The machine went through it's wash cycle, and on it's sin cycle stopped and started to beep as though it was out of balance. I moved the towels inside around but to no avail. It goes for about five seconds, then about three, then just quick little bursts, then stops and starts beeping again. It doesn't look to be out of balance, and won't spin even with nothing inside it. I've checked the pump underneath to see if it's blocked but it looks ok in there. Although the pump does seem to buzz in short bursts like it wants to go but doesn't. Is this a mechanical problem or has it lost it's brain?????

Darren, December 2007

Darren - thanks for your advice, you saved us a bunch of cash. Our 12 year old Fisher and Paykel 703 conked out today with basically the same problem. Pulled off the control panel, removed the board, popped out the switch as described, blew out the crud, reassemble, and hey presto it works a treat.

You were hinting above that you didn't know if your pump was shot or not, before you figured out what it was. I found these handy instructions for putting the machine in to diagnostic mode, to check the pump and the cold or hot water inlets: http://www.applianceguru.com/view_topic.php?id=953&forum_id=2&jump_to=88357:

Cheers & thanks :)

Kris, February 2008

Instead of blowing out crud as described by Darren,we had to remove corrosion on the electrical connections.Remove yellow and white connections,carefully scrape corrosion off.
Also,to Diagnose problems finding the code information sheet was helpful,located with the top control board.

Tess, January 2008

Darrens answer is right on target. Although for clarity let me mention that the top panel removed EXPOSES the circuit board (Grey) which is removed separately with a single screw at the lower edge.

The out of balance switch is a rectangular micro switch about the size of a postage stamp and the switch plunger is a light grey square knob (match head size) on the side of the switch farthest away from the operator, freeing the plunger in my case involved merely tapping it gently several times with a match stick until it popped out THEN the blowing thing AND ITS ALL GO.

John, December 2007

It was the out of balance switch. When I pulled it out the little button was stuck in. I blew it out, and free'd up the switch so it actually went in and out, not just in! And bingo, it all works again.

So much for the $110 call out fee plus parts and whatever else it was going to cost to have a technician come out and look at it. Not to mention the fact that the soonest they could come out was mid January!!!!!!!

Anyway it's an easy job, you simply remove the top of the control panel, one screw removes the board and the switch is in the upper right corner. Two tabs hold it in, bend them back and pull it out. Blow out the dust and crud, and push the little switch in and out until it free's up, then simply put it all together again.

Darren, December 2007