Hi all,

I'm having problems with my Indesit WIA111 washing machine and wondered in
anyone here had any pointers.

The washing cycle starts off fine, with the machine drawing in water and
turning a bit. It heats the water up and then just stops.

The door light (which is normally solid red) starts flashing, and then goes
out. The washing machine then just sits there forever. The door stays lock
unless I press the power button. The rinse LED (normally solid) then starts
flashing a minute later the door unlocks.

Once in this state the machine seems to be in it forever - I've already
replaced the circuit board which allowed me to start a new cycle - but now
it's back in the same state.

The water seems to be heating up to the right temperature (it's set for 40
and is slightly hotter than body heat when I stick my fingers in). The
impeller seems to be free to turn (I can turn by hand), and there's no
blockage in the waste pipe (I've drained and blown through back to the
impeller. As above, it seems to turn OK.

Thoughts? I'm guessing it might be something to do with the thermostat not
registering the correct temperature so the machine shuts itself down. (I've
seen references to this problem on the internet, but no definitive
diagnosis.)

I'll also post of ukwhitegoods when my username comes through.

TIA,
Piers

on 01/11/2009, Piers Finlayson supposed :
Thoughts? I'm guessing it might be something to do with the thermostat not
registering the correct temperature so the machine shuts itself down. (I've
seen references to this problem on the internet, but no definitive
diagnosis.)

It sounds like a bit of a puzzler that one. If you have replaced the
main control board, it would seem to indicate a sensor fault. Usually
they have some sort of built in diagnostics and by some means report
the fault. Have you tried clearing the water pressure sensor pipe and
checking that the switch clicks when you blow into it gently?

It should be a thin pipe (6mm or so) with the sensor mounted close to
the top of the machine with wires on it. It might just think it hasn't
achieved a correct water level - so it stops.

--
Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk

On 01/11/2009 16:08, in article
, "Harry Bloomfield"
wrote:

on 01/11/2009, Piers Finlayson supposed :
Thoughts? I'm guessing it might be something to do with the thermostat not
registering the correct temperature so the machine shuts itself down. (I've
seen references to this problem on the internet, but no definitive
diagnosis.)

It sounds like a bit of a puzzler that one. If you have replaced the
main control board, it would seem to indicate a sensor fault. Usually
they have some sort of built in diagnostics and by some means report
the fault. Have you tried clearing the water pressure sensor pipe and
checking that the switch clicks when you blow into it gently?

It should be a thin pipe (6mm or so) with the sensor mounted close to
the top of the machine with wires on it. It might just think it hasn't
achieved a correct water level - so it stops.

I've blown down the pipe to check it's clear (seems to be) and blown into
the sensor to check it clicks (it does).

Some more info now I've done some more playing:

The new circuit board definitely improves matters. With the old board the
thing just sits locked up in the last program I ran. With the new board I
can cancel a program and start a new one (although all it will do is fill
and heat). The control board getting stuck in a program does seem to be a
bit of a common problem for this model, so I suspect the new board is
required.

However, there's still obviously some other problem which is causing it
still to hang with this new board.

Piers Finlayson brought next idea :
However, there's still obviously some other problem which is causing it
still to hang with this new board.

Not with regard to this make or model (though it may still be
applicable) - I often read that faulty motor brushes can cause syptoms
like this. The motor can operate, but the control board decides the
brushes are failing and shuts it down.

Worth a check?

--
Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk

On 01/11/2009 21:38, in article
, "Harry Bloomfield"
wrote:

Piers Finlayson brought next idea :
However, there's still obviously some other problem which is causing it
still to hang with this new board.

Not with regard to this make or model (though it may still be
applicable) - I often read that faulty motor brushes can cause syptoms
like this. The motor can operate, but the control board decides the
brushes are failing and shuts it down.

Worth a check?

That does match symptoms I've seen reported for Indesits refusing to do
anything. I've removed the brushes and if it's not them causing the
problem, it soon will be. I'll replace and see if that fixes it.

On 02/11/2009 19:01, in article , "Piers
Finlayson" wrote:




On 01/11/2009 21:38, in article
, "Harry Bloomfield"
wrote:

Piers Finlayson brought next idea :
However, there's still obviously some other problem which is causing it
still to hang with this new board.

Not with regard to this make or model (though it may still be
applicable) - I often read that faulty motor brushes can cause syptoms
like this. The motor can operate, but the control board decides the
brushes are failing and shuts it down.

Worth a check?

That does match symptoms I've seen reported for Indesits refusing to do
anything. I've removed the brushes and if it's not them causing the
problem, it soon will be. I'll replace and see if that fixes it.


And, indeed, new brushes have cured the problem. Thanks Harry for the
suggestion.