How to Check a Washing Machine Start

Capacitor
The start capacitor on a washing machine motor gets the motor up to speed quickly before
transferring power to the run capacitor. When the start capacitor fails, the temptation is to replace
the motor because it will hum, but it won't turn. Before considering the costly decision of
replacing a motor, test the start capacitor to see if that's the problem.

Things You'll Need:

 Needle nosed pliers with insulated handles

 Insulated jumper wire with alligator clip on each end
 Flat bladed screwdriver with an insulated handle
 Multimeter

1. Step 1

Unplug the washing machine and remove the rear panel to access the motor. Remove the
metal cover from the start capacitor. It is the larger of the two capacitors on the motor.

2. Step 2

Draw a diagram of how the motor wires connect to the capacitor terminals and disconnect
the wires from the terminals with insulated needle nose pliers.

3. Step 3

Discharge the run capacitor by attaching one alligator clip of the jumper wire to the metal
shaft of the screwdriver and the other alligator clip to the housing of the capacitor. Touch
the blade of the screwdriver to one set of terminals and the shaft of the screwdriver to the
other set of terminals to short out the capacitor. This will bleed the charge from the
capacitor and make it safe to handle without the danger of a shock.

4. Step 4

Set the multi-meter to the OHM scale and touch the two lead points together. Move the
adjusting wheel until the needle is at "zero." The needle should point straight up in the
center of the dial.

5. Step 5

Touch the capacitor terminals with the leads, red lead on left and black lead on right. The
needle should move away from "zero" and point slightly toward the right side, then go
back to "zero." Reverse leads and the needle should move away from "zero" even further
and then go back to "zero."

6. Step 6
Replace the start capacitor if the needle doesn't move. It means the capacitor is bad. If the
test shows the capacitor is good, look for another problem.