GE washing machine intermittently will overflow

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GE washing machine intermittently will overflow

by Lexy
(Texas)

washer nobs...maybe itll help

GE washing machine works great but intermittently it will not stop the water at the level selected and will overflow.

Im actually not sure of the model number as I am considering buying it off of someone.But I want to be sure the repairs are worth it.

Find your part:

Answer

This is typically happens when the tube that runs from the water level switch to the tub gets partially clogged. Take the front off the machine and look to the bottom/left of the tub and you should see a tube connected to a box on the side if the tub. This tube will often get clogged with grease or lint right at the end that connects to the tub. Also the little nipple that tube connects to can get clogged. You can replace the tube or you can clean it out. You can clean it out with a small brush or sometimes I do it with a stiff wire such as a clothes hanger.

If the tube isn’t clogged the problem is going to be either the water valve or the water level switch. For this you will have to catch it in the act. When it is overflowing unplug the washer and if the water stops replace the water level control. If the water continues to run with the washer unplugged replace the water valve.

For what it is worth the water valve is more common than the water level switch but I see more clogged tubes than anything.

I just posted pictures on this page that will help with this problem.

GE Washer Leaking

Check out the section titled "Leaking During Fill"

Thank you,
Shawn/administrator

Comments for
GE washing machine intermittently will overflow

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GE WHDSR316G overflow
by: Donna

Perfect - my husband checked this tube and found the tub end wasn't even connected!
Thank for giving us a place to start. Easy fix!!
D

Don't buy
by: Anonymous

Had same washer. At first it wouldn't take any water in. Called GE to Fix. The guy came out and it happened to work for him. Days later the washer overflowed and destroyed my basement. I wouldn't chance using it if it is located anywhere where it could potentially cause damage.

Todd
Rehoboth, MA

RE
by: Shawn/admin

I wouldn?t knock a brand or particular washer just because it fails. All appliance break, it just a matter of when. I have seen all types of washers leak and all brands overflow. GE washers are bad about the tube clogging up but Whirlpool has some trouble with that tube staying on and all brands have trouble with the valves sticking causing them to overflow.

This washer is a very good washer in fact I believe it is one of the best out there. In any case I am sorry you are having trouble with it and I hope you figure it out.

The problem I believe you have is a partially clogged tube. The tube that runs from the water level control and the bottom of the tube could be partially clogged. What happens is when water fills the tub pressure builds in the tube causing the water level control to turn the water off. If the tube is partially clogged it can retain the pressure and no water will enter the washer then again it could overflow.

If that isn?t the problem the water valve could also be the problem.

Clogged Tube
by: Anonymous

Thanks for the info here. I just used the info posted by Shawn on this site and was able avert a repair bill. The Tube running to the tub was partially clogged. This is the first time in 20 years of owning different brands of washers that this has happened and this site helped me much!!! Thanks again!

Washer overflows GE WJRR4170E1WW
by: Troutasaurus

The washer will leak onto the floor when it is set on super or large load, but not on medium or smaller load.

Most likely the same problem.
by: Shawn

Your problem could be the same, check to see if the tube is partially clogged. If not check to see if the spin basket is spinning during wash, this will cause water to be forced over the top of the tub during wash. If this is the case the brakes are bad and the only way to repair is to replace the transmission.

Thank you,

Washer overflows GE WJRR4170E1WW
by: troutasaurus

Tube is not clogged

Where is the leak comming from?
by: Shawn/Admin

Watch the washer to see where the leak is comming from and let me know. See if it is overflowing, coming form the pump, coming from the center of the tub.

Did you check to see if the tub was spinning during wash?

Also sometimes cretin detergent can over suds. When this happens on a large load soapy water will come out of the overflow tube (the tube at the back left of the tub). By the time it gets to the floor you may not see any soap in the water but if you look directly under the tube you will see soapsuds. If this is the case either change soap or cut back on soap. HE soap doesn’t suds so it is a good alternative if you are having this problem.

Great advice but still struggling
by: Mike A

Hi Shawn,

I have been following you threads and found them very useful. Thank you. But I am still struggling

Original issue: we have upstairs laundry and some water ended up coming through kitchen ceiling at end of wash cycle I was told - and water was clear. Idea: Could be water valve or water level switch.

Checked for blocked tube with air then water on water level switch & tube. All okay. Water valve cuts off correctly when power removed.

So . . .

I ran washer - GE Profile WPSR4130W0WW. Agitator operates immediately on water filling - is this right? Could be controller or could be water level switch?

So two items pointed to water level switch.

Bought water level switch through this website - arrived today. Fitted it with drum empty. Ran the spin cycle per instructions on service sheet.

Still DOES NOT cut off during fill and agitator starts on water fill. It would overflow if I did not stop it. Water level DOES cut off during rinse cycle and rinse level can be varied by the water level switch so it must be working.

Now I do not understand. Is there tricks to getting this switch operating correctly during wash fill? Service sheet refers to checking operation of this switch - is there a procedure. Or is there someting else going on?

Much obliged for your help.

ATC Board
by: Shawn/admin

This model has an atc control that controls the water valve during wash fill. Right now I don’t have a diagram of a model with a timer and an atc control so I am not sure if this control could cause the agitator to start immediately (which is not normal). Tomorrow I will try to find a diagram of a washer such as yours.

In the mean time look on your wiring diagram and see if you can figure out if the water level control is connected to the act board or directly to the motor. On most models with the timer the water level control connects directly to the motor and the water valve. In which case nothing but the water level control could cause a problem such as your but with the atc board in the picture I will need to view a diagram to see if that can cause your problem.

Wiring diagram
by: Mike A

Shaun,
Is there a way I can forward the wiring diagram to you. I am not an expert at reading these diagram.
Best wishes
Mike

Take A picture
by: Shawn

You can take a picture of it and post it on here. You will have to start a new thead to post a picture.

I did look for you but all the service manuals I have either have only the timer or the act control built into the main control. Yours is different.

same crappy problem with a GE a washer
by: Anonymous

I am having the same problem only that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. It appears to be in the timer. It fills but the timer doesn't move so it continues to overflow but I can move the timer and it will pump out the water and spin but refuses to move when it is supposed to be agitating. I will never buy another GE product again. The washer is less than 5 years old.

Timer Not Likely
by: Shawn

This is not typically a timer problem. I am not going to say it is not a timer problem but there are other things that are a lot more common. It is very uncommon for a timer to cause this type of problem.

The very first thing you should look at is the tube that connects from the water level control to the bottom of the tub. If it is partially clogged you will get this problem. Note that if it were fully clogged the washer will over flow every time. If you are unsure replace the tube.

If the tube is not the problem you will have to catch is in the act. When it overflows or it is getting ready to overflow unplug the washer. If the water continues to flow when the washer is unplugged replace the water valve. If the water stops then the problem is electrical and the water level control is the most likely culprit.

overflow
by: Jim

It seems to me, that this a fairly common problem and the solution would be to connect the overflow tube to a drain pipe. My laundry is on the main floor and I've already connected the discharge hose to a pipe down through the floor to a laundry tub in the basement, preventing the damage caused by a rag or obstruction from blocking drain in laundry room tub. Plumbing the overflow tube to this drain would only result in loss of water,no damage to main floor. Anyone heard of doing this?

GE Top Load Overflow
by: Dave

Mine just flooded out the laundry room and kitchen. The tube and the nipple where it connects were visibly clogged. I pulled the tube off and used a wooden skewer with the sharp end broken off to break up the clog while flushing it out with hot water in the sink. I also used a toothpick to clean out the nipple on the tub where it connects. Works great now. I found my sales receipt and I have had this washer for 28 months with no problems except this. Recommend cleaning the tube every 18 months to avoid future problems.

Not A Bad idea!
by: Shawn/admin

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to do it once a year although this is not something you are supposed to have to do. 90% of the time when I see this it is black grease like car mechanics would have on their clothes. My mom’s washer will do this every year or so because she washes clothes that have the black grease. But sometimes I will see hair in the tube.

It does fix my problem!!
by: Anonymous

I google searched and found this article about the overflow problem and I think the washer is working fine after cleaning the partially clogged tube. I'll have to keep monitoring it for couple more washes. It is a nightmare with water all over my hardwood floor.

ge washer
by: Anonymous

The tube is not clogged but the box seemed clogged

on my ge washer. The washer leaks from the overflow tube, but maybe a half cup of water at most and not every time.Can the box be taken off to clean? Dealing with this about three weeks.

Thanks

RE
by: Shawn/admin

All you can do is clean the nipple that the tube connects to out with a toothpick because you cannot get to the box to clean it out. Check to be sure the washer is overflowing (it shouldn’t fill above the last row of holes in the spin basket). If the spin basket is spinning during wash water will come out of the overflow tube. Also if the detergent is too active (creates too much suds) it can overflow. If this is the case change detergent brands or type.

THANK YOU!!
by: Final straw!

Shawn, You are brilliant! I have struggled and fought with my GE washer off and on for a while now. It started with overfilling and flooding. I paid $120 to be told that I just needed a new washer, but would get a discount if I bought it from him. I found your thread and checked my tube..yep...almost totally plugged. I also used a wooden skewer and some hot water. Seems to be running like new again. I wasn't sure how I could afford a new washing machine, but thanks to you, it is working for about 3 cents worth of supplies. BLESS YOU!!

Good Job!!
by: Shawn/admin

I am glad to hear you got it going and saved some money!!

Thank you
by: Anonymous

Thank you so much for the advice - it's the clogged tube causing the overflow and spin problem!

Thanks for all the advice
by: JoeD

Thanks for all the advice. I had some black, grease-like gunk in the tubing and hope that cleaning it out will fix the problem.

There have been several references to checking to see if the inner basket is spinning during agitation. How do you do that since agitation stops when the lid is raised??

RE
by: Shawn/admin

You can run the machine with the front off (back off and beware for spinning mechanism) with the front off you can see the spin basket (inter tub) through the outer tub because it is translucent. However if you found the tube clogged then you more than likely repaired the problem already.

thanks
by: bryan

yep, tube wasn't clogged but the intake was clogged. While the washer was running, I could blow on the tube and shut the water off, plus I checked with a meter so I was pretty sure the pressure switch was working (couldn't tell what the pressure was though). With the washer filling, I cleared out the intake with a small piece of wire and water came out. Drained the machine completely, restarted and it worked perfect. thanks for the help.

I had the same thing...
by: AllanO

I had a clogged tube at first I thought it was the dampening straps, which were all broken, but after replacing them it flooded again. I noticed that the overflow tube seem to be the where the water was coming out at. Then I saw the level sensor tube and the air reservoir box(is that what is called?) were clogged up with gunk. I pulled the tube off the level sensor and stuck it to my espresso machine steam tube and after filling the tube with TSP soap and then forcing the steam in the tube it cleaned the air reservoir box quite well. I hope this helps someone.

GE Washer Overflow Issues (WBSR3140 )
by: Albert

Thank you Shawn.

I too was having issues with our GE washer overflowing. We do a ton of wash (four kids) and have otherwise been very happy with this washer. Cleaning the tube out fixed the overflow issue and it has been working great since.

GE WHDSR209 Washing Machine Overflow
by: Doug

Thanks Shawn!!

I was having intermittent overflow issues with our GE washing machine then it got worse. At first it only did it when the water setting was on Extra Large load so we turned it to just large and seemed to stop. Then it began happening again no matter what setting it was on. We battled this for at least the last 6 months never really seeing what was causing it. Checked the continuity on the pressures sensor and it seemed to be switching properly. I came on this thread and checked the pressure sensor tube as you suggested. Tube was blackened with the grease you described, so I cleaned it and at first it did not stop the problem. I went back and checked the nipple on the tank and it was clogged solid with more black gunk. Cleaned it out with an old tooth brush and soapy water and voila...works perfect now. I was about to junk this 5yr old machine in frustration, but thankfully came accross this first.

Thanks a million.

Thank You So Much
by: Chris Mott

I thought I was going to have to buy a new washing machine. Popped the front open and, low and behold, the small hose was clogged. Thank you for your page. I owe you big time!!

help washer flooded basement
by: Anonymous

Hi my washer was making a loud sound when on spin, then we went to run a medium cycle to see waht problem was and it flooded the basement. its only 2 years old.

Please help me

RE
by: Shawn/admin

When the tub seal leaks on these washers they often become noisy on spin. Take the front off and see if the leak is coming from the center of the tub where the transmission meets the tub and if so the tub seal is bad.

overfiling
by: J.D.

Shawn your a genius

GE Washer overflow
by: Anonymous

I have a 5-year old GE Profile washer, with the overflowing problem. The tube wash partially clogged, but that box had black staining inside. tried cleaning with a small wire, without any improvement. Then a took a can of compressed air (for cleaning computers) and stuck the nozzle in the box and sealed the connection with my fingers and gave it a couple of good blast. This cleared the black gunk, I could see later when I filled the washer. I have now done 5 loads and its working perfectly. The comment here were a great help. A repairman told me I need a new control panel $527 for the part. Was ready to buy a new machine!
$1.00 can of compressed air saved me $500-$600!

Praise God!

tube issues
by: Anonymous

I am having the same issue with my ge washer. I have been reading these posts and checked tube and it looks to be clogged with black stuff. My problem is that I can't get the tube off to clean it. Does it just slide off the nipple?

RE
by: Shawn/admin

The tube just slips off the nipple.

ge washer overflowing
by: paul B

I have a three year old GE washer model wjrr4170g1ww that leaks water out of the overflow hose on super loads,water selector sw workes fine, pressure tube has been cleaned. The outer drum does spin on the wash cycle. Is it worth fixing. Paul

RE
by: Shawn/admin

If it spins during wash you will have to replace the shaft and tube assembly because the sifter coil is bad. This page will with disassembly

GE Washer Disassembly

Here is a link to the part Shaft And Tube

The part is only 120 some dollars and you have to buy a spanner wrench which isn?t too expensive so if you do-it-yourself it is well worth fixing.

GE washer overflow
by: Anonymous

I seemed to have the best result, when after cleaning the tube; as suggested, I cut the end of the tube off and replaced it on the nipple. This seems to furnish a more air tight seal and cures the intermittent problems....Thanks, John M.

ge washer
by: Anonymous

I have a ge washer also i replaced the tube from the tub to the switch but it still will not shut off ok so my question is, is the water suppost to come up that little tube or is it the pressure that turns the water off. i ran water in the washer with the back off where i could see and the small hose only feels half way with water. when i take the hose loose from the switch the water will run out if held downward. Wha could be the problem.

Thanks so much
by: Anonymous

Washer was over flowing my husband took front off and saw tube was clogged cleaned it with a wooden skewer it had a black greasy clog
Thanks for helping so many people.

Great Tips! Thanks for the help!
by: Anonymous

Thanks for the tip on this site and page. I was able to immediately find the clogged location in the tube. Time to clean it up!

Pictures
by: Shawn/admin

Hi to all,

I just posted pictures on this page that will help with this problem.

GE Washer Leaking

Check out the section titled "Leaking During Fill"

Click here to add your own comments

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GE washing machine intermittently will overflow

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GE washing machine intermittently will overflow