Maytag 'Dependable Care' Washer

Maytag has earned an excellent reputation with its customers through good engineering and customer service. The Maytag 'Dependable Care' washer design is responsible for this and has been around a long time. It can usually be identified by the two belts it uses which are accessed from the very bottom of the washer and not very deep tub. This washer will usually be well over 10 years old before it will need any repairs at all. If bleach and other caustic detergents are used in the machine and some gets inside and under the tub, rust will start eating away the hose clamps.

The later top-of-the-line 'Dependable Care' washer was introduced with the main difference being a new transmission. I never had any serious problems with the old transmissions but I did come across a couple of them that had bad lower seals and the were spreading transmission oil around under the washer.

I get the most service calls on the water inlet valves. The valves are affected by local minerals in the water and are refusing to open up all the way.

Problem Diagnostics

The problems are listed in the order that they occur most frequently. The repair procedures are designed to be printed out by your Web browser for reference while making the repairs.

Slow Fill

Water just trickles in during the fill and rinse cycles. If the water hose and inlet valve filter screens are clear, the water inlet valve may need replacement.

Won't do Anything

The washer won't do anything. Check the lid switch.
The lid is loose and the washer won't do anything. The lid hinge balls may have come out and need replacement.

Water Leaks

Water leaks out of the left hand side of the washer during all fill cycles. The fill spout may need cleaning or replacement.
Water comes pouring out from everywhere whenever the washer fills. The hose clamp on the hose leading down from the tub into the water pump occassionally corrodes loose and lets the hose come off the water pump during the spin cycle with an unbalanced load. Take the front access panel loose by removing the two screws down at the bottom and swinging the panel up and off. Get a new stainless steel hose clamp and put the hose back on. Replace the front panel.
Water pours out all over during or after a spin cycle. The tub outlet may be blocked. Water can be forced over the lip of the tub by centrifugal force during the spin if it can't be pumped out. Check for the penny drain valve problem.
Water leaking from underneath. The pump's seals may have let go.

Skipped Functions

Rinse or spin functions are skipped, the washer stays in a function or it goes through "off" and runs for hours. The timer may need replacement.

Soggy Spin

The spin cycle too slow may be caused by clothing caught between the tubs, hampering its movement.
Spin cycle too slow. The belt may need replacement.
The spin cycle is too slow. The motor carriage may not be moving properly.
Slow drain during spin cycle. The tub drain could be blocked. Read about the penny drain valve.