Laundry 101
What are the four basic steps of a washer cycle?
Fill, wash, drain, spin
Front-load washers clean clothes using what main action?
Tumbling through water
What actually dries clothes in a dryer?
Airflow
If the drum turns but there is proper airflow, but my laundry is wet which function is missing?
Heat
What switch prevents a washer or dryer from running with the door open?
Door switch / door lock
Why do front-load washers require empty space in the drum?
Clothes must tumble to clean properly
Why won’t a front-load washer spin if water is still in the tub?
It must drain fully before spinning
What component moves air through the dryer?
Blower wheel
Which two dryer functions depend on the motor?
Motion and airflow
What safety device commonly blows due to restricted airflow in dryers?
Thermal fuse
: What type of detergent must be used in front-load washers?
HE DETERGENT
A front-load washer fills but does not tumble. Name two things to check.
Door lock, motor control / harness
What voltage does an electric dryer heating element typically use?
240 volts
Which dryer function causes overheating when restricted?
Airflow
What sensor tells the control board how fast a washer motor is spinning?
Hall sensor / tach sensor
Why do modern washers rely heavily on control boards instead of timers?
They control speed, direction, and safety logic
What happens if a front-load washer loses motor speed feedback?
It will stop or refuse to spin
What gas dryer component must glow before gas is released?
Igniter
Which dryer function is most often misdiagnosed as a “no heat” problem?
Airflow
Why should a blown thermal fuse never be replaced without checking airflow?
It will fail again due to overheating
What are the three required dryer functions for clothes to dry?
Motion, heat, airflow
: A front-load washer starts tumbling then stops and beeps. What’s the most likely category of failure?
Motor control, communication, or safety shutdown
: A gas dryer heats once, then never heats again until it cools. What failed?
: Gas valve coils
Which function failing can cause both long dry times AND blown thermal fuses?
AirFlow
What happens electrically when a door lock fails during spin?
Control blocks motor operation