How to Check Washing Machine Dryer Motor

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washer and dryer repair shop lafayette ca

In this article we will explain how to test the motor of your washer and dryer repair shop lafayette ca from A to Z. The test is divided into 4 steps:

Dismantle the side or back plate of the washing machine.
Carry out mechanical test
Remove the motor from the washing machine
Test with a meter

Why Should You Test the Motor of Your Washing Machine?

The motor of your washing machine consists of 3 main components: the stator, the rotor, and the tachometer.

The stator is the fixed part of the motor (a coil) inside of which the rotor, the moving part of the motor, rotates. The rotation of the rotor in the stator creates a magnetic field that makes the central axle and, through the drive belt, the drum of the washing machine rotate.

The tachometer is like a small dynamo that, when turned, generates a certain voltage that allows the motor to run at a certain speed. The faster the tachometer spins, the higher the voltage it generates, and the faster the motor spins. The tachometer generates the voltage you set by selecting the washing machine program. In other words, it tells the circuit board at what speed the motor of your washing machine is running.

  • Certain symptoms may indicate a problem with your washing machine’s motor. You should test the motor if you observe any of the following signs: The motor does not turn when washing. The motor does not turn properly, it is difficult to start when you turn on the machine.
  • You notice an unusual noise during washing.
    The wash quality leaves much to be desired, the laundry does not get clean.

Steps to test a washing machine motor.

A complete washing machine motor test proceeds in 2 major phases: the mechanical test and the meter test.

– Dismantle the side or rear panel of the washing machine.
To get to the part you want to check – namely the motor – you’ll need to unscrew the side or back plate of your washing machine. Of course, before you start dismantling the metal plate, you need to unplug the washing machine’s power cord from the outlet. This will help you avoid the risk of electric shock. Also, protect yourself from injury by always moving the machine with the help of a second person.

– Perform a Mechanical Test

To test the working condition of your washing machine’s motor, start with a mechanical test. This consists of checking the motor without any auxiliary device. First, remove the washing machine’s belt, a supple band that connects the drum to the motor, transmitting power and thus providing propulsion. Once the belt is removed, turn by hand the motor pulley, the part to which the belt was connected. If your motor has two motor pulleys and works correctly, you should hear a rubbing sound. On the other hand, if the motor is defective, no noise will be heard when you turn the pulley.

– Remove the motor from the washing machine

The mechanical test may have already been able to give you a first answer; however, it is still worth testing the motor completely and thoroughly. To continue your test, you need to remove the motor from the machine.

First, disconnect the electrical wires that are connected to it, and then remove the mounting screw(s) that hold the motor in place. Now you can remove the motor from the washing machine and place it on a flat surface.

– Test with a meter
Once the motor is exposed, you can test it with a meter (multimeter or ohmmeter) by measuring the resistance between the terminals.

Place the test probes of the meter gradually on 2 terminals at a time. The tachometer terminals should generally give readings between 75 and 100 ohms (Ω).

The reading between the rotor terminals must be approximately between 1.3 and 1.9 Ω.

If all these measurement results were correct, the motor of your washing machine is not damaged and works correctly; otherwise, you will have to replace this part.

Attention, the indicated readings refer to a conventional washing machine with coals. There are also other types of motors, such as asynchronous motors or three-phase motors. These motors cannot be tested with the procedure described above.