My machine tries to start and gives five or six short spurt of water then stops and startrs beeping with the red light on and the first orange light on and the short wash green light and the second green light after the short wash light on as well. I cannot find the manual to tell me what this means. Any ideas.

Steve, June 2008

I just fixed my F&P washing machine with sticky balance switch by using your commentary. Thank you heaps. Saved me $$$$$$

john kotanga, April 2015

Thanks for the help... worked a treat!!

KM, July 2014

Fisher & Paykel model Smart Drive Excellence 6.5 kg

Issue: Machine tries to start and gives five or six short spurt of water then stops and starts beeping with the red light on and the first orange light on and the short wash green light and the second green light after the short wash light on as well.

Fix: Opened top control panel and also opened under panel to get to balance switch. Corrosion on contact points was the easy fix, cleaned down points. The balance switch itself had cracked due to corrosion getting inside housing. Luckily switch was intact and was sticking, resolved switch with WD40 and repaired housing with super glue, carefully ensuring I didn't glue the switch down...LOL.

bank you for this feedback feed and to Dave for making washing machine techs out of us all.

Nice one mate, now where do I send a box of a cold dozen :-)

Rory NZ, April 2013

Hi
I would like to thanks to Dave. I did the same as Dave instructed in his thread. and my machine switch was covered with rust. I scratch all rust using Abrasive Paper and then plug the switch on same position. I restart my washing machine. I was surprised, it was in running.
many thanks dave.
thanks

Sandy, April 2013

I have a bearing noise while the machine is operating
Anyone know how to get to it

S.O, April 2012

Guys! fantastic feedback on here!

Well done to all - easily located switch, freed it up - money saved
Thanks all!

Justin P, March 2012

Thanks heaps. Thanks Dave for instructions on how to get to the switch. One of the spigots was broken and was replaced with a small self tapping screw.

Peter & Cathy, February 2012

Thanx it fixed the problem

Jay, February 2012

My filter keeps blocking, I take of the small front panel but cant find it to clean it. what am I missing?.

Paul., September 2011

Hey all, our F&P Smartdrive 7.5 had this problem, followed your fix and it's now back up & running in 5 minutes, legends....thanks

Rowan, August 2011

Thanks for the help you guys, i had to replace the switch, which i bought from jarcar $3.95.

kevin, June 2011

Guys this is great my machine was starting & stopping, releasing water and then beep and stop after 3 tries.
A spray of WD40 on the rebalance switch did the trick.
There is a bit of corrosion on the wires, I didn't need unplug the wires or play with the switch, now I can keep my washing machine working while I source a new rebalance switch.

Robert S, March 2011

I have the exact same problem. BUT i did all of that and the little button was working fine, it wasn't clogged at all. What else could it be?

Victoria K, March 2011

Thanks guys, especially Dave, Mine died and was thinking another headache.
Back up and running in 10 minutes.
Thanx again (another Dave)

Dave, March 2011

The little switch is green in colour and is probably pushed into the side of the device, it needs to be out. I washed the whole unit with acetone and a toothbrush. Works a treat

Mick Dryden, February 2011

I would like to thank everyone with there great ideas that so far so good and my machine is up and running again. I rung serveral people to get it fixed before checking out this site and i was told it was going to cost me $65 to get a person out here and $65 was also given as a quote another told me it sounds like my pump had gone and that i would be looking at $180 plus to get it fixed. well i found the rebalance switch and the little box with the two wires coming off it i think my problem was partly that one of the wires had corrosion on it so i sprayed with wd and wet start and used a small light wire brush and got most of it off. So if any one would no where i can buy another rebalance box i would be great full. I screwed all back together and have just put my first load of washing through no plroblem so i am hopeing it lasts thanks again very gratefull for all the great hints that helped

di lockhorst, January 2011

Thanks guys, fixed the problem here too.

For all those who don't know where the balance switch etc are found:

Undo the two screws at the back of the top panel.
Lift off.
In the center of the exposed circuit board (the one on the washing machine, not on the panel you lifted off) there is a screw, undo that.
Lift off so you can get access to the switch on the right hand side that has two wires going into it.
It has two 'guide' pegs and 2 clips holding it on. It's a bit of a PITA to get off, but once you do, you will see a small push in/out button (for want of a better description). Make sure this has free travel - ours was locked in with dust etc.

Dave, March 2010

We have been experiencing the very same problem.
As mentioned in Yeti's answer, we checked the out of balance switch ,which is very easy to get to.

It had Gunked up and was in the closed position. You can easily tell as the small protrusion which is the actual switch, wasn't protruding very far.

So I worked it a few times and it came back to life which you can tell by feeling it clicking.

It'll probably do it again, but for now, we can wash our clothes again.

I'm very impressed with how easy it is to get into these units and quickly service them. It's given us years of good service.

But if you do decide to venture into the insides of any device, make sure you are careful and remember how it was before you pulled it apart.

Cheers
Tim

Tim Brownlaw, April 2009

sounds like out of balance switch is faulty usually due to corrosion it's found under control unit.

yeti, June 2008