How to Troubleshoot & Replace Whirlpool AP6023956 / WPW10730972 Water Pump

The quick answer: I replaced the water pump ... which only takes about 15 mins if you don't have to drain water from the tub. IF YOU DO HAVE freestanding WATER remaining IN YOUR TUB, then you will likely need another 15 mins (or more if you flood your laundry room) to drain your tub. Read on ... Initially I reset the machine by unplugging the machine and plugging it back in. This allowed me to at least unlock the door and get my clothes out of the water-filled tub ... but when trying another cycle, the same code recurred with the same noise so I was not able to remove all the freestanding water in the drum. I removed the lower access panel and noticed the water pump (which is very accessible on the bottom plate near the front) was making the noise. I UNPLUGGED THE MACHINE. My machine is mounted on a 12-14" pedestal which contains a sliding drawer (which was of course filled with laundering soap and other "stuff"). I emptied the drawer and left the drawer fully open. Using a sponge to remove the tub water would not remove ALL of the water from the tub and hoses, so I needed to drain the water out through the water pump filter (it just unscrews using large pliers). I certainly didn't want a flood ... so I placed a BUCKET on top of a large TOWEL inside the pedestal drawer to catch all the water when I crack open the filter. However, because the pump was located a couple inches rearward, I quickly realized that unscrewing the filter would simply release the water all over the bottom frame plate of the machine and then out onto the floor through all the various holes and openings in the bottom frame ... and would NOT END UP IN MY BUCKET. Hmmm, didn't want that! So I tried to place a FUNNEL under the water pump filter opening into my bucket to catch all the water. BUT I quickly noticed that I couldn't get the funnel under the water pump due to the close clearance between the pump and the machine's steel frame. SOLUTION: With the drain and tub hoses still attached, I unattached the pump from the machine's base plate by using a screwdriver to lift the right side of the right "locking" rubber grommet and then pushing the pump assy to the left to unlock it (just like in APP's video). Then I lifted the pump slightly ... just enough to get my funnel beneath the filter opening. I placed a hand towel underneath the raised pump ... and then I SLOWLY unscrewed the filter with my funnel and bucket in place ... and alas, the water began flowing out ... INTO MY BUCKET. I had to tighten the filter one time to stop the flow and empty the bucket ... and then repeat until the water fully drained. NO MESS ... NO PAIN. Then disconnect the wiring harness and two hoses ... toss your old pump ... reinstall the harness and hoses back onto the new pump ... remove your hand towel ... lock the pump into place ... reinstall your lower access panel ... plug the machine back in ... and start washing all your stacked up laundry. APP is the greatest! Great repair suggestions and instructional videos, VERY fast parts delivery, and fair prices. Doesn't get much better. 

I took the lower front cover off the washer and found the maintenance publication that the manufacturer leaves in washers and dryers when they ship from the factory. F21 fault code means it took longer than 8 minutes for the washer to drain. I opened the filter cap and discovered many things in there. A bunch of hair, some coins, a pen, and a pair of tweezers. I also found the impeller on the pump motor damaged. I put it back together and it worked for one load but ultimately I had to replace the pump. It's a really easy job don't be intimidated. One note before removing the filter cap make sure you have a 5 gallon bucket to catch the water that remains in the washer. If you need to uncouple the filter/pump from the washer to make sure you can dump the water into the bucket rather than into the bottom of the washer. Makes for a much easier clean up. The only bad thing I have to say about my experience is about FEDEX. Their delivery person must not have any common sense. I live in the country in the middle of 56 acres. My driveway is 1/2 mile and ends at the deck that leads up to the side door of the house. There is no path to the front door of the house and it is very obvious the front door is unused. Guess where the FEDEX driver keeps leaving my packages? The first time I ordered from here I thought I would never receive my part. I finally found it a week after it was delivered next to the front door. That was the first time a package had been left there. Now I know the FEDEX driver is an idiot so thats the first place I look when expecting a delivery from FEDEX. 

The first thing l did was try draining the pump clear clean out area, but made sure to turn machine off! I had to then drain that particular cycle it was in and that was roughly 7-8gallons of water dumped into a oven shallow pan that l kept dumping out into a 5gallon bucket till it filled 3/4 of the way(probably would have been faster to use a 5gallon shopvac). Also make sure to have a few towels on the floor to soak up the drips. I did make sure to shut off the cold and hot water valves and unscrew the hoses off with the drain hose out of the pipe. Also make sure you can open the washer door to take out the clothes too! If that door is still locked you will have to open up the bottom access panel if not already done so with a 1/4” spin tight socket/ratchet if it’s low on the floor. To unlock the door on the right side under the handle is a plastic latch you can pull down gently and it will unlatch with a click! Probably after that you might want to pull the washer out if the outlet is behind the machine to disconnect for safety. All the paperwork for the washer should be taped to the bottom panel that would help with all the diagnostic codes and procedures too! I determined that the pump was faulty because l cleared that strainer and ran the diagnostic and the same code came up again mid way into the diagnostic test! I ordered the pump for my particular Kenmore/Whirlpool washing machine on a Monday and by Wednesday it was here! I basically vacuum everything out in the machine while it was open before I waited for the part to come in . 

I replaced the water pump. It took about 15 minutes. Easy and fixed the problem. I used a nut driver to remove the front panel (3 screws), a pair of pliers to remove the two hoses, and a flat blade screw driver to pry the rubber mounts out and back in. 

Replaced pump motor. Looked at EEC and figured it would probably not be an easily failed part. It is isolated from moisture, well grounded and shock isolated. Used the video available on the APP website to help me change out the pump. Everything was just like in the video. Took all of 5 minutes to change out. Only thing they could have done better was to show how to drain the water out of a partially filled machine since most pumps fail during a pump cycle and can leave water in the machine. Unless you are industrious and know that the front of the pump can be unscrewed so you can get a shallow pan under the front of it to catch the water, you might pull the hose off instead and then the water spills out inside the machine. BaD idea. APP please assume worst case for all repairs and add that to the video. The rest is cake! Thanks. 

I discovered that F21 is an error message for draining on my a kenmoee HE2 washer. About a month before the code I noticed odd noises while it was draining and decided to clean out the drain catch and see if something was caught. After emptying it, the noise was still there until one day it no longer drained and gave me the error code. I ordered a new drain pump assembly and two days later my machine was back in business. I'm a girl without any appliance repair knowledge and it was easy! If I can do it, anyone can. 

To diagnose the problem, I ran the washer through a short cycle listening very carefully to when the noise was worse. I detected the noise was worse when the washer was draining the water. So knowing this, I looked up the Appliance Parts Pros video on how to change the water pump. Armed with this knowledge, I removed the lower front panel and found the pump. Then I ran the washer through a short cycle to confirm the noise was coming from the pump, and the vibrating discharge hose which rubbed up against the sheet metal covering the side of the washer. After unplugging the washer, I cleaned out the pump screen and checked the impeller. The impeller looked fine, but would not turn smoothly. The cleaning didn't help, so I ordered the new pump. When the new pump arrived, I pulled out the old pump and installed the new pump. This project took about 30-60 minutes not including the time to do the research. The washer ran nice and quite like it should. I would have had to call a repair person to fix the problem, but saved money watching the video. Easy part identification, and quick shipping. Thanks! 

Checked drain hose and filter for debris. Pump was making noise and running hot but not draining water. I replaced drain pump. 

1-Checked pump trap-Completely clear.2-Removed pump & checked bubble hose from tub to pump & drain hose from pump to drain for obstruction-All Clear.3-Installed New OEM APP Pump & reconnected hoses.4-Ran two-thirds cup of Clorox/bleach thru 54 min. Cycle to remove possible tub/hose mildue residue.5-washed Large Load on 71 min. Cycle,NO CODES!!!, Washer performed like a Champ! I couldn't stand it, so I decided to take the old pump apart. It looked like it was brand new! WELL, NOT SO, looks often deceive. When I twisted open the cover water & grime flowed out!!! Go Figure!!! Bye the way, the codes were absolutely CORRECT! 

Replaced drain pump and drain hose from inside unit below the drum.