Washing Machine

[twentysix by twentyfive]

OT I suppose But:-

The Washing machine stopped during a cycle when we were out and left some water and of course soaking wet laundry in there. I've pulled as much apart as i can and checked that the water inlet valves and the pump work (by hooking mains up to them directly). The water was pumped away when I hooked up the pump. The door switch also seems to work and the brushes on the motor still seem to have some life in them. Power is going into the machine (the light comes on) but whatever setting I start with on the controller nothing happens. It's an elecromechanical controller BTW. Oh - Hotpoint 1200 De Luxe 9459 if that's any help.

I know it's not a bike - but can anyone help please? I'm at a loss and I just have a feeling it's one of those silly things that I haven't thought of.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Try here:

http://www.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/modules.php?name=Forums

The site in general is a bit of a nightmare to navigate around but there is a shedload of useful stuff contained within.
Good luck!

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Thanks FF. I'll have a go.

 

[HLaB]

OI'm at a loss and I just have a feeling it's one of those silly things that I haven't thought of.

Have you thought about striping it down and using the bearings in your bike ;-)

Sorry for that, I don't know much a bout washing machines; perhaps its actually OK and you just had a powercut when you were out.

 

[TheBoyBilly]

Had a similar problem last year and it was something as simple as a coin getting stuck in the filter. An easy fix on my Candy machine. Just one small screw, then twist out the filter, clean out any debris and finally reassemble. I hope this is all your problem is.

Bill

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Have you thought about striping it down and using the bearings in your bike ;-)

Sorry for that, I don't know much a bout washing machines; perhaps its actually OK and you just had a powercut when you were out.

Ha ha.
I did wonder about using the pump with my hose pipe in the garden - pump rain water from the water butt

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Had a similar problem last year and it was something as simple as a coin getting stuck in the filter. An easy fix on my Candy machine. Just one small screw, then twist out the filter, clean out any debris and finally reassemble. I hope this is all your problem is.

Bill

Ah - OK. So now I need to find where the filter is........... Bottom near the pump I assume?

FF - I've registered on that Forum. It takes 24 hours to get the "OK your in" message tho'.

I'll just have to be patient.

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

I kept a sh1tty washing machine going for 14 years, as such I have done plenty of repairs. When mine stopped mid cycle it was once a bad solder joint on the PCB (printed circuit board), I soldered it and everything was fine. Another time it was a wire that had snapped as it was connected to a component on the drum and a component on the machine chassis, the constant movement made it snap. Also if it is stopping mid cycle and the clothes are wet the pump could be knackered. I have also had this too. If the clothes are wet and the machine will not spin, the motor brushes could be worn out. They are a pain in the @rse, mine was a simple machine not a newer fancy digital programmer one with more crap to go wrong. I simply took advice off forums and also used a bit of common sense. They are a bit of a pain to take apart as you will probably have to get the front cover off and remove the drum seal depending on what the fault is. The best forums I used were these two, UK Whitegoods is the best:

UK Whitegoods

Diy Not

 

[ThePainInSpain]

Have you checked the solenoid.

That's the small electronic switch situated just a the water comes in.

Also check that the filters are all clean.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

I've checked all the water inlet solenoids (3 on mine), the pump and the door switch. Not sure where my filter is tho'. I've also looked at the brushes on the motor - they seem to have life left in them. Perhaps I should connect up the motor to check all that. There was one wire which looked as if it had been trapped as the insulation was damaged. Fixed that but still whatever selection I make on the controller nothing happens.

That's it for today now - I've had enough and I'm going out on my bike tomorrow whatever so it'll just have to keep till later.

Anyone want to wash my Y fronts

 

[zacklaws]

Whenever mines stopped pumping water out, I've usually found that it is all blocked up with bits of fluff etc at the end of the disposal pipe where it connects to the U bend under the sink as there is sort of a little filter, that is if yours is plumbed that way

 

[TheBoyBilly]

As the filter should be cleaned monthly (or thereabouts) you should find it accessible enough. It may be behind a metal cover below the door (mine is easy to get at with no such cover)

Bill

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

It could also possibly be the drum water level pressure switch. On mine it was a chamber made out of rubber and as it fills with water it operates a switch, these can get fluff etc in them. To check that though the machine will have to be dismantled.

 

[twentysix by twentyfive]

Ah ha - I wondered where the water level switch would be. I'll have a grope about underneath the drum tomorrow. There are at least two (empty?) pipes connected to the door switch (one of them) and some circular plasticky thing with wires (the other tube). I'm wondering if they are some sort of pressure sensory switchy thingy?

I found that the Thermostat is open circuit at room temperature. Is that as it should be? Of course that should only operate the heater I think - not stop the whole lot as the rinse should be cold.

Someone today said my brushes may be a bit worn down so I'll have a go at getting the motor to run tomorrow too.

My cycling gear got a bit sweaty and muddy today. I will be riding my bike whatever happens, but at this rate I may be cycling on my own..............

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

I am not sure what the door switch thingy is with rubber pipes, on my old washing machine all it had was a door interlock switch that was just a switch with wires going to it. You really need to hopefully find somebody that has a knowledge of your particular machine. The pressure chamber on mine was attached to close to the bottom of the drum on the front, the black rubber chamber then ran up the side of the drum with a switch attached to the top of it. I could only get to it on my machine by removing the front cover and front door and drum seal. I think you can check these switches by blowing into them, as this is how they work when the water rises up the chamber the pressure increases to the switch. Obviously you remove the chamber and check for holes or blockages of crap. A couple of the faults on mine that I mentioned earlier, regarding a snapped wire and a broken PCB solder joint caused the heater not to work and the machine would just freeze mid cycle with a drum full of water. I guess all machines work differently, but you can check the resistance of the heater itself if you have a multimeter I think it should be around 20 ohm's if it is working correctly. Regarding your thermostat I haven't a clue, but I know my whirlpool that I repaired many times had a temperature dial on the front of it and I figured out it was a problem with the heater circuit by turning the required temperature right down. Once I turned the temperature knob down below the temp of the cold water in the drum the machine would start up again and complete its cycle. Pretty useless washing with cold water but at least it helped me problem solving. Hopefully someone will reply to your thread on another forum that has worked on your model. I had a great guy whom knew everything about mine, whom would take the time to explain things on UK Whitegoods as I would never in a million years of thought about taking the PCB board out checking solder joints. Just do not go wasting money if you are not sure what it is as a lot of people seem to think it is the programmer, when usually it is something much cheaper. Then again ringing a repair man can be dodgy unless you know of somebody whom is genuine.