washing machine stuck part way through cycle

Birdy12

You know, you don't post for months and then, in the space of one week, you need all sorts of advice.

I put my Indesit IWME126 washing machine (7 months old) on this morning for a 40 min wash only to realise it was still going an hour and a half later.

It was stuck at rinse, just kept rinsing and going round. I turned it off and unplugged at the socket so I could get the washing out. I then left it for 2 hours in the hope it would re-set itself. Unfortunately not, it goes back to same point.

I've called Dixons and someone's coming out tomorrow but is there anything else I could try?

Funnily enough, it happened on my old washing machine (different make) but 'righted' itself after being unplugged for a while.

Any advice?

BTW - thanks to the people for the advice on the oak tree and Xbox that you've given me so far. Well, they say things come along in 3's...

macman

Possibly debris in the pump impeller? Open the little hatch, drain it out and see what is there. Anything stuck in the drum holes?
If it's something like a bra wire or coin then you'll be charged the call-out fee, as that won't be covered in the warranty.

vasseur

I had this happen, it was a bra wire like macman says. Easily fixed, just hated leaving the washing in all that water overnight

Birdy12

macman wrote: »

Possibly debris in the pump impeller? Open the little hatch, drain it out and see what is there. Anything stuck in the drum holes?
If it's something like a bra wire or coin then you'll be charged the call-out fee, as that won't be covered in the warranty.

Thanks, macman, but nothing in the pump impeller, just fresh clean water drained out. All my bras are intact and there's nothing loose that's rattling round in there.

Oh well, just have to see what they say tomorrow...

squeaky

OK...

This is going to depend slightly on the way the program works and I don't know this model, but "generally"...

The rinse cycle may not stop swishing your laundry around until after the tub has emptied out the water. This, as has been said above is likely to be the pump failing to work - either because your filter or pipework is blocked (by a sock or hanky?) or because a bra stiffener or hairgrip type thing has got through and stops the pump from turning.

The other possibility is that the timer (which goes round as the program progresses?) is stuck. This is quite rare these days.

So...

1) Check your filter for gunge/fluff/socks/hankeys

2) With the power off ease the machine out and (with help) lean it back. Check that a sock etc hasn't got into the outlet pipe between the washing tub and the pump. It will squeeze - so you'll feel anything in there.

3) Try gently turning the fan blade on the pump by hand. If it doesn't turn - something is likely to be blocking it.

It's a moderately simple DIY job to disconnect the pipe and clear either 2) or 3)


IF it's none of those - with the machine back in place and power on - try turning the timer very carefully one click round (i.e. a tiny bit) and see if the program runs normally. If it doesn't, don't keep turning.


Edit: Dash across from Consumers, type like mad - only to cross with other replies. <sigh>

Birdy12

Thank you Squeaky.

I took the cap off the pump impeller as Macman instructed but the only thing to come out was fresh clean water. I could see the 'little fan' at the back and it turned easily when I moved it.

The washing machine has 3 dials, for type of cycle, spin speed and temperature but none of them move as the cycle goes along, you just set the dials and press another button to start.

The option we haven't checked is a sock stuck in a pipe somewhere, however, I will leave that to the 'expert' tomorrow.

Thanks for your responses anyway.

Birdy

vasseur

Another thing it could be which happened to me years ago (and it was quite an old washer so it might not be a problem that occurs these days) is that there was a 'clip' that had worn - excuse complete lack of proper terminology here - so it wasn't catching on a dial to put the machine into spin mode.

Does that make sense?

The repairman had a new one in his van and he was able to fix it there and then - it was a Hotpoint.

Hope you get it sorted soon, I hate being without my washing machine, it throws my whole routine out.