DIY washing machine repairs (part 5)

• Washing machine isn't heating up the water
• Washing machine is fusing, or tripping the electrics
• Washing machine stops with an error code
• Washing machine stops with lights flashing
• Program selector knob (dial) clicks round continuously
  • Full list of DIY washing machine help (parts 1 - 8) (Click the link then look on the right column)

 

Washing machine isn't heating up the water

Many people believe the heater isn't working when they can't feel any hot water through the door. The water is only hot inside the washing machine for a small amount of time during a wash. Most washing machine doors also have an outer plastic insulating cover so it's sometimes hard to feel any hot water. Another factor is that modern washing machines put so little water in on wash, that hardly any warm water splashes up the door glass like it used to.

Virtually all modern washing machines monitor the water temperature during a wash, and if the temperature does not rise a certain amount within a pre-defined time then it will flag a fault. If the washing machine heater isn't working, then the program should abort and produce an error code (see Washing machine stops with an error code ).

Older washing machines didn't use any error codes, so if a heater stopped working it would carry on washing indefinitely. This is because until the thermostat sensed the correct water temperature the programmer won't move onto the rinses.

If the heater is faulty on a modern washing machine there should be an error code displayed which confirms the fault is with the heater circuit. On an older washing machine the symptoms should be that it carries on washing indefinitely but other faults can cause this same symptom. A heating element can easily be tested with a continuity meter and faulty ones are usually open circuit. Clearly the heater wiring should be checked though many washing machines now have the heater at the front and are as such a little inaccessible.

A few modern washing machines I've come across such as Hotpoint and Zanussi) can develop faults that cause the washer to stick mid cycle and wash forever without producing an error code even though they are supposed to and even though the heater is fine. In such cases an engineer would be needed to sort it out. One suspect is the main programme PC but I distinctly remember changing more than one for this fault and it didn't cure it - unfortunately it could be hard to track the cause. It's certainly not a diy job.

If your washing machine completes a cycle on its own, in normal time, then with the majority of washing machines the heater is probably working. Are you concerned that the heater isn't working because of poor wash results?

Indesit anomalies: An open circuit heater, or a bad connection on the heater on modern Indesit and Hotpoint washing machines can have the bizarre effect of causing the washing machine to neither fill, drain, or run the motor and will not produce an error code, which is contrary to all logic, and different to most other washing machines. The lights come on, but nothing works. However, note that these symptoms can also be caused by other faults such as a faulty door interlock or on off switch or on even an open circuit motor.

Zanussi anomalies: Certain Zanussi washing machines may not produce an error code yet still not heat the water up. If you suspect this is happening an engineer would be needed to diagnose the fault as it could be a sensor or connection fault.

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Washing machine is fusing, or tripping the electrics

This is a fault you can't really deal with unless you have electrical knowledge and an insulation test meter. To diagnose a fusing washing machine you have to use a meter that puts 500 volts (DC) through the appliance. This isn't a diy job. If you have the right equipment then you probably already know how to diagnose and deal with low insulation faults. If not, you should get someone in to look at it.

The most common causes for a washing machine fusing or tripping the electrics are the motor, the heater, the suppressor, a wire shorting out or water getting onto an electrical part.

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Washing machine stops with an error code

Many modern washing machines display error codes if they detect a fault. These error codes are meant for engineers and often they indicate just an area to check or implicate several possible parts. If the error code is relating to something like an out of balanced load [ how do I avoid out of balanced loads in a washing machine? ] or problems taking in water [ the washing machine doesn't fill with water ] or a problem emptying water [ washing machine won't empty water ] then the error code will be explained in the instruction book. However most are not. Some of the sections below may be helpful.

I have an appliance error code section on my blog which gives further insight into why error codes aren't readily available as well as explaining why many aren't much use to you anyway. I will be publishing a few of the more common and simple error codes here though - White goods error codes

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Washing machine stops with lights flashing

Many modern washing machines display error codes if they detect a fault, but not all washing machines display a readable error code, some indicate an error by flashing, or lighting some of the lights.

Hotpoint, Indesit, Zanussi error codes

Hotpoint, Indesit washing machines and Zanussi washing machines are some common appliances that display coded error codes. On their more expensive models, they display readable error codes (see previous section) but basic models (without digital displays) use flashing lights to convey the error fault code.

If your washing machine malfunctions and you can see some of the lights flashing, or one or more option lights have lit up, then make a note of which lights are flashing and which option lights are lit. NOTE: the error code list engineers have only shows the option lights by number and not by name. Therefore you need to report the lights as LED 1 and 3, or 2 and 4 etc. and NOT "delay timer" and "extra rinse". Count the lights from the left (or from the top if in a column) and report as "led 1 and 3" etc.

No Option lights?

With basic washing machines that have no option indicator lights, count the number of flashes. For example, the door locked indicator may flash 7 times, pause, and flash another 7 times in a constant cycle which would indicate error code 7.

This information is vital, and needs mentioning when reporting a fault. I have an appliance error code section on my blog which gives further insight into why error codes aren't readily available to the public as well as explaining why many aren't much use to you anyway. I will be publishing a few of the more common and simple error codes here though - White goods error codes

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Program selector knob (dial) clicks round continuously

This is another form of fault indication on less sophisticated washing machines. Typically Indesit and Hoover washing machines do it. If the selector knob is clicking round all on its own then the washing machine has probably aborted.

You can get a clue as to where the fault could lie if you know where on the program the clicking starts. If it washes OK, but then starts clicking round during the rinses it could be a problem with draining the water (check the pump filter) If it starts clicking round after several minutes it could be a problem with heating the water. Unfortunately though, there are so many causes for the timer selector knob clicking round that even engineers can sometimes have problems tracing the cause. Even a low insulation reading on the heater or motor can cause it - as can a faulty PCB control module.

If your washing machine selector knob (dial) clicks round continuously and you can see some of the lights flashing, or one or more option lights have lit up, then make a note of which lights are flashing and which option lights are lit. With basic Indesit washing machines that have no option indicator lights, count the number of flashes. For example, the door locked indicator may flash 7 times, pause for a second and flash another 7 times in a constant cycle.

I have an appliance error code section on my blog which gives further insight into why error codes aren't readily available as well as explaining why many aren't much use to you anyway. I will be publishing a few of the more common and simple error codes here though - White goods error codes

Resetting an Indesit washing machine

Some Indesit washing machines have a bizarre procedure to reset the program once it is started. Most modern washing machines have a cancel button that you press for a few seconds and the washing machine will abort. With some earlier Indesit washing machines, if you move the selector knob after the program has started it will just click all the way round to try and find the original program and continue with it. To reset an Indesit washing machine with a selector knob (but no cancel button) you need to do the following -

1. Turn the washing machine off with the on off button.
2. Turn the selector knob to a dot, or any off position
3. Turn the washing machine back on and watch for rapid flashing on the neon light
4. Turn the washing machine off and select the new program (or maybe spin)
5. Turn it back on and the new program should start

NOTE: Resetting the timer selector knob as shown above may stop the clicking round, but if your washing machine has a fault, the clicking round may return when your washing machine encounters the fault again. If your washing machine's program selector knob is clicking round on its own, then read the section above Washing machine stops with lights flashing

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More on next column ...