Amana washer repair, from rocking tubs to codes
Before an Amana top-loader flags an uneven load, it tries to fix it: the washer adds water and rocks the basket back and forth to spread the clothes. That sloshing is normal. We repair Amana washing machines across Oahu when the fix does not hold.
Why an Amana washer stops partway
A stalled Amana is often doing what it was built to do. These six causes come straight from Amana's own help pages, and most need no parts.
Lid left up
Some newer Amana top-loaders will not fill with the lid up. Others fill, then stop and drain once it has been open 10 minutes.
Lopsided load
The washer refills and rocks the basket first. Only when that fails does it show an out-of-balance code.
Too many items
OL means overload. The washer drains and asks you to take some items out before it continues.
Power blinked
PF on the display means a power failure interrupted the cycle. Check the outlet, then restart the cycle.
Extension cord
Amana wants a grounded three-prong outlet and no extension cord. A loose or shared hookup causes odd stops.
Machine not level
A washer rocking on its feet throws loads off balance. Leveling, explained below, often settles it for good.
Four Amana codes and what to try first
| Code | What Amana says it means | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Sud | Too much foam. "No splash" or "easy pour" chlorine bleach carries a thickener that suds up | Let it work; the washer pauses and adds rinse water, sometimes more than once |
| F9 E1 | The drain took longer than eight minutes | Push in only 4.5 inches of hose, untaped, into a standpipe 39 to 96 inches tall |
| LdU | The top-load lid cannot unlock | Lift off whatever is sitting on the lid |
| Int | A front-load cycle was paused or canceled | Wait. Stopping and pumping out can take 20 to 30 minutes |
Setting up an Amana front-loader the way Amana lists it
Bolts out
Remove the shipping bolts from the back. Left in, the machine shakes hard and runs poorly from the first spin onward.
Both hoses
Connect hot and cold and open both faucets. Amana's inlet valve needs pressure from both hoses, even for a cold wash.
Right outlet
Plug straight into a grounded three-prong outlet. Amana's checklist rules out extension cords for this machine.
Test run
Run a quick cycle with the drum empty. Watch for leaks at the hoses and listen for knocking before loading clothes.
Which way do you turn an Amana washer foot?
Clockwise lowers the corner and counterclockwise raises it, on plastic and metal feet alike. Set a level across the top, side to side and front to back, and adjust one foot at a time. Then snug each lock nut up against the cabinet so the foot cannot creep. A washer that walks or bangs in spin after this needs a closer look at the suspension, which is a technician job.
Amana NFW5800H, as listed
Sources: ENERGY STAR qualified washer records for Amana; Amana product help on codes, lid locking, leveling and installation