The automatic washing machine has long and firmly entered our lives. It significantly reduces the time spent on caring for things, even for those who need a delicate wash. But sometimes incidents happen. For example, the machine starts to jump. Most housewives cannot find the reason for this behavior of household appliances. Often these movements of the machine speak of a breakdown, sometimes serious. Why the washing machine jumps during spin cycle and how to remove excessive vibrations, this article will tell.
There are many reasons for the strange vibration of the machine. Some problems are easy to diagnose and can be fixed easily. But there are such breakdowns that require serious repairs.
Why the washing machine jumps during the spin cycle: reasons
The most frequent breakdowns can be caused by:
- unstable position due to improper installation (uneven floor, not level installation);
- imbalance of the laundry loaded in the machine;
- transportation bolts not removed when installing the machine;
- getting between the drum and the tank of the machine small things or parts of linen (for example, buttons, brassieres, linen buttons, rivets);
- malfunctions of shock absorbers or springs;
- bearing failure;
- broken mounting or complete wear of the balances;
- damage to the electric motor.
How to find out why the washing machine jumps during the spin cycle? Troubleshooting is the first thing to do. The reasons for the unhealthy vibration of the machine are many. Diagnostics should be started by eliminating simple problems that can be identified by a careful examination of the device.
Imbalance
What do experts recommend starting with finding out the reason for the mobility of the device? To answer the question why the washing machine jumps during the spin cycle, you first need to check if the balance of the drum is not upset. This may be indicated by:
- Stray linen after spinning into a single lump (for example, a duvet cover).
- For the selected mode, the maximum allowable weight of the laundry was not observed (the permitted load is indicated in the instruction manual of the device). Not always the maximum calculated load of the washing machine corresponds to a single program.
- Things fill the drum by more than two-thirds.
Shipping bolts not removed
This is a fairly common reason explaining why the washing machine jumps during the spin cycle. It occurs when the device is installed independently, without contacting qualified craftsmen. If the machine erases for the first time and “went dancing”, then with absolute probability we can say that during installation the transportation bolts were not removed.
They are installed at the factory and are designed to ensure reliable fixation of the tank during transportation. Their mounting locations are described in the attached instructions. Usually there are four.
Not level setting
There is another common reason why the washing machine jumps during the spin cycle. Revealing it is simple. You need to swing the car in idle mode. If it succumbed easily, it means that errors were made during installation. This needs to be fixed, preferably using a building level.
Stuck objects between the drum and the laundry tub
Why does the washing machine jump during the spin cycle if it was installed exactly according to the instructions? There is another reason that is not difficult to fix. A simple flashlight can help. They need to light the drum well, gradually scrolling it. Specialists can easily remove foreign objects stuck deep in the machine.
Damage to shock absorbers or springs
A less desirable option for why the washing machine jumps during spin cycle is for technical reasons. It will not work to fix them without a specialist. In this case, the vibration will be accompanied by a characteristic knock on the drum of the machine, even a possible rattle. The same sounds can indicate the wear of the counterweight mounts or itself.
This malfunction can be diagnosed independently. To do this, remove the cover of the machine and check the described elements. If they are suitable, then there are two reasons for the jumps of the unit.
Damage to the motor or marriage
So, you have already looked through everything, but still have not figured out why the washing machine jumps during the spin cycle? Technical malfunctions of the “heart” of the device or an error in its release may be the main cause of the breakdown. Here it is necessary to recall that household appliances that have not reached the warranty period cannot be opened independently. To fix all the problems you need to contact the warranty workshop or the store where the equipment was bought.
Home Troubleshooting
In most cases, the cause of the problem is easily fixed. First of all, you need to decide where to put the device and how to fix it. If the washing machine jumps during the spin cycle, you should strictly adhere to the algorithm of actions to eliminate this trouble. When the device vibrates due to a simple imbalance, the actions may be as follows:
- turn off the washing mode and disconnect the machine from the network;
- it is necessary to open the door of the machine, and if this cannot be done, emergency water must be drained;
- after the door is unlocked, the drum should be freed from laundry;
- It is recommended to lay half of the extracted laundry (straightened and no more than 2/3);
- close the machine door and start the appropriate mode.
If the cause of vibration is improper installation, then you need to:
- dismantle the automatic machine, having previously disconnected it from electricity, water supply and sewage;
- carefully level the surface occupied by the machine, preferably with a building level;
- put the device in place and now, by scrolling the legs, adjust the horizontal level;
- in case of slippery flooring, put anti-slip or anti-vibration mats under the machine.
If the cause of an unhealthy vibration is a stuck object, you can try to pull it out yourself, picking it up with something. In case of failure, it is worth calling a specialist, since the machine will have to be disassembled almost to the ground.
Worn out springs or shock absorbers must be replaced. They are not repairable. It is only necessary to take into account that even if one of the shock absorbers is serviceable , both must be replaced , since the load should be distributed evenly. If you have the skills to work with a different tool and the experience of its use, you can find a diagram of the upcoming work in professional magazines and act independently. Otherwise, you need to contact the home appliance repair company and entrust this work to the master. In the same scenario, it is necessary to act if the bearings are broken. By the way, they have a service life of no more than 5-6 years.
If the car makes jumps due to a malfunction of the counterweight, the following steps must be performed.
Depending on the brand and model of the machine, using a screwdriver, pliers or wrenches, you need to remove the top cover and inspect the counterweight. This is a special weighting agent, which is usually made of concrete or cast iron. The second half is almost above the floor. If the weightings are loose, tighten them. In case of failure, they must be replaced. If the concrete weighting agent is deformed, it can also be changed to a similar one.
And, of course, if the vibration is caused by a breakdown of the electric motor, then there is no way to do without a specialist. Consultation with him will help to resolve the issue of whether an automatic machine is repairable or if a new one needs to be purchased.
Interesting nuances
Of course, you need to take into account that all the machines vibrate slightly. These are the eternal laws of physics. But such a technique has its own laws. For example, it is noticed that narrow machines are more prone to vibration than devices of standard width. This is easily explained: the support area of the narrowed machine is smaller, therefore, it will have poor stability, from where excessive vibration appears. Plus, in these devices there are special narrowed drums, in them the linen is easier to knock into a lump, which will imbalance the work and also lead to vibration. Anti-slip or anti-vibration litter must be placed under these machines. They dampen excessive vibration.
Before buying a machine, you need to consult a specialist outlet and find out what material the linen tank is made of. For example, metal containers are very loud in operation, especially during the spin cycle. While plastic drums are considered more stable and quiet. And modern units with linen tanks that do not touch the body work completely silently.