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An LG washer in good working condition should spin quietly and without any problems. So, if there’s ever a situation when that spinning doesn’t happen, or if there’s a grinding noise coming from inside, that means there’s something wrong.
Your LG washer is not spinning properly because it has electrical or mechanical issues such as:
- Broken motor or speed sensor wires
- Rotor Position Sensor failed
- Motor rotor assembly is worn out
- Main Control Board failure
- Clogged drain pump or drain filter
In the following sections, we’ll explore each of those reasons to help you understand why it happens and what you can do about it.
Broken Motor Wire Harness Or Speed Sensor Wires
What it is: All of the components inside your LG washer are connected to each other with wires.
Besides supplying them with the power they need to function, wires also carry ‘instructions’ from the main control board for each component to work a certain way.
Some parts, like the speed sensor, are connected by single wires. Others, like the motor, might rely on several wires bunched together in what’s often called a wire harness.
All of these wires and wire harnesses must be in good condition, and they must also be connected firmly. Otherwise, the components they serve will not be able to function correctly.
Why it fails: If your LG washer isn’t spinning correctly, there could be a wiring problem.
For example, the motor’s wire harness or the speed sensor wires may have somehow become broken, because of the constant vibration.
Whenever wires of any kind get broken, that means crucial components in your washer aren’t getting the proper power they need to function.
As a result, what might happen in your LG washer is that the motor will only run on two phases, instead of the regular three.
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Besides failing to spin properly, you may notice that there’s a grinding noise coming from inside the machine.
How to fix: Generally, you’d have two options in this situation: fix the broken wire or replace it entirely from the control board to the motor.
Either case will involve opening the washer’s panels and gaining access to the electrical system inside. If you’re unsure about doing it yourself, don’t hesitate to call a professional.
Here’s what the repair process will look like. Firstly, the power supply to the washer must be disconnected to prevent injury or electrocution.
Then, a careful inspection of the motor wire harness and speed sensor wires has to be done to look for any breakages.
The two ends of the broken wire need to be spliced together for them to work. You could also buy a brand new motor wire harness and replace the entire bunch, too.
Rotor Position Sensor Failed
What it is: Your LG washer also relies on something called a speed sensor to function correctly.
As the name suggests, this sensor monitors the speed of the drum as it spins. As that happens, the sensor communicates that information to the main control board, which increases or decreases the speed based on the settings you’ve chosen.
You’ll typically find the speed sensor attached to the motor. To correctly identify and locate the sensor, refer to the user manual or any technical sheet that may have come included with the washer.
Why it fails: When it fails, the machine might show several symptoms. Firstly, the washer drum isn’t spinning as it should and making unusual noises.
Besides that, the machine might also display an LE error code, which tells you that the motor has been locked.
There are several reasons for this. For example, this could happen if the motor has become strained by excessive weight loads inside.
However, it’s also possible that the speed sensor has become faulty and isn’t working correctly.
If that’s the case, it could be sending incorrect information to the washer, making it unable to spin at all.
How to fix: A faulty speed sensor will need to be replaced. As always, be sure to disconnect the power supply to the machine to prevent injury or electrocution.
You’ll gain access to the existing sensor by removing the rear access panel.
There are several parts you’ll need to get past before you reach the sensor. Start by removing the rotor from the tub.
Remove the screws securing the stator wire retainers and bracket, as well as the grounding screw.
To remove the stator, you’ll need to take out the bolts that hold it in place. Then, disconnect the motor sensor wire harness and remove the old sensor.
Once that’s done, all you’ll have to do is replace it with the new sensor in the same location.
Once that’s done, work your way backwards. Replace the wire harness, stator, bolts and screws, and replace the access panel you removed earlier.
Failed Main Control Board
What it is: The main control board is basically the brain of the entire washing machine.
It’s a printed circuit board with plenty of tiny electronic components on it, each with its own purpose.
Based on the settings that you choose, the control board will coordinate the actions of all the washer’s parts so they run the cleaning cycles correctly.
Why it fails: Over time, you may experience a control board that stops working. That might be because it has shorted out, perhaps as a result of a power surge during a thunderstorm.
Although less likely, it’s also possible that the board was exposed to excessive heat or moisture, leading it to wear out sooner than it normally would.
Depending on which electronic components on the control board are damaged, different washer functions will stop working.
One of them might be the motor’s ability to work, which might leave you with a washer that won’t spin.
How to fix: In some cases, it might be possible to repair the main control board.
However, many people prefer replacing the entire piece instead. To do that, you’ll need to disconnect the power supply and remove the top access panel.
Once done, you’ll be able to see the control board mounted on the side panel.
Remove the pressure switch and set it aside, before disconnecting the electrical connector to the board. Remove the panel that houses the main control board, and then replace it with the new board.
Be sure to replace the electrical connectors to the board in the same way as before. You can take a picture of the old board and use that as a reference.
Motor Rotor Assembly Worn Out
What it is: The motor rotor assembly sits towards the rear of the washer. Its function is pretty simple: it attaches to the tub inside and spins it around.
For that to happen correctly, the motor rotor assembly attaches to the shaft that helps to turn the tub, especially at higher speeds.
Why it fails: When you find that your LG washer won’t spin correctly, it’s possible that the motor rotor assembly has worn out.
Grooves on the shaft aren’t catching on to the ones on the rotor, which leaves you with a grinding noise but no spinning.
How to fix: Replacing the motor rotor assembly is pretty straightforward. You’ll need to remove the rear access panel.
Once you do, the rotor assembly will be the first thing that you see.
Remove the bolt that holds the old assembly in place and put the replacement on. Tighten the bolt.
Then, turn the rotor assembly by hand to ensure that it engages with the tub and spins it as well.
Drain Pump Or Filter Clogged
What it is: Like any washing machine, your LG washer has a drain pump and filter inside of it.
The drain pump helps to remove all of the water from the machine once the washing cycle has completed.
The filter, on the other hand, is a passive way to remove dirt, lint, and small objects from the water to avoid any clogs.
Why it fails: Draining is a crucial part of any washer cycle. So, suppose your LG washer is unable to drain all its water out or if its filter gets clogged.
If that’s the case, then the machine will not allow itself to spin.
The drain pump might get clogged after a long time as dirt or foreign objects build up inside of it.
You might not notice that this is happening at first, but you will once the buildup becomes significant enough to block it entirely.
The same goes for the filter. Many washer users forget to clean their filters regularly, which makes it difficult for water to drain out of the machine.
Remember: the washer itself will not spin if it’s not able to drain all of the water out.
How to fix: Fixing this issue is pretty straightforward. Open the small panel that hides the drain pump filter, which is typically on the front of the machine right at the bottom.
Inside the panel, you’ll find a small drain hose. That hose will allow you to drain all the remaining water out of the washer.
Once the washer is drained out, then you can remove the drain pump filter and wash it under the sink. Be sure to remove all of the dirt and any foreign objects in there, like coins. Once it’s all clear, you can put it back in the machine.
I replaced the rotor position sensor. the machine worked fine the first time after the repair then quit spinning again. replacement part WAS NOT an OEM part.
When I run the diagnostic mode on my front load washer it does not go into high spin. Low yes but high no. Cleaned pump and hoses. I don’t hear any grinding when the tub rotates. Should I check wiring and sensor next?
Hello Tina, my LG washer is doing the exact same thing. Were you able to figure out the problem? Was it the Rotor Position Sensor or clogged drain filter or the coupling or wiring itself?
Did you get this fixed? If so what did you do?
LG front load washer functions properly but the spin cycle is notably louder than a few years ago. On an older unit I would suspect bearings but I note that’s not discussed in this thread, any idea what may be wrong?