Whirlpool Duet GHW9400P Front Load Washer Review
Sat, Jun 16, 2007
When the first Whirlpool Duet washer was introduced back in December, 2001, it took the public by surprise. On one hand its modern design and front load style was a big plus, on the other hand though, the set retail price came as somewhat of a shock to a lot of people -
$1,200 and up for some of the models. After the initial shock began to wear off and people got used to the idea of paying $2,000 for a laundry set, the new Duet washer proved to be a solid, quality machine and a big success with the public.
As with most front load washers, there is the occasional problem with the “bellow” - the rubber boot between the front of the washer and the tub. But, with proper maintenance this problem can be overted. *UPDATE* There is a new product on the market called Affresh. It prevents odor causing residue, works much better than bleach and keeps your HE washer clean. See product details and purchasing info here. Download a Use and Care manual for your washer for instructions.
Every washer model, good or bad, has a list of components that fail most often. It doesn’t mean that your washer will break down tomorrow and statistically it probably won’t break down for a long long time. But if or when it does break down, chances are the faulty part will be on the list below.
THE LIST (or “What’s causing my Duet washer’s headache”)
- Well, we’ve mentioned the bellow, which you may have to replace once every few years.
- Water drain pump - might get clogged. Simple and inexpensive repair.
- Inlet water valve. What is a valve? A plastic body and a couple of solenoids. Solenoids go bad after a while, it’s that simple.
- Door lock. Somewhat of a fragile item and can break if not careful.
- Electronics - main control board, speed control, etc. With electronics, you never really know. It may fry tomorrow or last for 20 years. A good precaution is to use a surge protector for the washing machine.
- All above are what is called “functional items”. There are also cosmetical items that usually break due to improper or heavy use. Items like door handles, door frames, control knobs, door hinges, etc.
- Whirlpool Duet Parts List
All in all, Whirlpool Duet is a good quality washing machine. Quiet operation, high capacity, lots of options, powerful motor. If it does break down, make sure to use high quality original Whirlpool parts.
Popularity: 18% [?]
Tags: Affresh, Front load washers, Whirlpool Duet
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:28 pm
I want a manual to the first whirlpool duet washer that came out. I have lost my manual and need another one for understanding of different codes.
March 4th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Charlena, visit our Appliance Manuals section (http://www.appliancejournal.com/appliance-manuals), click on Whirlpool and enter your washer model number to download the Use and Care manual for your Duet washer.
September 9th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
I have just bought a duet set and am not happy at all.The washer shakes the whole house. and is not quiet
we have had 2 repairman and they say it is normal.I don’t believe them. I have a 3rd coming on Saturday.
October 20th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Our duet set was a terible BUY! We have the repairman come out fours times … our clothes get eaten and torn apart. The washer shakes the whole house too.
October 20th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Our duet set was a terible BUY! We have the repairman come out fours times … our clothes get eaten and torn apart. The washer rocks the house…
October 27th, 2008 at 2:54 am
Bought the washer 20 months ago to rave reviews by consumer reports. It comes with a 1 year warranty. 8 months after the warranty we have the F6 error where the Motor Control Unit does not communicate with the motor tachometer which prevents the unit from completing a full cycle. We should have purchased an extended warranty! *sigh*. Anyhow, the repair, would be $223.18 for the MCU and $147 in labor for a total of $370!!!! half the price of the unit.
It’s a crime.
Washer works great when it works … *sigh*
Looking into buying the part myself and trying to install it ($150 for the part over the internet)
December 1st, 2008 at 4:48 pm
bought the washer/dryer 3 years ago. never had problems….do about 6-8 loads per week. have small odor problem but when I started leaving door open, odor “almost” went away. going to start using affresh tablets after a lot of research, and using vinegar as fabric softener, also going to switch to powdered HE detergent instead of liquid. but never had machine eat my clothes or other mechanical problems. bought GE for the last 20 years and always liked their service…..maybe I’m lucky seeing what others have written!
January 1st, 2009 at 11:05 pm
I have a duet frontload washing machine. The door is locked and I can’t remember how to unlock it. I seem to remember it happening once before and it unlocked when I pushed a series of buttons at the same time. Does anyone know which buttons I need to push?
Thanks!! Cindy
January 2nd, 2009 at 5:28 pm
my duet shakes the whole house when in the spin cycle. what can I do to solve the problem. I don’t want to return it and I have tried several times to level it, but to no evale. Please help!
January 4th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Hi! I’d love to get JLEE’s contact info.
We have the same issue.
Tried buying the MCU from an online vendor but after 3 shipments, the part is not correct. Later we found that it’s not the store’s fault but Whirlpool’s. The part listed online is not what’s in the box at the warehouse. It seems like WP made a huge mistake. We’re waiting for Sears to give us our MCU but we believe it’ll still be the wrong one. We looked it up online, on Sear’s parts website, and the MCU box/item number is the same as what we’ve been getting.
I looked at JLEE’s site but it’s a company site. So if I can either get JLEE’s email or if you forward mine to JLEE that’d be so so great. I just want to know if he/she fixed the issue and where the part was from.
Thanks!!!
January 6th, 2009 at 6:01 am
I have a duet frontload washer. I moved last week, had a little accident with it and the window in the door broke. I bought it used, and don’t know what model it is, but it’s kind of old. Please let me know if you have an idea where I can buy it from.
January 12th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
I have a duet washer that is 2 years old and started to shake violently. Had a certified repairman out and the rear bearing is shot. I only run the washer 2-3 times per week. This seems to be common with this model after checking feedback on the web. $400 in parts and $200 in labor. Would not recommend this washer to anyone.
February 5th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Ditto all of these problems, and the front door leaks. Repair Co. has come out 4 times replacing parts, now it usually only leaks on the sanitary setting.
February 12th, 2009 at 11:57 am
For Cindy Wallwork: Pull off the front cover below the door (three screws). Reach up inside the corner under the door lock. You will feel a sort of rounded little item. You pull down on it and it unlocks the door, but you have other problems (electronic ones). Unplug it for awhile (ours takes a day). Plug it back and it should work.
February 15th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
I used my friend’s whirlpool duet washer in rinse and spin cycle for one cotton towel-type bath mat. At the end of the cycle it was still sopping wer. I thind that the front load type washers just don’t generate the centrifugal force necessary to do the job.
February 18th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I have the Whirlpool Duet. During the “Sanitary” cycle, the seal ripped apart. It was replaced but everytime I use this cycle, the seal comes loose. I’m not sure if the seal was improperly set or there is another problem.
March 19th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Purchased the Whirlpool Duet Wahser 07/08. By Sept. calling the service tech, shakes violently even when perfectly level. They have been out 8 times, replacing 2 parts, including the “bellow”. Still shakes violently. Cannot get Whirlpool to replace the product even though it’s under mfg. warrany. Have written letters to Whirlpool and made 50 phone calls. The service tech has told Whirlpool the washer is not repairable, they still refuse. Want him to install a “vibration kit”. As of March 2009 I am still fighting with Whirlpool as is the service company. I would not ever recommend a Whirlpool product to anyone. A company that cannot stand behind it’s warranty or product does not deserve my business. My next step is to file a complaint with BBB, possibly file a lawsuit and post a video on YouTube!
March 31st, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Yes I Bought the Whirlpool GHW9100CW1 Duet.Now 4years Later It STOP . Call Repair man ,Water pump,needs new Drum rollers to,My Old Washer Run For over 16 years ,sold it and got duet .whirlpool needs to !TEST! in the home befor sales Think!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 14th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
I’ve had this model for two years and love it. I do huge loads and small loads in it, never had any problems. After I’m done with washing I leave the door ajar till the next morning and I’ve never had a problem with odor or mildew. My water bills are dramatically down too, I can’t tell you how happy I am with this washer!
April 20th, 2009 at 2:56 am
My wife and I purchased a Whirlpool Duet Sport front end loader back in April of 07. The washer worked impressively up until today.
Machine gave a loud, rubbing kind of sound while in high spin cycle and now have water leaking out of machine all over basement floor.
Model number WFW8500SR00.
Do have some black stains on rubber seal at door since kids don’t leave it open after taking load out. Also learned that the slide in soap dispenser tray needs to be removed when not in use. Otherwise trapped water creates mold in this area as well.
Scared to hear what the repairman is going to say!
May 8th, 2009 at 7:44 pm
I’ve been told now that my rear bearing is out after having my Duet HT WFW8400T for two years…did EVERYTHING the manual and internet said for maintaining, cleaning, detergent, placement, the unit looks showroom floor new (as commented by my last repairman)…did not buy and extended warranty so am now screwed. My old washer I bought at a garage sale, it was 10 years old when I bought it, paid $50 and it lasted me 6 years before the timer went out and had the money for an “upgrade” so I bought the Duet. Some upgrade…no wonder the economy is in the crapper…companies can dish out crap appliances at a significant cost with what appears to be no consciousness of quality and product endurance for economic value.
May 9th, 2009 at 1:27 am
Bought a whirlpool front load washer/dryer and am very disappointed w/it. If the door is closed tight and/or after washing a load of clothes is smells musty, when on rinse/spin cycle it is so…. Noisy, the valve stuck open when the machine was not in use but door was open to keep it from smelling and had water all over floor (was out of town over the wknd when this happened) and also have had to throw away clothes as they’ve had grease stains on them and you can’t get them out. For the price you have to pay for these, I would NOT encourage you to purchase one.
June 12th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
I cannot understand why the shaft that runs the impeller on pump that pumps out the water on my Duet frount loader washing machine was so cheaply made.It is made out of pot metal and broke. I had to get a repairman to replace the whole pump. A very cheaply made part for a washer that costs over $1000.