/ Hotpoint and Creda carbon brushes FAQ
This page gives £1 diagnostic and fitting advice for competent repairers who may want to confirm and check a few things before replacing the Hotpoint or Creda carbon brushes.
Genuine Hotpoint & Creda Parts
The Hotpoint carbon brushes featured on the Buy Hotpoint carbon brushes page are genuine parts.
Do not fit non-genuine copies which are cheaper, but inferior. Some can cause expensive premature wear to the armature.
Genuine Hotpoint carbon brushes always come in a bag with the genuine Hotpoint and Creda logos (see picture).
The part numbers for the genuine brushes are 161460 (77) for the early (black) ones and 1600474 for the later laminated (white) carbon brushes.
Hotpoint carbon brushes FAQ
- How do I know if I need to fit new carbon brushes?
- Which carbon brushes do I need?
- How do I remove Hotpoint (or Creda) carbon brushes?
- How do I fit the carbon brushes in my Hotpoint washing machine?
- Is it safe to repair my own washing machine?
- Where can I buy Hotpoint (or any other make) carbon brushes?
- I fitted the carbon brushes but the motor is sparking a lot
How do I know if I need to fit new carbon brushes?
You should be competent enough to be able to diagnose and repair this type of fault because other faults could be present. You should always test a motor's insulation with a suitable insulation test meter to ensure electrical safety using 500V DC. If carbon brushes are worn, the motor will either stop running or will run half-heartedly and make a crackling or grating noise. If you observe lots of sparking from inside the motor then this is also a symptom. Note that minute sparks are usually normal though and that if a motor has stopped running, there could be other faults on the motor or on other parts in the washing machine. Faulty motors can also blow the control PCB.
If you want to compare your Hotpoint carbon brushes with with some worn carbon brushes and to see some hotpoint carbon brush fitting advice, then have a look at the Hotpoint carbon brushes diagnostics page
Go to indexWhich carbon brushes do I need?
The model list is on the Hotpoint brushes page
Go to indexHow do I remove Hotpoint (or Creda) carbon brushes?
If they are the same as either of the carbons sold
on Washerhelp ( Carbon brushes ) then they slide out. There's a plastic lug that latches behind the recess when the brush holder is slotted into the motor casing (as shown). To remove a Hotpoint or Creda carbon brush you need to use a short flat bladed screwdriver to locate in the small recess and gently prize the brush holder free using leverage. Once the lug has been released the whole brush and holder should slide out although occasionally they can be quite tight and need assistance from a pair of narrow nosed pliers.
Removal of the left carbon brush (looking from the front of the washing machine) can easily be achieved with the motor still in place but not so much with the right brush, which is only an inch or so from the casing. You can remove the motor to gain access to the right carbon brush holder although I personally use a small flat bladed screw driver bit which is only an inch or so long to get to it in without removing the motor. NEVER forget to disconnect a washing machine from the mains supply before taking the lid or back panel off
Go to indexHow do I fit the carbon brushes in my Hotpoint or Creda washing machine?
If you want to compare your Hotpoint carbon brushes with with some worn carbon brushes and to see some hotpoint carbon brush fitting advice, then have a look at the Hotpoint carbon brushes fitting instructions
Go to indexIs it safe to repair my own washing machine?
Although fitting Hotpoint carbon brushes is a very simple job physically, if you are a total novice I would not recommend trying to repair a motor on a washing machine. Even skilled and experienced repairmen can get electrocuted if they aren't careful. Please read the advice here is it safe to repair my own washing machine?
Go to indexWhere can buy Hotpoint carbon brushes?
I selll a couple of the older Hotpoint carbon brushes myself from this page Buy Hotpoint carbon brushes but if you want to find any other carbon brushes from any other manufacturer you should be able to find them on 4Washerhelp
Go to indexI fitted carbon brushes but the motor still doesn't work
There's always the possibility you misdiagnosed the fault and either other parts of the motor are also faulty or the fault is caused by something else. However, make sure the wires are properly connected to the brush holders and the motor.
Sometimes brushes may work for several washes but the motor packs in again. Take the brushes back out and make sure one or both haven't stuck inside their holders. This can happen if you didn't release the small brass lug properly. The brush should be able to be pressed all the way in and spring straight back out when you let go.
Research the Washerhelp forum under the Hotpoint & Creda section. Try searching for "carbon brushes". You may find a solution there. Try searching also for TOC. The TOC (thermal overload cut-out) may have blown. You will need a continuity test meter to test for this.
Go to indexI fitted the carbon brushes but the motor is sparking a lot
A small amount of sparking is normal. Little minute sparks will occur until the carbon brushes bed in properly. However, if there is a lot of sparking, particularly if it is flashing or arcing round the commutator then the repair is no good.
Take the brushes back out and make sure one or both haven't stuck inside their holders. This can happen if you didn't release the small brass lug properly. The brush should be able to be pressed all the way in and spring straight back out when you let go.
Excessive sparking when the brushes are fitted properly is usually due to wear on the main part of the motor - the armature.
I want to buy a (different) washing machine part
4Washerhelp appliance spares (The UK's biggest spares and accessories site)
Try searching for a part -
| Enter your search ( for example: Zanussi carbon brushes) |
| Alternatively if you know your Brand, Model or the Part you are looking for please use the search below. |
| If you would like further information on searching click here |
Search Tip: Try searching for the manufacturer e.g. Hoover carbon brushes, Hotpoint carbon brushes, or the manufacturer and model number such as Hotpoint 9526W carbon brushes.
Related advice and tips for buying washing machine spares -
- Is the model and serial number all I need? (Manufacturers like Bosch, AEG, Zanussi and others use other numbers - not just the serial number - see next item for more details
- Where to find the proper model number and serial number on a washing machine
