How to Replace the Mode Shifter and Shaft Assembly in Your GE Washer

The mode shifter and shaft assembly in your GE washer model WJSR4160GWW shifts the agitate cycle to the spin cycle. If the component is faulty, your washing machine won’t switch between the two. Replacing the mode shifter and shaft assembly is a time consuming repair that requires you to disassemble the majority of your washer. If you’re worried about the difficulty level of changing out the component, we suggest contacting an appliance repair technician, however, if you do plan on performing the repair on your own, the step-by-step guide provided below will help you through the replacement process.

Before starting any washer repair, unplug the appliance and turn its water supply off. We highly recommend protecting your hands and eyes by wearing gloves and goggles.

Warning: In order to carry out this repair, you’ll need a tub nut wrench. If you do not have one, you’ll need to purchase one; otherwise, contact an appliance repair technician to replace the mode shifter and shaft assembly in your washer.

How to Replace the Mode Shifter and Shaft Assembly in Your GE Washer

1. On the back of your washer take the water supply hoses off the inlet valve and disconnect the drain hose. Then, using a Phillips screwdriver, unthread the screws securing the control board panel to the top, rear panel. Once all the screws are out, move to the front of your appliance and tilt the control board forward to expose the wires connected to it. Before you begin detaching the wires running to the board, take a picture so you know which wires connect where during the reassembly process. After you’ve snapped the photo, detach all the wires and take the control board panel off your washer.
2. Disengage the spring clips holding the front and top panel to the washer by sliding a putty knife between the panels. Once you’ve released both spring clips, pull the front panel off your washer. Then, unthread the screws holding the main top panel to the washing machine. Slide the top panel forward and lift it up a few inches to gain access to the lid switch wire retainer. Using a pair of needle nose pliers, push the wire retainer out of the frame. Next, open your washer lid and remove the lid switch from the appliance’s main top. Finally, lift the top panel up and off your washing machine.
3. Now you’ll need to take off the washer’s rear, top panel and control board bracket. To do so, unthread the screws holding both parts to the washer frame. Once the screws are out, find the pressure switch on the control board bracket and remove the clear tube running to it. Then, lift the bracket off the washer frame and let it hang from the side of the appliance so it is no longer in your way.
4. Walk around your washer and unthread the screws securing the tub dampening straps to the tub, and then take the straps off the tub. Next, disengage the tabs found on the bottom of the tub cover, and lift the cover off the tub. Now reach into the washer, and pull the agitator cap off the agitator. Before you can take the agitator out of your appliance, loosen the bolt on top of the component. Then, lift the agitator up and out of your washing machine. Once the agitator is removed, pull the drive block and the washer located underneath it off the drive shaft. At this point, you’ll need to grab your tub nut wrench and place it on the tub nut. Next, rotate the wrench clockwise to loosen the nut. You may need to tap the wrench with a hammer to get the rotation started. After you’ve removed the tub nut, lift the inner tub up and out of your washer. Using a flat head screwdriver, take the split ring and the washer off the drive shaft.
5. Move to the base of your washer, and take a photo of the wires connected to the washer’s motor board before disconnecting them. Then, unthread the screw securing the grounding wire to the side of the motor board. Next, using a pair of needle nose pliers, take out the wire retaining clips holding the wires to the mounting bracket.
6. Before you can completely remove the outer tub from your washer, disconnect the air pressure tube and the drain hose, and then separate the four suspension rods from the bottom of the tub. Once the tub is free, tilt it forward and pull it out of the washer cabinet.
7. Place the tub upside down with the motor assembly pointing towards the ceiling. Carefully remove the drive belt from the drive pulley and motor shaft, and then loosen the drive nut to take the drive pulley off the motor assembly. Next, unthread all the bolts securing the mode shifter to the washer base and the bolts holding the base to the outer tub. Once both sets are removed, pull the base and motor assembly off the mode shifter and tub.
8. With the washer base no longer attached, you can pull the mode shifter and shaft assembly out of the outer tub.
9. To install the new mode shifter and shaft assembly, slide the shaft into the small opening in the center of the tub. Then, retrieve the base and motor assembly and align the holes in it with the holes in the mode shifter. Once it’s in the correct position, reattach the bolts to secure the base to the mode shifter and the outer tub.
10. Using a zip-tie attach the overflow tube to the side of the washer base. Next, replace the drive pulley and secure it with a retaining nut, and then reconnect the drive belt by threading it around the pulley and motor shaft. After the base and motor assembly are reattached to the outer tub, lift the tub up and tilt it backwards to place it back into the washer cabinet. When you insert the tub make sure the motor is facing the front of the appliance.
11. Reinstall the suspension rods to the tub by lifting the tub up and snapping the rods into place. Then, reconnect the air pressure tube and the drain pump hose. Next, reattach the wire retainer clips to the base of the washer, and after taking a look at the picture you took, reconnect the motor wires to the motor board. Once all the wires are connected, reattach the grounding wire.
12. Stand-up and start reassembling the outer and inner tub. First, slide the washer and split ring onto the drive shaft. Then, retrieve the inner tub and place it inside the outer tub. With the inner tub in place, install the tub nut and tighten it with your tub nut wrench. After the tub nut is secure, replace the washer and the drive block, and then insert the agitator on top of the drive block. Next, tighten the agitator bolt and replace the agitator cap.
13. Reinstall the tub cover and reconnect the tub shock dampening straps. Pick up the control board bracket and place it back on your washer, and then line up the washer’s rear panel with the bracket, and secure it with the screws you removed earlier. Reattach the clear tube that runs to the pressure switch. Next, replace the main top. Remember to reinsert the lid switch and reattach the wire retainer before you rethread the main top screws to the washer frame. Once the main top is secure, grab the front panel and reinstall it. Finally, place the control board back on the washer and reconnect its wires. Then, head to the back of your washing machine and rethread the screws that hold the rear panel and control panel together.
14. To finish up your repair, reattach the water supply hoses and the drain hose, and then plug your appliance back in.

If you need help replacing the mode shifter and shaft assembly in your washer, please contact us today and we’ll be happy to help you repair your appliance.