Washing machine(s) playing up

davidbarrett

Afternoon.
Could do with some advice regarding a problem with our washing machine.

Basically it started in november, the machine would stop after a few seconds and then not do anything else. It went into a repair shop who replaced the motor, PCB and door latch.
It came back and worked fine for about 5-6 weeks then the fault came back. It went back into the shop again, they couldnt find a fault so brought it back (working) it worked for another 5-6 weeks then stopped again. This cycle of failing going for repair and then working without anything actually being done to it carried on until last week when we finally decided that we had enough and stumpped up £300 for a new zanussi.
The new machine arrived on sunday and did 5 loads (catching up on the backlog) it did another 3-4 on monday and tuesday and then this morning STOPPED... In exactly the same way as the old one.. it starts for a few seconds and then stops again.

In the mean time I sold the old machine for spares on eBay, I have been in touch with the shop that bought it and they said that they cant find a fault and its working perfectly for them.

Im guessing that this is something external to the machine which brings me to the things that I have done to test this:

1. Plugged the machine into a different socket (ran extension from another room) - No difference
2. Checked filters - No blocks (after 3 days I wasnt expecting any!)
3. Checked that the machine is draining properly (put the outflow pipe in a bucket and ran the drain cycle) - draining as I would expect
4. Water Supply - Plumbed the machine into a hot pipe rather than the cold one and tested this - no difference.

If I put it on a spin it pumps out any water in the machine and then sits there.
If I put it on a normal 40 degree wash it pumps some water in and then just sits there (the water can then be drained still cold so its not trying to heat it)

Im leaning towards this not being a fault with the machine (given that 2 machines have the same fault one of then new and the other proven to work elsewhere) im swaying towards there being some external factor causing the issue - however WHAT? the water suply seems OK, the Drain seems OK.. the power.. Well its getting power so that mush be OK.

There are no warning lights flashing to indicate a fault.

Comet have said that the soonest they can get out is saturday (to check its not the machine) in the mean time we have a pile of washing thats reaching the ceiling (2 adults and 2 kids generating dirty work and casual wear every day!!! with a backlog from the last machine being broken already!)

Any suggestions would help, and be greatfully recieved!

Thanks

David

davidbarrett

Forgot to say.. if I put it on and leave it I can here it try to start up every 10 mins or so.. pumps a bit more water (never spins) and then eventually the start/pause light starts flashing (but no other lights to indicate a fault!)

kaya

how is your drainhose fixed? is it simply hooked over the top of a standpipe or connected to a fixed plumbing of some kind? the machines have an internal pressure switch which is responsible for telling the machine when it is empty of water(to allow it to spin), if after a set period of time the pressure switch tells the machine it is still full of water then it would cut out as spinning when it has water in it is a no no, when the machine cuts out are there any lights or indicators illuminated on it(just to prove it still has power going to it)
the two faults you describe are symptomatic of the pressure switch being faulty but the chances of having the same fault on two seperate machines are extremely slim, i take it you removed the transit bolts from the new machine when fitting it?

ETA is it possible that water is syphoning back through the drainhose somehow?

davidbarrett

kaya wrote: »

how is your drainhose fixed? is it simply hooked over the top of a standpipe or connected to a fixed plumbing of some kind? the machines have an internal pressure switch which is responsible for telling the machine when it is empty of water(to allow it to spin), if after a set period of time the pressure switch tells the machine it is still full of water then it would cut out as spinning when it has water in it is a no no, when the machine cuts out are there any lights or indicators illuminated on it(just to prove it still has power going to it)
the two faults you describe are symptomatic of the pressure switch being faulty but the chances of having the same fault on two seperate machines are extremely slim, i take it you removed the transit bolts from the new machine when fitting it?

ETA is it possible that water is syphoning back through the drainhose somehow?

Thanks for the response, the outlet i shooked over a standpipe (Same one has been in use for the 9 years we have lived in the house - doesnt seem blocked)

There is still power getting to the machine, if left alone it will keep trying to start but eventually gives up.

I currently have the outflow in a bucket to check that its working (It is)

I have and electrician comming today to check the sockets and comet are coming on friday to rule out it being a fault with the machine.

I have also managed to speak to the guy who bought the old one and he is keeping the old one for me incase I want it back this weekend!

Really want to get to the bottom of this...

kaya

be warned that if comet come out and find no fault with the equipment they supplied they are allowed to charge you, so long as the top of the standpipe isnt 3 ft in the air then its not that at fault, if the standpipe was blocked it would just overflow and soak the floor rather than cause a fault with the machine,( the pressure switch would tell the machine it was empty so it could spin but would also tell it when the water reached the correct level inside the drum to allow it to begin heating,) but its extremely unlikely that two machines would recreate the same fault, i would hedge my bets on it being an electrical supply problem, maybe a dodgy neutral supply, without seeing your electrics i would suggest the other way to eliminate them would be to run the machine from a long extention lead using the sockets upstairs or the cooker socket if you have one as these will be on another ring main, from the electricians viewpoint spinning and heating are the two things the machines appear to not want to do , both of these actions will draw the most current from your electricity supply , having the outlet over a bucket would make the drain pumps job easier as it doesnt have to fight gravity as much but doesnt explain why it would fill to the correct level and not heat, im as sure as i can be from the info you have given its a problem that is external to your machine

davidbarrett

Hi thanks, tried different socket with an extension also had an electrician out and he confirmed socket is ok.

as for comet charging if they don't find a fault thats fine... But if its an external fault the whole machine is being returned under the distance selling act and I'll get the old one back. (Does distance selling act cover goods that are opened & lightly used?)