The fabric softener dispenser does not dispense. The soap and bleach do dispense.
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.
You may check the hoses INSIDE the washer that lead to the dispenser to make sure they aren't kinked in any way. But...you said the the Detergent and Bleach dispensing works fine. I believe these are common fill hoses, but not sure. It may be worth a look if the cleaning you just attempted does not work.
I'm not sure how your dispenser is constructed, but there should be some sort of plastic armature with a spring on it. The dispenser is driven by a small motor which turns the armature and selects the appropriate section of the dispenser to be activated for water to dispense into. Sometimes the spring comes off and the armature won't move. Could this be the case with yours?
Somethng else I thought about...you said you cleaned the dispenser, but did you clean the cavity area where the dispenser came OUT of? If you remove the dispenser drawer and look inside the cavity where it is installed, you will see the series of holes in the top of the compartment that I described. These holes become clogged over a period of time and need to be cleaned out, or the water will not be able to get through to the dispenser. Has this been done?
You've gotta have clog or something. Since you have no moving parts, I'm assuming the dispenser hoses are turned on and off by solenoids(?). Are there any electrical connections what-so-ever going to the dispenser? There has to be some method of determine WHEN the fabric softener cycle turns on. No spring loaded armature that turns the dispenser on to divert the water...hmmm...all the other functions are working. You have already cleaned the inlet ports and checked all the hoses. I'm assuming the washer fills BOTH hot and cold normally(?), because you didn't mention any other problems. (Just thinking in print, here). Look inside the washer for a tech sheet to see if there is a diagnostics procedure you can perform. Most front loaders have this sheet inside the washer attached to the cabinet wall. The diagnostics should perform a check of all the functions, to include hot and cold fill, bleach and fabric softener dispenser actions, tumble, drain and spin. I'm hoping you have a tech sheet that can provide you with some of these answers. The only other recommendation is to replace the operator interface board that controls those functions. I would hate to make an expensive move without first trying all other options.
Thanks Jeff. Your procedure above worked for me. I also used a metal, right angle pick tool and a slide in mirror.
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The fabric softener dispenser (and bleach dispenser, same water line) on the Maytag MAH 6700 model works by time (controlled by the circuit board) and water flow from the cold water inlet valve. Check the screen on your cold water inlet. If clean, the water inlet valve may need to be replaced. They (two solenoid units together)are not repairable. If you are mechanically inclined take a look at the cold water inlet valve that has the rubber tubing running to the "bleach" dispensor nipple. It will have a water flow restrictor in it at the inlet valve. On my unit a piece of "stray" plastic was partially clogging the flow restrictor. I carefully drilled the valve out enough to remove the stray plastic. Now both the bleach dispenser and fabric softener dispenser work properly and at the correct times during the wash.
Good luck with your repair!
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.
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Thanks for getting back so quickly! Have gone as far as taking the dispenser out and cleaning it with an air-compressor. Before I re-install, is there anything else I can do to make sure it is cleaned out?
You are correct. Three common hoses (hot, cold, and bleach). All hoses good, dispenser clean, and water is still not spraying on the fabric softener section.
Thanks for staying on it. I cleaned every spray hole in the dispenser shower and even gently ran wire through the three hose receptacles. As far as the "spring on the armature", the dispenser shower has no moving parts (100% plastic) and still no water getting to the "fabric softener" section of the shower.
Fabric Softner won't dispense. I have cleaned everything. Holes inside cavity are not clogged. I can see where water is coming out the soap and bleach holes, but not the fabric softner holes. Should I call the experts?
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