How to Fix a GE Washer That Isn’t Turning On

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DanMarc
April 22, 2019
Washer Repair

Most individuals automatically assume they need a new washer when their current one doesn’t start, and although in certain instances this can be true, a more likely scenario is easy to fix the malfunction. Two components that when faulty lead to a non-operational GE washer model WHDVH680JMR are the user control board and the door lock. Luckily, replacing either part is not complicated and shouldn’t take you long at all.

Before you begin repairing your washer, please remember to unplug the appliance and turn off its hot and cold water supply valves. Work gloves and safety goggles should be worn during the entire repair process.

The User Control Board

As you may have guessed, the user control board is the panel on the front of your washer that controls the numerous functions your appliance performs. If your washing machine isn’t starting, there is a good chance the control board is faulty and needs replacing.

How to Replace the User Control Board in Your GE Washer

  1. If you haven’t already pulled your washer away from your laundry room wall, please do that now. Once there is enough room for you to fit between the wall and your appliance, head to the back of your washing machine, and unthread the screws securing the top panel to the rear and front panel. Pull the top panel backward an inch or two, and then remove the trim that is attached to the front of the top panel by carefully pulling it up to release it from the locking tabs that hold it in place. After you’ve taken the trim off, simply lift the top panel up and off your washing machine.
  2. Head to the front of your washer, and pull out the detergent drawer. Then, using a Phillips screwdriver, unthread the screw found underneath the drawer on the front of the control panel. After the screw is removed, take out the screws located on the back of the control panel
  3. Now you’ll need to release the locking tabs that run along the top, side, and bottom of the control panel. To do so, simply disengage the top tabs by pulling up on the top edge of the panel. Then, reach underneath the metal bracket that sits behind the control panel and pushes forward on the locking tabs found on the backside of the panel.
  4. Once all the tabs are disengaged, you can tilt the control panel backwards to gain access to the user control board. At this point, you’ll need to disconnect all the wire harnesses running to the control board. Luckily, all the harnesses are different sizes and will only fit on their designated terminal, so you don’t need to memorize or take a picture of the connections. After all the wire harnesses are detached from the control board, you can take the control panel assembly off your washer and move it to your work table.
  5. With the control board facing up, unthread the screws that hold the control board to the control panel. Then, release the locking tabs that run along the bottom of the control board to completely disconnect the control board from the control panel.
  6. Before you can get rid of the faulty control board, flip it over and remove the buttons on the face of the board. Once you have finished, retrieve the new control board, and snap the buttons from the old board onto the new one.
  7. Grab the control panel and line up the locking tabs on the control board with the slots on the panel. Then, carefully push the two together to engage the locking tabs. Once the panel and board are secure, lay the control panel assembly face down to rethread the screws that hold the control board in place.
  8. Carry the control panel assembly back to your washer, and start reconnecting the wire harnesses to the terminals on the control board. After all the harnesses are reattached, push the control panel assembly onto the front of your washer to reengage the component’s locking tabs, and then rethread the screw found near the detergent drawer opening and the screws on the back of the control panel assembly. Once the control panel assembly is secure, reinsert the detergent drawer.
  9. Now that the new control board is installed, you can go ahead and reattach the washer’s top panel. To do so, place the panel on the top of your washer and reinstall the trim piece you took off at the start of the repair. After the piece is in place slide the top panel forward and secure it with the screws you removed earlier.
  10. To finish off your repair, plug your appliance back in, and program the new control board by following the directions that came with the part.

The Door Lock

When you close your washer door, you engage the door lock, which then allows your washer to turn on. If the lock is damaged and is not latching properly or if there is an electrical issue with the lock, your washing machine will no longer start. Luckily, replacing the lock is fairly simple.

How to Replace the Door Lock in Your GE Washer

  1. Open your washer door, and remove the boot clamp that secures the door seal. To do so, insert a flat head screwdriver between the clamp and the seal, and then carefully slide the screwdriver around the seal to loosen the clamp. Once the clamp is mostly free, pull it off your washer.
  2. On the washer’s front panel, unthread the screws that secure the door lock to the panel.
  3. After you have removed all the screws, lift up the side of the boot seal that sits closest to the door lock, and then reach in-between the seal and the front panel to pull the door lock halfway out. Once you can see the wire harnesses that run to the door lock, disconnect them from the component.
  4. Grab your new door lock and connect the wire harnesses that run to the component. Then, position the door lock behind the front panel, making sure the locking mechanism is sticking out of the opening in the front panel. Once the lock is lined up properly, rethread the screws that secure it to your washer.
  5. Before you reinstall the boot clamp, make sure you push the boot seal back into the lip of the door. After you’ve run your hand around the entire seal to ensure it is positioned properly, you can replace the boot clamp.
  6. With the new door lock installed, plug-in your washer and turn on its water supply. Then, fill the tub with a load of laundry and hit the start button to ensure your repair fixed the malfunction.

If you believe another component is causing your washer to not start, but you can’t seem to pinpoint the problem, please contact us today, and one of our highly trained technicians will diagnose and repair your malfunctioning appliance.

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