My washing machine may be possessed!
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (43526)
December 10, 2023 2:45pm CST
It has completely freaked out.
When I moved here 10 years ago, this was a brand-new home, and everything was brand new. This is a smaller townhouse home, all on one floor. We have maintenance here, even though since the older fellow retired, they have trouble finding anyone as good as he was. I guess good maintenance people are hard to find. We currently have a young man who actually seems very good, he is busy all the time here.
So, the appliances are of course 10 years old as well now. Knock on wood, I haven't had any trouble with them at all--yet, until now. For the last 10 days or so, the washing machine has decided to rebel! It is a front loader, not my first choice but that's what it is. It of course has all digital readouts and a computer mother board in it, which is of course what is freaking out. I turn it on, select the wash I want, water temperature, etc. and then push start--just normal, right? But, it's not normal anymore.
It either starts up, the door lock activates, and after a minute it shuts off and just stops. Push the start button again, and she's fine, she starts doing her job. Then 9 times out of 10, she stops somewhere in the cycle, but never in the same place. It might be in the drain cycle, or the rinse cycle. It might stop more than one time. Then I have to go push the button again, and it continues. Sometimes, the load is perfectly washed and spun out and ready for removal. Sometimes, it SAYS it's done and ready, but it ''forgot'' to spin the clothes out so they are clean, but sopping wet. Then I get to set it on spin out mode. It's always a guessing game.
Of course, a new mother board is more costly than the washer is worth, so now I have to get a new washer. They said they would replace it, problem is now, they cannot find one to match the dryer. I don't care if they don't match--it's in the utility room anyway. But it has to be a certain size, etc. so it is being ordered tomorrow by maintenance.
Meanwhile, this one has such a mind of it's own, if it decides to take a stroll and leave, I will be opening the door for it! That machine is determined to be remembered for all eternity, for sure!
pixabay photo, my washer was just too stubborn to stop it's endless moaning and groaning to pose for the picture.
26 people like this
22 responses
@MarieCoyle (43526)
•
10 Dec 23
I think that being unbalanced is the only issue it hasn't developed so far! My son said mom, it's like my ex-wife...unpredictable, throws fits, and is constantly trying to think up ways to cause more trouble! ( In this assumption, he is correct!) 
3 people like this
@vandana7 (101726)
• India
11 Dec 23
@MarieCoyle It overheard you going ga ga on a new gadget...so it wants you to realize how good it has been to you. Kidding...I have been through washing machine woes...mine is 20 years old...
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (97883)
• United States
10 Dec 23
@MarieCoyle The picture you paint is just priceless.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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10 Dec 23
Last night, for some reason it just struck me as hilarious, Amber. It tried more and more tricks and I figured it out every single time, until I got the laundry done! But laughter is way better than anger or frustration, so I went with laughter! 
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
•
10 Dec 23
@AmbiePam
I love laughing. And most of us just don't laugh enough. We just don't. So, if I find something to cackle over, I run with it!
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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19 Dec 23
@flapiz
Yes, it will have to march on to the big appliance graveyard...wherever that is!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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13 Dec 23
It certainly is, definitely has a mind of it's own and now does just what it wants to do, when it wants to do it!
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (473773)
• Switzerland
12 Dec 23
@MarieCoyle This is the reason why Keurig is not sold here. We are in the process to ban plastic. We have electric espresso coffee machines that use aluminium pods, aluminium can be recycled. Nestle is working on compressed coffee pods, that you dispose as you do the coffee grounds. I have the feeling that only a few people care.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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11 Dec 23
Oh, i agree. We are filling the world up with endless junk and plastic. The waste from Keurig cups makes me crazy, Anna. Why would you buy coffee sealed in a little plastic cup to throw away? They make fillable little cups that a person can fill with coffee, wash, and use again. I actually read that the person who invented Keurig is very sorry he did, because of all of the trash it generates. 121 MILLION little plastic cups thrown away every single day!! I find that astounding. (Off topic a bit here, but this is one of my pet peeves!) It's like no one cares anymore.
https://www.hollyroser.com/post/why-k-cups-are-bad-for-your-health-and-the-environment/#:~:text=Coffee%20is%20the%20most%20popular,being%20used%20in%20ONE%20day!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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12 Dec 23
@LadyDuck
Some of them may regret they didn't care. It's time to care. Where in the world is all of this plastic trash going to go? I remember one shocking thing I read a long time that's still true--a plastic fork is a plastic fork for 1000 years! It takes that long for one to break down. And think of how many people just use them and toss them out--every day! I think there should be laws against some of this stuff, but unfortunately, no one has asked me.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (124131)
• Gainesville, Florida
12 Dec 23
With all the electronic components in that washer, consider yourself extremely lucky that you got 10 years out of it. I deal with broken appliances all the time with my job at Lowe’s, and the service techs that work on appliances say that people are lucky to get 3 years out of units now because of all the electronic components.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (124131)
• Gainesville, Florida
13 Dec 23
@MarieCoyle When I was in the market for a new washer and dryer, I asked a couple of our service techs what units they recommended. Three out of four told me to get the cheapest Amana units our store sold. I actually found two Amana units the were scratch and dent sales, and paid $250 for both. That was six years ago and both units are still going strong.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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15 Dec 23
@moffittjc
That was smart, to do some homework, then you got a real bargain. Nowadays, people seem to think everything needs to be loaded with options, and high tech. It's a washing machine, not an airplane...I prefer simple!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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13 Dec 23
My son in law in Florida is an electrician--he says the same thing. I think some things should not be so fancy, plain and simple washing machines served me well in the past and lasted for many years.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (17032)
• Raurkela, India
11 Dec 23
My washing machine is 13 year old and the spin makes strange noise sometimes. I too am thinking of replacing it.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (17032)
• Raurkela, India
12 Dec 23
@MarieCoyle In India a washing machine making strange noise means something is wrong with the motor. I have already repaired it twice and am therefore thinking of replacing it.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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11 Dec 23
I use my things and generally wear them out before replacing. Noises don't bother me unless it's so loud it disrupts life!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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13 Dec 23
@aninditasen
Yes, a person does not want to dump too much money into an old appliance, I certainly understand that.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (53332)
• Canada
11 Dec 23
I miss the good old washers.
With just the dials and a door to close to get the cycle going.
Mine is top loading, but it still has that door lock on it.
It seems very noisy when it is washing and rinsing and spinning, but this machine uses alot less water, and I blame it on that.
I hope that your machine is replaced sooner than later.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (53332)
• Canada
11 Dec 23
@MarieCoyle I agree, it is difficult to go without a washer or a dryer.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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11 Dec 23
I just hope this one lasts until a new one is installed. Fits and all, it's still better than no washer or having to use a laundrymat.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (115601)
• Marion, Ohio
10 Dec 23
I bought as simple as possible when I bought a new one a few years ago.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (115601)
• Marion, Ohio
11 Dec 23
@MarieCoyle That is why I don't want all that stuff.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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11 Dec 23
Oh, do I ever agree with this statement! The less fancy stuff there is, the less there is to flip out like this one has!
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (84651)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
10 Dec 23
You can never tell about washing machines but pretty much I have never heard of one being haunted. I do remember our washing machine acting up in Latvia and occasionally socks went missing. I told my husband that old joke about the washing machine having eaten the socks, It got so bad and my husband was good at electronics he took that machine apart and while we were looking over the various parts I noticed something. Wrapped around one of the tumblers or whatever they are in the machine was a long shredded sock,
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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10 Dec 23
The sock thing can be real!
Years ago, I had a top loader washer, one off the ones with the bigger tub, etc. Socks were disappearing at an alarming rate. Then the washer itself had an issue, it was under warranty, so I called for repair. The guy came and said he knew what the problem was, as the particular model we had was causing people all sorts of problems. He pulled the tub itself, and tons of socks had found their way to be UNDER the tub! He said the washer washed too fast and spun too fast, causing small items to fly over the edge. He retrieved a ton of socks!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (163362)
• United States
11 Dec 23
@MarieCoyle I had that problem, particularly when my kids were babies and toddlers. Those little socks would just float right up over the top of the drum and tuck themselves under and mess up the works.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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11 Dec 23
@GardenGerty
Yes, those itty bitty little devils...I learned the hard way to wash them in one of those bags meant for 'delicates' to keep track of them!
@just4him (318816)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
11 Dec 23
@MarieCoyle I hope it doesn't too.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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11 Dec 23
Yes, so am I. I do hope it doesn’t take too long.
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (20482)
• United States
19 Dec 23
My uncle's old washer stop working so my mother decided to get her old washer that she had in her apartment before she moved here. Her washer keeps banging. We got new shocks for it, but it still bangs. But I found a manual for it online and figured out the settings and it doesn't really bang when I do my clothes in it now. It only bangs alot when she does her clothes.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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20 Dec 23
I have fixed many things by following the ''how to fix'' youtube videos. They are so helpful! Some washing machines make strange noises no matter what, I think!
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (16925)
• United States
12 Dec 23
They don't make appliances like they once did. Mike's Mom has to have her stove looked at tomorrow as it oven part of it stopped working last week. This will be the 2nd thing in about 5 years she has had to have fixed on it. She's had it 6 years.
I hope the next washer you get lasts a long time for you.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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12 Dec 23
I hope so, too. I try to take care of my belongings, etc. to get the most out of them.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (187997)
• United States
11 Dec 23
We bought our washer and dryer when we moved in 2004. The washer is now making funny noises and may have to be replaced soon. I understand your pain! Have a good week.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (187997)
• United States
11 Dec 23
@MarieCoyle Yes, if we get a new washer, there's no way it will last 20 years.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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11 Dec 23
@LindaOHio
I think so many of the inner parts of appliances are made with brittle plastic and slapped together, not made to last for any length of time at all.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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11 Dec 23
Wow, almost 20 years is really impressive! And yes, it is painful to have to replace them, I know.
1 person likes this
@2ndchances24 (10378)
• Cloverdale, Indiana
10 Dec 23
that's too funny in vision
cause mine did something the same
way, it went to bouncing so loud I
thought it was coming out of the
laundry room. we got there & like
you said the locking part wouldn't
open & the it started back up & was fine.
1 person likes this
@2ndchances24 (10378)
• Cloverdale, Indiana
10 Dec 23
@MarieCoyle 
I know that's right.
I know that's right.1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (188970)
• United States
11 Dec 23
Argghh I hate when washers start messing up.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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11 Dec 23
When they mess up, they really, really do strange things, don't they? And that wacked out automatic lock feature can be truly frustrating!
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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11 Dec 23
Very true, and we are so dependent on our appliances that it is a huge inconvenience when they don’t want to work anymore.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (77472)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
11 Dec 23
Then it's beyond time. Now a days, you're lucky if a washer lasts five. But, then we'll have had ours eight in a few days.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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11 Dec 23
It never gave me one lick of trouble until Thursday night. I guess that was lucky. I just hope the new one arrives in a timely manner. Thank you, Judy.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37808)
• Toccoa, Georgia
11 Dec 23
I like basic washing machines with no modern computerized buttons that must be pushed.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (43526)
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12 Dec 23
So do I. Unfortunately, I won't get to pick it out.
1 person likes this
@thedevilinme (4313)
• Northampton, England
11 Dec 23
If they spin fast enough they create a wormhole to the 'other side'
1 person likes this
