Shower knob spins and doesnt control water flow

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Shower knob spins and doesnt control water flow

Author: swan01 (NC)

I have an outdoor shower with separate hot & cold knobs and separate cutoffs.

When I cut on the cold water, the water flows but the cold knob has no impact on the water flow (just spins).

I removed the knob and it appears ok, but I swapped it with the hot water knob (which works fine) and still no change.

With the cold water knob removed, I turned the valve stem with pliers and still no impact on water flow.

Will replacing the valve stem solve this problem or is this more complicated?

THANKS!

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Re: Shower knob spins and doesnt control water flow
Author: KCRoto (MO) Without disassembling the unit, there is no way to tell. You could have a washer that is bad or missing, or I have even seen the valve body busted and the seat shoved through the back of the brass because someone used extreme force in trying to stop the water from flowing. You are going to have to open it up to see what the problem is.
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Re: Shower knob spins and doesnt control water flow
Author: swan01 (NC) By "open it up" you mean remove the valve stem?
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Re: Shower knob spins and doesnt control water flow
Author: hj (AZ) No way to give an answer, because the stem could be frozen and you are rotating the entire stem cartridge.
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Thanks for help!
Author: swan01 (NC) removed the valve stem and found the rubber flat washer had come completely off (including screw that holds it on). Replaced washer & screw and all works fine. Thanks for help! Edited 1 times.
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