Automatic fabric softener dispenser does not dispense anymore.

THAT PART WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED

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.

For the FAV6800A or FAV9800A:

If you have no water flow to the Softener dispenser or Bleach dispenser see if you can turn the dispenser valves on Service Mode and verify water flow to the reservoirs.
Enter Service Mode (page 14 of the Service manual) by Pressing Enviro Plus and Spin Only keys (simultaneously) for three seconds or until the console beeps.

Now go to page 16 to Service Manual and enter Board Output Test by pressing the Delicates key. This will lock the lid. Now press the Wrinkle Control Key Pad on the console. The Control Board will send 120VAC to the Fabric Softener dispenser water valve. Did you hear the solenoid hum? If so we will now need to turn on the Cold Water Inlet Valve and see if water flows to the dispenser.

Now press the Spin Only key this will turn on the Cold Water inlet valve after 5 seconds press the Off key. The washer will unlock. Check to see if water did flow to the fabric dispenser reservoir. If you heard the Fabric dispenser valve hum then most likely 120VAC was applied to the solenoid. If water did not flow then the Fabric dispenser valve is stuck closed if you heard it hum.

The Bleach/Fabric dispenser water valve is an assembly and is not repairable you have to replace.

Final technical troubleshooting as a technical owner of the machine would be to take my DVM and verify 120VAC from the Control Board to the Fabric dispenser solenoid.
See page 36 lower left hand corner is the Bleach/Softener dispenser valve.
Here is the Service Manual for reference. Sears Parts Direct for reference.

The Part Number for the Dispenser Valve is 25001043 you can order from this site or search the internet for best price try appliancezone.com…

You can remove the Fabric Softner to clean see page 33 of the Service Manual…Rich

For the FAV6800A or FAV9800A:

If you have no water flow to the Softener dispenser or Bleach dispenser see if you can turn the dispenser valves on Service Mode and verify water flow to the reservoirs.
Enter Service Mode (page 14 of the Service manual) by Pressing Enviro Plus and Spin Only keys (simultaneously) for three seconds or until the console beeps.

Now go to page 16 to Service Manual and enter Board Output Test by pressing the Delicates key. This will lock the lid. Now press the Wrinkle Control Key Pad on the console. The Control Board will send 120VAC to the Fabric Softner dispenser water valve. Did you hear the Solenoid hum? If so and you have no water flow diverted to the Softener dispenser the solenoid valve may be stuck closed. If you did not hear the solenoid valve hum the solenoid field coil may be open or loss of 120VAC from the Control Board to the valve. Do the same for the Bleach Dispenser Valve.


Final technical troubleshooting as a technical owner of the machine would be to take my DVM and verify 120VAC from the Control Board to the Bleach dispenser valve.
See page 36 lower left hand corner is the Bleach/Softener dispenser valve.
Here is the Service Manual for reference. Sears Parts Direct for reference.

The Part Number for the Dispenser Valve is 25001043 you can order from this site or find best price. Before I would order any parts you need to isolate the fail point, this could be a Control Board issue or machine wiring harness issue.
Did both reservoirs stop flushing contents at the same time or different fail dates?
Rich

The machine needs to cut you a break;

“”i have a maytag neptune TL and there are several things wrong with it...1. I can't wash small loads it will stop at the spin cycle and flash dc””

This issue is a clutch issue see this post to DIY the repair.

“”it will wash fine on regular loads until it comes to spin cycle again and it will stop and flash nf””

This one is a little confusing the “nf” error is a No water fill error code. Check these two post for support regarding water inlet restriction or valve not opening properly.

nf post nf post 2

“”my fabric softener dispenser will not let the softener out neither will the bleach dispenser””

See this fabric softer post for support. The fabric softener dispenser may be clogged or the water dispenser valves feeding both dispensers may not be operating properly. The Service Manual on page 16 “Board Output Test” will give you support to turn on the Fabric Softener Valve and Bleach valve. See if you hear the valves operate in Service Mode”

My method may seem a little confusion for viewing water flow to the dispensers. This issue could be associated to the nf error you are receiving, restricted water flow (inlet screen clog) or cold water valve not working properly.

Post back for any questions or possible support I can offer. I’m an owner like you not a repair person but I’m very comfortable working on this machine. Rich

u need to replace the water valve theres 2 the cold is what u would replace

You put the detergent directly on top of the clothes.

I went to Sears today and asked!  They said use high efficiency detergent (marked HE on the label) and put it directly in the washer with the clothes.  Mystery solved!

I had a similar problem with the fab. softener chamber. Clean
out the buildup and it will drain. To do this, remove the cap and wipe out the softener. Also, be sure to wipe inside the drum, just below the dispenser.
As for a water flow to the dispenser- You will need to remove the plastic portion of the lid. Start with the detergent dispenser, then gently remove the bottom corners of the lid. Then are held by two plastic clasps. Then gently remove the "L" shaped plastic holders. Use a pipe cleaner to clean out the tube where the water flows directly out of the unit, before entering the lid. I did this last night, and it works beautifully!

The fabric softener dispenser is notorious for clogging. Liquid fabric softener is essentially a liquid form of wax. After a period of time it begins to gunk up the inside of the fabric softener dispenser. If you remove the dispenser drawer and look into the cavity, there should be a series of holes in the upper part of the compartment where water sprays into all the dispenser trays. These holes get gunked up and clogged and water will not dispense properly. As a result, the washer goes through a complete cycle, but the dispenser stays full. If this is the case, you can take some cotton swabs and/or toothpicks and clean these holes real good. It may be a bit meticulous, but it should take care of the problem. Post back and let me know if this helps.