List of main malfunctions of the Indesit top-loading washing machine and how to eliminate them
Malfunctions of automatic washing machines (AMA) from Indesit can appear within the first 5 years of operation.
Typical breakdowns depend not only on the model, but also on the method of loading laundry - frontal or vertical.
Troubleshooting and repair of Indesit top-loading washing machines can be carried out independently or by hired specialists.
Content
Top 10 breakdowns: causes, diagnosis and repair
Vertical Indesit washing machines are characterized by malfunctions of the drum, gaskets, electronic unit and sensors. With prolonged use, bearings, drive and heating elements fail.
Drum jammed
Drum jamming in the wrong position is a problem unique to top-loading machines.
It is caused by the spontaneous opening of the valves when turning the container. Common causes of malfunction are overloading the tank, careless closing of the flaps or broken latch.
If the SMA has an electronic display, then if the drum position is incorrect, code F16 appears on it. In the absence of a display, you can rely on external signs: the unit does not start or stops, the tank lock indicator flickers.
Signs of a problem: the doors are not positioned on top when the CMA is stopped or the drum cannot be turned by hand. When diagnosing, you need to check for obstacles (accessories, stuck clothes, etc.) to the rotation of the drum, the operability of the position sensor, hatch locking device and electronic module.
Read about drum repair Here.
Problems with the electronic unit
The electronic control unit (ECU) is the weak point of all Indesit machines. The causes of the problem are:
- Oxidation or disconnection of contacts.
- Moisture ingress.
- Burnout of control board tracks.
- There is a problem with the ECU firmware.
- Malfunctions of electronic components (resistors, capacitors, etc.).
When repairing the SMA, it is necessary to identify and replace burnt elements and restore the conductivity of tracks and contacts. Read about control unit repair here.
The network filter has failed
Between the power cable and the electronic unit there is a surge protector - a small block that protects the board from power surges.
If used for a long time, defective or condensation accumulates, this device may fail. Most frequent signs of a problem - failure to start or switch programs.
To check the functionality of the filter, you need to check whether there is voltage at the output contact. The malfunction is eliminated by replacing the part.
Clogging and other problems with the drain pump
A breakdown of the drain pump causes the machine to stop draining water and switch between operations. If the breakdown occurred before or during washing, then the stop will occur before rinsing, in other cases - during spinning or before it.
The most common causes of malfunctions:
- pump jamming due to foreign objects;
- damage to the impeller;
- pump motor combustion;
- failure of related parts (control unit, water level sensor, etc.).
Errors indicate problems with the pump F05 and F11. To diagnose, you need to remove the pump, inspect it, try to rotate the impeller and check the resistance of the part using a multimeter. If the cause of the breakdown is not a foreign object, then the drain pump will need to be replaced.
Bearing wear
Wear of the bearings on which the drum rotates leads to noise during spinning and washing, and, with heavy wear, to a complete stop of the machine. To diagnose the problem, you need to remove the side panel of the unit and inspect the tank. If there are rust marks on it, it is necessary to replace the bearings and oil seal.
He will tell you about replacing bearings this article.
Leaks
Leaks can occur when hoses are damaged, the tank is defective, or valves are defective or worn out. Constant flow of water leads not only to the appearance of puddles, but also to corrosion and short-circuiting of internal parts.
To locate a leak you need to:
- Check the hose connections and reconnect all pipes.
- Inspect the powder tray, unscrew and screw in the drain filter.
- Disassemble the unit, carefully examine all connections, pump and tank.
Repairs may require replacement of valves, hoses or tank.
Electric motor failure
If the motor malfunctions, the washing machine spins clothes poorly or does not spin the drum at all. The most common causes of the problem are:
- motor winding breakage,
- wear of graphite brushes,
- contact failure or module (triac) malfunction.
The display shows error F01 or F02. If there is a short circuit between the turns of the winding, it can knock out the machine to which the MCA is connected. To restore the operation of the machine, it may be necessary to replace the brushes, triac or the entire motor. If the winding breaks, the engine is repaired. Read about engine replacement Here.
The heating element burned out
A faulty heating element heats the water poorly or does not perform its function at all. The cause of the problem may be burnout of the working spiral or the formation of a thick layer of scale on the surface of the part.
Possible signs of a problem:
- Slow heating, increased washing time.
- No rinse switch.
- Wash in cold water.
- Error F08 appears.
If the heater body is damaged, a short circuit occurs due to contact of the conductive coil with water.
The pressure switch is broken
A pressure switch is a water level sensor by which the computer regulates the supply of liquid to the tank. It is attached to the tank from below and connected with two contacts.
Signs of a sensor malfunction are:
- no switching between programs;
- stopping the operation of the SMA at the beginning of the wash;
- lack of water in the tank.
When diagnosing, you need to check the position of the water supply tap, the condition of the fine filter and the resistance of the sensor. Repair involves replacing a part or restoring contacts.
When stopping the drain pump, it is necessary to check the condition of the pressure switch. Read about repairing the pressure switch Here.
Belt drive stretched or damaged
The transmission of motion from the engine to the drum occurs through a belt drive. If the belt breaks or falls off the pulley, then rotation becomes impossible.
In a broken machine, the motor continues to run, and water is drawn in and drained according to the program. If the belt is strongly stretched, the drum rotates during the wash, but stops during the spin cycle.
To diagnose the drive, you need to remove the side bar of the MCA. Repair involves replacing the belt. If a working belt often falls off its seat, then you need to check the condition of the bearings.
How to disassemble the unit with your own hands?
To diagnose the cause of problems and replace parts, you need to disassemble the machine. The list of necessary tools includes:
- screwdriver, set of heads for it;
- set of open-end wrenches;
- pliers;
- multimeter;
- wide basin;
- paper, dry rags;
- liquid VD-40.
SMA with vertical loading parsed in the following order:
Disconnect the unit from the power supply and water supply. Move it away from the walls to provide free access to the internal structure.- Place a rag and a basin towards the front of the machine. Remove the panel at the bottom of the unit, turn the round knob located under it. Remove and clean the drain filter.
- Remove the dashboard from the top of the machine.Depending on the model, this will require prying off the panel, bending the latches, or unscrewing several bolts. Move the control board to the side or remove it. Remove the top cover.
- Remove the clamps on the hoses leading to the filling valve. Disconnect the contacts and remove the valve.
- Unscrew the fasteners on the back of the side wall. Slide it in the grooves and remove it. Removing the top and side panels provides free access to the internal parts of the machine.
- Disconnect the wiring from the tank and heating element. Unscrew the central nut, remove the heating element, slightly rocking it in the socket.
- Remove the belt from the pulley. Remove the fasteners and remove the engine.
- To replace the bearings, you will need to remove both side panels of the SMA. It is not necessary to remove the machine drum for this.
- Remove the bolts that hold the drain pump. Disconnect hoses and contacts from it. Turn the pump counterclockwise and pull it out.
Call the master
Inexperienced users prefer not to take risks and immediately call a specialist. The price of repairs in services starts from 600-2000 rubles. depending on the cause of the breakdown. The work of an independent specialist will cost 15-20% less. Spare parts and consumables are paid separately.
Avoid fraud and overpayments A few simple recommendations will help:
- When choosing a company, pay attention to the number and recency of reviews.If the service center’s website indicates that it has been operating for several years, and on popular sites there are only 2-3 reviews no older than 2-3 months, then this option is unreliable.
- Check the address, phone number and other details of the company through search engines. Unscrupulous craftsmen are often discussed on thematic and local forums.
Check with the operator for the price and conditions for diagnosing SMA. If the service offers free diagnostics without analysis, then you need to take into account that even removing the side cover of the car will oblige the client to pay for the inspection.- If repairs are done at home, pay attention to the tools of the master. If some breakdowns (for example, wear of bearings or belts) can be determined visually, then broken contacts on the control unit or malfunctions of the heating element can only be diagnosed using a tester.
- Do not leave the master alone in the room. A good specialist should explain to the client which part has failed and what is needed to replace it. The list of operations is compared with that indicated in the documents.
- Request receipts for materials and parts, a receipt for repairs and a certificate of completion of work. Each operation is indicated separately in the documents (for example, “Replacing the heating element”, “Cleaning the contacts of the control unit”, etc.). The certificates and receipts are marked with a blue seal of the service and the warranty period for the work is indicated.
If the suspected cause of the problem has been established, you can determine the cost of repairs at the first call. The technician must know the price of spare parts and their installation.
A lot of important and useful information about the repair of Indesit washing machines is presented in this section.
Video on the topic of the article
The video will tell you about the repair of the Indesit top-loading washing machine:
Conclusion
Thus, the most vulnerable places in vertical washing machines are the electronic unit, drum doors, drain pump and surge protector. You can do cleaning and simple repairs yourself, but to fix serious defects, it is recommended to call a professional.
