Washing machine: common breakdowns, malfunctions and their causes
- 19.11.2022
The washing machine makes life much easier. When it breaks down, you want to restore its work as soon as possible. Most often it happens that the washing machine does not turn on, the spin does not work or the water does not drain out. Let's look at the causes of common malfunctions.
Water not heating
If you put the temperature mode of washing at +60, then after about 15-20 minutes the glass drum of a front-loading washing machine does not become warm. So, the water is not heated.
If the washing machine is a vertical load, it is difficult to determine whether the water heats up. Sometimes you can hear the noise of the heating element. Also, if the laundry is poorly washed, it may indicate that the water was cold.
Possible causes and solutions:
- The heating element is defective. It may "burn out" from temperature fluctuations or be damaged by scale build up on it.
- The water level sensor (pressostat) is defective. Washing machine cannot detect that enough water has been poured and will not activate the heating element.
- The control unit is damaged. Parts involved in heating the water are working. Controls (electronics) are defective.
Water not coming out
The valve is open, there is pressure, but the water does not get into the washing machine. Perhaps the filter is clogged, so the control system blocked the water supply. Or the valve has deteriorated, and the water can not flow into the washing machine. It happens that the malfunction is not related to the liquid circulation system. Maybe just not tightly closed the door of the washing machine.
The washing machine does not turn on.
There may be several reasons for this:
- The washer is not plugged in. Faulty socket or cord, insufficient voltage in the mains, and so on.
- The power button does not work.
- Damaged control system and internal wiring.
Water not draining
It is worth looking for causes from the simplest to the most complex:
- Selected mode, in which the spinning is not provided.
- The drain hose is jammed.
- Clogged drainage system or drainage filter.
- The pump is defective. Noise is heard when pump is turned on.
- No signal from control module to activate pump. Microcircuit or wiring could be burned out.
- Water level sensor (pressostat) is defective. The washing machine does not register that the water is full. Then not only does not drain, but also does not start washing.
No spin
Washing is started, but the drum does not go to high revolutions. This can be due to the following reasons:
- There is too little or too much laundry in the drum. There is an imbalance or threat of overloading. In such cases, the system does not start the spin.
- The pump is defective. There is no way to drain the water when spinning, so the water drain does not activate.
- Pressostat does not work. System is not detecting that there is water in the tank that needs to be drained.
- Motor winding is worn out or graphite brushes are worn out.
- RPM sensor is broken. The tachometer has burned out contacts, loose fastening or it is worn out.
Washer takes too long to wash or won't stop
The cause may be in the weak water pressure. It gathers slowly, prolonging the washing time. The inlet valve strainer may be clogged, and the liquid is leaking poorly. If the washer takes a long time to drain the water, then the filter could be clogged. If the washing machine then drains, then recovers water, it is possible pressostat malfunction. Spinning without stopping could indicate a malfunction tachodactor or control system.
Whatever the reason for the failure of the washing machine, you must call a master. Self-repair can add to the damage. A specialist has the necessary knowledge, special diagnostic equipment and experience.