Maytag Washing Machine Drive Motor: W10
A Maytag washer that does nothing, hums without turning, or smells burnt from the motor area has likely lost its drive motor — though on these machines that is uncommon before ten years thanks to the commercial-grade motor. The swap is an intermediate-to-advanced job of about 45 to 75 minutes, and the first move is…
Confirm it is really the motor#
Maytag backs the drive motor and the stainless basket with a 10-year limited parts warranty, so failures are rare early on. When one does happen the signs are clear: no response at all is an open winding, a hum with no movement is a seized bearing or failed start winding, and a burning smell is a shorted winding that must come out at once. A motor that spins while the washer does not points instead at the coupling or belt.
Safety warning: Disconnect power and water supply. The motor can be heavy (15-25 lbs). Have a helper or support ready.
What you need#
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tools | Phillips #2 screwdriver, putty knife, half-inch socket, multimeter, pliers |
| Part | Replacement drive motor for your model — Maytag uses W10-series Whirlpool numbers, so match by model number |
| Time and level | 45 to 75 minutes, Intermediate to Advanced |
Do You Have the Right Tools?
Bearing puller set ($120), drum spider wrench ($85), multimeter ($85), and diagnostic software. Our technician arrives with $3,000+ in professional tools — your diagnostic is free.
Licensed & Insured · 90-Day Warranty · Same-Day Service
Step by step#
1 - Prove the failure with a meter. Before ordering, read across the run-winding terminals with the harness off — expect about 2 to 8 ohms, and an open reading confirms a dead winding. If the motor gets power (120V at the connector during a cycle) but will not move, the winding is open; if it hums, the bearings or start winding have failed.
2 - Reach the motor on a top-loader (MVW). Release the cabinet spring clips with a putty knife at the front corners, tilt the cabinet forward and lift it off. The motor sits at the base, driving the transmission through a belt or direct coupling.
3 - Reach the motor on a front-loader (MHW). Take off the rear panel, six to eight screws, to find the motor at the bottom rear of the outer tub; some models want tilting back for room.
4 - Disconnect and drop the old motor. Release the wire harness, slack and remove the belt on belt-drive models or pull the motor off the coupling on direct-drive ones, back out the two to four mounting bolts, and support the motor as the last bolt frees since it will fall.
5 - Transfer any carry-over parts. Set the old and new motors side by side and move over the pulley, capacitor or wiring adapter if the replacement did not include them.
6 - Fit the new motor. Start all mounting bolts before tightening any, line the shaft up with the belt or coupling, tighten evenly, reconnect the harness, and refit and tension the belt or seat the coupling fully.
7 - Test before closing up. With the cabinet still off, run a short cycle and watch for a clean start, no bearing noise, correct agitate and spin speed, no burning smell, and a housing that is only warm after a few minutes. Then reinstall the cabinet.
About the 10-year motor warranty#
The motor and stainless basket carry a 10-year limited parts warranty, so before you buy a replacement, find the model and serial numbers inside the lid or door, confirm your purchase date, and call Maytag. If a manufacturing defect is approved within ten years, the part is covered, though labor may be on you after the first year.
Safety First — Know the Risks
High-voltage components and pressurized water lines create flood and shock risk. A single loose fitting can cause thousands in water damage. Our techs are licensed and insured — let them handle the risk.
Licensed & Insured · 90-Day Warranty · Same-Day Service
When to call a professional#
Bring in a technician for a warranty-eligible failure so you keep the coverage, for front-load access that needs tilting a heavy machine on your own, for a motor wired directly to the board with no separate connector, or if you find water intrusion or smell gas around the motor.
Appliance Repair Technician · 11 years experience
Experienced technician with 11 years specializing in Frigidaire and Electrolux refrigerator and dryer repair with a focus on safety.
