Australasian Appliance Forum

Hi
Over the last few weeks, my old 051 model has decided occasionally to do nothing when the start button is pressed. Most of the time it will work as per normal, but just occasionally it does nothing at all, and powering off etc makes no difference. I inspected the power board and pressed the start button there, while holding the lid switch with the same result. I suspect a new electonic panel is required, but they aren't cheap (A$100+) while the machine is probably not worth much more in good condition.
There is a crack in the plastic over the Start button I should add, but the control unit inside the blue cover looked dry.

Any suggestions?

Lid switch and out of balance switch problems can both cause this. They get wet, corrode and suffer from dodgy wiring.

Start there before worrying about expensive PCBs

Penguin45.

So I'd need to source possibly a new LID switch, and balance switch (not that I know which on that is yet), and solder them onto the old PCB?
Is there an easy way to test the existing ones eg with a multi-meter?

Don't buy anything until you do the checks. Top deck off (two screws at the back), switches are on connector blocks. Lid switch is a magnet in the lid working a reed switch, OOB switch is a microswitch at the top of the pendulum. Continuity check will reveal if the switches work, visual inspection for wet and corrosion.

Plug out........

Penguin45.

I just discovered something this evening that you might be interested in, Penguin. The lid switch on an 051 is a red plunger to the top console, microswitch on the circuit board. Even though the lid has a magnet in it (tested with a paperclip, just for fun) and the top console has the mounting point for the reed switch...

If the out-of-balance switch is open-circuit, it seems to turn on but then beep with the spin light on when you try and start. Mine did this until I wiggled the plugs.

I got hold of the 051 for free - it was 'dead'. I opened up the motor controller (totally different to later models - it has water cooling for the transistors!) and found a blown fuse plus evidence of water sitting around the PCB (dry now). I cleaned the circuit board, tested a couple of slightly-scorched resistors (across the largest capacitors), tested a few dodgy-looking PCB tracks (they were fine), and replaced the fuse. Working now

I notice that the connectors seem to suffer more than they do on my newer (and yet more-used) Smartdrive.

I think I would suggest removing the control panel PCB and test with a multimeter where it says '15.5V'. If it's not quite up to voltage, maybe try cleaning the various small plugs on the motor controller board. Maybe keep playing with the power switch until you can get it to 'act up', and then check the voltage?

I'm becoming quite keen on these machines now and suspect I shall have a few more pass through my garage yet

Cheers,
-Alex