3E2 Message on Samsung Eco Bubble

[Nici]

Hi

My machine stopped spinning, it was trying to but just kept jerking, then when I done a diagnostic test, 3E2 came up.  When I calibrated 3E came on the display.  After checking all the connections, I have noticed today, when I turn the drum by hand there is clicking sound which sounds like it's coming from the PCB board.  If it's the motor Samsung said it's under guarantee but ends 1st April but still have to pay the labour costs.  This machine has already had 2 PCB boards replaced and although during a chat with a Samsung person I wasn't filled with much confidence, I did like this machine as it 11kg so fits a quilt in nicely, could you give me any advice please.

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hi. If it clicks when turning drum by hand I can’t see how a noise could come from the PCB. Is it coming from the motor? Try disconnecting the washing machine from the mains and take the belt off. Then turn the motor by hand.
 

If no noise occurs, turn the drum by hand after making sure the pulley at the back doesn’t catch on the loose belt. 

[Nici]

Hi Thank you so much for getting back to me.  I had managed to get it working briefly, it's been sitting broken since lockdown as I was shielding and couldn't get in an engineer.  I started turning the drum by hand and pulled the rubber seal back and have been pulling out what look like small clumps of fibres, when these dry they are quite hard.  The clicking was definitely coming from the top not the bottom but I can't actually hear that now.  I was able to do a drum clean and two washes and a full spin as I had to drain the machine on the last wash this morning as 3E has come back on. If it was the motor am I wrong in saying surely it wouldn't have been able to do a 1400 spin.  I am now trying to do a drum clean again but the belt had come off which is now making me think have a got a problem with that, is that why it keeps agitating.  I can't actually see water in the drum but could hear it whilst trying to put the belt back on.  3E has come back on again and I'm going to have drain the water once again, my gut keeps telling me it's not the motor but do you think I'm wrong in thinking that?  Thanks for any help

 

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

Hello there. The clicking I was referring to on the motor is caused by a loose segment in the commutator. This causes a clicking noise when you turn the drum by hand. However, it is only one of the possibilities, and if the clicking has now disappeared it couldn't possibly be caused by loose segment in the commutator. This fault also causes the motor to lose power and even smell of burning. So it can be safely discounted.

But having said that, the error code information that I have lists the error 3E as a motor tacho error. This means it is saying that it is not receiving a message from the motor tacho coil. This article, although written about a completely different washing machine, describes the function of the tacho coil though it's probably beyond DIY fix for most people. It could be something like a loose or bad connection to the Tacho coil, which would explain an intermittent display.