Australasian Appliance Forum

Came home from work today and "Her Indoors" says the w/machine does not work - Fisher Paykel smart drive 053.
The machine had stopped halfway through the rinse cycle. I turned it on and it started to fill with water on/off and then stopped. I used normal slot machine technique and gave it a good rock and it commenced to function, then when it got to the spin cycle it packed its bags. Finally got it working by holding the bowl slightly off-centre until it finished the spin (don't know how I could have the door open while it was spining, I didn't think that was possible.)

I checked the machine with my levels and it seems OK with the levels diagonally and square rested across the top of the machine - don't know what tolerances are allowed. Anyway I used a couple of coasters to replicate the adjusted balance I had used to complete the spin, as above. The machine then appearred to work perfectly for two more washes unaided as if nothing had happened.

Then I went to web and found this forum. Reading thru the forum I have operated the diagnostic mode as follows - hold down water temp and press power, release both buttons, advance once, and I get "0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 + water level low led"
spin up and I get 5 quick beeps - press advance once more and water level led changes to high + low (all progress leds go out.)
spin up until slow/hold lit and all progress leds remain out.
I get a clicking sound when I move the bowl

I have no experience in washing machine repair but might I be correct in casting suspicion towards the balance microswitch malfunction intermittently. We had one of those replaced by the tech about two years ago, and the fault at that time seemed fairly similiar to what we experienced today. If the machine is now working OK I guess there is nothing we can do until it stops again next time, but if my suspicions are correct is it worthwhile having a microswitch on hand, and what is the replacement procedure. It looked like a straight out component replacement when the Tech did it.

Many thanks, Muzz - an ex-Kiwi slumming it on the Gold Coast of OZ

There should be a spring between the drum and the front LH suspension rod. Reach between the top and the drum and you should feel it. Also chek the drum is springing up and down in all 4 corners of the WM, if not, then pull up on the drum in the affected corner and the drum should drop into position.
Try this and let us know how you get on.

Thanks KiwiwantsworkinCanada for your reply.
I checked it all out and that small spring on the fron LH suspension is intact and works OK.
The front RH suspension seemed a little "light" so I whipped off the front plate and checked out all the suspension springs - they all settle at roughly the same spot so I cannt be any happier about that.
If that is all that I can do I guess we now just sit back and wait for the next problem to arise. Just checked with Her Indoors and she says the W/M is working AOK at the moment.

its also worth while to check the drum position as per the book
Opening the lid should stop the drum it may be your lid sensor is playing up replace before you blow the board
240V on the sensor unplug the machine

You guys are absolutely brilliant.
The machine stopped again today so I took the top off the machine and all appeared in order until I unclipped the harness, and there was corrosion on the inside of the harness clip.
Mentioned the fact that you could operate the machine with the lid open to you know who, and I was told that "I have been able to do that for a long time".
Off to the spare parts supply, fitted a new reed switch and harness and we are back to normal - for the time being.
Thanks fellas - bloody brilliant

We do try, and thanks for the feed back!!!