The Virtual Repairman's Appliance Help

[GUNNY]

We have a maytag Clothes washer model # MAH 5500 BWQ that is approximate 10 years old. The other day during a wash I heard the washer make a couple of distinctive unusual sounds. Kind of a loud clicking for a couple of seconds. When I went into the laundry room to investigate the noise I was welcomed by that distinct burnt electrical odder. There were no codes showing on the display, only the estimated time remaining. I unplugged the machine and tried to open the door. Which of course I was unable to do so. So I plugged the machine back in and I still couldn't unlock the door. I tried to find a service repairman in our area and there are none. There is one who says he might again I say MIGHT be able to check it out. So the clothes sat in a tub full of water for a day until I could do some troubleshooting of my own. My first thought was to call Bonnie at our local Mr. Handy. If she doesn't have the part you need on hand she will order it for you. She also is very knowledgeable about most appliances and she didn't have to many good comments about my washer. So I went to the Internet and found out all sorts of interesting news about this model Maytag. Recall and all of which we never were informed of. Anyway I found your web site and with it I was able to locate the Schematic Mini Manual. I plugged the machine back in just curious I guess and the door unlocked. So we took out the small load of very smelly clothes. I shut the door and it locked again, so I tried the spin cycle which the machines pump did activate and pumped out the water. But nothing else. I Accessed the service mode and retrieved the following codes in order. #45. Door Locked when not expected, #19. Power Down, #08. One locked Rotor, & #48. Door did not unlock after first try. So taking into consideration that the machine never did since new empty all of the water out of the tub, I know that the pump is working. What I did find was a Damaged/Burnt motor control board. IC1 is toast along with R14,R17, and the resistor (which I'm unable to read) that is between R14 & R20 are also toast. So according to your info on your site I can order a new motor and circuit board. Which I will do. But a couple of questions first. 1. I know the circuit board is bad. Did the fault code #08 One Locked Rotor cause the failure, and if so is the referenced rotor the motor shaft? If so the motor shaft turns very freely. #2 with the age of the unit I'm just wondering if it's worth repairing? Yes it's probably 10 years old but the other side of the coin is the Newer Trash that is on the market today. So if I'm to purchase a new motor and control board from The Virtual Repairman I would like to know if I have any other problems going on with this Maytag?? Also the door lock motor on this unit looks nothing like the wax motor shown in the vidieo.



The " Gunny"
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The "GUNNY"

[Virtual Repairman]

I own the same machine the MAH5500. It does not have a wax motor, as did its predecssors, the MAH300 and 4000 models. Your machine needs the motor conversion kit, part 12002039, which I happen to have on special right now. I have performed the same repair on my own machine, as well as hundreds of my service customers over the years with great success. As long as you had no loud bearing roar going on prior to this failure, the 5500 is worth repairing anytime something electrical fails. I draw the line at tub bearing failure is why I mention this.

You are safe to get the motor kit and it comes with a different motor and board,. I noticed right away after installing these kits that the machine spins noticeably quieter than with the older style motor. The kit is specially priced right now and you can find it HERE.
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FAST-MOVING PARTS | Ask the Repairman

[GUNNY]

Thanks so much for the advice, and I apologize for having problems with your web site. It hasn't been to friendly to me, and neither has the Captain. Since I've had the washer lying in pieces since Monday and a flooded basement along with toronado damage my plate was overflowing. So the CAPTAIN went out and purchased a New laundry set yesterday. I think it's made in MEXICO go NAFTA. Anyway thaks again and I will try to figure out your web site better. Can you tell, computers aren't my best side.
Thanks Again
The"GUNNY"
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The "GUNNY"

[Virtual Repairman]