One thing is for sure, no washing machine is immune to breakdown or failure, and that includes a Maytag Centennial. For that reason, mastering basic Maytag Centennial washer troubleshooting is imperative if you want to get your washer back working as soon as possible.
In that case, you can try troubleshooting your Maytag Centennial washer when it won’t start, spin, drain, or agitate or when it’s stuck on sensing, leaks from the bottom, or flashes the lid lock light.
Basic troubleshooting also means knowing how to put your washer on diagnostic mode so that you can identify hidden errors and faults, and those are some of the issues I’ll address in this guide.
I’ll take you through the most probable cause of the seven issues and how to fix them quickly. So, prepare your toolbox, fold up your sleeve, and let’s go DIY!
In a rush? See below the quick fixes for the 7 Maytag Centennial washer problems I mentioned earlier:
Maytag Centennial Washer Troubleshooting – Quick Guide
| – | Washer Problem | Most Probable Cause | Quick Fix |
| 1. | The washer won’t start | Non-engaged start switch, failed incoming power, error code, active Control Lock, or incompletely latched lid | Hold down the ‘Start’ switch for 3 or more seconds, ensure the washer has power, reset it to clear an error code, disable Control Lock, and completely latch the lid |
| 2. | Spinning issues (the washer won’t spin) | Failed power, wrong setting, poor load loading, washer imbalance, excess suds, open lid, or bad drainage | Ensure the washer has power, choose the correct setting, and correctly load and steady the washer. Use the right amount of HE detergents, firmly close the lid, and fix any drainage issues |
| 3. | Draining issues (the washer won’t drain) | Incorrect drain pipe installation, drain hose clogging or kinking, excess suds, poor load distribution, or washer imbalance | Correctly position the drain hose, clean it if clogged, and straighten it out if kinked. Use the correct detergent, load the washer properly, and steady it if shaky |
| 4. | Agitation problems (the washer won’t agitate ) | Unlatched lid, failed power, or a defective agitator kit, drive block, motor coupling, or drive belt | Firmly secure the lid, ensure the washer has power, and replace a defective agitator kit, drive block, motor coupling, or drive belt |
| 5. | The washer is stuck on sensing | Electronic bug, poor laundry loading, failed water supply, burnt capacitor, or faulty actuator | Reset the washer and load it correctly, check the water supply, and replace a burnt capacitor or defective actuator |
| Other Issues | |||
| 6. | The washer leaks from the bottom | Washer imbalance, clogged drain pump or hose, broken tub seal or drain hose clamp, leaky hose or defective water-level switch | Balance the washer, clean the drain pump and hose, and replace a damaged seal, drain hose clamp, leaky hose, or defective water-level switch. |
| 7. | Flashing lid lock light | Obstructed lid, non-engaged lid lock, or unpowered lock motor | Clean the lid to clear dirt obstruction, and give the washer some time for it to power on |
Maytag Centennial Washer Diagnostic Mode
Ideally, you should run diagnostics on your Maytag Centennial washer to identify and decipher error codes. That is handy when dealing with Maytag Centennial EcoConserve Washer Problems, which aren’t easy to diagnose.
Here’s how to put a Maytag Centennial washer on diagnostic mode:
- Put the washer on standby (leave it plugged into the power but not turned on)
- Locate the main dial and turn it clockwise until it rests in the 12 o’clock position.
- Turn the dial the other way (counterclockwise) three times at an interval of half a second between each turn.
- Rotate it counterclockwise one more time
- Turn the dial clockwise the last time to enter diagnostic
- Proceed to your preferred test mode to identify hidden fault codes
- You’ll know the washer has entered diagnostic when its LEDs start blinking
Note: Once you find an error code, use this guide on Maytag Centennial Washer Error Codes to learn about its meaning and fixes
Maytag Centennial Washer Problems
While the Maytag Centennial washing machine may suffer different issues, here are the most typical ones (and, of course, the easiest to troubleshoot):
1. Maytag Centennial Washer Won’t Start
You cannot use a Maytag Centennial washer that won’t start. So, it must do, and if that’s not the case, it’s likely due to one of these reasons:
- Non-engaged start switch – If you don’t hold the start switch long enough, it won’t fully engage the control board, and the washer will not start.
- Failed incoming power – If your washer’s incoming power supply is disrupted by a tripped breaker, loose plugging, non-working outlet, or blown-up fuse, the washer won’t start.
- Error code – It could be that your washer tells you to check something through an error code. And in such a case, it may not start.
- Active Control Lock – The Control Lock somehow turns off the controls on the washer’s control panel, including the start button. By doing so, the start button can’t engage the washer to start.
- Incompletely latched lid – A Centennial washer will likely see an incompletely locked as a fault and fail to start.
Fix
Ensure you press down the start switch for at least 3 seconds. If the washer lacks power (won’t turn on), check the breaker for tripping and reset it, ensure you firmly plug the washer into a working wall outlet, and replace the fuse (if it won’t display continuity on a multimeter).
Meanwhile, reset the washer (by unplugging it for 1 minute) to fix an electronic bug, press Control Lock for 3 seconds to deactivate it, and firmly latch the lid. If the lid lock is damaged, replace it.
2. Maytag Centennial Washer Spin Cycle Problems
A washer may fail to spin for different issues, and as a result, it won’t wash. Overall, here are must-considerations when a Maytag Centennial washer won’t spin:
- Failed power – If your Centennial washer doesn’t have power, it won’t spin.
- Wrong setting – If the washer is on a no-spin cycle, it won’t spin. Similarly, the washer won’t spin if you are using a delicate or normal cycle for bulky loads.
- Poor load loading – The washer won’t spin if the clothes are excessively or imbalanced in the drum. They should not be more than ¾ capacity and should be evenly distributed in the drum.
- Washer imbalance – An imbalanced washer will most likely shake and throw the clothes out of alignment, making it harder for the drum to spin.
- Excess suds – Too many suds often result from using the wrong detergent or putting too much of the correct detergent, which can stop the washer from spinning.
- Open lid – If the washer’s sensors perceive the top as open, the washer won’t start.
- Bad drainage –If the wastewater doesn’t drain, it may stop the washer from spinning.
Fix
Check the washer’s power supply if it won’t turn on, and ensure you use the correct Maytag washer setting. While at it, keep the drum only ¾ full, redistribute the load evenly, and ensure the washer is well-balanced.
Use HE detergent over non-HE for its low-suds formation and apply the correct amount. Moreover, ensure you firmly latch the lid and check out the fixes discussed below if it’s a drainage issue.
And if that’s not the case, then it could be Maytag Centennial washer transmission problems, which require you to replace the transmission.
3. Maytag Centennial Washer Draining Problems
A washing machine should drain out wastewater. Sometimes, however, a Maytag Centennial washer won’t drain, and it often happens as a result of the following:
- Incorrect drain pipe installation – The drain pipe shouldn’t be too far into the standpipe (not more than 5 inches) or too high off the ground (more than 96 inches), as that’ll interfere with the drainage.
- Drain hose clogging or kinking – If the drain hose is kinked or clogged, it’ll restrict drainage.
- Excess suds – Too much suds will also interfere with drainage, and it could be due to detergent overuse or the wrong detergent
- Poor load distribution – If the clothes are tightly packed or out of balance, they’ll interfere with drainage.
- Washer imbalance – You can also expect the washer to have draining difficulty if it’s out of balance.
Fix
Correctly position the drain pipe – not more than 5 inches into the standpipe and not higher than 96 inches off the ground.
Clear any kinks or clogs from the drain hose and use HE detergent in the correct amount (instead of non-HE detergent). Furthermore, redistribute the load evenly and steady the washer.
4. Maytag Centennial Washer Agitator Problems Troubleshooting
You also expect a well-functioning washer to agitate without any issues. In some cases, however, the washer may have difficulty doing that, and here are the possible triggers:
- Unlatched lid
- Failed power
- Defective agitator kit, drive block, motor coupling, or drive belt
Fix
Ensure the lid is latched correctly and the washer has power. And if the agitator kit, drive block, motor coupling, or drive belt is worn-out or damaged, replace it.
5. Maytag Centennial Washer Problems Sensing
Now, is your Maytag Centennial washer stuck on sensing? Well, there are a few possible explanations for that, and they include the following:
- Electronic bug
- Poor laundry loading
- Failed water supply
- Burnt capacitor
- Faulty actuator
Fix
Consider resetting the washer to fix an electronic bug and evenly redistribute the load without overloading it. While at it, check the water supply to ensure the washer has water and replace a burnt capacitor or damaged actuator.
6. Maytag Centennial Washer Problems Leaking Water from Bottom
It’s uncommon for a Maytag Centennial washer to leak from the bottom, but it could happen in three instances, as follows:
- During the spin cycle – It could be due to a washer imbalance, clogged pump or drain hose, or broken seal
- When draining – The cause could be a broken drain hose clamp or drain pump, or leaky hose
- During the fill cycle or agitation – It could be due to a fractured tub seal or defective water-level switch
Fix
If the washer leaks during a spin cycle:
- Ensure the washer is well balanced, clean the drain pump and drain hose if clogged, and replace a broken seal
If the leaking happens during a drain cycle:
- Replace a broken drain hose clamp, drain pump, or hose
And if it leaks during a fill cycle or agitation:
- Replace a broken tub seal or defective water-level switch
7. Maytag Centennial Washer Problems Lid Locked Light Flashing
Your Centennial washer’s lid lock light is flashing due to the following:
- Obstructed lid
- Non-engaged lid lock
- Unpowered lock motor
Fix
Clean any clog obstruction on the lid to firmly latch the top and give the washer enough time for the lock motor to power on and the lid lock to engage.
Concluding Thought:
Above are the basics for performing Maytag Centennial washer troubleshooting. You can thus fix your washer when it has issues starting, draining, spinning, and agitating and when it leaks from the bottom or flashes the lid. More importantly, you should be able to put it on diagnostic mode and fix it.
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