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.

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Common washing machine faults (continued)

• Hotpoint washing machine shows TEST in display
• Fabric conditioner doesn't get taken into washing machine
• Fabric conditioner gets taken out too soon
  • Full list of DIY washing machine help (parts 1 -7)

 

Hotpoint washing machine shows test in display

Symptoms: Hotpoint washing machine just keeps running on its own and won't accept a program

This is caused when the demo mode is accidentally switched on. Instead of using a combination of two keys that need two hands to press, Some Hotpoint washing machines use two buttons next to each other to put the washing machine into demo mode. Even a leg leaning against the start and cancel buttons while reaching over the washing machine can turn on the demo (test) mode. To turn it off and get the washing machine working again, switch the washing machine on, then press and hold the centre line between the start and cancel buttons so that you are pressing them both in simultaneously. After a few moments you should see "d_OFF"

Sometimes this works first time. Sometimes it needs repeated attempts. If you are having trouble, try waiting until it's finished the spin section of the demo and catch it before it starts again.

 

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Fabric conditioner doesn't get taken into washing machine

If the fabric conditioner is still in the fabric compartment at the end of the wash. it could be because the washing machine has aborted the program before reaching the section where the fabric conditioner gets taken. If this has happened, you should get some flashing lights or a program selector clicking round, or some other display indication telling you the wash has aborted. [ washing machine error codes ]

If not, and the washing machine is going through the wash program properly, it's possible that the water valve that takes the fabric conditioner away has failed. This is quite rare though because the fabric conditioner water valve only gets used for a few minutes each wash. Also, some washing machines (such as Indesit, Whirlpool and Hoover) don't use a separate fabric conditioner valve and instead have a nozzle that directs water from the main cold valve into the fabric compartment as the program selector moves round. If this is the case, there is a lever system that goes from the control selector to the top of the soap dispenser that moves as the program selector is turned. It's possible for this nozzle to jam, or the spring to come off.

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Fabric conditioner gets taken out too soon

This is usually caused by stray water going into the conditioner compartment and starting the siphoning process too soon. Common causes are mould and gunge in the top of the soap dispenser causing water to spray into the fabric conditioner compartment, and high water pressure causing water to stray into the fabric conditioner compartment. Also, if fitted, a jammed soap dispenser nozzle on washing machines with a directional nozzle operated by a lever can cause this fault (see previous section).

Don't over fill the fabric conditioner compartment. Observe the maximum level indicator. Filling the fabric conditioner compartment too high and slamming it shut can cause the fabric softener liquid to spill over the top and this will start the siphoning process.

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