Australasian Appliance Forum

Hi!

I have a Fisher and Paykel MW511, and it has been stopping during the cycle, and making a beeping noise. This often happens prior to one of the final spins.

Another problem it has, is that, more and more often, it has been doing the rinse / spin cycle again and again, taking 2 hours doing this, then stopping, giving beeps.

A longer-term problem is that, when it is filling hot or warm water, it only lets the hot water in very slowly (as if there is a restriction in the hot water pipes somewhere), so, on hot wash, it takes ages to fill, and on warm wash, the wash is cold, because the hot water inlet is very slow, while the cold water flows in fast.

I just joined this site and ran the diagnostics. I stepped through the last 16 error codes (I think that is what I did) using the spin-speed buttons. A binary code appeared on the spin-speed buttons, and I assumed that the top light represents '8' while the bottom light represents '1'. I read the error codes from the main strip of 8 lights, with '1' being at the right, and '128' being at the left.

I got the following results:
SPIN SPEED -> ERROR CODE
0 -> Error code 3
1 -> Error code 1
2 -> Error code 1
3 -> code 136
4 -> code 0
5 -> code 47
6 -> code 28
7 -> code 7
8 -> code 0
9 -> code 47
10 -> code 28
11 -> code 0
12 -> Unusual (see below)
13 -> Code 20
14 -> Code 25
15 -> Code 0

Spin speed 12 (error log position 12) was unusual, as it did this: (displayed binary '3' (lights 1,2) and then displayed binary '4' (light 3). If binary 3 was represented by 'A' and binary 4 was represented by 'B', then the pattern would be :
ABABAB AB ABABAB AB ABABAB AB ABABAB AB ABABAB
so it was alternating 3 times, pausing, alternating 1 time, pausing, alternating 3 times, pausing, and so on!

In terms of examining the machine; in addition to the slow hot water inlet detailed above, although the drum spins freely, it sometimes spins freely then feels like it quickly slows down (as if it is catching on a rubber damper or something?). This is also the case when spinning it slowly - as if there are certain points, which appear random, where it gets a bit stuck. It has been like this for quite a while but this didn't seem to affect the function.

I would be grateful for your help in terms of what these codes mean, and what I should try next (I do know that error code 136 is 'motor stall' and I think this might be due to the strange 'jamming' I describe above).

Thanks for taking the time to read this!

Looking forward to your reply

Hi!

Having found something about fault codes on the web -> I realise that in fact, the above data just shows that I had error code '136'

I will keep a list if other error codes show up and post back when I have more information!

In the meantime, does anyone have any idea what the strange problem with occasional increased resistance when turned the drum might be? (it happens 'randomly' but not in the same place when turning it slowly - and if it happens turning the drum clockwise, if I move it back anticlockwise, it won't happen in the same place when going clockwise again, but will be in a random place. I wonder if there is just residue or something jammed in there? The bearings are not noisy at all and the machine is in very tidy condition; I have heard the same model with noisy bearings (also working fine) and mine doesn't sound like that!

Thanks for your help!

Drive motor stall. Possiblities are wiring, rotor position sensor (rps) or motor controller board.

Wiring is the place to start, especially as you say things may have got wet. Check where the loom turns under the drum for breakages and chaffing, then where it connects to the rps and star point (motor connectors). Make sure both are secured in place. If they're wet, you have a problem. Corrosion issues due to long term water leakage is also an issue.

RPS is a regular failing. It's a Hall Effect sensor, and they do go faulty.

Or possibly a sock under the drum could be jamming the rotation.

If it all checks out, you're looking at the motor controller board.

Penguin45.

Thank you

Once I get back on my feet (on crutches just now!) I will take it disassemble it and check all those things - and also record any other errors that occur (if there are any others!) and will report back here in due course!