Bosch washing machine problems

[Anya]

My washing machine has not been working correctly for some time. I was told it could be the heating element, because I put it on a long 1.46 wash, it stopped somewhere along the cycle, and I had to open the filter hatch to pull a thing down to open the door. I couldn't get it to switch on so it had a display showing on the timer. Then after a while it got going again, but I was scared it would go wrong again, so I put it only on 15 minute washes. However, it would do the wash perfectly, keep on displaying 1 minute for ages without saying End. So I switched it to rinse and spin, and the washing comes out clean. Then when I turn the dial around to off when I have finished using it, the next time I switch it to the cycle I want, it won't come on, like there is no time on the timer, just a black screen. The only solution to that is unplugging it and plugging it back in again, and sometimes even that doesn't work. I have a repair man coming soon, but I don't know if they will believe me about all my issues!

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Sticking on 1 minute remaining is often caused by an open circuit heating element. 

[Anya]

Dear Andy, thank you so much for your reply. They came out yesterday and replaced the heating element! But.....it needs a new power module, they have to order it from Germany and they can't fit it for two weeks! SECOND BUT....they said it was ok to use, so I put a wash on. During the first wash, it did get to either rinse or spin, I can't remember which, then it stopped completely, and wouldn't show a display on the timer. I took the plug out from the wall, wiggled it around a bit, plugged it in a different plug socket, and off she went again. But this time it was doing the 1 minute thing, and not rinsing or spinning until I turned the dial round to rinse and spin. What do I tell Bosch, because I don't think they will believe me that she has blown their new heating element after five minutes! Also they said the call was chargeable when I have a warranty and an insurance plan that I have paid up to date, so I don't dare call them out again

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

They have to guarantee their work so if they charged you to repair a sticking on one minute fault and the fault is still there they haven’t fixed it properly. 

Have you tried starting it again in the other wall socket to see if it goes through ok?

[Anya]

Yes I have tried it in a different wall socket, but now it is doing a wash while plugged into the original wall socket! Its so unpredictable, sometimes it likes that wall socket and sometimes not. Will let you know what it does to the washing. I put it on a delicates/silk 40min wash to see what it does! EDIT: Still WASHING at 11 mins. It seems that a rinse/spin cycle will be needed  Can I just ask though, if I get the power module changed, will that have any effect on the wash-cycle problem, or would that be just to fix the washing machine not switching on when I plug it in? I don't have a technical mind you see, but you have been very helpful. Every time they fix it it seems to be able to do one proper wash, rinse spin, get to end, and then the next wash...."poof I'm not doing that" and I have to flip it over to rinse/spin. But the main problem is, I can cope with this because I know what it does, but I'm going away soon. My mother won't have the patience to deal with it and we might have a lodger by then, and he'll need his washing done

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Unfortunately I don't know why they are saying it needs a new PCB. However, if they fit one it should leave you with a fully working washing machine otherwise they simply haven't carried out a satisfactory repair.

[Anya]

Well it shut off today in the middle of a wash. I wish you lived near me and I would get you to come and look at it! And would you believe it, after it shut off, I plugged it in a different socket, took it out and plugged it in the original socket, that I had it connected with when it shut off, and it did a proper wash, rinse spin and got to end! On a cold wash, of course. Every time I expect it to do something, it does something completely different. We still haven't had the new power module fitted. I have to find a time when someone will be here to let the repair man in first

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

It sounds like the wall socket could be faulty. To prove or disprove this only use the washer in a totally different socket (not the other socket in a twin socket).  If it happens again in a different socket then it must be the washing machine. If it doesn’t happen when used several times in a totally different socket then it’s likely to be the original socket at fault. Possibly a loose wire inside. 

[Anya]

That makes sense. The house was built in 1970 or so, and we haven't had new power sockets since we moved in, which was about 30 years ago. When I can get it going, it does everything fine, just on separate cycles! EDIT: I have plugged into a different socket and its even DOING A PROPER WASH! Like rinse and spin. Spinning properly as well, just got to END! Cold-wash, of course. When I have time I will put an extension lead across and see if it will work from there. Do you think I should cancel the appointment for the new power module, and just call them out to fit ANOTHER new heating element instead? Every time it does the first wash after the repair man has been, BOOM! the heating element goes again. That's two so far! This wash was COLD, but it completed the whole thing, with a proper spin!

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

If the element is open circuit it definitely needs replacing but I would do as many washes as you can in the new socket to be sure that the cutting out and display issue is caused by the old socket and not an intermittent fault on the washing machine. Even if you don't have washing to do just test it at least several more times in case it's just coincidence that it worked in the new socket.

[Anya]

Do you think I should still go ahead with them fitting the new power module thing? At the moment its working fine on COLD washes, doing everything and getting to END! (Here I go sounding like a proud parent when my 7 year old walks herself to school!) 

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Like I said. You need to see it go through several washes before being confident that it is the socket and not PCB at fault. You’ve described how the fault was a bit intermittent so it’s always possible it’s just coincidence if it’s just washed through a full cycle once or even twice. 

[Anya]

I'm scared they will send the new pcb unit with the same repair man who came, fitted the heating element, and the first wash after it was fitted, it blew. So I  postponed fitting the new pcb for about a week and I'm doing as many washes as I can, just to see what it does! I've done washes on lots of different cycles and it seems to be fine, but will only work on cold washes. In an earlier post you mentioned to me, that if the heating element is open circuit, it will need replacing. Did you mean the pcb or the heating element?

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hello Anya. It's possible the pcb could cause no heating and need replacing. But usually it's caused by the heating element being faulty, or caked in limescale. It can be other things too like broken or loose connections. If they were going to fit a new element and a new pcb that should normally be unnecessary but as you described the washing machine cutting out and the display panel going out I have assumed they were going to replace the pcb because of that, which you may have discovered was caused by a faulty wall socket instead.

So the possibility is that it only needs a new heating element. You might need to ask them exactly why they were going to fit a pcb. If they say because of the washer cutting out and display turning off then if it's stopped doing than now in a new wall socket it seems likely that it doesn't need replacing after all. If they say it's for something else that's different.

[Anya]

The repair man came out on Friday to fix my washing machine BUT he didn't have the heating element needed. He said he will come back out tomorrow, Tuesday, but this morning they called and said they don't know when they will have the part, so they can't tell me when they can come and fix the problem. I just wanted to ask, how long does a washing machine generally last without a heating element? My insurer says Bosch have a duty of care that they should fix it within two weeks, but now Domestic and General have taken over to tell Bosch to get on with it. They have made a total Bosch out of this so far!

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hello Anya, do you mean they brought the wrong one or didn't bring one at all? That's very poor service whichever it is. Most washing machines should never need a new heating element but many do. If the element is damaged by limescale it can fail more than once unless the limescale problem is resolved (limescale in washing machines)

[Anya]

Yes they did not bring a heating element with them. They said we haven't got one so we can't fix it! I have had enough of Bosch giving me the run around, and I am leaving it to my insurer!