Zanussi Z816WT85BI not running drying cycle - Need help with diagnostic mode please

[GDF]

I have a washer dryer which is just outside the warranty period and has failed again with the same fault with the dryer in this washer\dryer model. 

Anytime the programme is set to use the dryer (say for 60 mins of drying for a few towels), it starts and runs the clock down a few mins of I guess draining the drum and then timer jumps straight down to like 5 mins, never heating the drum or running the heating cycle and seems to be entering the closing sequence of the programme.  There are no errors displayed on the LCD display relating to the programme operation. 

I would like to see if there are any error codes stored in the system, but don't know which button\sequence to press to get in and read the codes, if anyone can assist me with this particular model?

The display controls are shown below from a screenshot from the internet

 

Many thanks

G

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hi there. I would think it is unlikely for error codes to be logged, and accessible with specific button sequences but not shown to the user. Of course, it's possible that some manufacturers might have decided to deliberately hide error codes from users. Generally though if a washing machine detects an error it will display it so that it can be looked up in the instruction manual or reported to the engineer when booking a visit.

You say that this is the 2nd time this happened, can you remember what the cause of it was before? That may be a silly question as presumably if you could you wouldn't be posting here?

It's unusual for it to do this but maybe it is overheating and aborting? I would take off the lid and put it on a drying cycle and then make sure that the dryer fan is running.

[GDF]

Hi Andy, thanks for your feedback. 

When the engineer visited previously to resolve the failure 1st time, he confirmed the failure by showing me a stored fault information(not a user displayed) by pressing some keystrokes on the button panel, so there was definitely some additional information which he was able to retrieve by going into engineer\diagnostic\test mode. Once he replaced the faulty part he then cleared the code and checked it did not re-appear after a test drying cycle.  I would like to understand how to access this engineer\diagnostic\test mode to see if the code is still stored in the electronics.

I think the problem was a thermostat for the dryer, not functioning correctly, so causing the programme to skip the heating\drying segment of the cycle. 

I guess this is similar to a car, where only some of the car's fault data is hidden from the driver, you'll get any 'warning' or 'critical' engine using engine management light, or a coolant overheating light, but for example warnings about fuel trims or mass air flow sensor failure are not visible on the dash without pulling OBD codes with an OBD scan tool\reader. 

Edited October 19, 2022 by GDF

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Yes it's perfectly possible for a washing machine to only show specific error codes to the user. Historically though they have usually shown them all, albeit without any explanations as to what they mean. It's better for them when they get called out to a fault, to have an error code reported so that they have an idea what to expect, and have an idea of what parts to bring.

To be honest I don't think the error code is likely to be of great use to you. They are sometimes fairly cryptic, and usually just give an experienced engineer an area to focus on. You already have that in the sense that you suspect the same fault and therefore suspect a thermostat of some type. Error codes virtually never implicate just one part.

For example, here's a couple of error codes from a Zanussi washing machine -

Quote

E34 = incongruency between level of electronic pressure switch and level of electronic pressure switch 2 (duration of fault at least 60 seconds) – possible causes – 1: Hydraulic circuit of pressure switches 2: Electronic pressure switch 3: Pressure switch 4: Wiring 5: Main PCB.

E11 = Problems with water fill in wash phase (maximum 10 minutes for each fill phase). Possible causes = 1: Tap closed 2: Mains water pressure insufficient 3: Solenoid valve 4: Hydraulic circuit of pressure switches 5: Pressure switches 6: Wiring 7: Main PCB

They are not all as bad as that of course but generally speaking they are not that helpful to DIY repairs.

Appliance error codes - what you need to know

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Also, if you could get to these error codes, they will just be cryptic numbers and letters. You would need to find somewhere that tells you what they mean.

[GDF]

Yeah I agree @Whitegoodshelp (Andy) , I've no intention of attempting a DIY repair, it's just so I can report the error code back to Currys to demonstrate the same\similar fault as before. 

Can you advise me how to get into the engineer\diagnostic\test mode ?

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Sorry no. I have a lot of error code explanations but not the manufacturer retrieval sequences.