Maytag Bravos Washer Won't Spin? (Possible Causes & Fixes)
Imagine it being a Sunday night, and you completely forgot to put your laundry in the wash. You hurriedly throw in a load of work clothes and resignedly decide to stay up for at least another hour. Then your washer fills with water and stops.
There are a few possible reasons why your Maytag Bravos washer stops spinning. It could be a defective lid switch, a loose or broken drive belt, a motor coupling issue, or something else. One common, but overlooked, cause could simply be jammed clothing or an uneven load.
Having a practically useless washer will not do when time is of the essence. But before you make an appointment for a professional service call, you may be able to troubleshoot the problem yourself. Here are some key points you can check on your own when dealing with a washer that won’t spin.
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Steps to Take Before Calling a Repairman to Fix Your Maytag Bravos Washer
Step One: Check the Plug
This may sound silly, but check that you firmly plug in your washer. Better yet, plug your washer straight into a wall socket and not into an extension cord. Extension cords provide less voltage than a wall socket and may cause your washer to overheat or shut down prematurely.
Step Two: Redistribute the Load
A simple way to get your washer to spin would be to make sure you distribute the load evenly. This is especially true when washing tennis shoes or heavy items like blankets. You may also want to check outside the washer drum for jammed items of clothing.
Step Three: Close the Lid
Another simple fix is to make sure that you fully close the washer lid. Closing the lid triggers a mechanism in the machine that signals it to start.
If that still does not do the job, you may have a defective lid switch. In this case, you need to order a replacement part and put it in. This would cost you anywhere from $40-$70.
Step Four: Level the Appliance
If your washer is not standing level on the floor, the spinning mechanism could get off-kilter and eventually may stop. Therefore, check the floor levels and move the washer to a more even surface. Better yet, adjust each individual leg until the washer is perfectly level.
If the machine is on a pedestal, make sure that it is not tilting to one side.
Step Five: Undo a Kinked Hose
A kinked hose means erratic water flow that results in a washer trying to spin but never picking up speed. Aside from this problem, a kink in the hose will also result in your washer not being able to drain water. Pull out the washer and check, then carefully move it back and make sure not to crimp the hose.
Diagnosing Why Your Maytag Bravos Washer Won’t Spin
Now that you have performed these simple checks and your washer still isn’t working, it may be time to roll up those sleeves and do a more thorough inspection. You will need to prepare a few things beforehand to make this task slightly less arduous and more time-efficient.
Tools & Materials for the Job
- Gloves
- Wood scraps to prop the machine
- Screwdriver
- Wrench
- Sponge
- Bucket
- Mop or shop vac
- Pliers
- Multimeter
- A friend or extra pair of hands
Once you have gathered the necessary tools and materials, ensure that you have a safe space to work. The most important thing to remember is to unplug electrical appliances before opening them up for a possible DIY repair.
Then clear out all floor coverings like rugs, runners, and small furniture. As an exercise in caution, keep pets and children away from the immediate premises.
Step One: Check the Lid Switch Assembly
Locate the lid switch; you can typically find it beneath the main top of your washer. Once found, close the lid and see if the lever on it activates the switch. You will need a multimeter to check the wires for electrical activity. If there is no power at all, you will need to replace the switch.
Step Two: Check the Drive Belt
A drive belt connects the transmission to the motor, and you can find it underneath your Maytag Bravos washer. Once emptied and unplugged, tilt your washer until it is lying on its front panel.
Remove the shield from the bottom of the appliance and check if the belt is loose or broken. You can attempt to tighten it if loose, but you need to replace it if it is broken.
Step Three: Check the Motor Coupling
The motor coupling is the connection between the washer motor to its transmission. Access the motor coupler from behind the cabinet of your washing machine. You may need to pull out the pump and the motor.
Inspect the coupler for broken pieces, especially since several of its components are usually made of plastic. If broken, you will need to procure a replacement.
Step Four: Check the Motor Control Board
The motor control board (MCU) provides power to the motor and also regulates the speed at which a washer spins. If the MCU is defective, the washer won’t function properly or won’t spin at all.
Check out the control board for any potential burnt-out components. Replace the control board if you determine that it has ceased to provide power to the motor.
Step Five: Check the Clutch Assembly
The clutch assembly connects the transmission and the tub and propels your washer from agitate to spin. If the clutch looks worn out, it may cause the washer to stop spinning, and you need to replace it. Replacing a clutch assembly would require you to remove the pump and transmission.
Step Six: Check the Rotor
The rotor helps create an electromagnetic field that allows the tub to spin in either direction. If the magnets in a rotor are damaged, it will stop the washer from spinning. You will have to dismantle the bottom of your washer to gain access to the rotor.
Step Seven: Check the Stator
The stator, along with the rotor, are both responsible for the strong electromagnetic field that allows the tub to spin. Specifically, check the windings in the stator to determine its state.
If there is significant damage, you need to replace the stator. As with the rotor, you can only access the stator by dismantling the bottom of your washer.
Step Eight: Check the Bearing
The bearing is mounted in the washer’s outer tub and ensures a smooth spinning of the inner tub. If a bearing is old, faulty, or in disrepair, you may want to replace it. A bad bearing will cause the washer to spin extremely loudly or cause it to stop spinning altogether.
Replacing a bearing is much more of an involved process than most DIY washer repairs. Also, if both the bearing and the outer tub are defective, this would significantly raise the repair cost. You may be better off replacing your old washer with a new one.
Step Nine: Check the Drive Motor
The drive motor rotates the spin basket when the washer is in spin mode. If the washer does not spin and you smell burning, you may have an issue with the drive motor. This is located in the front left corner of the washer, possibly covered in a layer of parts.
Before replacing the drive motor, make sure you inspect other smaller components of the washer that may be defective. To check if the drive motor is in disrepair, find out if the motor is getting power. If it hums but does not run or is noisy, you need a replacement.
After going through the checklist above, if your washer still does not spin, you may have to call in the pros. A washer is not the most complicated home appliance there is.
However, there are other parts and mechanical workings in a washer that you may not want to deal with yourself. Employing the help of an expert may just save you time and the beginnings of a headache.
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Related Questions
What is the lifespan of a Maytag Bravos Washer?
The average lifespan of a Maytag washer is about 11 years. As with many electrical appliances, the older it gets, the less efficient it is. On average, you should replace an appliance that is over eight years old, unless it is a high-end model. Also, if a repair costs 50% or more than the cost of a new appliance, you should purchase a new one. The Maytag Bravos washer is certainly a home appliance worth keeping and maintaining for many good years. Â
How much would it cost to purchase a new washer?
A new washer would cost you anywhere from $500 for a basic top-loader to $1,500 for a high-end front-loader. High-end washers typically feature all the bells and whistles. These desirable features would usually be a large stainless steel tub, better water efficiency, electronic controls, and much quieter motors. Â
Aside from cost, what other factors should be considered when buying a new washer?
With price being the number one deciding factor in purchasing any appliance, there are other vital things to deliberate. A few would be household size, space for the machine, length of the warranty, wash cycles, and noise levels. You should also consider the quality of materials used to manufacture the washer (i.e., metal over plastic).   Â
Stacy Randall is a wife, mother, and freelance writer from NOLA that has always had a love for DIY projects, home organization, and making spaces beautiful. Together with her husband, she has been spending the last several years lovingly renovating her grandparent's former home, making it their own and learning a lot about life along the way.
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