Hi, I have a Fisher and Paykel Smart Drive Pride 9. It works for about 1 minute or less and then the power cuts out to the machine. I wait about 4 minutes and then it will start again, reset back to the start of the cycle. There are no warning lights or beeping, just complete loss of power. It happens mainly in the wash cycle. I seem to get nearly all the way through the rinse cycle, and the spin cycle is fine. I've tried different power points and I've also removed the pump and there wasn't a blockage that I could find/see. Any help would be much appreciated! And if its not something I can fix myself, any ideas how much it might cost to fix or if its worth fixing?! At the moment I can use it, just takes forever to finish my washing and I'm worried eventually it may just stop working completely...
THANKS in advance!!

Michelle, April 2011

Thank you so much!! I took out the control panel and took it to a control module electronics place - they took one look at it and said it was shot! Got a new refurbished one, just put it in, and I've never been so happy to hear the hum of my washing machine! They tested the pump for me and said it was working fine but as it has a bit of rust on one corner they said it looked like it had been 'compromised' and that I might want to get a new one. I'll see how I go and will check if its still getting hot once I've finished doing my weeks worth of washing! Thank you SO much for your help - you saved me a call out and a day off work to be there which I just couldn't afford!

Michelle, April 2011

No the pump shouldn't be hot. If it over heats the thermal cutout inside the pump will open & shut off power. It resets when the pump cools down. The panel will go dead until it resets. So the pump could very well be the problem. Only thing is the pump should only run during the rinse cycle & the final spin cycle. You said it happens mainly in the wash cycle. Pump will not be running & so cannot get hot during the wash cycle.

Lincoln Appliance NZ, April 2011

Thanks! However I didn't think to mention that the pump is ultra hot afterwards - does that sound normal? Someone said to me that it might be the pump as being too hot to touch didn't sound right...??? I'm in Australia.

Michelle, April 2011

Sounds like a faulty control board but could also be a bad connection on a wiring plug. How much to replace the control board? Depends on where in the world you live, how much your local service company charges & if you get a new controller or a reconditioned one fitted. Phone around several companies and ask prices first.

Lincoln Appliance NZ, April 2011