Our washing machine that we bought brand new in 1999 is overflowing. The problem started when we were washing clothes and the water continued to fill and overflowed. We had to shut off the water valve to stop it. Our question is would it be worth it to repair or buy a new one? Also, is this something that we can do ourselves or the technician? What is the usual lifetime of a washing machine?

Thank you for any info you can provide.

** [GE] washing machine bought new in 1999 **

I'm afraid that is not enough information to identify the appliance in question. What is needed is its exact model number.

You can find tips for locating the model and serial number identification tag on your appliances at the following link:

- Model Number Tag Search
LINK > www.appliance411.com/parts/tagsearch.cgi


** the water continued to fill and overflowed. We had to shut off the water valve to stop it. **

It didn't stop just by turning the washer off or unplugging it?


** would it be worth it to repair **

That will depend on the what is found to be the cause. In most cases it would usually be worthwhile to repair depending...

** Also, is this something that we can do ourselves **

I do not know of your abilities but I would think most reasonably handy persons could repair whatever could cause your symptom. It probably wouldn't require any specialized tools.

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=GE+Washer
The Appliance Information Site
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Dan,

Thanks for your reply. The model No. is : WPSR3100. The washer didn't stop when turning the washer off. At that moment with all the water overflowing we didn't think about unplugging the machine, so we are not sure about that. We opened the water valve last night and the machine started filling even when the knob was on the "off" position so we had to shut off the water valve again. We would appreciate any ideas. Thanks again.

** The model No. is WPSR3100 **

That model number is incomplete, did you get it right off the appliance's model and serial number identification tag?

** we didn't think about unplugging the machine, so we are not sure about that. **

Finding that out could positively identify the culprit.

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=GE+Washer
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~

Dan,

The complete model No.is: WPSR3100W1WW. I just opened the water valve and the machine started to fill up even when the knob was "off" so I unplugged the washer and the water stopped. Also out of curiosity I plugged the machine back and this time there was no water coming in so I started the washer and it just completed a whole cycle with no problem. Let me add that this same problem happened a few months ago and we thought that maybe we had done something wrong and since it continued working fine we forgot about it but now it happened again and I don't trust this washer anymore, I don't want to have my house flooded one day because the washer is acting up whenever it feels like it. I hope with this new information you will be able to have an idea of what's going on.Maybe some part is starting to fail?. Thanks so much.

If the water continued to fill even with no power to the appliance, the washer's water fill valve would have to be the culprit. It is the part the hoses screw onto on the machine (see the following link).

- GE WPSR3100W1WW Water Fill Valve
LINK > www.appliance411.com/data.php?rc=1159233

If it was filling only with power connected, the cause could be one of the electrical components which powers the water valve like the timer and water level control. It will be difficult to determine which unless it can be tested at the time of failure which with intermittent problems can be difficult. :(

The water level control (see the following links) could possibly have a 'sticking' contact which when power was disconnected let go and shut off power to the valve.

- How does a washer's water level control work?
LINK > www.appliance411.com/links/jump.cgi?ID=803

- GE WPSR3100W1WW Water Level Control Switch
LINK > www.appliance411.com/data.php?rc=771436


If I had to guess at the cause, that switch might be most suspect going by your problem description.

JMO

Dan O.
www.Appliance411.com/parts/?ref411=GE+Washer
The Appliance Information Site
=D~~~~~~