The electric motor on my Flymo Compact 400 wont turn. I can see a burnt out component, markings scorched. But a friend has the same type of machine and that component is marked ?560-0112, perhaps a diode. Does anyone recognise this? What rating A?V? What is its function?

Tony D, January 2009

Tony D again having one last go. The motor is fine, not seized, not scorched, clean and pristine. But it wont go due to an open circuit at an accessible small electronic component, which is black with a silver-grey band. It is marked 560*0112. Surely someone out there recognises this? Grateful if you can describe it to me so I know what to buy. Soldering into place is not a problem. The mower is hardly used, crying shame to scrap it.

Tony D, April 2009

The "diode" as you call it has absolutely no bearing on the fact the motor will not turn. The motor has overheated canusing the motor bearings to seize and the heat has destroyed the diode. Again, I wouldn't be wasting my time trying to source a diode when the diode is not the cause of the problem-your problem is the motor is seized, and no manner of new diode is going to fix that.

Trust me it's a commom problem. I probably see a dozen a week in the summer with the same fault.

pleasant, February 2009

Thank you to 'pleasant' for his advice. This component is accessible, even wthout removing the motor. I could easily solder a replacement into position. It would be so helpful if someone could recognise the part no. Is it a diode? Perhaps I should buy a diode of sensible size and try my luck. The rest of the machine is in good condition.

Tony D, February 2009

Irrelevant as to part number and operation of the diode as it's not replaceable seperately from the motor. A new motor for this is going to cost you somwhere between £30-£40- and that's assuming the plastic deck hasn't cracked and the belt doesn't need replacing.

Wouldn't bother- throwaway machines nowadays.

pleasant, February 2009