If your top load washing machine (or some older front load washers) is stuck on one continuous cycle and will not advance and forward to the next wash cycle, then most likely the washer timer is faulty and needs replacement. The timer on your washing machine controls all aspects of the wash, spin, and rinse cycles. When it does not automatically move onto the next cycle, you can assume that the timer is the cause of your problem. You can replace a timer very easily and it should not cost you very much money. No matter what the timer costs, and if you do it yourself, it will save you hundreds of dollars instead of hiring a washing machine repair technician.
What causes a washer timer to go bad?
It could be that the timer motor has shorted out or the contacts in the timer have shorted. When this happens the timer is not usable and a replacement is needed.
What exactly does the washer timer control?
It is the main control of the washing cycles and controls all wash, spin and rinse cycles. (If your washer does not advance to the next cycle, then the timer is the most probable part for replacement.)
NOTE: In a machine with a mechanical timer, the timer only advances when power is being supplied to the timer motor. Make sure to read the wiring diagram. Check: is there power to the timer motor? At that point in the cycle where should the power be coming from? The fill switch? The lid switch? The timer itself? Without knowing why the timer is “stuck” you have not made a diagnoses yet. Diagnoses are made from a series of observations. In an electronic timer machine, various inputs provide information to the computer and the computer decides when to advance the cycle. So be sure that the timer is actually bad before replacing it.
How do I replace the timer on my washing machine?:
It is a matter of removing power from the machine, turning off the water (to be safe), taking off the plastic disc that holds the knob on the timer, remove the knob, remove the screws holding the front panel on, sliding the front panel downward to access the timer, and taking the timer out of the machine by removing a few more screws. The timer will have wires going to it. It should be a wiring harness that can easily be removed from the timer by simply sliding the wiring harness clip off. Find your Replacement Washing Machine Timer online for less.
Make things easy and arrange the parts in order as you take them off so reassembly will be super easy. Make sure to keep the screws and other small parts in a bag so every part you need to reassemble is all in one place and you don’t lose anything.
This washer timer replacement procedure will work with all top load washers and some front loading washers on the brands Bosch, Frigidaire, GE, Sears, Kenmore, LG, Maytag, Samsung, Whirlpool, Roper, KitchenAid, Inglis, Estate, and Kirkland washers.
If you need your washing machine’s service manual to order parts or to see schematics, they can be found here on our Washing Machine Service Manuals page.
This illustration should show you how easy it is to remove the old washer timer
A new washer timer for your washing machine will cost you from $50 to $120 dollars. You may also need a new washer knob when replacing the timer. A picture of a washing machine timer is below to help you know what it looks like.
This is what a common washing machine timer will look like
How to replace a timer on a washing machine (washer timer)
Looking for WASHING MACHINE ERROR CODES?
Here are fault codes for Bosch, Frigidaire, GE, Kenmore, LG, Maytag, Samsung, and Whirlpool washers.
Washer timer dial knob – How to replace
Troubleshooting What Causes your Washer Timer to Fail
If you have any experience with replacing the timer on a top loading or front loading washing machine, please leave a comment below and tell us any tips or tricks that may help the other readers having the same issue.
Written by Keith Schneerer
Certified Appliance Tech · Founder, RemoveAndReplace.com
Keith has spent 30+ years repairing machines, starting as a military mechanic and later maintaining food processing equipment before moving into appliance repair. He founded RemoveAndReplace.com to share field-tested repair advice.
More about Keith →
LG Washing Machine WM2655H*A that gets to spin cycle 8 and stays there does not complete spin.
Goes into UE after a while and stops.
Can get it to spin thru in diagnostic mode.
Hi Bobby, I have the same machine. Mine wont automatically go through the cycles, even though it fills, drains and spins okay. it stops with a nf code but “no fill” is not the problem. Did you ever find out how to fix yours? Other than this, it’s been a great machine for 8 years.
Doubt the timer was at fault here. Other possibilities are clutch, couple if direct drive, piece of clothing jamed between the inner tub and outer basket and brake assembly.
Kenmore elite front load washer.
When not loaded works both in normal operation and all test modes.
When loaded will start to agitate and work fine until the drum stops to add more water during wash cycle then “tries” to agitate again but drum gets hung up and stays in that mode until I assist the drum to turn-then works until next direction change. It does go into rinse cycle but needs help to tumble…spin cycle is the same scenerio to start then spins great ….The unit will not agitate in test mode either when loaded.
no error codes
machine mechanically taken all apart, drum cleaned, spider assembly ok, bearings checked and drum moves freely.
I’m learning myself how to repair my washer, I can’t afford what the repairmen are asking me to pay, so I go on Google.com and wala, lots of things and how to videos on repairs of anything from washers to microwaves.
Sounds like it is your timer switch.
It is located behind what they call the console.
It’s where your knob are located at the top.
That’s usually held in by a few small screws or clips.
If you are some what handy with tools, just screwdrivers and pliers, you can change this yourself.
My door lid switch went bad, tub would fill, but would not drain.
I got the part off Ebay for $9.95 free ship.
It plugs in behind that console as well.
Just Google how do I replace my timer switch on my whirlpool washer and you’ll have several videos come up for you to watch.
That’s how I’ve fixed my agitator dog ears, my lid switch, control knob and timer.
I have a top loading Whirlpool washer. MODEL number LSR5233AW0. It has three wash settings around a knob. Regular with 18-8 minute options, Perm Press with 10-6 minute options, and Delicate with a 6 minute option. The washer will only complete the entire cycle without incident if using the delicate cycle. With the perm press cycle it will fill from any of the time positions and will then stop. I have to manually move it to just past the shortest time for it to begin agitating then I can leave and the cycle will finish. With the regular cycle it will fill then stop. I have to manually advance it to the shortest time period for the agitation cycle then it will stop after a while and not automatically continue to the drain, rinse, and spin cycle.
Is it the timer and how hard is it to fix yourself?
Neil,
Yes it may be the timer. If there is a bad spot on it, it will not advance. You can try testing the timer assembly with a meter. You can test the water inlet valve with a meter also. Before you replace any parts, always check the suspect parts to be sure the wire harness is secure, not damaged, and connected properly. Sometimes a loose wire harness can be the issue. Have you tried advancing the timer manually to see if it able to advance from the cycle it is stuck in?
-RR