Beko wm74135w heating water problems

[Fire]

Hi

I'm hoping someone here can help me with my washing machine problems. I think I've put this in the wrong area but DIY repairs was greyed out.

Just doing a normal wash and the RCD gets tripped and half of the house's power goes off. There was a bang from the washing machine. After emptying it and running it, inside the drum compartment there is a blue flash and RCD is tripped. After switching the power on again, a flame is seen across the back of the drum compartment. 

After research I removed the heating element which was covered with calcium carbonate and proceeded to clean it with heated vinegar and water. Eventually the calcium carbonate came off but the element is black where it has been burning. So I ordered a new one.

New one arrives a few days later. After installing, the machine doesn't leak or trip the RCD. It completes a wash cycle but doesn't heat the water. Not sure if the heating element or the included thermistor/stat or pcb of the machine is at fault, so can't ask for a replacement. 

Found one with a drum problem that someone is selling. (4 hour round trip) After removing it's heating element with the thermistor and putting it in the original machine, and getting it to start washing, it is heating the water. And it's not stopping...

Eventually it stopped the program. Steam was coming out of the compartment after opening the door. Also from the drawer compartment after opening it. Smoke was also leaving the drawer compartment.

Right now the original thermistor is fitted to the machine with the used 2nd hand heating element. I'll add to the thread when there are updates.

Sorry about the long story. I would appreciate any help that anyone can offer. Thanks for all your help.

[Fire]

Looks like 2nd hand element with original thermistor/stat is working ok.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hello. No this is the right forum, it's the only one open to repair questions. Sorry I didn't reply before your update, and thank you for updating it. Usually tripping the electrics is very difficult to diagnose without the insulation test meter. But if you saw a blue flash inside the drum then the only real suspect is the heating element. The worry is that if a part flashes so badly then it is possible that other parts can get damaged including the main PCB. Glad you sorted it.

[Fire]

Thanks for replying. I can imagine you're very busy. Sorry, when I posted the update I hadn't yet tried heating the water with the original thermistor. Unfortunately it still won't heat the water. After putting the machine in test mode with the 2nd heating element and original thermistor as well as the brand new thermistor E02 is shown in the screen. Not sure what to do right now.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hello. Replacing the heating element with a second hand one doesn't guarantee that the heating element has been eliminated unless the second element is tested with a continuity test meter and ideally an insulation test meter. As an engineer working on logic and facts there's always a possibility that the other element is also faulty. I would say the chances are it isn't but repairing and diagnosing is all about logical elimination. 

My article on Washing machine not heating up water covers all possible causes I can think of. It may help, or it may help you decide if you've done all you can or not. You can't just guess at parts - OK you can but it's very much a gamble of time and money

[Fire]

Hi, the 2nd hand element previously boiled the water. I thought this would be enough to suggest that it works. That was with the 2nd hand thermistor, with the other 2 thermistors it won't heat water at all. I've ordered a multi meter with a continuity test feature and it should arrive in a few days. I've looked at your article but it doesn't mention the resistance range of thermistors. Could you tell me the range if you know? Thanks.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hello fire. I have a separate article on thermistors - How to test an NTC thermistor