Washing machine stuck mid-cycle

[Tournifreak]

All - can anyone give me any advice?

Hoover AL130 washing machine about 4 years old. This is what it does (from empty): Fills OK Turns backwards and forwards as expected Keeps on turning back and forth ad infinitum. If you set it to a spin cycle, it spins OK as long as the drum is empty..

It has a manual rotary controller which doesn't move from the position you set it to.

It doesn't seem to be even attempting to empty, so I suspect it's not the pump. It doesn't seem to get that far.

The problem occurs the same regardless of the temperature the machine is set to, so I don't _think_ the problem is with the heater element.

Does it sound like the controller that's gone wrong? Or something on the control PCB? Or could this be a symptom of anything else? Is it worth trying to take the controller apart and service it, or should I just buy a a new one (they're quite expensive)?

In an electronic engineer so I'm happy testing, taking things apart etc. I just don't know much about how these things work.

Any other ideas?

Thanks for any help in advance!

Jon.

[Ian Stirling]

It may be as simple as grunge round the dial. That was what had stopped my Zanussi. The dial simply couldn't move easily, and it had stalled the motors.

[john2]

My ancient Philips circa 1987 had a similar problem but it stopped half way through the cycle. It was designed to be very easy to get the rotary switch unit out on its long cable bunch if the washer top plate is removed. AIR I took it all out, tested it loose in mid air, found nothing wrong, sprayed with WD40, replaced it and its worked for a few more years. So if the Hoover swiches are not rotating at all it sounds like the little induction motor has failed.

john2

[Tournifreak]

Thanks for the suggestions. A quick update: The controller is just a rotary encoder with a syncro-motor attached. I took out the syncro-motor and tested it seperately - it works OK. I also cleaned all the contacts on the encoder. Still the same problem. I took the pcb out and resoldered any dodgy-looking joints (why is it that domestic appliances have *such* bad soldering on their PCBs? I work in electronics and I would never allow a product to ship that has such bad joints. Do they just use the cheapest board-population company they can find or what?) Anyway, still no luck so I've ordered a new Bosch machine in case I can't get this one working soon. If I can fix it, I'll cancel the order. And I'll never buy a Hoover - anything - again. (If you read the google archives, you'll find this is not the first time this machine has broken down!)

Off to hit it with a big stick now... a -la Basil Fawlty!

Jon.

[john2]

Mine also has a small solenoid which I think has something to do with setting the time spent in each wash function. Might be worth checking. It looks like a small DC model motor with a 3mm shaft, but it actually slides axially. I never understood it all !.

john2

[meow2222]

ok the power to the sync motor goes through switch contacts on teh controller, and is routed at times through the temp sensor. So an open circuit controller switch or oc temp sensor can stop the thing moving.

yup

If you get a copy of the circuit diagram you should be able to trace it thru no problem and see where the power is o/c. Its all basic electromechanical control.

I'd check for L and N to motor to see which ones missing, check the water is heating, as programmer wont advance if the element is o/c and the water doesnt heat, and check the temp sensor isnt oc when the waters heated.

If I were really pressed for time and just needed it working quickly I might wire round it, giving time to get a cct diag.

NT

[Phil Addison]

Read Ian Tilley's Washing Machine FAQ, especially the paragraph headed "Why is my washer sticking mid-cycle?"

[Tournifreak]

problem. The machine in question is now sat in bits, rotting in the driveway. (And a few bits will soon be on ebay). New machine (a Bosch) was delivered today so clean clothes at last - hurahh!

Jon.

[meow2222]

Good, end of the mid-cycle crisis!

NT