Simens machine freezes after exactly 35 seconds

[Joe Franks]

For the past week, I’ve been experiencing an issue with my washing machine where it freezes exactly 35 seconds after being switched on, without showing any error code.

 

Model details: WM16XMJ00P/01

Here, MJ00P is the model number and 01 indicates the generation.

 

I purchased it around 2.5 years ago, which means the factory warranty has just expired. I’ve already tried the usual fixes, such as unplugging it for 24 hours and checking for any blockages, but with no success.

 

Symptoms:

 

The machine powers on normally and all controls initially work.

You can select and start any programme.

It fills with water and begins to spin as expected.

After exactly 35 seconds, it stops completely and becomes unresponsive.

Pressing any button only produces two beeps, and no new programme can be selected.

Even if you simply turn it on and leave it idle, it locks itself after 35 seconds, including the door.

The door can be opened using the emergency release, but the machine just continues beeping afterwards.

 

 

I’ve removed both the power and control boards to inspect them for any visible signs of burning or corrosion, but everything appears fine. Since I can’t find any other cause and Siemens refuses to provide help unless I purchase a new unit, I’m now stuck with a 2.5-year-old broken machine.

Hopefully someone could have an idea, or maybe already had experience with that.

 

cheers

 

 

[Whitegoodshelp]

It's unusual to not have an error code. All faults should cause an error code. The first thing a washing machine does is operate the pump for about 30 seconds then it takes in water.

So if it runs the pump for 30 seconds then stops, the first suspect is that there's a problem with taking in water. However, all modern washing machines should time out of the correct water level isn't reached within a set time amd fail with an error code. 

If no error code, it may be a pcb fault or some weird rare fault. It would be very risky trying to fit any part speculatively 

[Joe Franks]

1 hour ago, Whitegoodshelp (Andy) said:

It's unusual to not have an error code. All faults should cause an error code. The first thing a washing machine does is operate the pump for about 30 seconds then it takes in water.

So if it runs the pump for 30 seconds then stops, the first suspect is that there's a problem with taking in water. However, all modern washing machines should time out of the correct water level isn't reached within a set time amd fail with an error code. 

If no error code, it may be a pcb fault or some weird rare fault. It would be very risky trying to fit any part speculatively 

Hey  Andy

This was my first thought.

But now my question is why it keeps locking itself even without selecting a program.

or if i only use the tumbler mode.

 

it starts spinning like usual.

but then it just stops and freezes, with the only indication that it beebs twice when selecting another mode or pressing any button.

 

The only other option i can think of is some software issue.

but in the other hand, the only „reset“ option in the manual is to remove the plug and plug it back in after a few mins.

which i believe dosent factory resets it.

Cheers

[Whitegoodshelp]

These kind of faults are impossible to deal with on a diy basis. You need to be an engineer who can try swapping out parts to see if it fixes. Or an engineer with the luxury of being able to just order new control panel and main pcb and fit them both, which is what they do when working with appliances under warranty. 
 

If out of warranty they just tell you it’s not worth repairing. 

[Whitegoodshelp]

The problem with modern washing machines is that you can replace the control panel and main pcb and still be left with the fault because the issue was some weird uncatalogued thing or a faulty connection somewhere.

[Whitegoodshelp]

BTW what happens if you put it on a spin only cycle?

[Joe Franks]

20 minutes ago, Whitegoodshelp (Andy) said:

The problem with modern washing machines is that you can replace the control panel and main pcb and still be left with the fault because the issue was some weird uncatalogued thing or a faulty connection somewhere.

Hey Andy,

You’re right, they don’t provide a proper error code anymore.

But I believe I’ve found the issue: the grey water pump doesn’t spin at all.

Everything else works fine.

I assume it performs a motor check and fails after 35 seconds.

I just ordered a replacement pump module, so let’s see how it goes.

 

[Whitegoodshelp]

Fingers crossed. I would expect if you are right it should still produce an error code though. If it performs any check and the check fails, that's when it is easy to trigger an error code. Also, if a part isn't running, it could be because it doesn't hasn't been supplied with power, or there's no neutral return as well as a possible fault on the part.

Please let us know, even if it isn't that, it is useful for everyone to learn from it.

[Joe Franks]

On 10/11/2025 at 13:39, Whitegoodshelp (Andy) said:

Fingers crossed. I would expect if you are right it should still produce an error code though. If it performs any check and the check fails, that's when it is easy to trigger an error code. Also, if a part isn't running, it could be because it doesn't hasn't been supplied with power, or there's no neutral return as well as a possible fault on the part.

Please let us know, even if it isn't that, it is useful for everyone to learn from it.

Hey Andy,

I just replaced it and everything works again after swapping the motor.

 

I could not find any visible issue with the original motor. The only thing I can think of is that one of the three magnets might not have been connected properly anymore. I never saw any error codes either. Hopefully I just got unlucky, since people who are not into DIY probably would not dig this deep and would just replace the whole unit.

 

A new one would have cost about 900 CHF (around 640 pounds), while the replacement part from a random site cost me 80 CHF (60 pounds).

Most importantly, i did not have to throw away an otherwise perfectly good machine.

 

Thank you very much Andy for this forum.

I hope this helps others.

Cheers

[Whitegoodshelp]

Well played Joe. Many people would have replaced the main pcb, which is what I was warning about. There are many faults that either don't trigger an error code or, worse still, they trigger an error code implicating a specific part erroneously.

The old days before error codes were the best. Back then, you could be a proper diagnostic engineer, which is most of the fun of doing the job. 

You gambled and it paid off. As I said earlier, if a specific part is not running you never just replace the part because it may not be running because of electrical connection or wiring faults and could be in perfectly good health.