Bosch Serie 6 pumping issues.

WIAWSNB

Hi.

This has been ongoing for some time, and I originally found hair wrapped around the pump impeller shaft which I managed to mostly remove using a contrived tool. It always returns, so it's now time to fully remove the pump for a thorough clean.

However, summat else happened yesterday - I heard two large gushes coming from the kitchen, and found the WM near-full of water, and excess being ejected across the room from the top of the door. Quite a sight. 

Ok, that suggests there's more going on; up until now, when the pump wouldn't drain, the WM would beep a warning message (E36 or 38 and -10, I think) and stop working. This time it kept on going - drum turning, water still coming in. Eek!

Another thing - when the drain pump starts up, it usually makes a short drrrr first as tho' thinking about it. I'd put this down to it perhaps finding it hard to start up (due to some hair still being there), but wonder if it's a failing relay? 

Qs, please;

Where is the water level sensor in the Bosch? How does it work to sense different water levels? 

Anyone know where the drain pump relay is? I'm guessing on the PCB, but anyone know how to ID it (unless it's adjacent to the wiring going to the drain pump)? 

Any other insights? Thanks. 

paultatam

Bosch washing machines have a flood sensor.  I had this recently the pump stopped and water leaked activating the flood sensor and stopping the machine from running, fortunately the water stayed in the machine.

To clear I had to tilt the machine 45 degrees to drain the water from inside the machine (a few towels to capture the water). Then cleared the pump of debris and the machine was fine again. This is the second time I've had to do this in 8 years.

If the pump is working once cleared everything should start. If you need a new pump they are easily replaced via the back of the machine.(Basically they twist and click into place).

WIAWSNB

paultatam said:

Bosch washing machines have a flood sensor.  I had this recently the pump stopped and water leaked activating the flood sensor and stopping the machine from running, fortunately the water stayed in the machine.
To clear I had to tilt the machine 45 degrees to drain the water from inside the machine (a few towels to capture the water). Then cleared the pump of debris and the machine was fine again. This is the second time I've had to do this in 8 years.
If the pump is working once cleared everything should start. If you need a new pump they are easily replaced via the back of the machine.(Basically they twist and click into place).

Thanks Paul.

I think I found the flood sensor in the base when I slackened it off the last time to reach the pump - the wires to it prevented the bottom from being fully removed, but it gave enough access to undo the hose to the pump (wherein I found a 50p piece one time).

I guess that sensor didn't work this time as the water was being forced out the front door and over the kitchen...

Previous times, when the pump failed to work, it just shut off and started beeping. Not this time...

Anyhoo, I'll be taking it apart soon and see what I'll find. 

Cheers.

WIAWSNB

Mysteries.
1) What the heck is this? It's positioned inside the machine, and presses down against the rubber door seal. You can feel its bump through the rubber, but closing the door doesn't move it. Is it still just a door open sensor?

jennifernil

How old is the machine?     Would investing in a new one be more sensible?

WIAWSNB

2) This is mounted at the top on the machine, and has a grooved hose leading down to the bottom of the outer drum. Is this the water level sensor? If so, how does it work - air pressure?

WIAWSNB

jennifernil said:

How old is the machine?     Would investing in a new one be more sensible?

Hi. It's around 6 years old, I guess, but has had light use over the past 4 as kids orf to Uni.
Perfectly happy to throw it out and buy a replacement. But, I fix stuff, and this shouldn't be an exception.
It's a weird fault, but the machine is otherwise in full working order - I'd certainly ditch it if the bearings or shocks or anything like that were also failing.
I'm pretty sure that a proper clean of the pump motor will sort it, as it was clear from the previous incidents that it was hair wrapped around the shaft which made it stiff to turn. This time, grit came out from the filter cover... So, pump out this morn.
The Qs above are curiosity, mainly, tho' I also have a concern about why the flood incident occurred - why didn't the machine know the drum was brim-full?!
So, whilst I have the panels off, I'll like to check the water level sensor, once I ID it...

jennifernil

I would say that 6 years is no age for a decent Bosch machine, especially with light use.  

DS and DD both had Bosch machines that lasted over 20 years and were well used.We also have a Bosch, it feels like we have had it for a good while, but I cannot remember the exact age of it!

Hope you can sort it.  I have never seen a water level as high as you describe in our one, so that certainly needs to be investigated.

WIAWSNB

Hopefully sorted. 

Yes, the pump detaches by a quarter-turn as you said, Paul.

Pulled out a fair amount of hair that was trapped around the spindle under a collar, which I presume was designed to prevent hair getting there in the first place, but hey.

And blew down the sensor hose to check it's unblocked, which it was.

Not tested yet as it's going in a new position. 

Edit: Phew, working fine.