Power off, drag machine out onto the floor, remove back and top covers. Check for kinks in the water hoses - if they're ok turn off the hose taps, remove hoses and check the plastic filters in each of the valve inlet connections. You will need a pair of thin pliers to grip the filter tab and pull it out. Clean any debris off with a toothbrush, rinse and reinstall in valve. Check the hot and cold taps and hoses by turning off the tap and disconnecting the hose from the machine, hold it over the sink or bucket and turn the tap on just a fraction to start with to see if water is getting through, if it is then open it up a bit more to make sure it is flowing freely, if that is OK then replace the hose connection and check the solenoid on the valve with a multimeter. Washer Dryers have a triple valve on the cold side, one is for the wash and rinse, one for the fabric conditioner and one for the condenser.If the solenoid or valve is faulty it is not repairable, replacement is the only option.
After that, Check the pressure switch -the system that determines correct water level in the drum. If its giving an incorrect indication to the program timer machine will either overfill, refuse to fill or refuse to spin. Its an air operated diaphragm switch triggered by rising air pressure induced by the entry of water into an airtight vessel attached to the base of the drum. It tells the program timer that the water has reached the correct level, allowing it to proceed to the next stage in the wash cycle. Power off, drag machine out onto the floor, remove back cover and top cover. The pressure switch is a round item about 3 inches across with several wires and a thin rubber pipe attached. It generally sits just under the top cover. 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. Remove the pressure vessel, put a small nut or screw in it, fill it with water and shake vigorously till any crud or residue is removed. Some machines have the pressure vessel integrated as part of the filter unit, with a pressure chamber moulded into the top of the filter body. Refit all parts, check that joints and connections are water tight.
Also check the filter itself - generally located behind a panel at the foot of the machine.Some are obvious like little square hatches and some are hidden behind the trim panel at the foot of the machine. Once panel is removed the filter should be visible. Its generally a circular plastic fitting which unscrews in an anticlockwise direction. Unscrew it and then give it a sharp tug towards you. If its stiff, grip it with a pair of pliers. Be prepared for some spillage. To refit, push in firmly till the threaded part engages and then tighten clockwise. Some hotpoint, indesit and ariston filters are located in the big black sump hose (the one that leaves the bottom of the outer drum and connects to the pump). Power off, drag machine out onto the floor, remove back cover or tip machine up at an angle. Locate sump hose, remove the tensioner clip by squeezing the tabs together with a large pair of pliers or vise grips, remove the hose, take out filter and clean. Be prepared for spillage of water. May help if the machine is tilted backwards at an angle.
Repair and service your own washing machine. Go to www.2ndwave.co.uk/manual.html
dannyboy, April 2009
