GE EWA4600G0 How to use

GE Appliances
General Electric Company
Louisville, Kentucky 40225
31-9146
GE Washers With
Electromechanical Controls
and Mode Shifter Assembly
Technical Service Guide
November 2006
GE Consumer & Industrial
LOADSIZE
TEMPERATUREOPTIONS
COTTONS
HOO-BOYWARM HOTDELICATESBURLAP
COLD
TEPID
LARGE
REGULAR
EXTRA
LARGE
EASYCARE
PREWASHDELICATES
EWA4600G0
GJRR4170H0
GJSR4160H0
WCSR4170G0
WHDRR418G0
WJRR4170G0
WJSR4160G0
WLRR4500G0

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IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE
The information in this service guide is intended for use by
individuals possessing adequate backgrounds of electrical,
electronic, and mechanical experience. Any attempt to repair a
major appliance may result in personal injury and property
damage. The manufacturer or seller cannot be responsible for the
interpretation of this information, nor can it assume any liability in
connection with its use.
WARNING
To avoid personal injury, disconnect power before servicing
this product. If electrical power is required for diagnosis or test
purposes, disconnect the power immediately after performing the
necessary checks.
RECONNECT ALL GROUNDING DEVICES
If grounding wires, screws, straps, clips, nuts, or washers used to
complete a path to ground are removed for service, they must be
returned to their original position and properly fastened.
GE Consumer & Industrial
Technical Service Guide
Copyright © 2006
All rights reserved. This service guide may not be reproduced in whole or in part
in any form without written permission from the General Electric Company.

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Table of Contents
AC Line Filter........................................................................................................................................................................17
Agitator..................................................................................................................................................................................13
Belt...........................................................................................................................................................................................20
Brake Test............................................................................................................................................................................. 36
Component Locator Views...........................................................................................................................................12
Control Panel ......................................................................................................................................................................14
Control Timer ......................................................................................................................................................................14
Control Features...............................................................................................................................................................10
Cover/Lid Assembly.........................................................................................................................................................19
Diagnostics and Service Information...................................................................................................................... 30
Drain Pump..........................................................................................................................................................................20
Front Panel...........................................................................................................................................................................19
Harness Fuse ......................................................................................................................................................................23
Inverter/Motor.................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Inverter/Motor Error Codes..........................................................................................................................................33
Inverter/Motor Test..........................................................................................................................................................35
Leveling Legs ......................................................................................................................................................................13
Lid Switch .............................................................................................................................................................................18
Mode Shifter Coil Test .....................................................................................................................................................35
Motor and Drive System................................................................................................................................................ 5
Nomenclature .................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Schematic ............................................................................................................................................................................37
Shaft and Mode Shifter Assembly ............................................................................................................................ 26
Shaft and Mode Shifter Overview ............................................................................................................................. 6
Shipping Rod.......................................................................................................................................................................13
Suspension ..........................................................................................................................................................................23
Temperature Selector and Options Switches...................................................................................................... 16
Tub Assembly .....................................................................................................................................................................24
Tub Cover.............................................................................................................................................................................. 24
Warranty ..............................................................................................................................................................................38
Washer Components......................................................................................................................................................13
Water Level Switch ..........................................................................................................................................................15
Water Valve.........................................................................................................................................................................17

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The nomenclature tag is located under
the lid in the right rear corner.
The mini-manual is located inside the
control panel.
Nomenclature
The letter designating
the year repeats every
12 years.
Example:
T - 1974
T - 1986
T - 1998
Serial Number
The first two characters of the serial number
identify the month and year of manufacture.
Example: AL123456S = January, 2006
A- JAN 2006 - L
D - FEB 2005 - H
F - MAR 2004 - G
G - APR 2003 - F
H - MAY 2002 - D
L - JUN 2001 - A
M - JUL 2000 - Z
R - AUG 1999 - V
S - SEP 1998 - T
T - OCT 1997 - S
V - NOV 1996 - R
Z - DEC 1995 - M
Nomenclature

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Motor and Drive System
The new GE washers incorporate a new motor and drive system. The 120 VAC input powers a three phase
induction inverter/motor assembly. The inverter produces approximately 340 VDC, which is pulse width
modulated (PWM) to control motor speed. There is no location to check inverter output voltage to the motor.
Voltage given is for information only. The motor is bidirectional, constantly reversing it’s direction to provide
agitation. The motor is connected by a belt to the shaft and mode shifter assembly. By energizing or de-
energizing a coil, the mode shifter assembly engages or disengages the shaft and tube. This allows for
agitation and spin cycle modes.
Motor status is displayed through a series of flash codes from a green LED located on the front side of the
inverter just above the motor. These codes are stored in memory until cleared.
Inverter/Motor
Green LED

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Shaft and Mode Shifter Overview
The shaft and mode shifter assembly consists of the shaft and tube, mode shifter cam, and mode shifter coil.
It operates in 2 distinct modes, spin and agitation.
The shaft and tube transfers power to the wash system. Motor power is transmitted to the shaft and tube
from the drive belt to the drive pulley. The drive pulley is attached to one end of the agitator shaft and the
agitator is attached to the other. The tube is fixed to the washer basket at all times.
The mode shifter changes the shaft and tube from spin to agitation. In agitation mode, the tube is fixed to the
platform and the agitator shaft rotates freely. In spin mode, the agitator shaft is fixed to the tube and both
rotate together.
Basket
Motor
Agitator
Motor Pulley
Mode Shifter
Drive Belt Drive Pulley
Tub
Platform
Inverter
View from Right Side
Agitator Shaft
(Continued next page)
Tube

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Agitate Position
Spin/Idle Position
Mode Shifter Cam
Mode Shifter Coil
Mode Shifter Coil
Drive Pulley
Mode
Shifter
Cam
Mode Shifter Coil
Drive Pulley
Mode
Shifter
Cam
(Continued next page)
Drive Shaft
Note: Mode shifter coil energized for agitate mode; cam teeth disengaged from drive pulley.
Shaft and Mode Shifter Assembly
Note: Mode shifter coil de-energized for spin/idle mode; cam teeth engaged in drive pulley.

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MODE SHIFTER
AGITATE
PROGRAM
RUNS
(18 SEC)
Mode Shifter Operation - Agitation
The mode shifter is controlled by the motor inverter circuit. When the washer starts the agitation cycle,
the inverter energizes the mode shifter coil. The magnetic field of the coil lifts the mode shifter cam,
disengaging it from the drive pulley. Without the cam engaged, the drive pulley rotates only the
agitator shaft.
At the beginning of the agitation cycle, the inverter energizes the mode shifter coil with
135 VDC (PWM) for approximately 18 seconds. This high voltage pulls the mode shifter
cam up from the drive pulley. During this time, the motor also rotates clockwise and
counterclockwise in short strokes to ensure the mode shifter cam has been released from
the drive pulley. This operation is called the Mode Shifter Agitate Program. It is normal to
hear metal-to-metal "clunking" sounds during this time as the cam and drive pulley
disengage. The washer runs this program when the agitation cycle first starts, when
power is restored if lost during agitation or when the user restarts the washer if paused.
Once the Mode Shifter Agitate Program has completed (18 seconds), agitation begins. During agitation,
the inverter continues to supply 30 VDC (PWM) to the mode shifter coil. This voltage is sufficient to hold
the mode shifter cam away from the drive pulley throughout the remainder of the agitation cycle.
The inverter motor controls the speed of agitation. The agitator stroke rate is approximately 30 strokes
per minute. This rate is the same for all cycles. The speed of the motor controls the arc. At fast speed,
the arc is approximately 360 degrees. At slower speeds, the arc is substantially less. It is the distance of
the arc that determines normal or gentle wash cycles.
Mode Shifter Operation - Spin
At the beginning of the spin cycle, the inverter runs a short sequence (approximately 30
seconds) to make certain the mode shifter cam is engaged with the drive pulley. The
inverter does not supply voltage to the mode shifter coil during this sequence. Since the
coil is not energized, the spring loaded cam drops down into the teeth of the drive pulley.
During this time, the motor also rotates clockwise and counterclockwise in short strokes to
ensure the cam has engaged with the drive pulley. This 30 second operation is called the
Mode Shifter Spin Program. It is normal to hear metal-to-metal "clunking" sounds during
this time as the cam and drive pulley engage.
MODE SHIFTER
SPIN
PROGRAM RUNS
(30 SEC
Notes:
If the washer is paused while in agitation, it is NORMAL to hear sounds for an additional 30 seconds as
the inverter control runs the Mode Shifter Spin Program to de-energize the coil and enter a pause state.
If the washer is in agitation and power is lost, the inverter control will run the Mode Shifter Agitate
Program when power is restored.
If the washer is in spin and power is lost, the inverter control will run the Mode Shifter Spin Program
when power is restored.
To help prevent out-of-balance conditions, the last 10 seconds of agitation on certain cycles will be
short, fast strokes to help redistribute the clothes load prior to entering the spin cycle.

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CYCLE
SELECTED
TUB FILLS
PRESSURE
SWITCH
OPENS
MODE SHIFTER
AGITATE
PROGRAM
RUNS
(18 SEC)
AGITATION
CYCLE
BEGINS
AGITATION
CYCLE
ENDS
POWER IS
RESTORED
POWER IS
LOST
LID SWITCH
OPENS
MOTOR STOPS
USER
PRESSES
TIMER
KNOB IN
MODE SHIFTER
AGITATE
PROGRAM
RUNS
(18 SEC)
LID SWITCH
CLOSED
MODE SHIFTER
SPIN
PROGRAM RUNS
(30 SEC
AGITATION
CYCLE
CONTINUES
MODE SHIFTER
AGITATE
PROGRAM
RUNS
(18 SEC)
MODE SHIFTER
SPIN
PROGRAM RUNS
(30 SEC
SPIN CYCLE
BEGINS
CYCLE
COMPLETED
POWER IS
RESTORED
POWER IS
LOST
SPIN BASKET
STOPS
(7 SEC
LID SWITCH
OPENS
SPIN BASKET
STOPS
(7 SEC)
USER PRESSES
SPIN BASKET
COASTS TO A
STOP
MODE SHIFTER
SPIN
PROGRAM RUNS
(30 SEC)
LID SWITCH
CLOSED
SPIN
CYCLE
CONTINUES
START END
Control Logic Flowchart
SPIN BASKET
COASTS TO A
STOP
USER
PULLS
TIMER
KNOB OUT
MOTOR
STOPS
TIMER KNOB IN
USER
PULLS
TIMER
KNOB
OUT

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Features and appearance may vary between models.
Control Features
GE Models
(Continued next page)
• Add detergent
• Add diluted fabric
softener (on models
with a fabric
softener dispenser)
• Add clothes
• Select load size and
other wash options
• Select wash cycle • Close lid
• Pull knob
Quick Start Guide
Load Size
Loosely load clothes no higher than the top row of holes in the washer basket. The water level should just cover
the clothes. Adjust the load size accordingly.
Temperature (on some models)
Select the water temperature for the wash and rinse cycles. Always follow fabric manufacturer’s care label or
instructions when laundering.
Options (on some models)
2nd Rinse Option
When you use extra detergent or bleach to clean heavily soiled clothes, you may want to use the 2nd Rinse
option. It provides a second deep cold rinse.
A
A
B
B
C
C
D
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3
Step 4
Controls