Our washing machine switches on but makes a terrible whirring noice and a little water trickes through the drum turns but no water goes into the machine and after a few minutes the "water stop" light comes on. do you have any idea what this could be?

thanks

Liz Dargan, April 2008

Liz;
Check the screens where the water enters your unit. Remove the hose from the spigot and make sure the screens there are clean. If they are then I would syuspect the water inlet solinoids. This should be checked by a service tech or a good handy prerson.

Linda;
The unit is supposed to have water sloshing around with the clothes. If the clothes are just soggy that isnt enough water. There are water pressure boosting tanks that you can have install\ed. They are similar to the pressure vessels that are used for most private well systems. Probably run you about 150 quid for a small tank. It would be worth the expense if you have a dishwasher also. Any unit that uses water will be adversly affected if your water pressure is not high enough. This includes things like tankless water heaters, washers, dish washers, regular water heaters under 50 gallons, radient heat systems, boiler systems, etc.

Hope this helps.
Best, The Home Smithy
Ask for me at justanswer.com, Home Improvement section

The Home Smithy, October 2008

Hi - I just ordered a new 10kilo Whirlpool and am having the same problem. Apparently it is an issue of water pressure. We called and were told that we need 14 psi to run the machine - that's a lot - and we live on top of a hill outside of Oxford and are the furthest house from the water tank. My husband's plumber took off the filters in the feed and that stopped the red lights from going on but I am not convinced that there is enough water getting in. Is it normal for these new super-ecological machines to only dampen the clothes during the wash cycle? I may have to go back to a top-loader - they won't start a cycle until there is anough water in the drum.
Linda - UK

Linda Bell, April 2008

Hi - I just ordered a new 10kilo Whirlpool and am having the same problem. Apparently it is an issue of water pressure. We called and were told that we need 14 psi to run the machine - that's a lot - and we live on top of a hill outside of Oxford and are the furthest house from the water tank. My husband's plumber took off the filters in the feed and that stopped the red lights from going on but I am not convinced that there is enough water getting in. Is it normal for these new super-ecological machines to only dampen the clothes during the wash cycle? I may have to go back to a top-loader - they won't start a cycle until there is anough water in the drum.
Linda - UK

Linda Bell, April 2008