Hotpoint Wd71 Error E15 Check Outlet Pipes

[Curious]

My Hotpoint WD71 won't drain, showing error E15 "Check Outlet Pipes". Normally this is a blockage in the pipe or the filter connected to the drum. I've taken this all apart and cleared a blockage, this time it was 4 curtain hooks and lots of other gunge. However I'm still getting the error when the machine tries to drain, I've disconnected and checked *all* the outlet pipes and none of them are blocked now. The machine will rinse and spin OK if I set it manually. Any ideas please?

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

I once found 4 curtain hooks in a washing machine. Unfortunately they presented themselves one at a time and it took over an hour to sort. Each time I took the sump and pump off there was just one curtain hook in the pump. I removed it, then filled and emptied the washing machine twice, and on the second empty only there was a rattling and grinding before the pump seized up. I then had to drain the machine, tip it back, take the pump off and remove another curtain hook. Testing the machine on rinse was fine until I did a second test and exactly the same happened. It was crazy.

Anyway, there's always the possibility that there is something floating about in the drum that gets sucked into the pump or drain hose to cause another blockage.

What you need to be sure of, is whether when the error telling you to check for blockages in the outlet pipes happens, it's actually an accurate indication of the fault. I dislike these stupid error codes as they often fire off eroneously and cause no end of trouble.

When it does the error, is there any water left inside the washing machine? If possible, take the drain hose out of the waste pipe and lower it into a bowl. There should normally only be a few mug-fulls of water. If there's still a fair bit of water inside the machine then it isn't emptying properly and you need to find why. Many Hotpoint washing machines do not have a customer accessible pump filter, but they do have one inside the sump hose leading to the pump which can get blocked.

If you are sure there's no water in (apart from the dregs in the sump hose which is normal) then the error must be wrong. It can't be not emptying properly. The only other thing I can imagine (apart from a dodgy control board itself) is a blocked pressure system (or faulty pressure switch) making the machine think it's still got water in when it hasn't. However, this isn't all that common these days - particularly on Hotpoints - and I have only had to replace one pressure switch on a Hotpoint in the last 5 years (and that was for overfilling)

Check these points and get back to me. One other tip is to take the drain hose out of the plumbing and watch the flow of water into the sink. (If your drain hose was connected to the sink you'll need to bung the connection up or get a flooded cupboard) Also check that nothing is stuck inside the hose at the end where it fits to the sink u-bend and inside the connector there because it can get stuff blocked there too.

[Curious]

Thanks for the quick reply, and at the weekend too! I did what you suggested, disconnected the drain hose and let it drain into the sink. I got a bowl full of water drained from the machine, no water left in the pipe and none in the drum, but still the E15 Check Outlet Pipes error. From your diagnosis sounds like a dodgy error message.

I have the engineer due tomorrow pm, is there anything else I can do to prevent his visit?

Engineer came (from a local supplier) and agreed there was nowt wrong with the machine and probably a faulty control panel. He suggested we call the Hotpoint Engineer and use the 5 year parts guarantee. Trouble is that's around £90 call out charge? Anything I can do myself?

[Whitegoodshelp (Andy)]

It would cost £84.60 to buy a power module, with no guarantee it will cure it and no way to get money back if it didn't. It's far preferable to pay Hotpoint's labour to fit such a part and let them supply the part free if you are covered by their 5-year parts warranty.

If it turned out not to be the power module, then it would unfortunately still cost the same, but if you can't see any other fault and the local engineer couldn't either, then you will still have made the right descision in getting Hotpoint out.

( Possible useful link: Washing machine module & PCB repairs and testing )