Hi Guys, My Fisher & Paykel smartdrive9 GW712 keeps running for about 3 - 10 seconds then cutting out. It was doing this when filling up with water & I felt the prob may have been in that area of the machine. . so I filled it up with a bucket!! this may not be the best idea I've ever had as the problem is still happening but is happening with the washing cycle now. The machine does 2 or 3 very quick, incomplete agitations then pauses for a minute or 2. We've had a few black-outs lately & altho' we've had them before with no probs, I feel that this time the machime mite need to be reset? Thanx so much, Cassandra

Cassandra Macnamara, June 2007

I just fixed a similar problem on my smartdrive703. From internet posts it seems like this is just an indication that the controller is detecting something wrong. One post suggested that I change the possibly corroded hall rotor sensor, a little circuit board ($50) mounted on the motor windings. I did this but nothing changed. I then found that the out-of-balance detector at the top-right-rear had locked in the pressed position (due to soap deposits). Normally a red tab sticks out of the switch (it wasn't). Everytime you press it, you hear a healthy click, then it springs back out. It is accessed removing the top panel (2 screws), removing the power circuit block (1 screw and lots of wires, pull the block to the right and some water will spill). The out-of balance detector is a simple microswitch which can be bought at electronic part stores. However, all I did was drop it on a hard floor to unlock it, then sprayed it with switch cleaner/lubricant. The machine works now. Be aware that the disassembly procedure is for a 703.

Recycler, June 2007