Identifying cause of washing machine problem

[barryk]

I’ve got a Fisher and Paykel washing machine (model MW612, product 92186-B) that’s not working. Two orange lights show after some time during the water filling stage and the spin stage.

The first orange light shows just above the “long wash” light and the second between the Rinse and Spin words.

Can anyone tell what’s causing the machine to stop working after a few mins? Electronic malfunction or too much water pressure?

I was quoted by F & P Customer Care about $125 for a technician to come around to look at the problem. Would it be possible to find the cause of the problem with help from this forum and fix the problem myself?

If the machine is really kaput then what new washing machines priced under $500 can be recommended and who sells these?

Thanks in advance,
Barry.

[piroska]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPNLcby5YGQ

http://www.fixya.com/support/t141533..._machine_mw612

https://www.justanswer.com/appliance...ors-beeps.html

https://www.priceme.co.nz/Washing-Ma...x?sb=BestPrice
No such thing as under $500.
Well, OK there is...but not if you want reliable.
Avoid crap brands.

LG, Miele, Bosch, Panasonic, Simpson, Hoover, in that order. You won't get Bosch or Miele cheap though.

LG isn't great for many things, but Consumer reports them as excellent in Washing machines.

[Laggard]

Hi Barry,
Newer Washing machines, like newer cars, have all gone Hi-Tech, its just about impossible to figure out how these things work, unless you have a repairers manual and the knowledge and aptitude.

One thing I have learned is to check where the coins,and bits and piece's get thrown, it's usually a small flap hiding a collection tray. Giving that a good clean out has saved us a few times. I know! It's not logical for the machine to stop AFTER it has got rid of the problem.

If you take the machine into the repairers you can save some $$.

[pheonix]

Have a look at this on youtube. It will be giving you a fault code and the trick is to find out what that fault code is telling you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_2Q9fddhrQ

[barryk]

Have a look at this on youtube. It will be giving you a fault code and the trick is to find out what that fault code is telling you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_2Q9fddhrQ

Thanks for the URL. I've looked at the youtube video and worked out that the fault code is 130. Which in binary code is 10000010. It looks like the error means "Single Rotor Position Sensor Error". RPS=Rotor Position Sensor

What is the next step then? Would it be safe for me as a layperson to attempt looking for the RPS and see what condition it is in and if it looks damaged or old or something then replace it with myself with a new RPS? Or better to call in a suitable technician to sort the problem? If so, what repairers in Auckland do you recommend?

Thanks,
Barry.

[barryk]

Thanks for the URL. I've looked at the youtube video and worked out that the fault code is 130. Which in binary code is 10000010. It looks like the error means "Single Rotor Position Sensor Error". RPS=Rotor Position Sensor

What is the next step then? Would it be safe for me as a layperson to attempt looking for the RPS and see what condition it is in and if it looks damaged or old or something then replace it with myself with a new RPS? Or better to call in a suitable technician to sort the problem? If so, what repairers in Auckland do you recommend?

Thanks,
Barry.

Came across this detailed and interesting video of a 130 fault being fixed in a FP washer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FQc64aBzc0

Remember to watch the last half min of it as it warns against letting too much water end up on the floor.

[B.M.]

You need to get the machine somewhere where you can lay it down on its FRONT (laying it on its back will pour residual water that isn’t pumped out) to flow through the Dash electronics and invariably cause further problems and associated cost, so take it where a bit of water doesn’t matter.

(OK, it can be done with the machine tilted on an angle, with you working underneath, but if you haven’t done one before, it ain’t that easy.)

Anyway, I’ve done a couple, but when my own went I called a Serviceman.

Total cost including GST $222:10, Part cost $110:93.

Can’t help you with a Serviceman though, could if you were in Mount Maunganui.

PS. Just watched the Video and that sums it up well.

[barryk]

You need to get the machine somewhere where you can lay it down on its FRONT (laying it on its back will pour residual water that isn’t pumped out) to flow through the Dash electronics and invariably cause further problems and associated cost, so take it where a bit of water doesn’t matter.

(OK, it can be done with the machine tilted on an angle, with you working underneath, but if you haven’t done one before, it ain’t that easy.)

Anyway, I’ve done a couple, but when my own went I called a Serviceman.

Total cost including GST $222:10, Part cost $110:93.

Can’t help you with a Serviceman though, could if you were in Mount Maunganui.

PS. Just watched the Video and that sums it up well.

Managed to lay down the washer on its FRONT, it tipped a little water which I mopped away. But couldn't see the RPS.

So I laid the machine down again on its FRONT with someone's help, it tipped less water which I mopped away. The other person got the plastic bolt and rotor off and took the RPS off which is shown in the attached thumbnail photo. We think the electronics are old and corroded, which you'll see if you zoom-in by 2-4X (by pressing CTRL + several times). Do you agree with this thinking?

Tested the control panel by turning the power on and pressing the advance button and the different LED lights showed up as expected.

I found out about a replacement part on the Home Appliances Online website at this URL https://www.homeappliancesonline.co....sku/01696.html

Called this company and asked if I could buy and return the replacement part and the guy said no. So I regard this as a "as-is" product. Do you recommend this company or a different supplier?

Your advice would be appreciated.

[B.M.]

Managed to lay down the washer on its FRONT, it tipped a little water which I mopped away. But couldn't see the RPS.

So I laid the machine down again on its FRONT with someone's help, it tipped less water which I mopped away. The other person got the plastic bolt and rotor off and took the RPS off which is shown in the attached thumbnail photo. We think the electronics are old and corroded, which you'll see if you zoom-in by 2-4X (by pressing CTRL + several times). Do you agree with this thinking?

Tested the control panel by turning the power on and pressing the advance button and the different LED lights showed up as expected.

I found out about a replacement part on the Home Appliances Online website at this URL https://www.homeappliancesonline.co....sku/01696.html

Called this company and asked if I could buy and return the replacement part and the guy said no. So I regard this as a "as-is" product. Do you recommend this company or a different supplier?

Your advice would be appreciated.

Ok, starting at the beginning Barry.

The photo you show is almost definitely the item causing the fault.

They come in different models, depending on machine, so it is important you are specific about the model of your machine.

(It’s unlikely anyone will take returns for many reasons.)

I buy my stuff directly from Fisher & Paykel’s parts department 78 Springs Road, Manukau, 2163, phone 09 2739929.

Give them your Credit card and they send the goods. Never had a problem.

HTH

[Kame]

I don't know how common it is for these sensors to fail but I would have assumed the fault would have been related to what the sensor expected to pick up.

Can you test the sensor out?