Miele Washer doesn't proceed from starting drain, to wash cycle

[TYler H]

Our Miele 1203 Washer tries to drain upon startup. It comes on with the buzzer sounding, and trying to drain. After about 3 minutes or so, it stops trying to drain, but then is not functional - does not proceed to the wash cycle. Nothing is operative. Have to restart it.

My research points to issues along the drain system. I cleared any clogs. That seems to point at a bad drain pump... but the test for the drain pump seems to be determining if the impeller spins or not, and mine does. So I'm stumped. Control panel? We had it replaced about 3 years ago. 

How can I tell if the drain pump is functional or not? If the impeller is spinning, is that about the only test? Does that mean it is fine, and the problem must be something else?

 

thanks so much!

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hi there. As far as I know, all washing machines try to drain upon start-up. It's the first thing they do. However, within a few seconds, they should also start to fill up with water. This procedure is to just make sure there is no old water left in the washing machine, and to add some cold water that runs into the sump hose before taking in the detergent. The latter is to prevent any detergent getting flushed into the sump hose and being wasted in there.

So maybe the problem you have is that it is not taking in any water? I'm presuming that there is no water inside the washing machine? If so, I would not worry about the pump. In my Miele washing machine you can unscrew the pump filter and run the washing machine on a spin cycle to see the pump impeller running.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Having said that, I'm not so sure about the buzzer sounding. Another possibility is if there is water in the base of the washing machine. That could cause washer to not work and to energise the pump.

[andyr12345]

Could it be faulty water level pressure switch - not thinking the sump/ machine is empty of water and so just emptying and emptying at start and not getting a signal that the drum/chamber is empty of water then just eventually 'times out' and justs stops and cycle wont go any further - could that be another thing to check , that the actual water level pressure switch is working as it should? - it may even be a blockage of soap and gunk somewhere in between the pressure hose from the sump to the level switch blockage somewhere?