What does the error message E50 mean on a John Lewis JLWM 1201 washing machine indicate? It has blown the circuit on the house (fixed) but the machine is basically dead except for the code flashing. Any help gratefully accepted.

Claire, March 2009

Exactly how expensive are these parts to replace?

Helen, August 2013

Zanussi washing machine error code E50 (also occurs on some John Lewis washing machines)
Zanussi washing machines can sometimes display error code E50. As John Lewis washing machines are currently also made by Zanussi some John Lewis washing machines can also display error E50.

Unfortunately this is not a “proper” error code and is not listed in error code lists. It’s part of the motor fault error code group and is apparently displayed to customers but when an engineer enters a special diagnostic display the “proper” error code will be displayed giving more information.


However, there are usually only two error codes beginning with E5 which are E51 and E52, which are “motor power triac short circuited” and “no signal from the motor tachometric generator” respectively.

So if you have E50 displayed on a Zanussi or John Lewis washing machine it looks like a problem with the motor. However, the E51 “motor power triac short circuited” could be a fault on one of the PC boards as triacs are usually on printed circuit boards. This could have blown due to a short circuit somewhere else (like the motor for example) - I would advise that an engineer is required if you can’t see anything obvious with the motor.

hth, April 2009

E50.Motor insulation to earth or faulty.possible main control pcb damaged.both expensive parts!!

ck, March 2009