A burning smell coming from the KitchenAid washing machine is an indication of concern, as it may indicate an issue that requires to be resolved immediately. There are many reasons why this might occur, like worn bearings, malfunctioning belts, or motor malfunctions. This article will provide the most common causes of burning smells inside the KitchenAid washer and will provide step by step instructions on how to resolve them. It doesn’t matter if it’s a minor issue or a major issue there’s a solution for you. If you follow the correct approach, you can repair a KitchenAid washer that is exhibiting an unpleasant smell and resume doing your laundry with ease.
Drive Belt Or Spin Belt
Some models of top loading KitchenAid washers utilize belts to drive the motor. The belt could be the source of issue if the KitchenAid washer stops agitating. How to find out whether yourKitchenAid washing machines drive belt requires to be repaired:
- Disconnect the power source of your KitchenAid before you start.
- To remove the drive belt you’ll require the removal of the clamps which hold it in the position. The drive motor is connected to the clamps. is the belt. You will need to remove the cabinet or panel at the rear for access.
- Once you have removed it, inspect the belt for evidence of fraying, burning, cracking, or any other damage.
- You can replace the belt with a KitchenAid replacement belt in the event of issues.
Pump Belt
Top load KitchenAid washers use the belt to operate the drain pump. It is usually an ordinary V-shaped belt which is connected to the motor that drives it to a pulley on the drain pump. There may also be an idler pulley assembly to provide tension on the belt. You must inspect your KitchenAid washer’s belt for leaks if you detect a rubber burning smell. How to tell if yourKitchenAid washer pump belt requires replacement:
- Disconnect your washer from the main supply of power and open the cabinet.
- Locate and take off the pump belt in order to examine it. The belt for the pump will be connected to the pulley of the drive motor. To take it off then you’ll have to take off the clamps that hold it in the position.
- Check your pump’s visual appearance for signs of wear, burning cracks, fraying or other damage.
- If your belt exhibits any of these symptoms the belt is in need of a KitchenAid replacement pump belt.
Motor Pulley
The drive motor uses a pulley for turning the belts for pump and drive. Motor pulleys are composed of metal or synthetic materials to make sure that they are in contact with the belts. The pulley is susceptible to wear or rusted and result in excessive friction, overheating or wear and tear to the belt. This can cause an unpleasant burning smell. How to examine the motor pulley of theKitchenAid washing machine
- Before you begin this check, unplug the KitchenAid washer.
- To examine the motor pulleys, locate the pulley and remove it. It will be necessary to take out the cabinet for this as well as taking off any belts that are attached to the pulley.
- Visually inspect your motor pulley for any buildups of dirt, grease or other materials as well as evidence of wear, damage or burning. If the pulley is damaged or wear, you’ll have to replace it with a KitchenAid replacement.
Drain Pump
The drain pump on a KitchenAid washing machine is used to remove the water out of the wash tub prior to and during the spin cycle. It can be motor-driven, belt driven or electric. A smell that is burning from the KitchenAid washing machine either during or following the spin cycle can signal that the drain motor has become seized, preventing it from rotating. For models driven by belts the smell of burning originates from the belt that is slipping over the pulley of the pump. Models with an electric drain pump will smell more like an electric motor. How to examine the drain pump the in theKitchenAid washing machine:
- Disconnect the source of power from the appliance and then take off the front panel or cabinet.
- After you’ve found the pump, check all connections and hoses that are coming out of it to identify the source. If you discover any issues you need to replace the connector or hose.
- If the leak is coming directly from the pump the pump will require KitchenAid replacement pump.
Idler Pulley wheel & Idler Pulley Arm
Top load washers from KitchenAid use an idler pulley that is used to tighten the drive belt or pump. If the idler’s pulley becomes locked or the idler arm doesn’t pivot in a fluid manner, the proper tension for the belt can’t be maintained and excessive friction or belt slippage could take place, which can cause the belt to overheat resulting in the smell of burning. How do you inspect the wheel of the idler pulley & arm of a KitchenAid washing-machine:
- Locate and inspect your idler pulley arm and wheel. You are looking for any signs of damage, wear cracks, burns or cracks. The drive belt will be connected to the pulley, and it is necessary to unhook it in order to check the pulley.
- To unwind the belt, tilt your idler pulley in the direction of the drum in order to decrease the tension. This will allow you to remove it.
- Inspect the pulley wheel to make sure it is turning smoothly , with little resistance, and doesn’t wobble.
- If you find any issues in the tests above, you will need KitchenAid replacement idler pulley or arm.
Direct Drive Motor Coupling
Some top load KitchenAid washers use direct drive motor coupling instead of a belt to transfer power from the motor to the transmission. The drive coupling links the motor and the transmission. It’s comprised of two drive forks with a rubber coupling in between them. One of the drive forks is connected to the shaft for the drive motor, and the other to the input shaft of the transmission. As the motor shaft rotates the rubber coupling between the drive forks absorbs the forces to keep the forks from breaking. Normal wear and tear will result on the coupling and eventually the drive forks can slip and cause the smell of burning. How to examine the coupling on aKitchenAid washing machine’s direct drive motor coupling:
- As with all other inspections you should verify that your KitchenAid is not connected to the power source.
- To check the condition of the condition of your KitchenAid washer, you’ll require removing the coupling. To get it out, you’ll require removing the entire or a part of your cabinet, and based on the model you have, you might also have to remove the drain pump and/or the motor.
- Take a look at the coupling between the motor and the engine to determine whether it’s showing signs of wear, cracking burns or damage.
- It is necessary to replace the KitchenAid direct drive motor coupling should you experience any issues with the coupling of your motor.
Clutch Assembly
Some models of top load KitchenAid washers have the clutch assembly to propel the basket of the washer during the spin cycle. A burning smell coming from the interior of your KitchenAid washing machine can be caused by a worn clutch or the machine is likely to emit an ominous scraping sound during the spin cycle. Another sign of a worn-out clutch is shavings of brake dust or brake dust located beneath the KitchenAid washing machine. How to examine the clutch in aKitchenAid washing machine:
- When you have disconnected the appliance from the source of power and then opening your KitchenAid washing machine’s cabinet to locate the clutch unit.
- To examine the clutch assembly, you should take it off the KitchenAid appliance. It is usually located beneath the tub’s outer surface and is attached to the drive assembly for the basket. You might need to take the drive motor and transmission off based on the model.
- Examine your clutch assembly for signs of damage, burning cracks, fraying, or wear. If you spot any of these indications, you’ll need a replacement KitchenAid clutch assembly.
Glide & Spring
Some models of KitchenAid washing machines use an arrangement of a spring and glide in the drive motor to aid in belt tensioning. The drive motor will typically be mounted on a pivot to the base frame as well as springs that provide tension. A lubricated plastic or nylon glide is attached to the lower part of the motor in order to let it slide over the KitchenAid washer base frame. This will allow the drive belt or pump belts to slide a little at the time the motor starts, and acts like a clutch. If the belt does not move freely, the belts could get overheated and cause a smell of burning. How to examine the glide and spring on aKitchenAid washing machine.
- Unplug your KitchenAid washing machine prior to starting.
- Remove or remove the front panel of the washer to reveal the spring(s) or glide(s). The drive motor spring and glides are typically found on the top of the base frame. It is accessible by lifting the front of the frame.
- Make sure that the motor is positioned correctly, that the springs are not stretched, and there isn’t dirt or rust on the surface.
- Examine the glide(s) for any signs of wear, burn, or damage. Lubricate them if needed.
- If you discover any problems or damaged components when performing these checks, you could require KitchenAid replacement springs and glides.
Drive motor
The main drive motor on most KitchenAid washers is used to regulate mechanical functions like spin, tumble and agitation. It can also be used to run the drain pump. An issue with one of the motor’s parts can cause it heat up and create a smell of burning. If the problem is significant the motor could overheat enough to fail. A common symptom associated with failing drive motors is a humming or buzzing sound that occurs when the motor is starting. How to test the drive motor on the KitchenAid washing machine:
- After you’ve verified that you’ve unplugged your washer, remove the cabinet of the KitchenAid appliance.
- Unplug the drive motor in order to test it. The drive motor will have multiple wires attached to the drive motor. You should pull on the connectors made of metal but not the wires.
- You are testing the motor for continuity and testing the ground connection. For both of these tests, your multimeter needs to be set at Rx1. To check continuity, you should connect the probes on motor terminals. It should give a reading near or even zero.
- You can check for a ground connection by placing one probe onto the terminal and touching the other to its metal housing. It should not give any readings.
- If your multi-meter readings are not in line with those listed above, you’ll require an KitchenAid replacement drive motor.