Hotpoint Ultima Wt721 Fault Code F-08

[cr42ycr41g]

Fault code appeared yesterday when arrived home. Did another wash, all OK until the end. ‘End’ came up in the display briefly then fault code re-appeared. It was only on 800 spin so clothes not completely dry. Looked on Hotpoint website and they don’t list an F 08 code. Rang Hotpoint this morning, no use at all after ages on hold. All they wanted was to get an engineer out!

Machine is 5 1/2 years old so just out of warranty! Checked pump filter and removed 20 p piece. Thought that may be it. No fault still occurs. Looked on web for F 08 and get different replies, from heater & pressure switch. Had a look in machine, checked all wires, did notice a lot of carbon deposits underneath on the tiled floor. Blew down pressure switch tube all OK. Checked the drain hose from drum and can not feel anything in it. Ran a test 1200 spin. The machine appears to start to spin but does not get up to 'top' speed, it then slows and tries again until end of cycle. It then flashes F-08 and the pump continues to run for about 5 mins! Is it the motor or motor brushes?

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

According to all my technical information Error F08 on Indesit and Hotpoint (same manufacturer) relates to the heater relay as described in my article Indesit or Hotpoint washing machine flashing 8 times or indicating error code 8

[cr42ycr41g]

Hi Andy,

Thanks for the reply. Surely if heater issue this should come up before the end of the cycle?

When I pulled the machine out there was black soot on the tiles (carbon I suspect) I removed the brushes cleaned the ends with wet and dry and cleaned the commutator. Put it back together and no fault codes after 5 1200 spin cycles.

So suspect need new brushes as it is over 5 years old

PS the water in machine does warm up!

Thanks

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

It just goes to show how rubbish the error codes can be, and why in my error codes article I have a section titled "Some error codes may be totally wrong". I think I will link to this topic in that article too. All Hotpoint washing machine models I have technical information for going back many years (including Hotpoint Ultima) state F08 as "heater relay", or "heater relay stuck", or "heater relay can't be activated". Some possible courses of action are also listed as "“check pressure switch connections for heater, wiring and module connections”. I suppose it's possible that a dodgy connection has been inadvertently adjusted whilst working on the machine but the cure you describe has nothing to do with error 8 so it remains a mystery unless you experience other issues later and can update us.

However, a heater relay error code might only be triggered on the wash cycle! so make sure you test it on a full wash cycle before assuming it is repaired.

[cr42ycr41g]

Andy,

Wife used machine this aft, all ok. Water getting to temp. Had to take brushes off tonight to take a pic of them as struggling to locate correct items. Put back together run another wash, again all ok. Not much meat left on the brushes, can send photos if you want. I will keep you posted to assist others as it is frustrating when all you want to know is what the code means so you can fix it or scrap it!

Cheers

[cr42ycr41g]

An update for you, machine has continued to do its job all week, even though I have been removing the brushes to photograph to get the correct ones etc. Anyway, new brushes fitted tonight and she is working ok and fingers crossed no return of the F-08 fault code.

One thing I have noticed, is that prior to replacing the brushes, the machine did make a 'gritty' noise whilst turning over, suspect this may have been electrical arcing. Now with the new brushes, it sounds nice and 'smooth'!

Thanks

[cr42ycr41g]

Further update, following the repairs, I thought I best clean my grubby carbon deposit finger prints off the machine yesterday, so gave it a good clean inside and out and then ran some cleaner in machine at 95 degrees and I can definitely confirm the heater circuit is working, the door glass was red hot!

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Thanks for the updates. The gritty noise is definitely the brushes sparking. The noise is commonly described by customers as "grating" or "gritty". I've linked to this topic from my article on error codes where it warns that some error codes just seem to be wrong at times.

[pilotdavo]

I think I have the same issue with our Hotpoint machine. I changed the pcb with no improvement. Called a local engineer who couldn't identify the fault based on heater relays and pressure switches.

Our machine will complete some washes and fails on others. When it does fail it leaves the clothes wetter than usual so I suspect the same problem with the brushes and the motor struggling to spin the load to 1200rpm.

Could you let me know a part number or supplier for the brushes? How tricky was the replacement (my Dad is an eletrical engineer so he is on standby to assist!)?

Many thanks for your previous posts and any help you can offer.

PD

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Parts can be bought at my 4washerhelp spares site which helps keep my sites running

[cr42ycr41g]

I think I have the same issue with our Hotpoint machine. I changed the pcb with no improvement. Called a local engineer who couldn't identify the fault based on heater relays and pressure switches.

Our machine will complete some washes and fails on others. When it does fail it leaves the clothes wetter than usual so I suspect the same problem with the brushes and the motor struggling to spin the load to 1200rpm.

Could you let me know a part number or supplier for the brushes? How tricky was the replacement (my Dad is an eletrical engineer so he is on standby to assist!)?

Many thanks for your previous posts and any help you can offer.

PD

Is yours the same machine as the one quoted above and with F-08 fault code??

I ordered brushes from a retailer providing the make/model/serial numbers etc. and when they arrived they were the opposite way round to the motor, they sloped down left to right rather right to left.( or vice versa as a while ago). Best take them off and go visit a spares retailer. It will save a lot of time.

Or as I did remove the brushes and rough them up a bit with sand paper and replace, that kept our machine going until i got the new brushes. If there is not much 'meat' left on them then it will probably be them.

Incidentally, our machine has run without hiccup since brushes replaced. (Touch wood)

[pilotdavo]

It's a Hotpoint Ultima WT960 and it's displaying the F-08 code (yesterday and today on 500 rpm spin settings).

I'll open it up and try to get the brushes replaced. Thanks for the info.

PD

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Just remember that F08 is supposed to mean a heater or heater relay problem. If the error comes up soon after starting washing it may not be the brushes. If suspecting brushes, check out my diagnostic article here which explains what to look for to determine if brushes need replacing or not - carbon brushes diagnostics

Note that a poor earth on the appliance or the wall socket can produce false error codes!

[pilotdavo]

The Hotpoint engineer ruled out the relay issues and said the fault code was incorrect. I just tried to start the machine on a spin only at 400rpm and it immediately produced the F-08 code so I think the issue is related to spinning. It has not failed to reach required temperatures when I've checked the glass door during washes.

[pilotdavo]

Update: I have had a look at the back and there is a lot of black carbon deposits. I have removed the motor and had a look but it looks like a riveted sealed unit and I cannot see how to remove the brushes without drilling out the rivets to replace with bolts. Is this the way to go? I can get a replacement motor for £92 instead?

Another update: Its a brushless induction motor so I think a replacement is the only option or just get a new machine.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

If it's a brush-less induction motor you can't be sure it will fix the fault if replaced so you'd have to accept a gamble. At least with worn carbon brushes you can see if the brushes are physically worn, charred etc. Unless you can test the motor with a meter or otherwise determine it is definitely faulty there's going to be the possibility a new one didn't fix it.

[pilotdavo]

Good advice, thanks. My Dad is going to bench test it tomorrow to see if it's salvageable. If the motor is the fault then I will probably replace it (I had a look at your parts website).