Online Repair Estimate: Amana Washer Water Pump Replacement

Quick Answer

The water pump is responsible for driving all the dirty water out of your washer and into your home's standpipe. If your Amana washer is sitting full of water or making a loud grinding noise during the drain cycle, the pump has likely failed or is jammed with debris.

Leaving a broken water pump alone is a recipe for a flooded house. If that pump motor shorts out, it can sometimes take the expensive main control board down with it. While a professional repair usually hits the $250 mark, this is a very manageable DIY project. You can typically swap this part out yourself for under $60 and about forty minutes of work.

AmanaWasherSeverity: highDifficulty: intermediate95% DIY Success

Time to Fix

30–60 min

Difficulty

intermediate

Parts Cost

$35 – $75

Tools Needed

Multimeter, Pliers (for hose clamps)

What Does the DRAIN-PUMP Code Mean?

The water pump is a high-wear item that usually lasts about 8 years. I frequently see them fail because a small item like a coin or a screw gets past the inner tub and jams the impeller. If your washer is making a loud growling noise or refusing to spin because the water won't leave, the pump is almost always the culprit.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Mechanical blockage from debris45%

Electrical motor failure25%

Bearing or seal failure20%

Broken impeller10%

Symptoms You May Notice

The machine stops dead mid-cycle with a full tub of soapy water and just sits there, completely silent.
A loud grinding or growling noise kicks in exactly when it should be draining, sometimes getting worse and then just stopping as the motor gives up.
Water actively dripping or puddling on the floor right under the center-bottom of the cabinet during or after a cycle.
You can hear the pump humming like it's trying really hard, but stare at that water level for a full minute and it hasn't moved at all.
Clothes come out absolutely soaking, way wetter than normal, because the water never fully drained before the spin started.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

MultimeterPliers (for hose clamps)Nut driver (5/16 or 1/4 inch)Shop-vac or shallow bucketTowels

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range5–20 ohms

ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

Replacement Parts

If your diagnostic testing proves the component has failed, you will need a replacement. We recommend OEM parts over aftermarket for water-handling components.

Part Name	OEM Number	Estimated Price
Drain Pump AssemblyW10536347 · $35–$75	W10536347	$35 – $75

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I just clean the pump instead of replacing it?

If the only problem is a coin or a clog, absolutely. Pull the hoses, fish out whatever's in there, and test it before you buy anything. But if the pump was making a loud grinding noise, or if you see water actually dripping from the pump motor body itself, the internal seals or bearings are shot. Cleaning won't fix that. And if your continuity test showed OL on the multimeter, the windings are gone. No amount of cleaning brings those back. In those cases you need a new pump, full stop.

Should I buy the OEM Amana pump or a generic one?

OEM every time for water pumps, seriously. I've installed the cheap aftermarket versions as a favor to customers who already bought them and I've seen those seals fail in under a year. Then they're calling me back, paying labor twice, and wishing they'd just spent the extra $20 the first time. Whirlpool manufactures Amana machines, so an OEM Whirlpool pump is the same thing. The peace of mind of not having a slow leak behind your washer for the next 8 years is absolutely worth the price difference.

Why is my washer still not spinning even after I replaced the pump?

Amana top-loaders have a safety interlock that won't let the machine spin if it doesn't confirm the water is gone. If the pump's working but it still won't spin, check two things. First, the lid switch. If that switch is broken, the machine thinks the lid is open and locks out the spin. Second, check the pressure switch hose, it's a small rubber tube that runs from the tub up to a pressure sensor. If that hose has a crack or is plugged with lint, the machine thinks there's still water in the tub even when it's empty.

How do I know if the pump is getting power?

You can test this with your multimeter set to AC Volts. With the machine plugged in and running a drain cycle, carefully probe the wire harness connector at the pump. You should see 120V. If you've got 120V coming in but the pump isn't moving at all, the pump itself is definitely bad. If you've got zero voltage at that connector, the problem is upstream, either the control board isn't sending the signal or there's a wiring issue in the harness. Don't skip this test because it tells you exactly where the fault is.

What part number should I order for my Amana pump?

The most common replacement for Amana top-loaders is part number 21001906, which covers a huge chunk of the NTW series machines. Part 3363394 also comes up a lot on older models. But honestly, pull the model number sticker from inside the lid and cross-reference it on a parts site before you order. Takes two minutes and saves you the hassle of a return. Since Whirlpool makes these machines, OEM Whirlpool pumps will be compatible as long as the part number matches your specific model.

Same Fix Works on These Brands

Amana shares the same hardware platform with these brands. The diagnosis and repair steps are identical.

Maytag washerAll Maytag Washer Error Codes: Complete Lookup Guide Maytag washerHow to Reset a Maytag Washer (3 Methods That Work)Maytag washerMaytag Washer Troubleshooting: Fix 12 Common Problems Maytag washerMaytag Washer F21: Drain Pump Clog or Failure Maytag washerMaytag F03 E01: Pressure Switch or Water Level Fault Maytag washerMaytag F0 E3 Error: Pressure Switch Malfunction

Models Known to Experience DRAIN-PUMP Errors

This repair applies to most Amana washers with this error code. Common model numbers include:

NTW4516FW, NTW4605EW, NTW4519JW, 7MMVWX655EW, ATW4675EW, NTW4700YQ

Written by

Mike Sullivan

Lead Appliance Repair Technician · 20 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 17, 2026