Washer Help: Washing machine reviews, washing machine buying advice, washing machine parts and washing machine repair advice.

DIY washing machine repairs advice - continued

Can I fix my own washing machine?: Some people can, and some people shouldn't even try. It depends on your competence, and understanding of electricity - especially DIY safety issues. Many washing machine breakdowns though are not serious, and can be repaired pretty easily - if you just know what to do.

You must be aware that electricity can and does kill - even qualified engineers. Never work on an appliance that is not totally unplugged. DIY repair safety and tips The following washing machine repair help contains general advice only. It may help to solve some basic washing machine faults that don't require an engineer, or to give an idea of how serious a fault may actually be. Never work on a washing machine that is still plugged in! Using this advice is at your own risk.

Common washing machine faults (continued)

 

Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape Please feel free to use small quotes - as long as there is a link to the original source. The contents of Washerhelp are protected by Copyright. Please don't plagiarise.

Washing machine door won't open

This is one of the most frustrating faults to get, especially if your clothes are stuck inside the washing machine. Lots of people force the door open out of frustration and cause extra expense. There are many reasons why the door may be jammed shut -

  1. The water hasn't pumped out properly and the washing machine has a pneumatic door safety lock (a rubber hose connected to the door interlock and connected to a pressure chamber bottle on the tub - water forces air up this tube and locks the door) Washing machine won't empty water
  2. The water has pumped out properly, but a blockage of gunge inside the pressure chamber bottle is trapping the air that's operating the door lock (if a pneumatic lock is fitted - not many have these days due to cost cutting)
  3. Door interlock jammed
  4. Door catch, handle, or mechanism broken
  5. Pecker (a device that detects the motion of the drive belt fitted to many older Hotpoint washing machines which "pecks" at the belt when the door handle or button is operated) is broken or has fallen off

Do not take the lid off and reach inside the washing machine to try and release the door if the washing machine is still plugged in as you will be electrocuted.

Go to top of page 

Washing machine door broken (or) hinge broken

This is more common than ever. In particular, Hotpoint doors, Indesit doors and Hoover doors are always breaking. Also the door hinges break on these washing machines. The washing machine door and washing machine hinges are easy enough to replace.

You can buy a washing machine door or washing machine door hinge from 4Washerhelp washing machine and appliance spares (The UK's biggest spares and accessories site)

Alternatively try searching for your washing machine door part here -


Enter your search ( for example: Indesit door catch ).
Alternatively if you know your Brand, Model and the Part
you are looking for please use the search below.
Enter your brand...
Enter your model...
Enter your part...
If you would like further information on searching click here
Go to top of page 

Washing machine is dead, wont start

Obviously the first thing to check is that the socket is supplying power by plugging another appliance in such as a lamp. It is less likely to be the socket but you'd be daft not to check it out before calling an engineer as it does occasionally turn out to be a faulty wall socket. This is only necessary though if there are no led indicator lights lit up on your washer as any light that's on shows that the machine is getting a live and neutral supply from the socket.

The second thing to check is the fuse. Either put the fuse into something else and check the appliance still works or try another fuse that you know to be OK in the washer. Make sure you use a 13 amp fuse and never by-pass a fuse! If both of those are OK, then the most common cause for a washing machine that wont start is the door interlock, particularly if the mains lights on the washing machine are come on, but nothing works. However, the fault could also be in wiring to the door interlock or even the door catch not activating it properly, or the on off switch. With some Indesit and Hotpoint washing machines even an open circuit heater or motor can cause the entire washing machine to stop working except the led lights.

You need to know what you are doing to trace the fault. Do not work on a live washing machine. Engineers should use a continuity test meter to trace faults with the washing machine unplugged and never test with a live washing machine.

Call an engineer or research Washerhelp's forum archive

Go to top of page 

Washing machine is noisy

It's very difficult to advise on a noisy washing machine because you often can't describe noises accurately enough. People can describe the same noises quite differently.

Here's a general guide though -

It's very tempting to ignore noises while the washing machine is still otherwise working. Some noises can be ignored as they will not develop into serious faults. Other noises, if left, will cause extensive damage and can end up costing considerably more than if tackled early or these days writing the washing machine off. Of course the problem is that you can't tell which of the categories a noise falls into - so ignore them at your own risk. If you have a specific noise you are concerned about, either call an engineer or research Washerhelp's forum archive

Further diy washing machine repairs advice

Go to top of page | About me | Contact me | Site map | Search | Forum | White goods Blog | © 2000 © 2008 Washerhelp