When your Maytag Epic series washing machine or dryer offers an error code instead of finishing your load of laundry it's very disappointing. After the initial sigh, you start to wonder - is this one of those expensive errors that will cost me a ton, or is it something simple that I can fix it a couple of minutes.
When it happened to me I put it off for a couple of days. I really didn't want to have to deal with another error code. I was afraid of the potential repair cost and started imagining calling a repairman in and not just the cost, but also how long our laundry would be piling up for.
Let's start with an overview of the problem. F-30 Error code points to the dispenser or laundry detergent and the water inlet valve (Dispenser System Error). It's likely that if you are experiencing and F-30 error message that you are not getting water into the washing machine, or it is not using your laundry detergent. In more technical lingo, it means that the dispenser motor is not able to be moved into the proper position.
How about a solution to the F-30 Error message?
Step 1. Unplug you washer or shut off power. Remember - Safety First. Working on any appliance while it is plugged in is not safe.
Step 2. Take off the top cover. On the back of your washer there are 3 screws along the top edge. If you remove those 3 screws with a 6.5mm socket or normal pliers, the top can be lifted off and set aside.
Step 3. On the left side you will see a plastic arrow connected via a simple, small plastic bar to the dispenser motor. That arrow may be stuck due to hard water, or in some other way gotten caught up on itself. By careful nudging the arrow you can see if it is stuck, or if it is simply engaged. For us, that was all that needed to be done to ix the F-30 error code. Make sure that is has not rotated itself into the air or twisted in some other way.
Step 4. Check all of the wires running to / from the dispenser motor and follow them along to the Central Control unit (CCU). Check for broken wires, frayed plastic wire casing or any other lose connections. If you wire a lose connection, secure the wires. If you find a damaged wire (which may come from the vibrations during the high rpm's of the spin cycle.) then it needs to be fixed or replaced.
Step 5. Check the dispenser motor to see if it will rotate when powered. If not, then the dispenser motor needs to be replaced.
Step 6. Close it up and replace the 3 screws and wash some clothes.
EXTRA CREDIT ASSIGNMENT: This is a great time to clean out the soap dispenser and check for other areas that could be cleaned up a bit. Take a few minutes here and you can help avoid other error code messages in the future.