hi, i have a smart drive excellence 7.5. when the cycle starts, first it sounds like the water is stopin and pumpin through the hoses, when it comes to spin cycle, it stops, flashs short wash, rinse and spin and beeps.
ive tried advancing but wont budge, i turn it off, wait a while, then try again but still it reverts to the shortwash,rinse and spin lights and beeps?

Ita, November 2008

Forget the last answer posted he is obviously not familiar with F&P smartdrive machines. They do not have carbon brush motors, nor do they have a heater or a pressure switch such as he describes. The lights coming on will tell me the exact fault code but I need to know the exact order. Starting from the right hand side (spin light) let me know which are on & which are off. You can e-mail me & I will sort it for you quicker than posting back here.

lincolnappliance@vodafone.co.nz, November 2008

indication of a fault within the machine.

Check out the carbon brushes in the motor. Theyre graphite blocks which transfer mains power to the copper segments of the motor -Theyre probably worn down. They're quite cheap parts and easy to replace. Power off, remove the back cover and locate the motor. May help if the machine is tilted at an angle or laid on its side. The brushes are at the other end of the motor from the drive pulley. The holders are plastic or bakelite and are generally held in with screws or plastic clips. Also, look at the copper segments they run on to check for burning or pitting.

Check the pressure switch -the system that determines correct water level in the drum. Its a round item about 3 inches across with several wires connected, it sits under the top cover. Its an air operated switch which tells the machine water has reached the correct level. Disconnect the thin rubber pipe from the switch and blow down through it to clear any blockage. Switch itself may be faulty but its more likely the pressure pipe or the vessel attached to the other end of the pipe is blocked.

could also be heater or thermostat fault?

Repair and service your own washing machine. Go to www.2ndwave.co.uk/manual.html

dannyboy, November 2008