Maytag Bravos XL600 gets stuck in sensing mode! Help

I know a lot of people have problems with these washers so.....Im posting this to both get advice on potential fixes AND give people a place to find a solution for other peolple. The only other place on the web i found a fux for these washers only had a vague description of the problem. So i hope this video properly explains the issue for peolple and this ends up being helpful!

[@trentmckee2250]

We tried 2 suggestions that were commented here but they didn't work for our Bravos MCT model: 1. Reset onboard circuit by unplugging unit, turning off water supply lines, removing lines from back of unit and cleaning filter screens, reattching lines, turning back on water supply, reconnecting 110VAC power, pressing and holding power button for 10 seconds. Our unit continued to invoke the Lid lock after pressing start and then attempted to run the motor for 2secs and then stopped completed while the sensing light remained on 2. Tried dumping a bucket of warm/hot water in the wash tub and then pressed Start, but ours continued having the same symptoms (locked lid, motor attempted to run for 1.5-2secs then stopped with sensing light remaining on) -- although, mind you, I thought this was a very good idea in theory, so it may work for you as it did the gentleman below that commented and shared this suggestion. After some research online for this model, most pointed to motor failure issues so I took ours outside to give me more room to work. I laid the unit on it's side and removed the 2 screws that hold the white plastic motor shield on (note the washer remains unplugged and not getting any power while doing this). I tried moving the electric motor by hand with the belt on and noticed it was difficult to turn very far in EITHER direction, so I thought the motor was jammed and possibly needed lubricated. I then figured I should isolate if it's the pulley'd gears that are stuck or the motor itself so I removed the belt that connects the two (it comes off without too much effort). Surprisingly the motor then moved freely so I focused on the tumbler pulley-- with both hands firmly gripping the tumbler pulley (probably called something else, but that's what I'm referring to it as), I firmly turned the pulley from right to left without breaking anything. At first, I could only move it about 1/4" in both directions. But after going back and forth half a dozen times and the whole tumbler moving a bit in the process, I heard some things break loose inside the washer's tumbler on the other side (where you load the clothes). It's still on its side and when I walked around I noticed half a dozen coins were broken loose- after closely inspecting them, they all looked like they had been ground down by a fine grinder. Going back around to the pulley near the motor, it was turning freely now without too much effort. I reattached the belt motor, the plastic motor guard and brought it back upright. Connected both power and water lines outside from the water hose (used a Y splitter and just used cold going to both supply lines) and tested a load of laundry. Everything worked smoothly. Pennies and dimes were the culprit on ours.. I've seen another youtube video where a guy(DIY Repairs Now) took everything apart on his Bravos MCT only to find the same.. coins stuck inside the spinning tumbler. It had to have taken him at least a couple hrs to disassemble and reassemble everything. If you try this method it should only take 30mins and you don't need to remove the tub

[@walking_introvert]

I just fixed mine. I turned off the water to both hoses. Then disconnected the hoses at the back of the washer (leave them connected at the outlets). One is hot and one is cold so make sure you know which goes to which inlet at back of washer and a little water will drip out so have a towel handy. In the back of washer where you took the hoses off you will see a filter that catches debris. I used an old toothbrush and brushed off the inlet that is dirty or both if needed. Then reconnect the hoses, turn the water back on and see if it is fixed.

[@madjames2392]

What actually helped me is I set it to extra rinse, then I unplugged the power cord for 10 secs and it fixed everything

[@donniesmith8493]

Mine was doing exactly that and I removed the hot and cold hoses from the back and inside each one there are these white filters each one has 4 little square ports I took a small flathead screwdriver and pushed thru those ports I could feel they were stuck and cleaned them out and its been working since

[@kevinwelch4953]

Good looking out! I checked the water and realized that the hot water wasnt turned on. We had a pipe mess up and our plumber forgot to turn it back on. Thank you!

[@tonysalazar3222]

Ok i got the Bravo MTC model mvwx700xl0, this is what I m getting, when i choose any wash cycle it locked the lid , make a short spin, unlock and lock the lid, couple times, then it start filling the tub, its fill almost the whole tub, then it goes to prewash cycle, spin the tub a couple times, then start draining water, its get to half of the tub, then start filling the tub again and go to the full tub again, then a short spin, drain some water and start again the same loop, in your case the sound you are hearing is the water solenoid working maybe the screen is blocked. With mine i guess is something wrong which the weight sensor, so she never know has reached the right water level in tub

[@supermeatlongworthy6295]

If you machine flows water while set to hot water it is your water inlet screen clogged. Pull it out and clean it. Use needle nose pliers and it pulls out like a Cork. Screw all this diagnostic testing. Something so simple took me all day to troubleshoot. Hit like if it worked. I had mine stuck in sensing mode. Try this if just hot works.

[@DavePoidvin]

I did exactly what the gentleman suggested. I cut the water supply, unplugged it from the power supply, waited a minute, opened the water, plugged her back in, held the power button down for 10 or more seconds and she runs fine. I guess we are just lucky. Thank you. Dave & The Girls

[@caramelrose9395]

Dave Poidvin thank you this helped

[@patsyspan1378]

Dave Poidvin how do you know when it resets? My washer is doing this sensing mess and not spinning.. Help please

[@preno1044]

WORKED for me too! THANKS

[@ladyblackheart1936]

I did the disconnect the hose thing and hold down the power button and it worked! Thank the appliance gods!

[@charlesswitzer8378]

The shift actuator is faulty.

[@kennethjohnson7743]

Maybe the accuator on the motor not advancing possibly a bad water valve?

[@susanal.5382]

Mine doesnt get stuck on sensing mode. It goes to sensing then it just unlocks and shut offs

[@jaywalsh1329]

MIne does the same thing, did you ever find a solution?

[@ProvacativeAcorn]

@@jaywalsh1329 same here, did you find a solution?

[@jaywalsh1329]

@@ProvacativeAcorn yes, I bought a Samsung, it was deliverd Monday. Seriously though, it eventually died. I kept it, I plan to take a look a the electronics here sometime in the near future when I get some time. I'll post back if I find a simple fix. I happen to have access to some people and equipment that might be able to diagnose the problem. (I also might try a used main board if I rule out the power supply and there are no "simple" fixes.)

[@djcar5181]

Yep.. My issue as well. Bought this along with the Dyer. Dryer still works. I'll seer if I can repair it. If not then I'll just go with another brand. Was my first and last experience with their products.

[@ramzihossaini2599]

The actuator is a common problem.

[@eurodance209]

This machine is garbage ive had mine 3 years had 3 repairs done and now rinse cycle stops so Maytag is horrible

[@peteriannuzzo1525]

Somewhat same problem. My Maytag Bravos seems to have an issue during initial sensing. What I did was poured a bucket of warm water into machine prior to starting wash. Machine went through washing cycle fine. I'm guessing its an issue with the weight sensor.

[@ryaniron4707]

has anyone figured this out, mine is smoking also, doing the exact same thing, washer is less than 6 years old, purchased the extended warranty, figures it ran out 10 months ago.

[@bigslimm7]

So u made a video showing us the problem ur having? We're on here to search how to fix the problem 😑

[@ethanmorrison7200]

It is the shift actuator

[@cijiwright9614]

I replaced the lid switch and shift actuator on mine didn't fix the problem

[@thomaspartridge1394]

Mine did this, cleaned the plastic filters at the inlets for the hot and cold. Mine were stopped up. Problem solved

[@DeGuySign]

bought a new one....quote for repair was a couple hundred...... found a returned washer for close to 300

[@fishman1347]

When you got the quote did they say what the problem was?

[@michaelwoodard4444]

i replaced the shift actuator, lock switch, bezel, cleaned the striker, magnets working.......still flashing lid lock and making that humming noise so I'm thinking that sounds like motor issues. Fuuuuuuuuuuccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@latosharenee8786]

Mines sensed, spins, senses. Spins over and over. Never filling up with water. Paid technicians to come out and tell me It needs a new transmission..... like it a car or something. For $550 My model #MVWX600BW0 HAD IT FOR 2 YRS

[@lgnd3ry770]

It's not a car that's for damn sure pretty lady

[@peggyjustme8466]

I had the same problem today. This is what I did to fix it. Turn off the water supply. Disconnect the hoses from the washer. You will get some run out so have towels handy. Reconnect the hoses to the washer. Turn the water supply back on. Apparently this will reset the sensors. Hope this helps.

[@DavePoidvin]

I did exactly what the gentleman (Lady) suggested. I cut the water supply, unplugged it from the power supply, waited a minute, opened the water, plugged her back in, held the power button down for 10 or more seconds and she runs fine. I guess we are just lucky. Thank you. Dave & The Girls

[@mrbou7999]

did same thing it worked for me thanks alot you saved me a new washing machine

[@preno1044]

Worked for me too! Thanks

[@brandonbewvlogs]

Maytag bravos x top load Washing machine mvwx500xw2 it is not sense clothes. What can I do?

[@kdentertainment2002]

Im having same problem but with the 655 modal

[@66RainySuper]

Did you resolve this issue?

[@jenniferdenniswinningham6417]

changed out the shift actuater, same problem, did a diagnostic test got error codes: f1e2, f0e2, f7e1, f0e0. if you change the water temp to cooler temps the washer sometimes will work.

[@orlyraf9641]

I'm having the same problem right now. What did you do to fix it?

[@danielraymond3815]

Mine is doing the same, and won't spin now, I hate this washer

[@darrendeiter5937]

Did you ever figure out how to fix that

[@jennifergruber120]

This is exactly what mine is doing right now..... how did you fix yours?

[@DeGuySign]

Bad news is that it was cheaper to buy a clearance model washer then it was to pay a repairman to come on out. Issue being that they would come out and diagnose it, order parts, then return for the repair. By the time you add all that up a new $350 washer doesn't look so bad.

[@mommykinskin1516]

I'm having the same problem stays in the sensing mode

[@homeytube1]

same exact problem here

[@joshuaginnish382]

They need to replace the drive motor or not

[@doctorfeinstone6524]

Or not?

[@dulceesparza8704]

Did you run the test to get the error codes????? I just did that last night, found out is the motor

[@gthan405]

Hey I have that same identical problem and I have no idea on how to fix it. did you ever do figured it out?

[@ehofius0715]

Im having the same problem amy luck???

[@joeakers8196]

Me too

[@taylorwiggington6879]

Same problem, how did you fix it??

[@minhtruong8524]

I am having the same problem just right now. what I did was to bypass the lid lock then start it. While it spins, I put down the spin basket. it works two loads so far. I see a lot of people comments on the actuator but none talks about the wash splutch assembly. It is possible damaged? I had some unbalanced loads a few time and yesterday was the last one.

[@fortunatedad7695]

Unplug the power wait a few mins, plug it back in and then hold down the power button for 10 seconds. It resets the computer.

[@bendercraig]

I also have the same exact problem. How did any of you fix this problem?

[@joshuaginnish382]

You should replace the drive motor or not

[@lwmitcham]

I have the same exact machine but my washer will only keep sensing and the lid stats locked the machine hardly makes any noise I have to just shut it down from the power button , the night before my wife washed towels and when she went to dry them they were soaked. Any suggestions oh and by the way the lid switch is only a month old

[@BryanElAteo]

There is a simple fix. The problem is the lock unlock spin sensor motor mechanism, it get dirty easily. If you don't have an electronics background you better call a tech or replace the whole part.

[@66RainySuper]

Bryan El Ateo where is that part located?

[@BryanElAteo]

@@66RainySuper it is located under the washer, the part is called Shift Actuator. it is very similar to this part number: W10913953

[@66RainySuper]

Bryan El Ateo thanks I already replaced that, it does what this washer does and buzzes after the sending spins. Even when you turn off power it still buzzed until you unplug

[@nickkuhlman]

Has anyone figured out how to fix this issue? I have the same problem.

[@clumoostudios3585]

I had same problem and my washer was smoking

[@andreww8802]

Clearly your water valves are off

[@brettrtodd]

did you unplug it and hit the restart button aleays works

[@heathersutton1091]

Brett Todd where is the restart button?

[@eatme124]

Lmao.....buy ANOTHER machime cuz it sounds like neither of you can even tie your shoes correctly

[@joelhiltz3329]

WTF does " give people a place to find a solution for other peolple " mean ? Just keep your day job and stop making videos...

[@JaleelJohanson62]

The guy who posted the video was asking for help you moron....