Every major appliance maker in the world has its own approach to troubleshooting the most common problems in the devices. Large appliance makers like GE that makes everything from a washing machine to a state of the art medical scanner have simple guides that can help you to not just understand the problem but also to solve it. You may be aware that some brands have opted for error codes. The manual has a list of error codes. When you see an error in the LCD display or it could be an LED display on the appliance, you can refer to the manual and check out the corresponding problem. The solution recommended will also be mentioned. Hence, it is a simple case of checking the error code, knowing the error or problem and solving it as recommended.
How to Identify the Issue
The scenario is not very different for GE top load washer troubleshooting. The only difference in GE washing machines is that you don’t get numerical or alphanumerical error codes. Instead, you get flashes. GE top load washers usually come with an inverter and its control is mounted atop the drive motor. This inverter control can manage the direction and the speed of the drive motor. There is an LED under the metal cover usually towards the right side of the inverter control that indicates whether or not the appliance is working fine and if it is not then what the error could be. This light or flash is also known as the diagnostic LED for the function it serves.
It is obvious that when there is no problem and the top load GE washer is working perfectly, the LED will behave in a normal way. The LED usually blinks rhythmically, staying on for half a second and staying off for half a second. This assures you the washer is working and it is in optimal condition. When you are not using the washer but the washer is in an optimal condition, the LED will blink rhythmically, staying on for a second and staying off for a second. Whenever there is a problem, you would find the blinking of the LED altered. This indicates an underlying or an obvious problem. It could be an electrical or mechanical or electromechanical problem.
Troubleshooting
The LED would keep blinking erroneously but in a pattern so you can identify the error using a guide and only a reset or repair will stop the LED from blinking oddly. Let us explore how you can reset the washer and what you should do when there are different error codes or flashes of the LED as per the GE top load washer troubleshooting guide.
1. If you have one flash constantly, it indicates motor failure. You should unplug the washer, get a new drive motor and replace the old one.
2. If there are two flashes constantly, that indicates a slipping drive belt. It could also be a loose hub nut that is on the spin basket. You should unplug the washer and check the drive belt. Tighten it if it is loose and replace it if it is damaged. Check the hub nut. Tighten it if loose and replace it if damaged. If the drive belt and the hub nut are both fine, then you need to check the drive motor. You may have to replace the drive motor.
3. If you find three flashes, it indicates a defective inverter control. You may have to replace the drive motor because it contains the inverter control. GE doesn’t sell the inverter control separately. It is best to go with compatible parts and components that are officially recommended.
4. Four flashes indicate a failure of the mode shifter circuit. The mode shifter is in the drive shaft assembly. You need to reconnect the wire between the mode shifter and the inverter control. It could be disconnected or loose. You may have to replace the drive shaft assembly if you find a defective mode shifter. Again, the mode shifter is not available as a standalone component. You must get a drive shaft assembly including the mode shifter.
5. Five flashes imply motor failure. Replace the motor failure after you have unplugged the appliance.
6. Six flashes indicate locked rotor. A locked rotor is because of any component in the drive motor that is preventing its rotation. You need drive system components and you may have to replace the drive motor if there are multiple components causing the problem.
7. Seven flashes indicate the lid has not opened for four consecutive cycles. The inverter control is programmed in a way to identify the lid switch opening after each cycle. When four cycles go by without the lid switch opening even once, the inverter control is designed to assume that there is a defective lid switch. You need to replace the wire connecting the lid switch. You may have to get a new lid switch if it is actually damaged.
8. Eight flashes indicate an overheated motor. You must reduce the load, replace any components in the drive system that may prevent the optimal rotation and you may have to get a new drive motor if everything else is alright.
9. Nine flashes indicate a defective motor brake. Get a new drive motor.
You must reset the inverter control whenever you attend to any problem.
