GE Washers User manual

GEAppliances.ca
Safety Instructions .......... 2,s
Operating Instructions
Careand Cleaning
of theWasher ...................... 7
Control Panels...................... 4
ControlSettings ................. 4,5
Features............................ 6
Loadingand Using
theWasher ........................ 7
Troubleshooting Tips ...... 8-1o
Consumer Support
Consumer Support ................ 12
Warranty .......................... 11
Write the model and serial
number here:
Model #
Serial #
You can find them
under the lid of
the washer.
49-90413-1 09/02/10 GE

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.
READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.
WARNING! in om o ionin,ismonuomus minimi is,
of fire or explosion, electric shock, or to prevent property damage, personal injury,
or loss of life.
WATER HEATERSAFETY
Under certain conditions, hydrogen gas may be produced in a water heater that has not been
used for two weeks or more. Hydrogen gas can be explosive under these circumstances.
Ifthe hot water has not been usedfor two weeksor more, prevent the possibility of damage or injury byturning
on all hot water faucets and allowing them to run for severalminutes. Dothis before usingany electrical
appliance which isconnected to the hot water system.This simple procedure will allow any
built-up hydrogen gas to escape.Sincethe gas isflammable, do not smoke or usean open flame or
appliance during this process.
%PROPERINSTALLATION
This washer must be properly installed and located in accordance with the Installation
Instructions before it is used. If you did not receive an Installation Instructions sheet, you can
receive one by visiting GEApplionces.co or by calling 800.561.3344_
I Installor store where it will not be exposedto
temperatures below freezing or exposedto the
weather,which could cause permanent damage
and invalidate the warranty.
Properlyground washer to conform with all
governing codes and ordinances. Follow details
in Installation Instructions.
I This washer doesnot includewater supply hoses.
Parts and Accessories
Toorder,pleasecall !.800.66!.!6!6 or contact your
local GEparts supplier..
PartNumber Accessory
WH41X!0207 4 ft RubberWater Supply Hose
WX!4X!0005 4 ft BraidedWater Supply Hose
GEstrongly recommends the useof factory
specified parts. A list offactory hoses availablefor
purchase are listed below. Thesehosesare
manufactured and tested to meet GE
specifications.
GEstrongly recommends the useof new water
supply hoses. Hosesdegrade over time and need
to be replaced every 5years to reducethe riskof
hosefailures and water damage.
YOURLAUNDRYAREA
it Keepthe area underneath and around your
appliances free of combustible materials such as
lint, paper,rags,chemicals,etc.
I Closesupervisionisnecessary ifthis appliance is
used by or near children. Donot allow children to
play on,with or insidethis or any other appliance.

GEAppliances.ca
WHEN USINGTHEWASHER
I Never reach into the washer while it is moving. I Thelaundry processcan reduce the flame
Wait until the machine has completely stopped retardancy offabrics. Toavoid such a result,
before opening the lid. carefully follow the garment manufacturer's
wash and care instructions.
Use this
appliance
only for its
intended
purpose as
described in
this Owner's
Manual.
B
B
Do not mix chlorine bleachwith ammonia or acids
such asvinegar and/or rust remover. Mixing
different chemicals can produce a
toxic gas which may cause death.
Do notwash or dry articles that havebeen
cleaned in,washed in,soaked in or spotted with
combustible or explosivesubstances (suchas
wax,oil, paint, gasoline, degreasers,dry-cleaning
solvents,kerosene,etc.).Thesesubstances giveoff
vapors that may ignite or explode.Do not add
these substancesto the wash water. Do not useor
placethese substancesaround your washer or
dryer during operation.
B
B
Tominimize the possibilityof electric shock,
unplug this appliance from the power supply
or disconnect the washer at the building's
distribution panel by removing the fuse or
switching off the circuit breaker before attempting
any maintenance or cleaning.
NOTE:Turningthe CycleSelectorKnobto an off
position,or pressing PAUSEdoesNOTdisconnect
the appliance from thepower supply.
Neverattempt to operate this appliance if it is
damaged, malfunctioning, partially disassembled,
or has missingor broken parts, including a
damaged cord or plug.
WHEN NOT IN USE
B
B
Turnoff water faucets to relievepressure on hoses
and valves and to minimize leakage ifa break or
rupture shouldoccur. Checkthe condition of the fill
hoses;GErecommends changing the hoses every 5
years,
Beforediscarding a washer,or removing it
from service,remove the washer lid to prevent
children from hiding inside.
I Donot attempt to repair or replaceany part of this
appliance unlessspecifically recommended inthis
Owner's Manual,or in published user-repair
instructionsthat you understand and hove the skills
to carry out.
I Do not tamper with controls.
READAND FOLLOW THISSAFETYINFORMATION
CAREFULLY.
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

About the control panel-for models with "pull knob" start.
. Add detergent
. Add diluted fabric
softener (on models
with a fabric
softener dispenser)
• Add items
Step 2
7p3
• Select load size and
other wash options
• Select wash cycle
Step 4
. Close lid
. Pull knob
LOAD TEMPERATURE OPTIONS
m El D
Controls
Load
Looselyload items in the washer basket. Overloading may negatively impact wash performance. Adjust the load sizeaccordingly.
Temperature
Selectthe water temperature for the wash and rinsecycles.Alwaysfollow fabric manufacturer's care label or instructionswhen
laundering.
Options (on some models)
Fabric Softener
Setthis option when adding fabric softener to the washer.
Clean Rinse Option
When you use extra detergent or bleachto clean heavily soileditems,you may want to usethe 2nd Rinseoption. It provides an
enhanced second cold rinse.
4

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Wash Cycle-Cycle Selector Knob
The chart below will help you match the wash cycle setting with your items. The chart is ranked from greatest to least
wash intensity.
Yourwasher may not have allthese cycles. (Cycles vary by model.)
WHITES Forheavy to lightly soiledcottons, household linens,work and play items.
(REGULARWASH/FASTSPIN}
DARKCOLORSFornon-colorfast cottons and blendsand itemsthat are labeled coldwash bythe fabric manufacturer.
(RE6ULARWASH/FASTSPIN}
CASUALSForwrinkle-free and permanent pressitems, and knits.
(PULSEDWASH/FASTSPIN}
RINSESPIN Forquickly rinsingchlorine, perspiration,stains, etc.,out of items.
(FASTSPIN)
CLEANRINSEProvidesan automatic, enhanced rinseto thoroughly remove detergent or bleachfrom
your items. (FASTSPIN}
FABRICSOFTENERActivatesthe FABRICSOFTENERdispenser cycle.(FASTSPIN}
Liquid Bleach Funnel
The water filldilutes liquid chlorine bleach as the washer fillsfor the wash cycle.
rl] Check clothing care labels for special instructions.
r_] ivleasure liquid bleach carefully, following instructions on the bottle.
[] Never pour undiluted liquid chlorine bleach directly onto clothes or into the wash basket.
[] Do not pour powdered bleach into bleach funnel.
r_] Before starting the washer, pour measured amount of bleach directly into bleach funnel.
Avoid splashing or over-filling dispenser. Ifyou prefer to use powdered bleach, add it into
the wash basket with your detergent.
[] Do not mix chlorine bleach with ammonia or acids such as vinegar and/or rust remover.
Mixing can produce a toxic gas which may cause death.
Q:What isthe difference between Heavy and Light settings?
A: ForWhites and Colors,the wash agitation time is increased by 6 minutes and for Cusuuls, by !2 minutes. (Timesare
approximate)
Q:What isthe difference between Regular and Pulsed?
A:Regulur means the washer will continuously agitate during the wash cycle.Pulsed provides a more gentle wash
cycle by including pause periodsduring the wash cycle.
Q:Which cycle isbest for heavily soileditems?
A: Whites or Colors cycles have the greatest wash intensity.This cycleprovides the best overallcleaning. Cusuuls
should be used for wrinkle-free and permanent press items.
Q:How can I reduce linting?
A:Sortwash loads byfabric type and whether they collect lint (velveteen,corduroy) or produce lint (terry cloth,chenille).
Wash small loadsfor a shorter amount of time.
Q:
A: How much detergent do I use7
Forbest performance, always follow the detergent manufacturer's instructions on usage.Many detergents are
concentrated, soconsult the product label and follow the clearly marked lineson the detergent measuring cups.
Excessivedetergent can negatively impact the wash performance.

About washer features.
The Agitator Cap (on some models)
Theagitator cap fits intothe top of the
agitator. If it accidentally comesoff,
simply put it back on.
OPTIONS
OFF_ FABRIC SOFTENER
nd/or CLEAN RINSE
Fabric Softener Dispenser (on some models)
Thefabric softener dispenser automatically r_] Add water to dispenser until it reaches
releasesliquid fabric softener. Setting the _ the maximum fill line.
knob ensures that itdispensesat the proper
time.
Do not stop the washer or raise the lid
during the first spin. This will cause the
dispenser to empty too soon.
To use, follow these steps:
[_ Hake.sure dispenser issecurelyattached
to agitator.
r_ use only diluted liquid fabric softener.
Pour into dispenser,usingamount
recommended on package.
Never pour fabric softener directly on items.
It may stain them.
Do not pour anything into the
agitator if the agitator cap or
dispenser is removed.
r41select FABRICSOFTENERsetting knobto
activate the cycle.
Note: Fabricsoftener will not dispenseif the
knob isin the "OFF"position.
Separate for cleaning
Cleaning the Fabric Softener Dispenser (on some models)
r_ Removethe dispenser from the top of the agitator.
r_ Separatethe dispenser cup from the cover by graspingthe top and pushing down on the
insideof the cupwith your fingers. Dispensercup will pop free from the cover.
r_To cleanthe dispenser,soak both the dispenser cup and the dispenser cover in the
following solution:
[] ! USgallon (5.8liters)warm water
[] !/4 cup (60ml)heavy-duty liquid detergent
[] ! cup(240ml) bleach
r_lf necessary,loosenbuildup with a clean,soft cloth after soaking. Donot usea stiff brush;
you may roughen the surface of the dispenser.
r5-1Rinseand reassemble dispenser.Placedispenser back on the agitator.
6

Loading and using the washer.
Always follow fabric manufacturer's care label when laundering. GEAppliances.ca
WashLoads
Sort bycolor (whites,lights,colors),soil level,
fabric type (sturdycottons, easy care, delicates)
and whether the fabric produces lint (terrycloth,
chenille)or collects lint (velveteen,corduroy).
Proper Use of Detergent
Add detergent before adding items sothat the
detergent can work effectively. Usingtoo little or too
much detergent isa common cause of laundry
problems.
Forspots, apply pre-treatment to items as
recommended on the product label. Application
should be made in the basketto prevent overspray
which may cause the coloring on the lid or graphics
to fade.
You can use lessdetergent ifyou have softwater,
a smaller load or a lightly soiledload.
When using high efficiency or concentrated
detergents, consult the product label to determine
amount required for optimum performance.
Excessivedetergent will negatively impact wash
performance.
i, LoadingtheWasher
_? Load dry items loosely inthe washer basket. When
loading wet items, make sureyou setthe load/water
levelhigh enough to allow the items to move freely.
Water levelshouldjust cover the items. Toadd items
after washer hasstarted, lift the lid and submerge
additional items next to the agitator.
IDo not wrap long items likesheets or pants
around the agitator.
IDo not wash fabrics containing flammable
materials (waxes,cleaningfluids,etc.).
IWasher will not agitate or spin with the lid up,
however the timer will continue to run.
Care and cleaning of the washer.
| 86
Wash Basket: Leavethe lid open after washing to
allow moisture to evaporate. Ifyou want to clean
the basket, use a clean soft cloth dampened with
liquid detergent; then rinse.(Donot useharsh or
gritty cleaners.)
FillHoses: GErecommends changing the hoses
every 5years.
Exterior: Immediately wipe off any spills.Wipe
with damp cloth.Try not to hit surfacewith
sharpobjects.
Moving and Storage: Ask the servicetechnician to
remove water from drain pump and hoses.Seethe
Installation Instructions packed with product for
information on how to reinstall the shipping rod
to keepthe tub stationary when moving the washer.
Formore information, visit GEAppliunces.ca or call
800.561.3344.Donot store the washer where it will be
exposedto the weather.
Long Vacations: Besurewater supply isshut off at
faucets. Drain all water from hoses ifweather will
be below freezing.

Before you call for service...
_roubleshooting Tips
Save time and money! Review the charts on the following pages,
or visit GEAppliances.ca. You may not need to call for service.
WATER Possible Causes What To Do
Toomany suds Too much detergent , Heasure your detergent carefully. Uselesssoap ifyou have
soft water, a smaller load or a lightly soiledload.
Type of detergent , Switch to a lower sudsing detergent brand and follow
instructions on package.
Soft water , Try lessdetergent.
Water leaks Using too much detergent , Uselessdetergent. Uselesssoap ifyou have soft water.
in washer a smaller load or a lightly soiled load.
Fillhoses or drain hose is , Hake sure hoseconnections are tight at faucets and
improperly connected rubber washers are installed.Hake sure end of drain hose
iscorrectly inserted in and secured to drain facility.
Household drain may , Checkhousehold plumbing. You may need to call
be clogged a plumber.
Drain hose loose , Hake sure drain hoseisfully seated in back of washer and
that the two retaining screws are fully seated.
Drain hose rubs on wall , Hake sure drain hosedoes not make contact with the wall.
Hay cause excessivewear on the hose.
Constant water pressure , Tighten hosesat the faucets and turn the water off after
to the fill hoses at the each use.
water source , Checkcondition of the fill hoses;they should be replaced
every 5 years.
Water temperature Coolerwater temperatures , New laundry detergents have been formulated to work
seems incorrect provide improved energy with coolerwater temperatures without affecting wash
efficiency performance.
Water supply isturned off , Turn both hot and coldfaucets fully on and make sure
or improperly connected hosesare connected to correct faucets.
Water valve screens are , Turn off the water source and remove the water connection
stopped up hosesfrom the upper back of the washer. Usea brush or
toothpick to clean the screens inthe machine. Reconnect
the hosesand turn the water back on.
House water heater is , Hake sure housewater heater isdeliveringwater at
not set properly !20°F-!40°F (48°C-60°C).
Water pumped out before Lid lifted or cycle was put in , Resetcycle.
cycle is complete pause for over 24 hours
Water won't drain Drain hose is kinked or , Straighten drain hoseand make surewasher isnot
improperly connected sitting on it.
, Topof drain outlet should be lessthan 6 ft (1.8m)
above floor.
Washer pauses during This is normal , Thisis normal.Thewasher alternates between agitate and
wash or rinse cycle soak during these cycles to get your clothes cleanerwith
lesswear.
Washer pauses during This is normal , Thewasher may pause during the spincycleto remove
spin cycle soapy water more efficiently.
8

GEAppliances.ca
OPERATION Possible Causes What To Do
Washer won't operate Washer is unplugged . Hake surecord isplugged securely into a working outlet.
Water supply is turned off • Turnboth hot and cold faucets fully on.
Controls are not set properly • Checkcontrols.
Lid isopen--safety feature • Closelid and reset cycle,to the beginning if necessary.
prevents agitation end
spinning when lid is up
Circuit breaker/fuse is _ Checkhousecircuit breakers/fuses.Replacefuses or
tripped/blown reset breaker.Washer should have separate outlet.
Timer knob not pulled • Pulltimer knob.
Lid magnet missing _ Callfor service.
Movement inside machine Shifting mechanism is o When the machine ismanually turned off,the shifter will
when shut off disengaging the motor disengage the motor before completely shutting down.
Iflid israised beforethe motor isdisengaged,the processwill
stop and will resume when lid isclosed.
PERFORMANCE Possible Causes What To Do
Clothes too wet Incorrect spincycle _ Hakesurethe spincycle selectedmatches the load you are
selected washing.Somefabricswillfeelwetterwhenrinsedwith coldwater.
Colored spots Incorrect use of fabric , Checkfabric softener package for instructions and follow
softener directions for usingdispenser.
Hake sureyou haveselected the Fabric Softener option,
Pretreatstain and rewash,
Dyetransfer o Sortwhites or lightly colored items from dark colors.
Grayed oryellowed Not enough detergent _ Usemore detergent (especiallywith larger loads),
clothes Besureto follow detergent manufacturer's directions.
Hard water _ Usea water conditioner likeCalgon brand or install
a water softener.
Water is not hot enough _ Makesurewater heater isdeliveringwater at
120°F-140°F(48°C-60°C).
Washer is overloaded • Selectload sizeto match clothes load.
Detergent is not • Add detergent beforeyou load items.
dissolving
Dyetransfer _ Sortclothes by color. If fabric label states wash separately,
unstable dyes may be indicated.
Lint or residue on Clothes are air or line dried , Ifyou do not dry your clothes with a clothes dryer,your
clothes clothes may retain more lint.
Incorrect sorting • Separate lint producers from lint collectors.
Washing too long • Wash small loadsfor a shorter time than larger loads.
Detergent not dissolving o Add detergent beforeyou load items.
Trya liquid detergent.
Usewarmer water temperature.
Overloading _ Loadclothes loosely inthe washer basket. Adjust load size
based on items sizeand materials.
, Hake sure load sizeselected matches clothes load size.
Incorrect use of fabric
softener Checkfabric softener package for instructions
and follow directions for using dispenser.
Hake sureyou haveselected the Fabric Softener option.
9

Before you call for service...
_Troubleshooting Tips
PERFORMANCE (cont.) Possible Causes What To Do
Pilling Resultof normal wear on , Whilethis isnot caused by the washer,you can slow the
poly-cotton blends and pilling processbywashing garments insideout.
fuzzy fabrics
Snags, holes, tears, rips
or excessivewear Pins,snaps, hooks, sharp , Fastensnaps,hooks,buttons and zippers.
buttons, belt buckles, , Removelooseitems likepins,objects in pockets and
zippers and sharp objects sharp buttons.
left in pockets • Turnknits (which snag easily)inside out.
Undiluted chlorine bleach , Checkbleach package instructions for proper amount.
, Neveradd undiluted bleachto wash or allow clothesto
come in contact with undiluted bleach.
Chemicals like hair bleach or , Rinseitems that may have chemicals on them before
dye, permanent wave solution washing.
Wrinkling Improper sorting , Avoid mixing heaWitems (likework clothes)with light items
(likeblouses).
• Trya fabric softener.
Overloading or incorrect * Loadyour washer soclothes have enough room to move
water level freely with water covering all of the clothes.
Incorrect wash and * Hatch Cycleselectionto the type of fabric you are washing
dry cycles (especiallyfor easy care loads).
Repeated washing in * Wash inwarm or cold water.
water that istoo hot
SOUNDS Possible Causes What To Do
"Metallic clicking" Shifter mechanism is , Thedrivesystem will engage at the start of agitate and
engaging or disengaging disengage when agitate iscomplete. This occurs multiple
times during the wash.
"Click" when water Relayswitch * Therelay makesa clicksound when activated. Thewater
stops filling levelactivates the relayand stops filling.
"Clicking" behind Control Automatic Temperature * Thisvalve mixes in cold and hot water. The"clicking" isthe
Panel during fill Control Valve valve turning on and off.
Water volume changes Automatic Temperature * Thisvalve mixes in cold and hot water. Thesound changes
during fill Control Valve when the valves areturned on and off.
Motor "whining up" or Motor ramping up/down * Themotor will speed up incrementally during the spincycle.
"coasting down" in spin during spin cycle When spin iscomplete, itwill coast until it stops.
"Humming" Water drain pump * Thedrain pump will make a humming soundwhen pumping
out water after agitation stops and continue until spin is
complete.
"Gurgling" Water drain pump * When the pump starts drawing in air,It starts to gurgle.
Thewasher shouldthen begin spinning and the sound will
continue until it is done spinning.
10