Dishwasher Help Forum

Hello all

Had this Smeg DWF 410 for about 5 years and today we got an E3 error on the LED display.
So I powered it off, put it on another cycle, and then when it counted down to 0mins time left, it then jumped back to 5mins and stayed on that. After about half an hour, I opened the door to find the bottom full of water, and no steam at all, with the water inside cold.
I've tried it again and no joy, doesn't get warm
I end up having to press P1 and P2 together to do an empy water cycle

I only got thr E3 error once so far, the rest of the time it goes through the cycle and then the timer stops at 5mins remaining and the machines carrys on churning away until I power it off

I've cleaned the rotor arms and cleaned the filter in the bottom, but still no joy
I have limited knowledge of these things (well little to noe!), but I suspect it could be the flow through heater (approx £80) or a thermostat perhaps...I'm guessing here...!

Can anyone offer any advice, and if it is one of the above at fault, are they easy to fix ?...(or could it be something else)

Many thanks in advance

Rug

There is nothing simple about fixing a SMEG dishwasher - I have the same model as you.

You need a test meter and a deal of patience. Power off and get the machine flat on its' back. Base plate off to reveal the underside. The heater should give a reading of 25-30ohms when tested with the meter - burnt-out wiring at the heater is common. Also have a look round the base for a safety thermostat. This usually a white rectangular block with a red button - push it, if it goes "snick" you've re-set it. Some machines have it, some don't. If you get a repetition, you're looking at a water level issue - don't worry about it yet.

Penguin45.

Penguin45 wrote:There is nothing simple about fixing a SMEG dishwasher - I have the same model as you.

You need a test meter and a deal of patience. Power off and get the machine flat on its' back. Base plate off to reveal the underside. The heater should give a reading of 25-30ohms when tested with the meter - burnt-out wiring at the heater is common. Also have a look round the base for a safety thermostat. This usually a white rectangular block with a red button - push it, if it goes "snick" you've re-set it. Some machines have it, some don't. If you get a repetition, you're looking at a water level issue - don't worry about it yet.

Penguin45.

Hello Penguin

Many thanks for the advice. I've got the base off and measured across the heater terminals and am getting 27.6ohms so that could be ok. Also no sign of wiring damage at all (in fact it all looks pristine!)

I'm struggling to locate the white box with the red button, can't see it anywhere...can you give any pointers to where it might be...I've looked around the whole base and can't see any red button (could it be at the back or in the door of the machine...I'm only looking up at the base)

Many thanks!!
Rug

It'd be poking through the base of the machne if it was fitted, so you can assume that yours doesn't. Time to head up to the pcb and check for burnt out solder joints. I have had more than several pcbs over the years where the relay doesn't switch the heater on.

Penguin45.

Cheers Penguin

I will take a look at the PCB, got nothing to lose, cos if I don't get this running, it'll be down the tip for it.

Thanks for all of your help and advice, much appreciated

Penguin45 wrote:It'd be poking through the base of the machne if it was fitted, so you can assume that yours doesn't. Time to head up to the pcb and check for burnt out solder joints. I have had more than several pcbs over the years where the relay doesn't switch the heater on.

Penguin45.

Penguin Sir, you are a genius

Got to the main PCB today. and although it looked OK from the front, took a look around the back of the PCB and yes indeed one burnt out solder joint ! Just as you suggested
Re soldered the joint, popped it all back together, anxious 30 min cycle, opened door and the usual rush of steam...fantastic all working again, and has saved me either a new dishwasher or at the very least a hefty call out and an a big bill for work required!
I'm now an official hero in the household and you Penguin are a legend...many many thanks for the tips and advice...this is what the internet was invented for !!

All the best
Paul