GE Top Load Washer will Spin then Stop

Working on a GE top load washing machine. The model# is GTW220ACK *

This was originally worked on by a technician that replaced the control board. The machine fills with water, and will drain out the water, but when it goes into spin, it briefly spins for about 5 seconds and then the drive motor stops.

Every place I looked online for these exact symptoms got it wrong. The place that didn't get it wrong was the service tech sheet, which is located on the bottom corner beneath the washing machine.

As a member of appliantology.com I get access to tech manuals, forums, and webinars that tailor to the professional appliance repair person.

Reading through the GE guide for this washing machine I quickly found out that it was the speed sensor, or hall sensor that could cause these symptoms. The speed sensor is located and mounted directly on the motor, and if the control board doesn't get a signal from the sensor, the machine will stop spinning. This happens if a wire get cut, disconnected, or the sensor itself fails.

A faulty speed / hall sensor will trigger the Locked Rotor error code in the machines service diagnostic mode. I ordered my speed sensor for this GE washing machine off of Amazon. Make sure that the part you order will work for the model of your washing machine.

Replacing the Hall / Speed Sensor

Remove the power from the washing machine.

Optional: Turn off the water to the machine and disconnect the water supply lines. Remove the drain pipe and secure underneath the washer lid.

Tip the washing machine back and stabilize it by placing something under the back of it so it doesn't move, and you have full access to the components underneath the machine.

Remove the belt guard by unscrewing the 3, 3/8" bolts.

Remove the belt from the pulleys by manually rotating the pulleys and walking the belt off.

Remove the 9/16" nut holding on the drive motor pulley, by loosening the nut while holding firmly on the drive motor pulley.

Wiggle the drive motor pulley back and forth, up and down, until it slides off of the shaft. If you can't get it to come of the shaft you can try some silicone spray or use a hub puller.

You now have access to the speed sensor. Go to the wire connector, lift up on the red tab, this allows you to disconnect the speed sensor wires.

Carefully pry the old speed sensor off of the motor, you are probably going to break some tabs when doing so, making the old sensor unusable.

Install the new speed sensor by lining up the hooks on the bottom of the sensor, then snapping it onto the motor. The speed sensor should flush with the motor and not move at all. Reconnect the wires, don't forget to push in the red tab on the connector.

Reinstall the drive motor pulley. Inspect both pulleys for oil or grease, and wipe clean.

Recommend reinstalling a new belt, if you don't have one in stock the old belt will probably work.

Reinstall belt guard.

Level machine, hook up water lines and turn on water. Plug in power cord or turn on breaker to washer.

Enter service mode and clear all error codes. Test to see if your GE washing machine is spinning now.