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Maytag Bravos Washer Repair Guide

  Bravos Washer Parts

Troubleshooting Common Bravos Washer Problems

  Bravos Diagnostic Mode & Tests

Bravos Error Codes

The Maytag Bravos Washer is one of 3 cosmetically different versions of the same appliance that was developed by the New Zealand appliance company, Fisher & Paykel.

You should note that in the newer 2010 washing machine line-up, some washer models branded Maytag Bravos do not have the same mechanical design, even though cosmetically they can look almost identical.  They are Belt Driven Washer Models. This guide is for the magnetically “stator drive” washing machine models.

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Drive Motor

Maytag Bravos Washing Machine Stator Motor

The drive motor on the Maytag Bravos washing machines is two part system made of a stator which generates a rotating magnetic field and a rotor with strong permanent magnets embedded around it’s inner wall allowing it to levitate over the stator.  When the control board energizes the fixed position stator the rotor begins to rotate, attempting to equalize in the moving magnetic field. This style of motor operates with almost zero mechanical friction, and can accelerate, stop, and reverse direction faster than you can say, “mama needs a new washer”.

Maytag Bravos Washing Machine Water Valve

The Rotary Position Sensor or “RPS” monitors the motor’s direction and rotation speed, then relays the information to the washer’s control board.  This is an extremely reliable motor design and most problems that happen are control related.  Some of the first Maytag Bravos washers had an invisible coating on the motor’s RPS connection remaining from production that would block communication from the RPS to the control board causing RPS related error codes.  Unplugging and reconnecting the RPS connection plug several times to clean off the coating for better contact would easily fix the problem.  To test the motor windings for resistance disconnect the wire connector from the drive motor terminals, and measure across any two of the three drive motor terminals.  Resistance should be about 16 Ω for each one of the three stator motor coils.  You can also measure from the wires connected to the P5 terminal of the washing machines control board.

(How to Use a Voltmeter)

Note: if an abnormal reading is measured from the P5 control board of the washing machine be sure to test the motor directly before drawing a conclusion, this will eliminate the wiring harness as a possible problem.windmill

Fun Fact: This style of washing machine motor can also be used to create a windmill or watermill electricity generator! (This will probably void your washing machine’s warranty.)
You could always buy a new stator and rotor from AppliancePartsPros.com through the stator and rotor image links above so that I can feed my family. : )

Impeller/ Agitator

Impeller Definition: The rotating part or a pump, compressor, or other machine designed to move fluid by rotation.

Maytag Bravos Washing Machine Agitator

Agitator Definition: An apparatus for stirring liquid.
The Maytag Bravos come in two basic flavors, one with an agitator and the other with an impeller. The impeller or agitator is directly attached to the motor rotor by a short drive shaft that is embedded with a bearing through the bottom of the outer tub.  The rotor will turn the agitator or impeller causing the clothing to move through the wash water in one direction. Because the inner tub is floating in the wash water it will begin to move in the same direction due to the friction generated by the motion of water or clothing.  The rotor will then change direction causing the impeller to also change direction and spin beneath the clothing like a super gentle washboard. (This action may be a little on the weak side leading to less than satisfactory washing results.)
The agitator style will pause for a moment while the drive shaft spins in the counter clockwise direction, because of a ratcheting system inside the agitator that will only allow it to be driven in one direction.  When the rotor reverses direction four “roller cams” inside the agitator retract releasing it from the drive shaft until it again changes direction for the clockwise stroke. (This washing machine style requires more water to operate, is less gentle on clothing, and has reduced capacity because of space taken up by the agitator.  However, many people prefer this style to the impeller models because of better washing results.)

Note: The Impeller or agitator can be removed from the washing machine by pulling the top cap off of the impeller or agitator and removing the 7/16″ bolt that is hidden underneath. This will allow you to examine and replace the agitator roller cams or lift the inner wash basket out to access the outer tub, tub sump, and lint filter for cleaning.

Recirculation Pump

The recirculation pump is the key to the Maytag Bravos water sipping efficiency. Instead of completely filling the washing machine’s tub like most top loading washing machines, only enough water is added to cover the washer’s wash plate and float the inner tub allowing it to lift off the basket hub.  Once the washing machine has finished adding water to the washtub the recirculation pump jumps into action recycling wash water back on top of the clothing.

Maytag Bravos Washing Machine Recirculation Pump

The recirculation pump is located at the left rear of the washing machine mounted directly to the outer washtub with three 5/16″ hex-head screws. Like all washing machines it is important to check your pockets for loose change and put smaller items such as baby socks and lingerie into a mesh laundry bag to keep them from finding their way into the washer’s recirculation pump or drain pump.

Note: Don’t wash floor rugs with rubber backing in your fancy washing machine!

If the recirculation pump motor becomes clogged it can often be cleared of the object and reinstalled. However, motor damage can occur if the motor is allowed to operate that way for a long period of time.  The pump motor windings should have a resistance value between 30-38 Ω and can be tested for resistance directly at the pump or by testing the wires connected to the pump after disconnecting them from the P4 connection on the washer’s control board.
Note: if a resistance problem is detected at the P4 control board connection, be sure to check the recirculation pump directly before ordering a new pump, this will eliminate possible problems with the wiring harness.  Also be sure to check all of the connected hoses and the tub sump area for blockages.

Note: The Recirculation pump can be manually tested with the diagnostic tests.

Maytag Bravos Washing Machines
MTW6300TQ0, MTW6300TQ1, MTW6400TQ0, MTW6500TQ0, MTW6600TB0, MTW6600TB1, MTW6600TQ0, MTW6600TQ1, MTW6700TQ0, MTW6700TQ1, MVWB300WQ0, MVWB300WQ1, MVWB400VQ0, MVWB450WQ0, MVWB450WQ1, MVWB700VQ0, MVWB750WB0, MVWB750WB1, MVWB750WL0, MVWB750WL1, MVWB750WQ0, MVWB750WQ1, MVWB750WR0, MVWB750WR1, MVWB800VB0, MVWB800VQ0, MVWB800VU0, MVWB850WB0, MVWB850WB1, MVWB850WL0, MVWB850WL1, MVWB850WQ0, MVWB850WQ1, MVWB850WR0, MVWB850WR1

Starting in 2015 Maytag also produced a hybrid washer branded Bravos that has a very low profile console, this washer has a magnetically driven wash motor but uses a shifting mechanism to move from wash to spin functions.

Most energy saving washers are front-loading and very mechanically complicated, however, this water saving washing machine operates without a transmission, motor coupling, belt, drive tube, clutch or break assembly. Instead this washer uses a magnetic DC stator motor to operate either the impeller or agitator for the wash portion of the cycle (depending on the washer model) then during the spin cycle, the washer’s motor spins the inner tub between 800 and 1100 Revolutions per minute (RPM) without the use of a transmission or clutch. It’s like a magnetic bullet train to Cleansville.

My first encounter with this washing machine design was at Whirlpool repair training in San Diego California just before the washer was introduced.  I was immediately impressed with the simplicity of its design and the ease diagnosis and repair.  Now that several years have passed since this washer’s introduction, it has become more apparent that the control board of this washing machine is fairly prone to failure. The washer’s main sub seal is also common to leak, leading to rusted and loud spin bearings. The customer feed back concerning the washer’s ability to clean clothes is mixed.

Because of its huge wash capacity and simple mechanical design I highly recommend this washer style as a good energy saving washer alternative to the much more problematic front loading washing machine designs with at least two control boards and complicated inner washer mechanics.  However, impeller models are probably best used in light duty cleaning situations. If you are an auto mechanic or farmer you may want to buy an agitator model.

Tips & Tricks for the Maytag Bravos Washing Machines.

1. Easy On The Bleach

Even though your washing machine may have a bleach dispenser that doesn’t mean you must use it!  Bleach and bleach vapors greatly contribute to washing machine rust and corrosion.  If you want your washer to last as long as possible use a plastic tub or something similar to bleach clothing, then rinse with cold water to avoid bleach vapors.

2. Gumming Up The works

Don’t wash floor rugs with rubber backing in your fancy washing machine! The backing will flake off and plug the recirculation pump and/or drain pump causing you grief and costing you money!

3. Rolling in the Sheets

Fitted sheets can sometimes turn into a large heavy ball as they collect other items inside themselves during the wash cycle; this ball is nearly impossible to balance at 1000 RPM. Solution…don’t wash fitted sheets with heavy items like towels or blankets, and stay close while the cycle is active so you can stop the cycle and readjust the load if necessary. As a general rule towels should only be washed with other towels and heavy items that can be properly balanced.  If you wash a bunch of shirts with on big towel the load will go off balance almost every time.affresh washing machine cleaner

4. Wash your Washer

Funky smelling clothes coming from an appliance designed to clean clothes doesn’t make much sense, and also wont get you much action. Afresh washing machine cleaning tablets.

5. The Right Stuff

Use HE (High Efficiency) soap.  Yes it is more expensive but you will also be using less soap so it’s a wash 🙂 Not using HE soap will cause error codes, dirty clothes, bad tub bearings (very expensive fix) and other problems.

6. Model Mimicry

Some lower end Maytag Bravos Washing Machines first released in 2010 do not have the same mechanical design as the stator washing machines I discussed in this guide, even though cosmetically they look almost identical.  These “belt drive models” have several common problems but most are easy to fix if you can troubleshoot the cause of the washer error. Almost all Maytag Bravos top load washers between 300.00 and 700.00 will have this same belt driven mechanical style… I hate deceptive marketing practices! (buy the cheaper one!)

7. Dam It!

One common problem is related to “flood stop” water supply hoses closing internally, blocking water from reaching the washer’s valve. To correct this problem, turn off the water supply valves, disconnect the hoses from the washing machine and valves to reset the internal diaphragms.

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