Washer Has a Burning Smell

The control board provides power to the components of the washer. If the control board receives a power surge or a component fails, the control board can short out causing a burning smell. Inspect the control board for burn marks. If the control board is burnt, it will need to be replaced.

The water pump belt can get worn and slip on the pulleys causing a burning smell. Check the motor pulley for wear and make sure the water pump turns freely.

If the drive belt is worn or frayed it can slip on the pulley causing friction and a burning smell. Also check the components the belt is turning to make sure they turn freely. A stuck water pump or idler pulley can create enough friction to cause the belt to burn.

Some washer models use two belts, one to run the transmission and one to run the water pump. If the belts become worn or burnt, they can be replaced together as a kit. A stuck water pump or transmission can create enough friction to cause the belt(s) to burn.

Contacts in the timer can become worn over time and not make good contact. When this happens the contacts can overheat, arc, and you may get a burning smell from the timer.

The drive motor operates the mechanical components of the washer. If one of the components fails the motor may stop or strain to keep turning. Sometimes the motor itself can have bad bearings making the motor shaft hard to turn. When this happens the windings can overheat causing an electrical burning smell. If the motor hums but won't start or the windings smell burnt it will likely need to be replaced.

Some washer models will have a removable drive pulley attached to the drive motor shaft to rotate the drive belt. If the transmission is locked up or the pulley is worn or damaged, the belt can slip on the pulley and produce a burning rubber smell. Inspect the drive pulley for any wear or damage and replace as necessary.

A damaged washer wire harness could be producing the burning smell. Inspect the appliance's wire harnesses to determine if any frayed or disconnected wires are present, then replace the component if necessary.

The washer's inverter board assists in determining how fast the tub will spin and in what direction during the spin cycle. If the board has shorted or worn out, it can produce a burning smell. You should inspect the inverter board for signs of burning or a shorted-out component and replace if necessary.

Make sure the pump turns freely. It is fairly common for small clothing items especially baby socks and lint to get stuck in the pump. If the pump impeller can't move, either the belt or motor will get hot causing a burning smell.

Some top load washers use a clutch to spin the inner tub. If the clutch gets worn the clothes may come out wet and you may smell a slight burning odor.

The idler pulley keeps tension on the belt to keep the belt tight. If the pulley bearing is not moving freely the belt will slip on the pulley and cause a burning rubber smell.

On top load models, a locked-up transmission can case the belt to slip on the motor pulley causing the belt to burn. Confirm the transmission is turning freely and the belt is not burnt.

Some top load models use an idler pulley to keep tension on the belt. If the idler arm or pulley do not move freely the belt can slip causing a burning smell.

Motor pulleys are made of either metal or plastic materials that can wear down over time. Inspect the motor pulley for signs of damage or wear. A worn pulley can cause friction which can cause the belt to burn.

Some top load washers use a clutch to spin the inner tub. If the clutch gets worn the clothes may come out wet and you may smell a slight burning odor. You can fix the problem you can install a new clutch band kit, if applicable to the model.