How To Repair Front Loading Washing Machine: Replacing Washer Water Inlet Valve GE

Last week my GE front loading washer ejected the baby's clothes, flooded the upstairs laundry area and the carpet in the hallway. It was a nightmare to clean up the mess!

Hopefully this has not happened to you. The washer is only 4 years old, they don't make them like they used to. It took me about a week of dirty laundry and not wanting to pay a $300 repair bill to figure out what the problem was.

The problem was very sudden and there were no symptoms on previous loads of laundry. The water kept running through all of the cycles. When the load was done all of the clothes and a washing machine full of water were dumped on the floor.

If you have determined that the water inlet valve is bad. Replacing it is easy remove it from the machine as described below. Locate your model number and order the new part. There is also a video showing how to check the water inlet valve with an ohmmeter.

This DIY was done on my GE front loading washing machine Model No. WCVH6260FWW. Faulty Part: Water Inlet Valve Part number WH13X10023. Amazon Has the part for almost $20 cheaper than what I paid.

Good luck! If your washer is old and has lots of other problems it may be cheaper to get a new replacement.

There is a water inlet valve with a solenoid valve that is supposed to shut off the water when power is removed from the solenoid. When the solenoid valve is energized the water valve opens and water is allowed to pass through into the washer. Mine failed in the open position, which is why the water kept running through the washing machine after the clothes were finished and the washer shut off.

If you have a similar problem make sure to shut off the manual valve where the hose connects to the wall. If your water inlet valve fails in the closed position you won't have a big mess on your floor but no water will enter the washing machine.

If the washing machine is just over filling and stopping at a high level then may be the water level control switch.

There are a couple of ways to test the water inlet valve mounted on the back of you washing machine where the hoses connect to the washer. You can use an ohmmeter and test the resistance. I did not have one of these, so I figured out an easy low tech way that will work if yours is stuck in the open position or leaking.

Warning! before you go any further make sure to unplug the machine so you don't get electrocuted!

Shut off both the hot and cold water supply where your hoses connect to the manual valves on the wall. Remove the hoses from the back of the washer. There will be some water in the lines. You can get a small bucket and let the hose ends lay in the bucket so this little bit of water will not leak on the floor.

Locate the water valve on the back of the washer where the hot and cold hoses were connected to the machine. Next remove the panel cover closest to this washer inlet valve. On my washer it was the top cover. There were screws on the back of the machine and on the front part behind the electronic control panel. This will allow access to the valve. There will be wires connected to the valve on the inside of the machine. Make sure to mark or write down the colors and order that they are connected before removing. Then remove the wires. Mine had four.

Remove the screw(s) securing the water inlet valve to the machine. Mine only had one screw and plastic tabs securing it. Then slide the valve out. Your almost done! Check the valve if it is stuck in the open position you can blow through it. If you can blow through the valve at either the hot or cold side then you can skip the next paragraph.

If you have water going in but too slowly and there is good water pressure at the wall. Check the tiny screens inserted where the hoses were connected to the machine. If they are clogged then you are finished. Congratulations! You can do this without removing anything but the hoses from back of the washer.

If your problem is no water entering the machine and your screens are clear then you will have to check the resistance with an ohmmeter to see if this is the culprit. There should be a service technicians sheet taped in a clear plastic envelope to the machine. Mine was on the inside, right on top towards the front. Locate this and there should be a troubleshooting table which will give you various symptoms and tests for the water inlet valve and other possible malfunctions.