If machine has stopped mid cycle, try to drain it by advancing the program to spin, this will switch on the pump and empty out the water. Alternatively, drain machine by running the outlet pipe into a bucket at floor level or run the outlet pipe out of the back door if it'll reach. Power off, drag machine out onto the floor, remove back cover or tip machine up at an angle. The machine may have stopped in heat pause, and is waiting for the water to reach the correct temperature before advancing on. Check the heater, heater connections, thermostat connections and the connections on the timer, (looking for a burnt out terminal or wire).Check for wear of the wiring insulation allowing the bare wire to short out on the machine frame. Heater is located at bottom of drum. If testing with a multimeter, disconnect the wiring and take a resistance reading across the terminals - should be around 20 ohms. If heater is blown (broken internal heater wire) it will give an infinite resistance. There should be no continuity between the either terminal and the metal sheath of the heater - if there is, there's an internal short circuit. When removing heater, disconnect wiring, undo central mounting nut and prise it out of its rubber seal - may require some effort. Replace heater, use sealant when refitting rubber seal and ensure it is fully pushed into the recess in the backplate. Make sure the element locates into mounting bracket inside the drum.(look inside the element with a torch and you will see mounting bracket). This bracket ensures that the moving inner drum doesnt strike the element and damage it.
Could also be a thermistor, thermostat or thermal cutout problem. All can be tested with a multimeter. If you have an ‘Economy’ button on your machine, you could find that by pressing that the machine carries on working OK. On some Machines the Economy button cuts out the heater.The water boils when the thermistor goes open circuit. Check for broken wires on or connecting to the thermistor, if they are all OK then replace the thermistor. Check all wires and connectors generally for internal breakages - caused by movement of the wiring loom attached to the drum. Over a long period of time the wire strands inside the insulator break through metal fatigue. Although the outside of the wire appears ok the internal is open circuit. Pull on each individual wire - if theyre ok internally, they shouldnt stretch.
Repair and service your own washing machine. Check out www.2ndwave.co.uk/manual.html
dannyboy, March 2009
