LG WM-1485FHD Front Load Washer - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

I opened up the top of the washer by unscrewing the screw in the back. then I pressed down hard on the white plastic cover of the soap dispenser that you will see on the front left hand side of the machine. I also moved it slightly to the right by pushing on the side of the same unit.

The soap dispenser then opened up fine. I cleaned out the soap dispenser from any crud that developed in it. Now it opens and closes nicely.

Did you know there is a class action lawsuit against LG for mold that develops inside of this model washer? I joined in the lawsuit. There should be no mold accumulating in any washer.

LG Direct Drive bearing replacement The following guide is written to help you assess if replacing the bearings is a job you can undertake and complete. This is not written to be specific to any particular direct drive model but it will help in all cases.
Must do's Before commencing work on an electrical appliance:
1) Unplug the appliance from the wall socket, ensure the appliance on/off switch is in the off position.
2) Turn off the inlet water at the isolation valves and disconnect the inlet hoses from the appliance.
3) Clear a space and plan where you are going to put items you remove from the appliance.
4) Have pen and paper handy for making notes, a digital camera is ideal for taking a picture of wiring connections for future reference (**PHOTO**)
Strip down 1) Remove the worktop by undoing 2 screws at the rear, slide backwards and lift off.
2) FROM THE BACK.....Remove the back panel (4 screws) giving access to the rear of the tub unit. Disconnect the wiring to the motor, thermostat and heater, disconnect earth wires, (**PHOTO**). The drum pulley, which is the ROTOR of the direct drive system has a single bolt to undo. Slacken this bolt a turn or two, DO not remove completely. Gently tap the bolt with a soft faced hammer or drift, this will assist in the removal of the Rotor. Remove the bolt and remove the rotor, careful as it has a series of magnets around its inner circumference. The stator of the direct drive system is now in front of you, there are 6 bolts holding it in place. Remove these and very carefully remove the stator without damaging it, its very expensive, look after it. Depending on your model there could be a spacer between the stator and the tub unit, if so remove this also.
3) FROM THE FRONT.....Open the filter door (left side of kick plate) if there is a small drain hose, remove stopper and drain off any water in there. There is 1 screw to remove which is at the side of the filter, then slide the kick plate sideways should release the plinth from the cabinet. Open the door, the seal clamp band that secures the door gasket to the cabinet should be removed. If the door seal has a further hose attached, remove it.
4) Read all of this paragraph, there are 2 versions.....Remove 3 screws holding the lower edge of the front panel to the cabinet. Remove the soap drawer, remove 2 screws in the control panel that secure the soap box, depending on model there could be a third in the lower right hand corner, if there is, remove it. If there isn't read on further.. Carefully slide the front panel downwards about 20mm and it will disengage from the cabinet, carefully look behind it and disconnect the door lock wiring to allow complete removal. If there was not a third screw (lower right hand corner of the control panel) then the control panel will have to be removed. From the top remove the clip retaining the hose that goes into the top of the tub unit, remove the clip holding the large hose on the left, slide the soap box backwards slightly and hang over the back of the cabinet, all the hoses still connected. To remove the control panel look under the top frame and release the two lugs whilst easing the panel away from the cabinet. disconnect the wiring and remove away completely.
5) From the bottom remove the sump hose from the tub, the screw that secures the pressure bottle to the tub. Remove the suspension pins from the top position of the legs and push the legs clear of the tub unit. The tub unit will now be hanging from the top springs. Using strong wire or rope, loop the hook of the spring, lift clear of the cabinet and lower the tub unit to the floor. Repeat this on the other spring which then allows the tub unit to be lifted through the front of the cabinet.
6) Place the tub unit door seal up, remove the screws that secure tub front 1/2 to the rear 1/2. This allows the inner drum to be removed, if its tight use soft faced hammer, DO NOT damage the drum shaft.
Inspect the drum shaft collar, the collar is located at the base of the shaft and is the surface that the oil seal mates to. Look for indents or circular ruts where the previous seal has worn the collar away
if damaged you will need a new spider unit. Do not clean up using abrasive cloth, try the green pan scrubber from the kitchen instead. If damaged and you don't replace it the bearing replacement will fail prematurely as the oil seal fails to keep the wash water away.
There are several different kits, comprising of 2 bearings and 1 oil seal. To obtain the correct kit you will need the model number of your appliance, eg WM1480FHD or WM1485FHD or WM16225FD
all use bearing kit 1 available here other kits are available for other models including belt drives and washer dryers
The bearings can now be removed, the seats cleaned and made ready for the new bearings and water seal. A light cover of grease can be smeared on the inner edge of the seal.
7) There is a tub seal which fits in the recess between the front and rear 1/2's of the tub unit, it is adviseable to renew that seal before rebuild is commenced.
8) Rebuild is a reversal of the above, at every step double check electrical and hose connections and before you refit the cabinet front.
Hope you find this guide useful, some paragraphs can be applied to the belt drives also.

Water inlet error. Cause : Correct water level (246) is not reached within 8 minutes after water is supplied or it does not reach the preset wate r level within 25 minutes

Yellow 1Red 2

Hello & Welcome to FixYa

LE error in your LG front load washer is displayed when either the motor is not working or the control board thinks that the motor is locked up. A Hall Effect sensor is used in these washers which monitors the speed and direction of the motor and then forwards this information to the control board. Hope you understand by now that this LE error is displayed when there is an issue with the motor or when the Hall Effect sensor sends wrong signal to the control. Conclusion is you'll have to check both motor and hall sensor and replace the part# that is bad, usually I have seen the sensor going bad. Please get back to me if you have any other questions.

Kevin

Hello,

Welcome to FixYa.

Based on your description it is likely a broken shock absorber or tub suspension spring. I have a general service manual I can send you...its for a newer LG, but the drive & suspension system is essentially the same.

If you want to reply back with an emauil address I can send you the manual which should help you identify what is broke and how to access the component to repair it.


I'll watch for your post and reply asap.

Regards,

Macmarkus :)

may be the sensor? I have the same model and I changed the sensor now it fills.

first off, what model dryer do you have? More than likely your rear drum bearings are towards the back of your dryer, but they may also be drum rollers. you need to access you dryer from the front on most models.

If they come separately you dont have to. But often with a well used machine the nuts and bolts are so jam stuck that it is hardly worth risking damaged hands just for the cost of saving a few dollars on a new assembly complete.

Will be dirt in the drawer, take it out give it a good clean make sre the small tube is cleaned too if it has one/.

It doesn't spin If your washer won't spin, check these:

It doesn't pump or spin
It pumps, but doesn't spin
It spins only with the lid closed
It doesn't pump or spin If it doesn't pump water out or spin, check to see if the motor is running, then proceed as follows:

• If the motor is running, your washer probably has a frozen pump pulley or a broken pump belt. To check the pulley, remove the pump from the washer and try to rotate the pulley manually. If it doesn't turn freely--if it's frozen or stiff--replace it. If the pump belt is broken or looks quite worn, replace it--but be sure to check the pump pulley before you change the belt.



• If the motor isn't running, the lid switch may be defective. If so, the washing machine can't spin and may not function at all. The switch is inside the washing machine main housing near the door frame. Often you have to raise or open the top or front of the washing machine to get to the switch. If it's defective, you need to replace it.

It pumps, but doesn't spin If your washer pumps out the water but doesn't spin, check these:

• The lid switch may be defective. If it is, the washing machine doesn't spin. The switch is inside the washing machine main housing near the door frame. Often you have to raise or open the top or front of the washing machine to get to the switch. If it's defective, you need to replace it.



• The motor coupler may be broken. Many Whirlpool®-manufactured washers use a small, relatively inexpensive motor coupling. It's plastic and rubber and is mounted to the shaft of the motor on one side, and to the transmission on the other. Over time, the coupler wears out and fails. You may need to replace it.



• A belt may be broken. Many washing machines have one or two belts. If a belt is broken or badly worn, you need to replace it with a genuine belt from the manufacturer. (Some washing machine belts are designed with special characteristics not found in automotive belts.)



• The clutch may be worn. If your washer is a GE, it may use a clutch to come up to the proper spin speed. As the clutch wears out, it may prevent the unit from spinning well or at all. If the clutch is worn, you need to replace it. For this job, you probably want to hire a qualified appliance repair technician.



• The drive motor may be defective. Many washer brands use a reversing motor. For agitation the motor runs in one direction, for spinning and draining, the other. It's possible for a motor to burn out in one direction and continue to operate in the other. If this happens, you need to replace the entire motor.



• The transmission may not be shifting properly. Older washers produced by Whirlpool® have a transmission with an electro-mechanical shifter. If the shifter becomes even partially defective, the unit may drain the water but not spin. This is a complex system, if your washer has a shifter problem, you may want to hire a qualified appliance repair technician to repair it.



• The spin bearing or basket drive may be worn or seized. These components allow the inner tub to spin freely inside the outer tub. When this is the problem, you usually hear a loud sound during the spin cycle. Call a qualified appliance repair technician.

It spins only with the lid closed For safety, washing machines are made so that they spin only with the lid closed. The lid switch prevents the spinning action when the lid is up.

Hi there,
Here is text of very helpful email from LG 

When you receive the LE error code, unplug the machine for approximately 15 - 20 
minutes. This will reset the microprocessor. 

The LE error code can be an indication of several different issues. 

The most common cause is over-sudsing in the machine. Many times owners 
experiencing the LE error code are using regular detergent. It is recommended to 
use a high efficiency or low sudsing detergent. Many of the leading detergent 
manufacturers have a high-efficiency (HE) selection. The HE detergents are 
designed for lower suds levels and enhanced cleaning performance in 
front-loading washers. 

Overloading the wash with too much laundry may also cause the LE error code. A 
good rule is to load the washer until the clothes in the drum are no more than 
three-fourths of the way up the window of the door. This will allow them 
sufficient room for tumbling. The clothing having sufficient room to tumble is 
more important than either the weight or the number of items in the washer. It 
is the tumbling action that provides the washing effect. 

Lastly, a breakdown in the signal between the microprocessor and the motor may 
cause the error code. This can occur if there is a loose wire, dislodged ball 
sensor, or if the shipping bolts are removed prior to situating the washer. . In 
this case, a servicer would need to take a look at the unit. In this case, you 
will need a service center to look at your unit. For service assistance, please 
visit our website at us.lgservice.com Click on "Service Center". Enter your 
zipcode and product type. Click search. 

In the event that you cannot find a service center, please call 1-800-243-0000 
for assistance. There, an agent will be able to provide you with an Authorized 
LG Service Center in your area. 

Please have your model and serial number available along with your zip code when 
you call. If you have a customer service issue, please let the agent know and 
they will set up a customer service file for you. If your unit is under the 
factory warranty, your purchase receipt will validate the warranty. 

Business hours are 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

I have taken the liberty of providing some hints and additional information that 
may be helpful concerning your LG washer. 

If you must use a regular detergent, you will only need to use 1/2-1/3 the 
amount you would normally use in a conventional top-loading machine. However, 
the HE and the conventional detergents are different formulae, and your machine 
will not perform as efficiently or effectively. Using half the required amount 
of regular detergent will 
give half the cleaning performance. As the new LG washers accept a larger than 
usual load, the cleaning performance could be further reduced. In addition to 
the reduced cleaning, there will be oversudsing. The excess suds will cause the 
washer to stop and rid itself of the suds before continuing its cycle. Getting 
rid of the detergent will further reduce cleaning performance. 

Using too much detergent can cause a build-up on the outer drum over time, which 
can result in mold and even mildew growth in your washer. Should this occur, do 
a load of whites on the SANITARY cycle. Use the extra rinse and stain options. 
Use NO detergent and use a liquid bleach. This will remove the build-up and any 
odors accompanying it. This procedure may need to be repeated a couple of times 
depending on the degree of build-up. 

The washing time may vary by the amount of laundry, water pressure, water 
temperature, and other using conditions. 

The 'SenseClean Washing System' has a built-in turbidity sensor that measures 
the detergent/suds residue in the water during the rinse and then makes an 
adjustment of time and water usage based on the detected residue level. 

The machine will detect an imbalance and attempt to correct it. If the imbalance 
is detected or if the suds removing program operates, the wash time will be 
increased. 

A built-in water heater in the washer assures that incoming water is the correct 
temperature to optimize cleaning performance. Most laundry detergents must be 
activated at certain temperatures to work correctly. We use thermisters 
(electronic thermostats that have a high degree of accuracy) to detect incoming 
water temperatures. Our 1000-watt heater adjusts the incoming water to ensure 
superior thermal action performance. 

You won't see a "visible" water level in the window of the unit. The water is 
pooled in the inner drum. RollerJets are built into the baffles of the washer. 
The holes in the baffle collect water and re-circulate it during the wash. This 
increases the mechanical action to achieve best cleaning performance. The 
rollers gently move fabrics 
along in the wash cycle. 

This action aids in reducing the amount of water required for thorough 
cleansing. In contrast with a top-loading machine, which always fills the 
machine to a precise measured level of water, depending on the size of load you 
select (small, medium, large), the LG machine will "sense" the size of the load 
and only recirculate a minimal amount of water, thus making it very energy 
efficient, efficient in the use of detergents, and extremely efficient in its 
water usage. 

Forced Water Circulation in the washer pumps water during the wash. It 
recirculates it back up and over the laundry to further increase mechanical 
action and cleaning performance. 

With front loading washers, the door seals so very tightly unlike a conventional 
machine, that it is recommended to dry the seal when you are done with your 
laundry for the day to prevent an atmosphere where mold and mildew can grow. 

To get the best results, sort clothes into loads that can be washed with the 
same wash cycle. Different fabrics need to be washed in different ways. Always 
sort dark colors from pale colors and whites. Wash separately as dye and lint 
transfer can occur causing discoloration of white clothing. If possible, do not 
wash heavily soiled items with lightly soiled ones. 

Combine large and small items in a load. Load large items first. Large items 
should not be more than half the total wash load. Do not wash single items. This 
may cause an out-of-balance load. Add one or two similar items.

Hope This help
Good Luck!!!
neo

Liquid bleach tank? Do you mean the small container one puts fabric conditioner into for the final rinse?

They have a siphonic action. In normal use you put a small amount of liquid into the tank and when the machine starts the final rinse, water is added. Once above a certain level the siphon starts and empties the tank into the machine.

Take the drawer out of the machine, put it in the sink and slowly run water into the tank and you'll see that the level rises to a point then the tank empties.

So, perhaps you are adding too much bleach (or whatever) and the liquid is siphoning out before you even close the drawer.

Or do I misunderstand your problem completely?

Steve

CL = Child Lock
Press and hold the WASH and RINSE buttons at the same time for several seconds to lock/unlock

You need to check for blockage in dispenser, remove completely and thoroughly clean every part of it.
Other possibility is not enough water pressure to take all powder down, check water pressure, filters in hoses if fitted..
Check hose from dispenser to drum for restriction.
Plz rate my solution.
Thanks.

That's not OE, that's DE = Drain Error. Open the access door at the lower left on front of the machine. Use the small hose to drain the remaining water out of the machine, then open the large knob which is attached to the filter. If there is nothing in the filter, you may have an object which made it past the filter and is blocking the pump impeller, or the impeller may have come off the pump motor shaft, which would require pump motor replacement.

Have you tried a simple reset, by unplugging, waiting several minutes and then replugging it in? Is it plugged into a gfi outlet? is the little red button pushed in? It should be. It hasn't flipped a breaker off has it?

are you using liquid detergent? if so, change to powder. liquid detergent used for a long period causes a smell.
try putting on the hottest wash with no clothes in to get rid of the smell

It sounds like the control board has failed.  You will need a qualified LG technician to check this out.

It sounds like the water valve has a clogged filter.  Shut the cold water to the washer off, disconnect the hose and remove the filter screen in the washer water valve.  Clean out the filter with toothbrush.  Reinstall and everything should be ok.