GE WSSE4220, WASE4220, WPSE4200, WPSE4270, WNSE4200 User Manual

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GE Appliances

Washers

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Part No. 175D1807P296 Pub. No. 49-90029

12–99 JR

GE Answer Center

800.626.2000

ASE4220

NSE4200

PSE4200

PSE4270

PSE5290

SSE4220

Owner’s Manual

www.geappliances.com

Congratulations!

You Are Now Part of the GE Family.

Welcome to the GE family. We’re proud of our quality products and we are

committed to providing dependable service. You’ll see it in this easy-to-use Owner’s

Manual and you’ll hear it in the friendly voices of our customer service department.

Best of all, you’ll experience these values each time you use your washer. That’s

important, because your new washer will be part of your family for many years. And

we hope you will be part of ours for a long time to come.

We thank you for buying GE. We appreciate your purchase, and hope you will

continue to rely on us whenever you need quality appliances for your home.

A Service Partnership.

Safety Information

. . . . . . . .3

Operating Instructions

Control Panels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4–6

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7, 8

Loading and Using the

Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9, 10

Troubleshooting Tips

Before You Call For Service

. . . 11–13

Customer Service

Product Registration . . . . . . . . .15, 16

U.S. Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18

Canada Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Service Telephone

Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Back Cover

FOR YOUR RECORDS

Write the model and serial numbers here:

You can find them in the upper right corner on the back of

your washer.

IMPORTANT!

Fill out the Consumer Product Registration Card.

Two easy ways to register your appliance!

■ Through the internet at www.geappliances.com

■ Complete and mail the enclosed Product Registration Card

Operating Instructions Safety InstructionsCustomer Service Troubleshooting Tips

Inside you will find many helpful hints on how to use and maintain

your washer properly. Just a little preventive care on your part can

save you a great deal of time and money over the life of your washer.

READ THIS MANUAL

IF YOU NEED SERVICE

You’ll find many answers to common problems in the

Before You

Call For Service

section. If you review our chart of

Troubleshooting Tips

first, you may not need to call for service at all.

If you do need service, you can relax knowing help is only a phone

call away. A list of toll-free customer service numbers is included

in the back section. Or,

in the United States,

you can always call the

GE Answer Center®, at 800.626.2000, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

In Canada,

call 1-800-361-3400.

■ Install or store where it will not be exposed to

temperatures below freezing or exposed to the weather.

■ Properly ground washer to conform with all governing

codes and ordinances. Follow details in Installation

Instructions.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION.

READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING.

WARNING!

For your safety, the information in this manual must be followed to minimize the risk of fire

or explosion, electric shock, or to prevent property damage, personal injury, or loss of life.

WATER HEATER SAFETY

Under certain conditions hydrogen gas may be produced in a water heater that has not been used for two weeks

or more. Hydrogen gas can be explosive under these circumstances.

If the hot water has not been used for two weeks or more, prevent the possibility of damage or injury by turning on

all hot water faucets and allowing them to run for several minutes. Do this before using any electrical appliance

which is connected to the hot water system. This simple procedure will allow any built-up hydrogen gas to escape.

Since the gas is flammable, do not smoke or use an open flame or appliance during this process.

PROPER INSTALLATION

This washer must be properly installed and located in accordance with the Installation Instructions before it is used. If

you did not receive an Installation Instructions sheet, you can receive one by calling, toll-free, in the United States the

GE Answer Center

800.626.2000. In Canada, call, 1-800-361-3400.

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Instructions

■ Keep the area underneath and around your

appliances free of combustible materials such as

lint, paper, rags, chemicals, etc.

■ Close supervision is necessary if this appliance is used

by or near children. Do not allow children to play on,

with, or inside this or any other appliance.

YOUR LAUNDRY AREA

■ Never reach into washer while it is moving. Wait

until the machine has completely stopped before

opening the lid.

■ Do not mix chlorine bleach with ammonia or acids

such as vinegar and/or rust remover. Mixing

different chemicals can produce a toxic gas which

may cause death.

■ Do not wash or dry articles that have been cleaned in,

washed in, soaked in, or spotted with combustible or

explosive substances (such as wax, oil, paint, gasoline,

degreasers, dry-cleaning solvents, kerosene, etc.) which

may ignite or explode. Do not add these substances to

the wash water. Do not use or place these substances

around your washer or dryer during operation.

■

The laundry process can reduce the flame retardancy

of fabrics. To avoid such a result, carefully follow the

garment manufacturer’s wash and care instructions.

■ To minimize the possibility of electric shock, unplug

this appliance from the power supply or disconnect

the washer at the household distribution panel by

removing the fuse or switching off the circuit breaker

before attempting any maintenance or cleaning.

NOTE:

Pressing PAUSE does

NOT

disconnect the

appliance from the power supply.

■ Never attempt to operate this appliance if it is damaged,

malfunctioning, partially disassembled, or has missing

or broken parts, including a damaged cord or plug.

WHEN USING THE WASHER

■ Turn off water faucets to relieve pressure on hoses

and valves and to minimize leakage if a break or

rupture should occur. Check the condition of the

fill hoses; they may need replacement after 5 years.

■ Before discarding a washer, or removing it from

service, remove the washer lid to prevent children

from hiding inside.

■ Do not attempt to repair or replace any part of this

appliance unless specifically recommended in this

Owner’s Manual, or in published user-repair

instructions that you understand and have the skills

to carry out.

■ Do not tamper with controls.

WHEN NOT IN USE

Read and follow this Safety Information carefully.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Use this

appliance

only for its

intended

purpose as

described in

this Owner’s

Manual.

About the washer control panel.

Operating Instructions Safety InstructionsCustomer Service Troubleshooting Tips

You can locate your model number behind the top edge of the control panel.

1 2

Model WASE4220

Model WNSE4200

Model WPSE4200

Model WPSE4270

1 2

Color Logic

Select the correct

TEMPERATURE

setting. Match the particular color below the words with the same

color on the

WASH/SPIN SPEED

setting. Next, match the color again with the same color on the

Cycle Selector knob.

Example: Washing a load of medium soiled whites, such as towels and sheets.

Choose the

LOAD SIZE.

Choose the

TEMPERATURE

setting—

for this load it would be the

HOT COLD

(which is a

particular color)

Choose the

WASH/SPIN SPEED

setting

that matches that color—for this load it would be the

NORMAL FAST.

Turn the Cycle Selector knob to the area that has the same color as the

TEMPERATURE

and

WASH/SPIN SPEED

settings you have chosen—for this load it would be the

COTTONS

area.

Turn the knob to the

MEDIUM

setting.

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Instructions

Model WPSE5290

Model WSSE4220

1 2

Operating Instructions Safety InstructionsCustomer Service Troubleshooting Tips

About the control settings.

Load Size

The water level should just cover the clothes. Adjust the load size accordingly. Loosely load clothes

no higher than the top row of holes in the washer tub.

Custom Care Wash/Spin Speeds

The agitator moves clothes around for a cleaner wash; the basket spins later in the cycle to release

water from the load. The Wash/Spin Speed dial sets the speed of both the agitator and the basket.

With Normal wash speed, the agitator moves faster. Use for cottons, denims and play clothes. With

Gentle wash speed, the agitator moves slower. Use for delicate and knit items.

The Fast spin speed is for durable items. The Slow spin speed is for delicate items like sweaters

and lingerie. When using Slow spin speed, clothes will be less dry than when using Fast spin speed.

The Handwash wash speed is for items labeled handwashable.

Temperature

Select the water temperature for the wash and rinse cycles. Always follow fabric manufacturer’s care

label or instructions when laundering. Follow the water temperature guide on the washer lid.

Wash Cycle

The wash cycle controls the length of the washing process. When choosing the cycle, the Cycle

Selector knob can be pointed anywhere within the colored box. The knob can be turned in either

direction. Turning the Cycle Selector knob after starting a cycle will stop the washer and reset the

cycle to the new selection. Press START to begin the new cycle selection.

The Cycle Indicator Lights show what stage the washer is in. The wash time is the length of the wash

agitation. The

6 MIN

light will remain lit during drain and spin. When the Selector knob is set to a

new cycle the Indicator Lights will flash momentarily, showing what stages the cycle will go through.

The chart below will help you match the wash cycle setting with your clothing.

COTTONS For heavy to lightly soiled cottons, household linens, work and play clothes.

EASY CARE For wrinkle-free and permanent press items, and knits.

HANDWASH For lingerie and items labeled handwashable with light soils. Provides periods of agitation and soak

during wash and rinse.

DELICATES For lingerie and special-care fabrics with light to normal soil.

EXTRA HEAVY For heavily soiled and heavy-duty fabrics. This cycle provides a longer agitation.

15 MIN/30 MIN For heavily soiled clothes. Begins with a brief agitation, soaks for a specified period of time, then moves

AUTO SOAK through the rest of the cycle automatically.

START

Press START to begin the cycle. Pressing START again or raising the lid will PAUSE the cycle and

the

Cycle

indicator light will blink.

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Instructions

About washer features.

2nd Rinse Option (on some models)

When you use extra detergent or bleach

to clean heavily soiled clothes, you may

want to use the 2nd Rinse option. It

provides a second deep cold rinse.

Extended Spin Option (on some models)

Use this option to extract more water from

your clothes. Clothes will be drier when this

option is selected.

Signal Off Option (on some models)

Some models have a signal that will sound

at the end of the cycle. Use this option to

turn off the signal.

Perfectemp

Perfectemp senses the incoming water temperature and adjusts the fill water to obtain a more

precise temperature range for all three wash temperatures.

You may select cold, warm or hot.

For example, in a Cold Wash selection, some warm water may be added to reach a

temperature needed to better dissolve detergents.

Often, detergents are not completely

dissolved in very cold water, especially in cooler climates.

NOTE: Perfectemp

will not adjust the fill on

WARM WASH

unless the washer lid is closed.

Be sure to start the washer after the lid is closed.

Perfectemp

Spot Spray (on some models)

When you open the washer lid and press the

SPOT SPRAY

button, you will see a short stream

of cold water.

Open the washer lid.

Press the

SPOT SPRAY

button. (You will see a short stream of water.)

Dampen your soiled garment with the

SPOT SPRAY

option and rub your favorite

pretreatment product into soiled area.

NOTE:

The

SPOT SPRAY

option will not work if

■

the washer lid is down

■

the washer tub is filling

■

the water has already reached the level you selected.

SPOT SPRAY

(appearance and features may vary)

Operating Instructions Safety Instructions

Customer Service

Troubleshooting Tips

About washer features (cont.).

The Agitator Cap or Fabric Softener Dispenser

The agitator cap

fits into the top of the

agitator. If it accidentally comes off, simply

put it back on.

The fabric softener dispenser

automatically

releases liquid fabric softener at the proper

time during the cycle.

Do not stop the washer during the first spin.

This will cause the dispenser to empty too

soon.

To use, follow these steps:

Make sure dispenser is securely

attached to agitator.

Use only liquid fabric softener.

Pour into dispenser, using amount

recommended on package.

Never pour fabric softener directly on

clothes. It may stain them.

Add water to dispenser until it reaches

the maximum fill line.

Do not pour anything into the agitator if

the agitator cap or dispenser is removed.

Cleaning the Fabric Softener Dispenser

Remove the dispenser from the top of the agitator.

Separate the dispenser cup from the cover by grasping the top and pushing down on

the inside of the cup with your fingers. Dispenser cup will pop free from the cover.

To clean the dispenser, soak both the dispenser cup and the dispenser cover in the

following solution:

■

1 US gallon (3.8 liters) warm water

■

1/4 cup (60 ml) heavy duty liquid detergent

■

1 cup (240 ml) bleach

If necessary, loosen build-up with a clean, soft cloth after soaking. Do not use a stiff

brush; you may roughen the surface of the dispenser.

Rinse and reassemble dispenser. Place dispenser back on the agitator.

Separate for cleaning.

Liquid Bleach Dispenser

The dispenser dilutes liquid chlorine bleach before it reaches into your wash load.

Check clothing care labels for special instructions.

Measure liquid bleach carefully, following instructions on the bottle.

■

Never pour undiluted liquid chlorine bleach directly onto clothes or into the wash basket.

■

Do not pour powdered bleach into bleach dispenser.

Before starting the washer, pour measured amount of bleach directly into bleach

dispenser. Avoid splashing or over-filling dispenser. If you prefer to use powdered

bleach, add it into the wash basket with your detergent.

■

Do not mix chlorine bleach with ammonia or acids such as vinegar and/or rust remover. Mixing can

produce a toxic gas which may cause death.

Loading and using the washer.

Always follow fabric manufacturer’s care label when laundering.

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Instructions

Sorting Wash Loads

Proper Use of Detergent

Add detergent and start the washer before adding

clothes so that the detergent can work effectively.

Using too little or too much detergent is a common

cause of laundry problems.

You can use less detergent if you have soft water, a

smaller load, or a lightly soiled load.

Loading the Washer

Load dry items loosely, no higher than the top

row of holes in the washer tub. When loading

wet items make sure you set the load/water

level high enough to allow the items to move

freely. Water level should just cover the clothes.

To add items after washer has started, lift the

lid and submerge additional items next to the

agitator.

■

Do not wrap large items like sheets around the

agitator.

■

Do not wash fabrics containing flammable

materials (waxes, cleaning fluids, etc.).

■

Agitation will not start with the lid up.

Colors

Whites

Lights

Darks

Soil

Heavy

Normal

Light

Fabric

Delicates

Easy Care

Sturdy Cottons

Lint

Lint Producers

Lint Collectors

Loading and using the washer (cont.).

Always follow fabric manufacturer’s care label when laundering.

Fabric Care Labels

Machine

wash

cycle

Normal

Permanent Press/

wrinkle resistant

Gentle/

delicate

Hand wash

Do not wash Do not wring

Water

temperature

Hot

(50°C/120°F)

Warm

(40°C/105°F)

Cold/cool

(30°C/85°F)

Tumble

dry

Dry

Normal

Permanent Press/

wrinkle resistant

Gentle/

delicate

Do not tumble dry

Do not dry

(used with

do not wash)

Heat

setting

High

Medium

Low

No heat/air

Special

instructions

Line dry/

hang to dry

Drip dry

Dry flat

In the shade

Bleach

symbols

Any bleach

(when needed)

Only non-chlorine bleach

(when needed)

Do not bleach

Below are fabric care label “symbols” that affect the clothing you will be laundering.

WASH LABELS

DRY LABELS

BLEACH LABELS

Care and Cleaning of the Washer

Wash Basket:

Leave the lid open after washing to

allow moisture to evaporate. If you want to clean the

basket use a clean soft cloth dampened with liquid

detergent, then rinse. (Do not use harsh or gritty

cleaners.)

Fill Hoses:

Hoses connecting washer to faucet should

be replaced every 5 years.

Lint Filter:

The lint filter is located under the agitator.

It is self-cleaning and requires no maintenance.

Exterior:

Immediately wipe off any spills. Wipe with

damp cloth. Try not to hit surface with sharp objects.

Moving and Storage:

Ask the service technician to

remove water from drain pump and hoses. Do not

store the washer where it will be exposed to the

weather. In the

United States

call the GE Answer

Center®, 800.626.2000 for information on how to

keep the tub stationary when moving the washer.

Canada

write to Manager, Consumer Relations,

Camco Inc., 1 Factory Lane, Suite 310, Moncton,

N.B. E1C 9M3.

Long Vacations:

Be sure water supply is shut off at

faucets. Drain all water from hoses if weather will

be below freezing.

Operating Instructions Safety InstructionsCustomer Service Troubleshooting Tips

Before you call for service…

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Instructions

Troubleshooting Tips

Save time and money! Review the charts on the following

pages first and you may not need to call for service.

WATER Possible Causes What To Do

Too many suds

Type of detergent • Switch to a lower sudsing detergent brand and follow

instructions on package.

Very soft water • Try less detergent.

Too much detergent • Measure your detergent carefully. Use less soap if you

have soft water, a smaller load, or a lightly soiled load.

Water leaks

Fill hoses or drain hose is • Make sure hose connections are tight at faucets and make

improperly connected sure end of drain hose is correctly inserted in and secured

to drain facility.

Household drain may • Check household plumbing. You may need to call a

be clogged plumber.

Constant water pressure • Tighten hoses at the faucets and turn the water off after

to the fill hoses at the each use.

water source

• Check condition of the fill hoses; they may need

replacement after 5 years.

Using too much detergent • Use less detergent. Use less soap if you have soft water, a

in washer smaller load, or a lightly soiled load.

Water temperature

Control is not set properly • Check water temperature control and adjust.

is incorrect

Water supply is turned off • Turn both hot and cold faucets fully on and make sure

or improperly connected hoses are connected to correct faucets.

Water valve screens are •

Turn off the water source and remove the water connection

stopped up

hoses from the upper back of the washer. Use a brush or

toothpick to clean the screens in the machine. Reconnect

the hoses and turn the water back on.

House water heater is • Make sure house water heater is delivering water

not set properly at 120°F.–140°F.(48°C.–60°C.).

Water pumped out

Lid lifted or cycle was put in • Reset cycle.

before cycle is

pause for over 24 hours

complete

Water won’t drain

Drain hose is kinked or • Straighten drain hose and make sure washer is not sitting

improperly connected on it.

• Top of drain outlet should be less than 8 ft (2.5 m)

above floor.

PERFECTEMP Possible Causes What To Do

Perfectemp wash

The washer is in a cold rinse cycle • This is normal. The

Perfectemp

feature is designed not

temperature is incorrect

to activate during a cold rinse cycle so that the coldest

water available is used.

(Review Perfectemp

All the water in the water heater • Wait until the water in the water heater is heated to the

in the About washer

has been used correct temperature.

features section)

PERFORMANCE Possible Causes What To Do

Clothes too wet

Incorrect spin cycle • Make sure the spin cycle selected matches the load you

selected are washing. Some fabrics will feel wetter when rinsed

with cold water.

Colored spots

Incorrect use of fabric • Check fabric softener package for instructions and follow

softener directions for using dispenser.

• Pretreat stain and rewash.

Dye transfer • Sort whites or lightly colored items from dark colors.

Grayed or yellowed

Not enough detergent • Use more detergent (especially with larger loads).

Hard water • Use a water conditioner like Calgon brand or install

a water softener.

Water is not hot enough • Make sure water heater is delivering water at

120°F.–140°F. (48°C.–60°C.).

Washer is overloaded • Select load size to match clothes load.

Detergent is not • Add detergent as wash basket fills with water before

dissolving you load clothes.

Dye transfer • Sort clothes by color. If fabric label states

wash separately,

unstable dyes may be indicated.

Lint or residue on

Clothes are air or line dried • If you do not dry your clothes with a clothes dryer, your

clothes

clothes may retain more lint.

Incorrect sorting • Separate lint producers from lint collectors.

Washing too long • Wash small loads for a shorter time than larger loads.

Detergent not dissolving • Add detergent as wash basket fills with water, before you

load clothes.

• Try a liquid detergent.

• Use warmer water temperature.

Overloading • Load clothes no higher than the top row of holes in the

washer tub.

• Make sure load size selector matches clothes load size.

Incorrect use of fabric softener • Check fabric softener package for instructions and follow

directions for using dispenser.

clothes

OPERATION Possible Causes What To Do

Washer pauses in cycle

The

DELICATES

cycle was chosen • This is normal. The

DELICATES

cycle has a short soak

period.

Washer won’t operate

Washer is unplugged • Make sure cord is plugged securely into a working outlet.

Water supply is turned off • Turn both hot and cold faucets fully on.

Controls are not set properly • Check controls.

Lid is open • Close lid.

Circuit breaker/fuse is • Check house circuit breakers/fuses. Replace fuses or

tripped/blown reset breaker. Washer should have separate outlet.

Electronics need to be reset • Unplug washer, wait 2 minutes, plug back in, and press

START.

START was not pressed • Press START.

Before you call for service (cont.)…

Operating Instructions Safety InstructionsCustomer Service Troubleshooting Tips

Customer ServiceTroubleshooting TipsOperating InstructionsSafety Instructions

OTHER Possible Causes What To Do

Labels on the exterior

Occasionally the adhesive • Use a hair dryer set at the lowest heat setting, directing

of the washer will not

used on the labels does the air at the label for a short amount of time. This will

peel off cleanly

not release cleanly release the adhesive easily, without damaging the surface

of the washer.

NOISE Possible Causes What To Do

Washer is noisy

Washer is uneven • To level the front of the washer, adjust the front leveling

legs by rotating the individual leg in the proper direction

for up or down. To level back of washer, lift back of

machine 4″(11 cm) and set down.

Washer load is • Press PAUSE to stop the washer, open the lid and

unbalanced redistribute the load evenly. Close the lid and press

START.

Shipping rod is still assembled • To remove shipping rod from washer, pull yellow tag and

in unit attached rod from the bottom right hand side of washer.

Washer is sitting too close • Pull washer away from the wall; about 4″(11 cm)

to wall (causes knocking is needed.

during cycle)

(con) PERFORMANCE Possible Causes What To Do

Pilling

Result of normal wear on • While this is not caused by the washer, you can slow the

poly-cotton blends and pilling process by washing garments inside out.

fuzzy fabrics

Snags, holes, tears, rips

Pins, snaps, hooks, sharp • Fasten snaps, hooks, buttons, and zippers.

or excessive wear

buttons, belt buckles,

• Remove loose items like pins, objects in pockets

zippers, and sharp objects

and sharp buttons.

left in pockets

• Turn knits (which snag easily) inside out.

Undiluted chlorine bleach • Check bleach package instructions for proper amount.

• Never add undiluted bleach to wash or allow clothes

to come in contact with undiluted bleach.

Chemicals like hair bleach • Rinse items that may have chemicals on them before

or dye, permanent wave washing.

solution

Wrinkling

Improper sorting • Avoid mixing heavy items (like work clothes) with

light items (like blouses).

• Try a fabric softener.

Overloading or • Load your washer so clothes have enough room

incorrect water level to move freely.

Incorrect wash and • Match Cycle selection to the type of fabric you are

dry cycles washing (especially for easy care loads).

Repeated washing in • Wash in warm or cold water.

water that is too hot

Operating Instructions Safety InstructionsCustomer Service Troubleshooting Tips

Notes

General Electric Company

Warranty Registration Department

P.O. Box 32150

Louisville, KY 40232-2150

GE Service Protection Plus

™

GE, a name recognized worldwide for quality and dependability, offers you

Service Protection Plus

™

—comprehensive protection on all your appliances—

No Matter What Brand!

Benefits Include:

• Backed by GE

• All brands covered

• Unlimited service calls

• All parts and labor costs included

• No out-of-pocket expenses

• No hidden deductibles

• One 800 number to call

You will be completely satisfied with our service protection or you may request your money back

on the remaining value of your contract. No questions asked. It’s that simple.

Protect your refrigerator, dishwasher, washer and dryer, range, TV, VCR and much more—any brand!

Plus there’s no extra charge for emergency service and low monthly financing is available. Even icemaker

coverage and food spoilage protection is offered. You can rest easy, knowing that all your valuable

household products are protected against expensive repairs.

Place your confidence in GE and call us in the U.S. toll-free at 800-626-2224

for more information.

*All brands covered, up to 20 years old, in the continental U.S.

We’ll Cover Any Appliance.

Anywhere. Anytime.*

Please place in envelope and mail to:

✁

Cut here

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