Doesn't fill, but still runs, spinns slowly.

[g0gz]

Hi, 
I'm stuck and I'm hoping for some assist:

Fault: 
* Machine doesn't fill,  starts program, makes humming sound but does not take any water.
- Water feed seams 0K, usually gives error code if it does not get water, good pressure in water feed hose.
- Spin program works fine. 

Mark/Model: 
Zanussi ZWF14791W, 


Fault Code
Using Procedure from https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Zanussi+Washing+Machine+Fault+Code+Reset/34977

I get the following fault codes: 
Turning nob clockwise. 
0   -                Up/off position. 
1    -    C11    
2    -    E71    
3    -    EF4    
4    -    EF4    Cottons Normal
5    -    E71    
6    -    E71    
7    -    EF4    
8    -    E71    , humming sound, like a pump running? Same sound when program is started. 
9    -    E71    
10    -    E71    Delicate
11    -    C0    
12    -    C8    
13    -    C24    
14    -    C28    
15    -    C30    
16    -    C14    
17    -    C15    
18    -    C31    
19    -    C29    
20    -    C25    
 

 

Cause of problem
I left some screws in a pocket I forgot to check. Drum got stuck stalled and machine didn't spin, I took apart machine and drum, found all screws in drum and pump assembly, reassembly went well. 

Possibly fault induced by stalling the machine or by myself while reassembly / taking apart. 

Tried the following

* Resetting fault codes. 
* Double checking water feed. 
* Filter in water feed line seams fine, water is feed to machine. 
* Can't find any loose wires. 

 

Hope someone have some guidance, 

Kind regards, 

Martin Olsson

Edited January 14, 2021 by g0gz
Typo, added picutres.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hello there. When you put it onto a wash cycle washing machine will normally energise the pump first for several to 30 seconds. Can you hear the water pump running okay? After this it will take in water. If it is not taking in water, and you can hear a humming sound this is usually because there is no water supply. I know you have said that you checked that but make sure it's not a kinked hose when you push the washing machine back in place.

If you can place your ear at the back of the washing machine where the water valves are, or press your ear up against where the fill hose connects to the water valves if this is where the humming is then it's definitely a water valve trying to taking water but not having any water to take in. Doublecheck the filters in the water valves and make sure there are no filters in the hoses that are blocked. There usually isn't but some can have filters in them.

If on the other hand the humming noise is right at the beginning when you first switch on the washing machine this would indicate that the water pump is jammed.

 

[g0gz]

Thank you for your quick reply. 

Water supply confirmed
* I've triple checked water supply, it's ok. 
(I've got the machine pulled out while testing, no kinks very good flow and I've confirmed that the water is turned on. )

* Completely removed the inlet filter for test purposes. Water is definitely reaching inlet valve. 

"Can you hear the water pump running okay? "
I press start and the following happens. (Program 1 Cotton). 
1. Hatch is locked. 
2. Pump starts humming after 1-2 seconds, runns approximately 8-u10 seconds.
3. Display is showing spinnings arrows. 
4. Drum starts spinning dry, about 20 seconds from pressing start. 

 

 if this is where the humming is then it's definitely a water valve trying to taking water"
"If you can place your ear at the back of the washing machine where the water valves are, or press your ear up against where the fill hose connects to the water valves if this is where the humming is then it's definitely a water valve trying to taking water but not having any water to take in. "

* No humming from water valve. 
* I can't confirm or deny clicking sound from valve. I can hear a faint clicking sound form somewhere on the top of the machine but I'm not able to pinpoint the sound. 

Linking to video of pump huming: https://photos.app.goo.gl/K24PYgjUSWeY1KvW7
Not sure if this is a running dry sound or a stalled sound. I guess a screw could have made it into the pump but it looks clear. 

 

[g0gz]

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Remove the pump filter and see if you can see if the pump impeller is turning or not. It sounds like an extremely quiet pump or the pump may not be running. Obviously without any water inside. 

[g0gz]

Ok, that's smart. Yes pump is running. 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/TsgtDfHQBHCjUC9e9

 

[g0gz]

Still no luck. 

Since the pump is turning could it possibly be the solenoid inlet valve or maybe it might be the control board? 

Anyone with advices on further trouble shooting?

I've got a multimeter and an electrician education so I guess with some guidance I could do some measurements.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

What exactly does it do on a spin only cycle?

[g0gz]

I did a couple of test runs with the spin cycle, 14 min cycle length. 
A moist towel and a hoodie in the drum.

This is what happens after program start: 
1. Hatch is locking. 
2. Starts spinning back and forth alternating direction, slowly spinning, low rpm ( 8 seconds left, stops 8 seconds, 8 seconds right).
3. After 7 minutes it runs the drain pump for a couple of seconds. 
4. Directly after running pump program stops prematurely at 7 minutes.
5. Opens hatch. 

Strangely two days ago, id did spinn up to full spin while running spin cycle. Now it only spins back and fort slowly. 

Video of test run, spin cycle: 
https://photos.app.goo.gl/SidsmpQqm1WjEgsB7

Edited January 18, 2021 by g0gz

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hi there. Unfortunately that's a terrible load to test the washing machine with. Any washing machine would struggle to balance that load and therefore may not do the spin. If the washing machine can't balance the load satisfactorily you will just go through the full spin cycle turning back and forth for turning round and round and then just switch off. Please test it without any loading at all on spin cycle. If it doesn't actually kick into the fast spin there could be a problem with the pressure system.

[g0gz]

Yes, I can confirm this was user error, unbalanced load. 

I tried the spin cycle without any load a couple of times. At the second attempt I got it to spin up to full speed. Seams to be doing a normal operation of spin cycle for what I can tell, (attaching video link below). Spinning fast. 

I also noticed:
The machine gives error code E10 when I run a wash cycle without the water hose attached. Therefore I believe the machine's detection for water pressure at the inlet valve is functioning ok.

It's so strange that it's simply not opening the inlet valves when running a wash cycle, especially since I didn't touch this part of the machine when I disassembled the drum. 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/QPM6zKRFc1MKWjoV7

Edited January 19, 2021 by g0gz
Spelling.