in the previous paragraphs.
Drive Motor Pulley & Pulley for Transmission and Pump:
On belt driven GE washing equipment, the motor pulley is used to support the drive belt as well as in some instances, the pump belt. The pump and transmission will feature the same pulleys. The grease, rubber compound or dirt may accumulate on these pulleys and create the sound of a squealing or thumping noise when the motor is switched on. You should check the pulleys to see if there is dirt accumulation or damage if the washer creates this sound while it is spinning or draining, or even vibrating. How to examine the pulleys on yourGE washing machine:
- Before you begin, disconnect your machine from the main power source.
- Locate the pulley using the cabinet. To examine the pulley closely, remove the belt.
- It is important to look for signs of wear and tear, such as burning or wear. You should also look for traces of grease, dirt, or other materials, cleaning any debris you discover off the pulley as well as the surrounding area.
- If you find any signs of damage, you will require a GE replacement pulley.
Pump Belt:
On top load GEs that are driven by belts washers, the pump belt is what powers the pulley that is on the drain pump. Wear and tear and time can cause the pump belt to break or get frayed, leading to sounds of thumping or clicking during the drain or spin cycle. It could be accompanied by the smell of burning rubber or an incomplete drain as well. How to determine the condition of your GE washer’s pump belt requires replacement:
- After disconnecting the plug on the GE appliance, open the cabinet for the washer in order to find the belt. It will be connected to the pulley of the drive motor one on end.
- Lift the clamps holding the belt in in order to closely inspect the belt. Look out for signs of fraying, wear or even burning.
- It is necessary to replace the GE pump belt If you have any of these symptoms.
Tub Bearing:
Both front-load and top load GE washing machines are equipped with tub bearings which allow the tub or wash basket to spin. Top load washers typically include a bearing at the bottom of the transmission or the input to the transmission, and a second at the shaft connection to the inside tube. Two bearings are utilized by front load washers from GE to support the wash basket shaft. They are located at the rear end of the tub’s exterior. A tub seal guards the bearings from the effects of water. Regular use, prolonged exposure to detergents that are harsh as well as excessive load conditions can cause the seal on the bearing to break down, allowing water to reach the bearings and eventually causing them to fail. How to inspect the tub bearing in a GE washer:
- Disconnect the power source from your GE washer.
- Locate the tub bearing, by removing the GE washer cabinet. It is possible to remove the inner tub, wash basket, and/or transmission depending on which model washer you have.
- Check the tub bearing to look for signs of cracking, rust, wear water damage, cracks, or any other indication that bearings have failed.
- You’ll need a new GE tub bearing If you are experiencing any of these symptoms. You should replace your tub seal particularly if the bearing is showing signs of rusting or water damage.
Agitator Directional Cogs & Dogs
Agitator directional gears are utilized to regulate the upper portion of dual-action agitators. These dogs are cam-shaped . They connect to the cogs of the inner surface of the agitator as they rotate in one direction. They release the cogs once the agitator is turned backwards. This permits the upper half of the agitator to “ratchet” to one direction while the bottom half will agitate in both directions. The directional cogs, which are made of hard plastic, will wear down over time. If they are too smooth to properly work with the cogs in the agitator, they will start slipping and will make a grinding or crunching noise. It is also possible that the top section of the agitator doesn’t move at all or at all. How to inspect the agitator’s agitator cogs within the GE washing machine.
- As with all inspections you should disconnect your washer from the power source before beginning.
- If your GE washing machine has an automatic dispenser for fabric softener, you can remove the lid to access the cogs. If your model doesn’t come with a dispenser for softening fabric then remove the agitator cap in order to reach the cogs. It may also be necessary to remove the agitator top and/or base in order to get access to the cogs depending on the model.
- Make sure the cogs are free of wear, damage, discoloration and worn cogs.
- You’ll have to replace the cogs that direct you within GE in the event that you have one of these issues.
Clutch Assembly:
Top load GE washers include the clutch assembly which locks the input shaft of the transmission to a drive for the wash basket during spin cycles. The clutch may wear out over time due to friction between the clutch pad and the housing. This can lead to a scraping sound. A worn or damaged clutch can stop the GE washer from spinning or may cause a slower speed of spin, which could result in wet clothes after the cycle. Other signs include a burning sensation or noisy noises during spin cycles and the accumulation of brake dust or shavings underneath your GE washing machines and the smell of burning. How to check the clutch in GE washing machine:
- Before you start, unplug the appliance.
- For more detailed inspection for a closer inspection, locate and remove the clutch assembly. The clutch assembly is typically situated under the basket drive unit and is attached to the outside of the tub. To get access to the clutch, you’ll have to dismantle the cabinet, drive motor, and transmission apart.
- Examine the clutch assembly to identify any signs of burns, wear, or damage.
- If you spot any of these the above, you’ll need a GE replacement clutch assembly.