Washing machine blows fuse

Contessa

When my washing machine (7 year old Hotpoint) was running today it blew the fuse. I reset the trip and the same happened twice more (took me a ittle while to realise it was the washing machine!). The socket is OK, and I presume the fuse in the plug must still be OK as the machine worked for a a couple of seconds before the fuse went again.
Any experience of similar problems? Is it worth repairing or just replace? Thanks.

totalsolutions

If it cost >£600 repair then replace. Most likely the element, main motor, drain motor and water leaking into either, up to you to decide what to do next given the limited info.

Edit. ohh, hotpoint, get a real one?

milliebear00001

My washer started doing this about 6 months ago. It was an internal bit that needed replacing. Guy came out and fitted a new part for about £80.00

macman

How do you know the socket is OK? Have you tried it on a different socket to establish if the fault is still present? What is it 'blowing'-the plug fuse or the MCB in the consumer unit?
Bit silly throwing away a washing machine if the fault is on the circuit, or on the plug or mains cable.

Contessa

macman wrote: »

How do you know the socket is OK? Have you tried it on a different socket to establish if the fault is still present? What is it 'blowing'-the plug fuse or the MCB in the consumer unit?
Bit silly throwing away a washing machine if the fault is on the circuit, or on the plug or mains cable.

We used a socket tester which indicated the socket is OK. Haven't tried a different socket yet. The MCB in the consumer unit blows (I have to reset the main switch).

vaio

does the "main switch" have a test button on it?

Contessa

Yes, it does.

luap2411

Hi

Sorry to hear about your washer. It sounds most likely you have an electrical issue with the washer.

Problem is it could be down to a variety of things. But unless you know your way round a washer, and have the right test equipment then DIY will be difficult for you.

That means you either have to pay someone to come out, plus the repair, or call it a day. 7 years for a Hotpoint is pretty good now, mine used to break down at least once a year, got fed up of keep having to repair it, but at the time with two kids and little money the thing was on a couple of times a day, and finances meant replacement was not an option.

When I had a Hotpoint, I always seemed to be repairing it. As mentioned by someone else, element flashed over, wiring chaffed, and spade terminals to the dryer elements (was a washer dryer) fractured, all caused the MCB to pop. So could be one of many things, these were all repairable, but the leak onto the PCB of a Servis washer a few years later killed it beyond repair.

A 7 year old Hotpoint has probably or will soon need brushes in the motor (used to replace mine every 18-24 months), main bearings will likely be on borrowed time (replaced mine twice), got 11 years out of mine, but only cos I could repair it, but in the end it got too much hassle.

At some stage like an older car you have to weigh up if you need to throw the towel in, if you throw £120 at yours for a repair and it's already well worn.....I've just bought a Whirlpool for £220 delivered from Apollo2000. It replaced a rather expensive 30 month old AEG that damaged the PCB, the part was going to be £200, so I called it a day and bought the Whirlpool.

Contessa

luap2411 wrote: »

Hi

Sorry to hear about your washer. It sounds most likely you have an electrical issue with the washer.

Problem is it could be down to a variety of things. But unless you know your way round a washer, and have the right test equipment then DIY will be difficult for you.

That means you either have to pay someone to come out, plus the repair, or call it a day. 7 years for a Hotpoint is pretty good now, mine used to break down at least once a year, got fed up of keep having to repair it, but at the time with two kids and little money the thing was on a couple of times a day, and finances meant replacement was not an option.

When I had a Hotpoint, I always seemed to be repairing it. As mentioned by someone else, element flashed over, wiring chaffed, and spade terminals to the dryer elements (was a washer dryer) fractured, all caused the MCB to pop. So could be one of many things, these were all repairable, but the leak onto the PCB of a Servis washer a few years later killed it beyond repair.

A 7 year old Hotpoint has probably or will soon need brushes in the motor (used to replace mine every 18-24 months), main bearings will likely be on borrowed time (replaced mine twice), got 11 years out of mine, but only cos I could repair it, but in the end it got too much hassle.

At some stage like an older car you have to weigh up if you need to throw the towel in, if you throw £120 at yours for a repair and it's already well worn.....I've just bought a Whirlpool for £220 delivered from Apollo2000. It replaced a rather expensive 30 month old AEG that damaged the PCB, the part was going to be £200, so I called it a day and bought the Whirlpool.

Thanks for that useful reply, which puts my situation in perspective. Up until today the washer has never missed a beat, so to speak, so I'm surprised that this fault has suddenly occurred. I'm thinking that I don't want to throw good money after bad. I know modern washers aren't made to last (unlike my first ever one, a " Phillips Slimline", which lasted twice as long).

luap2411

Yes, sad fact that we live in a disposal economy, a trip to the local tip, sorry recycling centre will show how many white and brown goods are being thrown away now. Not because they are expensive to repair relatively speaking, but because they are cheap to make and not designed to be as easy to repair as they used to be.

I can still remember the Hotpoint cost us £440 nearly twenty years ago. Yet £220 bought a decent new washer 6 weeks ago.

But I don't expect the new washer to last, just like TV's, DVD players etc. I loath throwing things away, my wife thinks I'm just sad on this point, but appreciates the cost benefits !

You have done really well to get 7 years from a Hotpoint, but a £50-75 call out fee plus the repair on a machine that is likely on borrowed time might be time to say goodbye.

The side benefits of a new washer is it will be much more economical to run both for electricity and water, probably quieter as well. The down side of a modern machine is that unless you use the quick program a normal wash can take over an hour. Good luck !

Contessa

Thank you. Think I'll have a mooch round some electrical stores tomorrow. Another small consideration is that it will doubtless be quicker to replace than repair, and I've some more washing to do. I don't like our throwaway society, and see stuff much better than I've got at home thrown in the tip. If I do replace I may try posting it on Freecycle as someone may want it to repair-but not if it's dangerous.