Repair or replacement of the washing machine water inlet valve

AmeriPro service center provides services to repair or replace the washing machine inlet valve at home in Los Angeles, California.

A AmeriPro craftsman:

• will arrive within 24 hours after the call with all the necessary tools and spare parts for your washing machine;
• will repair or replace the part within 30-60 minutes right at your home;
• will issue a receipt with a warranty of up to 6 months for the work done and parts installed.

Call us for help at ️(800) 657-0765

How much does it cost to repair or replace a water solenoid valve?

Usually the valve cannot be repaired and must be replaced. AmeriPro specialists will only repair the part if the cause of the malfunction is the same:

• inlet filter-network clogging of the valve;
• clogged, lime or rusty deposits on internal valve components: jammed valve stem due to rust, diaphragm does not open, stem spring lost elasticity, etc. (for demountable valves only).
• In other cases, the assembly is replaced by a new one.

About the Inlet valve device

A washing machine filler valve (stands for Electromagnetic Filler Valve) is a diaphragm in the housing that opens at the signal of the control module and the water enters the machine under the pressure of the water supply system. The diaphragm mechanism is actuated by a solenoid coil in the valve.

On modern washing machines, the part usually consists of two valves. The first one is responsible for collecting water on a washing cycle and the second one for rinsing. There are also three sections (pre-wash, washing, rinsing). In “old” washer models, the valve is usually single.

Possible Inlet valve malfunctions

85% of Inlet valve breakdowns are due to the electromagnetic coil. Its winding blows out, the membrane does not open when the water is flooded on command of the control unit, and the washing machine does not dial.

⚠️Attention: Operation of the washing machine with a faulty water valve coil is fraught with failure of the control board, and as a result, more expensive repair. We therefore recommend that you do not use the machine in this case, even if it does partially collect water, and we recommend that you call a master immediately.

More rarely, service technicians from AmeriPro encounter the following water supply valve malfunctions, mainly in machines with a long service life.

• Screen filter clogging at the inlet valve. The filter is installed in front of the valve and protects it from particles contained in tap water. As it is used, the filter gradually clogs, making it difficult for water to enter. The washing machine starts to slowly pick up water and may produce a flood error.
• Damage to the diaphragm. This is due to wear and tear, but most often it “suffers” from machines that are operated or stored in unheated rooms. When the remaining moisture in the valve freezes, not only does the diaphragm rupture, but sometimes the valve body itself cracks. Inlet valve with a damaged diaphragm will let water through, so the washer will pick up even when the diaphragm is off.
• Constipations, rust and lime deposits on parts of the valve that come into contact with water. They can either prevent water from being collected by the machine or, conversely, lead to a situation where the washer is flooded in the off state. First of all, the membrane and its mechanism – rubber, plastic part, spring, rod – are vulnerable. For example, when the rod jams in the closed position due to rust, the membrane does not open and water does not enter the machine.

Why is the solenoid valve rarely repairable?

The unit is rarely repaired for the following reasons:

• Disassembled structure. In most modern washing machines, Inlet valve is not disassembled. Manufacturers consider it a consumable item and advise to change it completely in case of malfunction.
• No components. In older washer models, input valves are usually disassembled, but components are not sold (diaphragms, coils, rods, etc.). They can only be found on old washing machines.

Therefore, the AmeriPro craftsmen perform only the following repair work:

• cleaning of the inlet valve strainer (it is not difficult to do it on your own);
• cleaning of the valve itself, if it is disassembled and the fault is due to clogging, lime or rusty deposits on the internal components.

Other repairs are either physically impossible or not economically feasible.

Signs of water valve malfunction

A failure of the water supply valve is always accompanied by one of the following symptoms, and the first three signs may also show a flood error.

Slowly flows into the washing machine. May signal a clogged inlet filter at the inlet valve.
No water coming in at all. Probably a burned coil, clogged strainer or valve itself, jammed valve stem.
Water is flooded on washing and not on rinsing, or vice versa. A burned coil of the valve section that is responsible for the set on the respective cycle (for double or triple valves).
The coil itself picks up water in the off state or fills and drains it while washing. Damaged valve diaphragm or jammed valve stem in open position.
⚠️Please note! In addition to the valve failure, the displayed signs may also signal other faults. A specialist inspection of the washer is necessary for an accurate “diagnosis”.

Contact a specialist at AmeriPro if you suspect that a flood valve has failed in your washing machine. We will check and if necessary repair or replace the defective part with a new one. Call us for help at ️(800) 657-0765