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Customer Questions and Answers for Capacitor by Whirlpool

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Manufacturer Part
4.89 (64)
By: Whirlpool
Part Number: OEM18040314
Manufacturer Part Number: WP8572720

The Capacitor is an OEM part for Whirlpool washers that starts the motor by storing electrical energy and releasing it when the washer begins its cycle. This part ensures the washer operates smoothly from the moment it starts, providing the necessary jolt to the motor that enables it to begin its various functions, including spinning and agitating. 

Causes of a bad capacitor can vary. Electrical surges can harm its internal components, while wear and tear over time may result in a reduced capacity to hold a charge.

Symptoms of a failing Capacitor include:

  • The washer failing to start.
  • A humming noise when the washer is supposed to begin its cycle 
  • The washer starting but then quickly shutting down due to insufficient power to the motor.

This OEM Whirlpool part is also compatible with Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Magic Chef, Admiral, Norge, Roper and some Kenmore models.

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Questions & Answers

For Whirlpool Capacitor (Part Number: OEM18040314)

1 Answer

Eric, The capacitor will most likely not be the issue with the unit agitating but not spinning. This would be more likely to be a clutch issue.

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Heidi for Model Number Whirlpool GSL9365EQ1

What could be causing my washer to trip the circuit breaker? I recently replaced the coupler and the pump on my washer. The washer tested fine, but when I had my husband try to replace the corroded inlet hoses, he accidentally turned on the water and got water everywhere. After that, the circuit breaker would trip when I turned on the washer. We tried plugging it onto another outlet using a heavy-duty extension cord. The breaker did not trip, but the water-level selector switch got fried. The next day I plugged it back into the washer outlet and fried the timer. I have since replaced those 2 parts (it took several weeks to locate my discontinued timer). Now the machine fills, but as soon as the water shuts off, the breaker trips. It seems that there is a short somewhere. The spin cycle works perfectly. The rinse cycle works up until it attempts to switch to the agitation part. I should mention that the washer is the only thing on that breaker. I have checked my wire harness and connections...I can't see any problems there...what could be causing the agitation cycle to trip the circuit breaker?

1 Answer

Heidi, With the unit shutting down at the agitation only but working through all other parts of the cycle then this will have something to do with a short in the wiring harness somewhere. You will need to check for pinched wires or damaged wires.

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1 Answer

Hello JC. The wire orientation does not matter in the case of the capacitor. They can go either way.

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1 Answer

Hello Jerry, This would indicate a bad capacitor. The part number would depend on the model number of the unit in your home. While replacing it normally corrects the issue, the model number on the units' I.D. tag is necessary to look up the correct part number.

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1 Answer

Hello Ed, I doubt the capacitor is bad because the motor would not be able to start if the capacitor were the issue. I would remove the harness from the motor and bypass the lid switch. Put the unit into a spin cycle and test from ground to each of the terminals. There should only be one terminal with 120Vac on it. If you find more than one with 120Vac on it, the issue will be either a bad fabric selector switch, a bad wiring harness, or a bad motor. These are the most common causes but if you find more than one wire with the voltage present, you can use the wiring diagram to trace the wiring back to the cause of the problem.

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1 Answer

Mark, That sounds more like an overload in the motor is "opening" due to overheating. you'll need to verify you're testing the motor correctly. If the issue was a capacitor, the motor wouldn't run, or would only hum. You need to make sure you're "jumping" all the correct wires and contacts at the timer in order to send the power to the correct contacts on the motor, to make it run properly. Also check and make sure there is no excess drag on the gear case. turn the coupler Clockwise, should be a little easy to turn, Counter clockwise, will be a bit difficult. perhaps, the "used" motor is the issue.

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Ep for Model Number Kitchen Aid Washer, model KAWE670BWH0

Will not agitate. Timer does cycle through all cycles... fills with water - does not agitate - drains water and spins and rinses and respins. Have taken cabinet off. With cabinet off and water to machine shut off, jumped across lid switch and manually turned timer through cycles - motor not running in wash/agitate cycle but does run in spin cycle. There is a very very slight hum from motor when in wash cycle. Tried checking capacitor with a digital OHM/V meter but not sure of the results. Also, checked OHMs for the motor... start windings had a resistance of 5 ohms, high speed windings had a resistance of 1 ohm, low speed windings only got O/L, extra low speed windings had a resistance of 2 ohms, motor safety protector had a resistance of 0 ohms. Do you think I have a bad capacitor or bad motor or something else? Is there another test I can perform to be certain? Thank You.

1 Answer

EP, We're pretty sure your issue is not in the capacitor, WP8572720 or motor WP3350418 but most likely in the timer WP3946476. were the capacitor faulty, the washer wouldn't run in any direction, your motor does spin, so power is supplied through the capacitor to the motor. The resistance readings you supplied, are within the factory specifications Start winding 4 to7 ohms , low speed 1.5 to 3 ohms and high speed .5 to 2 ohms resistance. The same windings are used to make the motor run in both directions, the timer reverses the polarity through the wiring in order to change the motor direction. What you'll need to do is, remove power to the washer and access the timer. Place the timer dial in the regular wash cycle and pull the knob out like you would to start any cycle. Then using your meter, check across the two terminal contacts listed in the timer cam and cycle chart on the wiring diagram inside the control console, to see which contacts have an "open" or partial circuit.

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1 Answer

Hello Marvin, This is the start capacitor for the motor. It will not start if the connection has come loose. If you re-establish the electrical connection, the unit will most likely work.

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1 Answer

Hello Chris. If you remove the outer cabinet off the washer, you will see the start capacitor located on the back wall of the unit.

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