Fabric Softener won't dispense

I believe the softener is dispensed through centrifugal force when the machine is in the high speed spin after draining and before filling for the rinse cycle. I had the same issue on another machine. Use very hot water and a washcloth to clean out the softener cup. When adding softener at the beginning of the load, only add the recommended amount and then fill the remainder of the cup with water.

When you say you've cleaned both parts - have you poured hot water in and seen it actually drain out of the top peice while it was removed from the agitator? Have you poured hot water into the agitator with the top peice removed and seen it drain out of the holes? If not, repeated flushing (of the agitator) and soaking (of the top peice) with hot water as needed until is drains may be required. Until you can get water to drain out of both peices alone, it will work automatically. Once you have the water draining try again with a regular load of laundry and fabric softener. If it still doesn't work...

Since you've cleaned both parts (the non-removable and removeable top portion) of the agitator - it would suggest that the fabric softener dispenser's actuator inside the agitator is not functioning properly. The fabric softener isn't being released in the rinse (or at all really) and as a result of the centrifugal forces during the high speed spin cycle - it is causes the fabric softener to move up the sides of the dispenser and spray out of the top of the agitator onto the rim. This may be caused a mechanical or electrical failure in the washer or washer control. It will continue to work like this until it is fixed - so I suggest that you do not use the dispenser.

You will likely need to have the washer professionally serviced to have it begin working again. You can save the repair costs and either add the fabric softener yourself during the rinse cycle - or use "dryer sheets" in the dryer instead.

Good luck!

Hello - There are several things that could cause the fabric softener to not dispense into the washer. Are you sure the liquid in the dispenser after the wash is fabric softener? If it is fabric softener, the solenoid that lets the water into the dispenser is not working. This solenoid is located on the back of the dispenser. It only gets voltage during the dispense time and fills the fabric softener dispenser with water. The fabric softener dispenser fills while the washer is filling for the rinse cycle.

When the washer begins to fill for the rinse cycle, the fabric softener solenoid is energized and water flows into the fabric softener dispenser cup. When the cup is full the water siphons out and softener and water flow into the tub.

If the liquid in the fabric softener dispenser is pure softener you may need a technician to diagnose and repair the problem. The voltage will have to be tested to the softener solenoid and a volt meter is required.

If the liquid in the fabric softener dispenser is water you probably need to clean the dispenser cup. **** will build up in the siphon tube and stop the liquid from going into the washer tub. The incoming water will dilute the softener and overflow the dispenser cup and run into the tub. The instructions for cleaning the dispenser should be located on page 43 of the use and care guide that came with the washer.

If you don't have the use and care guide these instructions will help. Open the dispenser until it stops. In the left rear corner of the dispenser, there is a release that is labeled push. Press down on the push area and you can slide the dispenser drawer out.

Remove the insert from the bleach and fabric softener compartments. Clean the bottom of the insert and the bleach and fabric softener compartments. Reinstall the insert and put the drawer back inside the washer.

To test the siphon action slowly pour water into the fabric softener compartment. When the water level goes above the maximum line stop pouring. The water should all drain out.

Hope this information proves to be helpful however if it is ineffective please contact a professional to move forward accurately.

Check and see if there is a cup in the top of the agitator. Some machines have you put it there, turning back and forth during wash doesn't bother it, but the spin to empty the wash water causes the softener to go out through slots in the top of the cup and be held in the agitator. when it stops the softener drains into the tub, ready for the rinse cycle.

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Maytag-Parts/Washer-Parts/Model-A9200/3048/0153200/X2900731/00005?blt=06&prst=&shdMod= I thinking you are referring to item 7 which is listed as a dispensing cup. If I remember right it just sits on the agitator as a means to take off and use to measure soap, fabric softener. Since there is not a water flush line to it, I wouldn't use it to try to dispense the fabric softner. But it probably would do any harm to try it and see how much was actually left in the cup.

Purchase some fabric softener and place it in its normal location at the beginning of the cycle. At the end of the cycle check to see if fabric softener has been dispensed and whether there is water in the cup.

If the fabric softener is gone, but there is water in the fabric softener cup, then your problem may be with the water valve assembly. The water valve assembly (as one complete unit) has a separate solenoid for hot and cold water temperatures, bleach and fabric softener. The fabric softener solenoid on the water valve assembly could be defective (allowing water to fill the fabric softener cup).

Contact an appliance service company.

Not sure if you've ever resolved this issue, but I'm dealing with it myself. I have come across this service manual that gives a very detailed illustration of the systems, how it works and how to test it.
Focus on pages 15 thru 25. Hope this helps you.
http://www.servicematters.com/maytag_library/docs/16026126.pdf

Remove the dispenser cup and clean it. Be sure to use He soap.

Thanks for using FixYa - a 4 THUMBS rating is appreciated for answering your FREE question.

According to the manual on pages 12 & 13.

1. Place a load of sorted clothes into the washer. See “Laundry
Tips.”
■ Load evenly to maintain washer balance. Mix large and
small items. Items should move easily through the wash
water.
■ Load only to the top of the basket as shown. Overloading
can cause poor cleaning. Items need to move easily
through the wash water.
2. Pour measured powdered or liquid High Efficiency detergent
into the detergent dispenser. Always use the detergent
dispenser, and do not put detergent directly onto clothes in
the washer.
3. Add color-safe bleach (powdered or liquid) to this dispenser,
if needed. Be sure to match powdered color-safe bleach with
powdered detergent or match liquid color-safe bleach with
liquid detergent.
4. Pour measured liquid chlorine bleach into the liquid chlorine
bleach dispenser, if needed. Bleach is diluted and
automatically dispensed at the proper time during the wash
cycle.
■ Do not overfill. Do not dilute. Do not use more than 1 cup
(250 mL) for a full load. Use less with a smaller load size.
■ Follow the garment and the chlorine bleach
manufacturer’s directions for proper use.
■ To avoid spilling, use a cup with a pouring spout. Do not
let bleach splash, drip, or run down into the washer basket.
■ At the end of the cycle, a small amount of water may be
left in the dispenser. This is normal.
NOTE: Use only liquid chlorine bleach in this dispenser.

5. Pour measured liquid fabric softener into the fabric softener
dispenser, if desired.
■ Do not overfill. The dispenser holds 3 oz (94 mL), or a
capful of fabric softener.
■ The fabric softener is dispensed in the final rinse. If Extra
Rinse is selected, the fabric softener will be dispensed
during the Extra Rinse.
■ Do not spill or drip any fabric softener onto the clothes.
■ At the end of the cycle, a small amount of water may be
left in the dispenser. This is normal.
NOTE: Use only liquid fabric softener in this dispenser.
6. Close the washer lid.
7. Press POWER. This turns on the washer display.
8. Select a Wash Cycle. See “Cycles.”
9. Select the desired Modifiers. See “Modifiers.”
10. Select an Option, if desired. See “Options.”
11. Select Delay Wash, if desired. See “Delay Wash” in the
“Modifiers” section.
12. Press START. The wash cycle begins, and the display shows
the estimated remaining time. The lid will lock.
NOTE: If you do not press Start within 5 minutes of pressing
Power, the washer automatically shuts off.


The way that I read the manual, your color safe bleach would go in the detergent dispenser. Your liquid chlorine bleach would go in the bleach dispenser.

Please rate this solution

Fabric softener dispensers are notorious for getting all gummed up and clogged. Remove the dispenser cup and soak in some hot water to dissolve all residue. While you have the dispenser removed check under the dispenser cap in the agitator for gummy residue as well. Clean with hot water. There should also be an agitator seal cap under the dispenser. Make sure the cap and rubber o-ring are seated properly. Last of all, if the dispenser has a cone shaped cup inside, make sure it is inserted cone-side UP. The cup is designed to allow fabric softener to roll down the sides of it, NOT hold it. I hope this helps.