When programmed to wash the Samsung P853 fills but drum will not rotate. Elapsed time does not decrease.

When programed to spin the drum will not rotate and display eventually shows error code 3E, not a code in the Owners Instruction book.

Bill Miller, November 2008

Had the same problem, 3E error and wouldnt spin, checked and changed carbon brushes in the motor based on your advice and now works. carbon brushes cost £18 a small price to pay after 4 years. Many thanks for your advice :)

nicola, April 2013

Thanks for the advice - in my case when the main drive belt snapped it managed to pull the motor power connector from its socket. Nice easy fix thanks to the answers here!

Also worth noting the original Samsung drive belt was A$65, but I managed to find a non-original spare for A$16! It may not last as long but at that rate I can have 4 for the same price!

andhow, June 2011

Just used the suggestions here to fix my Samsung 3E error ... fault was one of the brushes was jammed in the holder meaning it did not make good contact with the rotor.

All as good as new now with no costs :-))))))

SomeInfo, May 2010

3E is failed tacho.

Bill Miller, November 2008

Thanks for the answer, DannyBoy, it is great information.

First, I don't know what is the motor type of this machine though it was priced at the low end of the scale.

I'm hard pressed to imagine brushes are gone after 13 months of three times a week use.

And I'm equally hard pressed to imagine this cheap-ish machine has an induction motor.

So that leaves me with the tacho coil or the motor board, huh?

Bill Miller, November 2008

3e-motor or tacho error.

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. If the segments are burnt or damaged you need a replacement motor or a replacement armature (motor part) if you can source one. Occasionally may be a fault in the motor drive circuit board - in which case replacement of board only real option.
Some machines are fitted with an induction motor - this type of motor doesnt have brushes. Its a much heavier and more reliable type of device, but needs a component called a start capacitor to set it in motion. If the start capacitor is faulty the motor cant get the kick it needs to get going.
Check the tacho coil for breakages in the connections. The tacho coil is a small generator coil on the end of the motor which provides a voltage proportional to the speed of the motor. This voltage is fed back to the speed control module to enable the machine to check the rotation, direction and speed of the motor.

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

dannyboy, November 2008