Fabric softner cap keeps coming off during cycle

It goes into the top of the agitator on that machine. It should look like this.

You have to do it manually. Ugh. See below from manual:

Liquid Fabric Softener (Manually add during rinse cycle)
1. Turn OPTIONS knob to FABRIC SOFTENER
2. Measure liquid fabric softener carefully, following instructions on the bottle, and add during the rinse cycle.

OPTIONS (on some models)
Set this option when planning to manually add fabric softener during the rinse cycle or when you use extra detergent or bleach to clean hazily soiled items. It provides an enhanced rinse.

Check and see if there is a cup in the top of the agitator. Some machines have you put it there, turning back and forth during wash doesn't bother it, but the spin to empty the wash water causes the softener to go out through slots in the top of the cup and be held in the agitator. when it stops the softener drains into the tub, ready for the rinse cycle.

Unplug the Amana washing machine from the wall outlet, and open the lid. Pull the liquid fabric softener dispenser straight off of the top of the agitator. Some Maytag washers require the use of a flat head screwdriver inserted between the dispenser and the top of the agitator. Twist the handle of the screwdriver to pop the dispenser off of the agitator.

Remove the barrier cap inside the agitator using your hands. Pull the barrier cap straight out of the agitator. There is an O-ring that attaches to the outside of the barrier cap. If it did not come out with the cap, pull the O-ring out of the center of the agitator.

Remove the bolt securing the agitator to the drive bell with the socket wrench. The bolt is inside the center of the agitator.

Place your fingers in between the bottom of the agitator and the tub. Lift straight up to remove the agitator from the tub. Keep your head out of the way in case the agitator is stuck and unexpectedly releases. If necessary, use agitator hooks. Insert them under the agitator and push down on the hooks to release the agitator.

Run some vinger through it. Fabric Softner leaves a filmy residue that can clog it up.

Bill,

On most top load whirpool washers (not including the calypso or the cabrillo) there are 2 main styles for getting the agitator off.

The first and easiet are for the older styles. This will be easy to identify as there is a green ring around the fabric softner dispenser holding it on. Raise the ring up and the dispenser will come off. Underneath you will see a plastic cap. Pry this off with a small flat hear screw driver. Underneath there, there will be a 7/16" bolt. Take it off with a rachet and lift the agitator from the bottom and out of the way.

The second and slightly more complicated method is for the new style. This can be identified by the 4 evenly spaced slots just underneath the fabric softner dispenser. First gently rock the top of the fabric softner side to side. the white top should come off as well as a clear plastic cup underneath. You will be left with 4 white plastic shafts sticking up just above thse slots mentioned earlier. Taking care not to break these shafts, rotate the remaining top piece of the agitator counter clock wise. Once it rotates, pull/ pry it off. Underneath there will be a clear plastic cap with 2 tabs on it. Pull the cap off by these tabs. Remove the remaining 7/16 bolt underneath and lift the agitator off by the bottom.

There are many variations of agitators, but one of these 2 methods (or even a mixture) should get you taken care of. One other thing to mention. Once you take either of the perviously mentioned styles off, you may find a white square hole under neath the dispensers. With this style, you use a 1/2" rachet to unscrew it counter clockwise and the 7/16 bolt is underneath.

If this doesn't seem to match what you have, get me the model number (just underneath the lid to the center rear) and I can get you some step by step directions just for your model.

Dispenser wholes are probably clogged and all the softener is not dumping when it is supposed to!. Top loaders usually have a little cup like place to add the softener in the top of the agitator!
Those the Manuel tells you to rinse with water occasionally!

If you can't figure it out, call service and get it done and over!
You will feel better!!!

These guys are good
A&E Factory Service is nation wide!
1800-905-9505
They are open 7 days 24 hours to make appointments
Neil

Sorry for the delay. You need to replaced your agitator dogs. (yes this is really what they call them). They are 4 small pieces inside the agitator that act as a "clutch" They allow the top half of the agitator to turn freely one direction and not the other. When the worn dogs slip, it causes a grinding/ grunting type noise from the machine. So first this fist. You will need to purchase the inexpensive dogs from a local appliance parts store or from the manufactures web site on line. (part # 80040).

For the model you have, begin by removing the fabric softner dispenser on top of the agitator. It just sits in the with a clip, so gently rock it back and forth until it comes free. Under it you will find a mostly clear plastic cap with a black seal around it. Use the tabs on the cap to pry/ pull it up. Underneath you will find a 7/16" bolt. Go ahead and take that out. Now you will be able to remove the top half of the agitator by pulling it straight up. If the bottom half comes with it, not to worry. Look down in the opening where you just removed the bolt from. On the bottom you will see 2 white plastic tabs, pry these with a small flat head screw driver to separate the lower half from the upper half. Now weather you had to separate the 2 halves or the top came off by itself, take the top half of the agitator and turn it upside down. You will feel the inner piece fall out. Now we will work with just the inner peice. Turn it upside down (so you can see the dogs just like the ones you purchased) There is a small collar that keeps them in place. Gently pry it up. (it should slide pretty easy. Remove the old dogs. Now using a paper towel of washclothe, wipe down any fabric softner, or shavings from the old dogs, so the new ones can move smoothly. Install the new dog and begin re-assembly. I would reccomend wiping out the inside of the large peice that is one the top half of the agitator too. Re-assemble in reverse order. To get the clear cap back on more easily, a thin rubbing of liquid detergent or fabric softner on the edge of the black seal, will help it go in without binding so much.

This keeps happening to me too. Solution :The fabric softner cap has two bevels on the side if you place something in it the fabric softner top will come off. Under the that cap there is a bolt, losen the bolt and the agitator pulls up. Hope this helps, my problem is that the agitator moves back and forth while spinning and causes the close to get stuck. I don't know what is wrong if you can help let me know.

Fabric softners are designed to be thich and tacky so they adhere to clothing. Unfortuneately, that also means they are going to do it even worse in an agitator expecially as there is no water to dilute it. When I clean my fabric softner cup, I generally just throw it in the dishwasher and let it run since there are many areas of it that cannot be disassembled. Please make sure to run it in a cycle all by itself without any dishes. Now as to the removal. There are two main types of dispensers whirlpool has used. The first will have a greenish blue ring around it. Simply lift up on the ring and it will pull off easily. Now the second style is a bit more chalenging. While the cap up top will come off just by rocking it back and forth. Once this is off you will find a cup underneath that sits on 4 "pins" To get the bottom peice off, place one hand on the top part of your agitator and use one hand to twist the base of the fabric softner in a counter-clockwise direction. It will allow it to come off. Once you it off, you will be able to see down inside your agitator. There will be more build up underneath. I would recommend wiping this part out making sure to clean the drain holes that go out to the side. If you attempt to remove the clear cap underneath, it is very difficult to get the seal on it to seat back in properly. To help prevent against future build ups, pre-diluting your fabric softner with water ahead of time will slow the build up.