Why Maytag Centennial Washer Not Draining [2 Reasons]

Maytag Centennial washer not draining scared the shit out of me.

Let me tell you a little story.

I have installed two drain pumps in the last five years, and since then, the cost of drain pumps has skyrocketed. Like any concerned technician, I wanted to ensure I was not facing the same problem again. I started my diagnosis by troubleshooting the drainage system to rule out any drainage issues.

As it turns out:

The drainage wasn’t the issue, so my most unsettling worries have been solved. The solution was to replace my old lid switch assembling and get my washer to resume working. If you have the same problem as I did, consider two things:

• First, follow my troubleshooting guide to identify which part is causing your Maytag centennial washer to fail to drain.
• Second, order the replacement part immediately and let your washer resume working.

But before I jump into the details, understand why this problem occurs on your Maytag centennial washer.

Why Won’t My Maytag Centennial Washer Not Drain?

Most  drainage problems are categorized into two: 

• Electrical malfunction, where you have a faulty part that’s not getting enough power to force water out of the drain. 
• Or a mechanical malfunction where an object interferes with the drainage’s normal systems. 

Suppose the Maytag centennial washer is not draining. In that case, it’s because of the following reasons: faulty lid switch, loose or damaged drive belt, clogs in the drainage system, a mechanical failure of the drainage pump, clogged water filter, and impellers, too much load, broken motor coupling, faulty bearing system, bad timer, worn out clutch, and bad motor.

Before repairing the Maytag Centennial washer, you’ll have to remove the standing water from the washer. You can either bail out the water using a bucket (which is tedious) or use the drain hose to handle the work for you. 

That’s the first thing.

Next, perform a master reset to correct the issues and rule out software glitches. You’ll unplug the Maytag Centennial washer from the power breaker. Wait 10 minutes for the Maytag centennial washer to correct the error code or issues. Plug the centennial washer back. Open and close the door six times in twelve seconds for the computer to reset. 

The good news is this trick may work if you have a software glitch. The bad news is it may not work, and the problem will persist. If that’s the cause, you’ll have to diagnose and troubleshoot every part in your Maytag centennial washer that may have made it not drain. And we will start with its drainage system.

Related: Maytag Centennial Error Code F7E5

How Do you Fix a Maytag Centennial Wash That Fails to Drain?

Clogged Drain Pump

You’ll find the drain pump at the bottom of the Maytag Centennial washer. 

The role is to remove dirty water from the washer after cleaning. Inside the drain pump, we have an impeller that spins to allow water inside the drum and drive water outside the drum. The drain pump can fail mechanically. 

Let me explain.

If the impeller is damaged or broken, the pump fails to drain water from the drum, and that’s how you end up with standing water and wet clothes inside the drum. 

That’s example one. 

Example two is when you have a small piece of fabric or socks stuck into the drain hose. Example three is where you have a power surge that interferes with the washer’s normal functioning, causing the drain pump to fail.

Fixing the cases we have mentioned is easy. 

First, you’ll have to open the Maytag Centennial washer to access the drain pump and inspect the conditions. The solutions here are two. Find the objects that are blocking the drain pump. Inspect if the impeller is loose or broken. If you have a broken impeller, you can get a new one.

If all those two solutions check out to be okay, then you are dealing with electrical problems. The solution for this is only one. 

You’ll have to take a multimeter to test the drain pump to see if it has any resistance. A faulty drain pump won’t have resistance. You’ll have to get a drain pump to correct the problem.

Defective Lid Switch and Door Lock Motor

The role of the lid switch is to detect whether the lid is open. 

The door lock ensures the lid is closed when the Maytag Centennial washer is working. The door lock prevents the door from opening when the washer is full of water. Otherwise, it will flood the laundry room. To continue the cycle, the switch communicates with the Maytag Centennial washer through the door lock. When the door is opened, the switch will break the circuit, and the washer won’t work. 

Let me explain.

If the door lock is defective, the switch will send a signal to the washer, preventing the washer from operating, including a failure to drain. The best solution is to replace the door lock and lid switch assembly. 

First, pull the door gasket to access the lid switch and door lock motor. You can unthread the screws near the door lock to remove the lock. Next, you can measure the resistance of the lid switch and door lock to know which one is at fault. Once you know which one is faulty, you can replace it.

Drain Hose Problems

The drain hose clogs when the washer runs, and no water drains. 

And the clogs will prevent water from draining out of the washer. 

First:

Remove the drain hose from the Maytag Centennial washer. Ensure the hose is clear of clothes fibers, dirt, or links. If there’s any obstruction, you can use an industrial drain snake to remove excess clogs and wash the hose using vinegar or afresh. 

Second:

If the drain hose is kinked or worn out, then you’ll have to buy a new hose. The stuck clogs can trap even more clogs over time, causing a severe drain hose blockage.

Coin Trap

It’s common for people to leave small objects like coins or metallic objects in their pockets. 

Although these objects are harmless, they can break your washer, specifically the drain pump and the drain hose. That’s why most washers have a drainage design that can accommodate coins in the washer. 

The coin trap serves one purpose:

Remove coins, metal objects, and other small objects from the water before draining them, preventing damage and clogs.

It’s common for people to forget to check the coin trap when servicing their Maytag Centennial washer. You’ll find the trap at the bottom of the washer behind a small panel on the washer. The coin trap gets clogged with coins, dirt, lint, and debris. 

A clogged coin trap won’t allow water to pass through, and the washer will fail to drain. To solve this problem, you must clean the coin trap and wash off any dirt or link it may have.

Drive Belt Issues

The drive belt operates the pump. They turn the impeller clockwise or anticlockwise to drain water out of the Maytag Centennial washer.

The belt fits around the pulley on the bottom of the washer’s motor. The washer will not drain water when the belt is broken or loose at the pulleys. The belt also goes through wear and tear, leading to breakage. The solution here involves opening the washer and examining the belt. Check the belt for signs of wear and tear. If you have a broken belt drive, you may have to buy a new one.