How To Figure Out If Your Washer's Water Inlet Valve Is Working Properly

When your washer is not getting enough water to it, one of the first things you should check is the washer's inlet valve.

#1 Disconnect The Power Supply

First, you need to turn off the power supply to your washer. You can do this by unplugging your washing machine or by turning off the breaker that supplies your washing machine with power at your power box.

#2 Move Out Your Washer

Your washer's water inlet valve is located on the back of your washing machine, so you are going to need to pull the washing machine out, away from the wall so you have room to work behind your washing machine. Depending on how heavy your washing machine is and how far you have to pull it out from the wall, you may want to get some help moving your washing machine.

#3 Turn Off The Water

Now you need to turn off the supply of water to your washer. There should be water control valves that you can turn off on the back of your washing machine. Make sure they are in the off position.

#4 Disconnect The Hoses

Now that the water is turned off, you can disconnect the water hoses. You can twist or pull the water hoses off your washing machine. You are going to want to have a bucket nearby. When you disconnect the water hoses, direct them to the bucket. There could be water in the hoses still and you don't want to get the water all over your floor.

#5 Remove Debris From Screens

Attached to the hoses are the washer's water inlet valve. You are going to want to look at the water inlet valve and at the screen inside the valve. You can pop the screen out of the valve with a flat head screwdriver. After you pop off the screen, rinse it off. Rinse off the water inlet valve as well in order to dislodge any debris that is inside the water inlet valve.

#6 Disconnect Wires

Inside the water inlet valve are two solenoids or coils. These coils each have a wire attached to them. You can disconnect these wires by pulling on the metal connectors to disconnect the wires.

#7 Use Multi-tester

Now you need to test the connection coming from the water valve to make sure that it is working properly. Attach the multi-tester to the wires. Use your multi-tester to test the Ohms resistance. If the washer water inlet valve needs to be replaced, the multi-tester will give you a reading of infinity. That means you need to put a new solenoid in the water valve.

To get everything back in order, connect the wires to the coils and put the water valve back on your washing machine. Attach the water hose back to your machine, turn on the water and turn on the power to your washing machine. Contact a service company, like A OK Appliance Service, for more help.