Washing Machine Help Forum

[gUESTING]

Struggling with this one! I've checked the outlet pipe.
Cleared the filter and de-gunged the pump an impeller.
(A large volume of water is being pumped without any problems)
I purchased a new control module following an engineers report.
And still the machine, stops mid program with the E15 error having emptied the drum of water. (approximately 1 cup of water remains).
Are there any hotpoint service engineers wishing to advise on what the fault may be?

[Dave_Conway]

What does the waste hose connect to ? If it's a sink trap spiggot, it may well be blocked/partially blocked in there.

E15 is definitely a drain error (time out condition).

I do believe there was a modified control unit to overcome this problem as well, although the full details I can't find at the moment.

Dave.

[Martin]

E15 is definitely a drain error (time out condition)

I concur that diagnosis 100%! Your machine should empty within 2 minutes otherwise the programme will 'time out' and display this error. In most cases the normal pump out rate is 26 litres per minute, a full load of water is approx 18 litres. So it should be empty easily within 50 seconds to one minute (well within the time period).

If not, either the pump is duff (most likely) or the drain out is restricted in some way. I would think you need to take the Module back and get a refund

Martin

[lotusray]

could be a pressure switch problem as you say it pumps water out no problem pressure chamber may be blocked

[gUESTING]

Refund not possible, company that supplied the unit have stated that once power had been applied to the board they will not accept the board under their returns policy.
I will look into the pump issue further, but I don't think that this is the problem, as I say, there is very little left in the drum when I strip the machine down each time, also the pump outflow is high (although I haven't measured it, I would think it was close to the suggested 26Ltrs/min).
How does the control module sense that the drum is empty of water?

[gUESTING]

Does the pressure switch act as the sensor to determine the water level within the drum? The chamber of the drum which it connects to was full of gunk which I cleared at the weekend. Still the machine failed to work. However not all of the contacts on the pressure switch appear to change state (normally open/normally closed) when a small amount of air pressure is applied.

[Dave_Conway]

Does the pressure switch act as the sensor to determine the water level within the drum?

Basically, yes.

However not all of the contacts on the pressure switch appear to change state (normally open/normally closed) when a small amount of air pressure is applied.

That may well be the problem then.

Dave.

[Martin]

However not all of the contacts on the pressure switch appear to change state (normally open/normally closed) when a small amount of air pressure is applied.

The Pressure Switch in this case is only a 'single level' switch (3 contacts = open, closed and common). If it were blocked or faulty the machine would 'overfill' and flood. Is that the case I wonder then, but it certainly would'nt give you a E15 error code if it were faulty

Martin

[gUESTING]

Thanks for your comments so far guys, it makes a change to enter a forum and get responses. Let me start by saying that the machine certainly is not overfilling, however I will need to check the pressure switch again simply due to the fact that I seam to recall one of the spade connectors not changing state although it was wired. Also if memory serves me correctly there is actually 4 contacts, common, open, closed and unknown. It is a brown bottle shaped unit manufactured by some Polish company I think. I will attempt to confirm this though.

Thanks again.

[Penguin45]

Extra terminal is flood protection - if activated, drain pump should cut in.

Regards,
Penguin45.

[philfish]

i know it might sound obvious but check the path of the pump wires they might of been rubbing or catched on something they tend to leave them loose or cable tied and i have seen some that have rubbed and thrown up a code

[gUESTING]

I don't believe that the fault will lie with the wiring, but I can check that tomorrow.
The pressure switch is a 'Metaflex HD505', it's operation appears to be different to how I first made out. It is true that there are 4 terminals, the information on the switch implies that terminal 1 is the commonand that between 1 and the other 3 terminals there are different current rated contacts. Using a DVM I have determined that the switch is configgured as follows:-
Terminals 1-3 and 4 appear to link together when pressure is applied, (normally open circuit).
Terminals 1 and 2 go open circuit when pressure is applied. (normally closed contact).
It should be noted that terminal 2 is not connected to anything.
Perhaps I should also add that the fault appears to be that the pump will not switch off. something is not allowing the program to move to the next part of the cycle. Could it be a faulty relay on the Power unit? Is it possible to get hold of a schematic for this machine and its circuits? All suggestions and advise welcome.
Cheers folks.

[Master]

I also have the same error code which has been driving me nuts!!!. I have changed the pump and checked for blockages all through the system. Is there a reset or a test mode.

[Martin]

Master,

Please refer to my previous comments on this subject (above). The error code refers to a 'Pump Time Out' error. If one replaces the pump, cleans both pump inlet and outlet hoses and check the drain coupling, I am certain the error will go away

The references to 'Pressure Switch' should be disregarded, as failure of that device is extremely rare to say the least

Using too much detergent will also cause this error as the pump creates 'suds lock' and times out because of all the froth. Ease of on the powder, tablets, liquid or whatever a simple cure.

Martin

[gUESTING]

OK, last night I stripped all the waste section of the machine again. Sump of the drum was clear, filter was clear, hoses clear, sink waste to outside drain is also clear.
I then re-assembeled the machine, run a program with no soap or fabric softener and monitor the time it took for the water to dissapear from inside the machine, (this was around 50 seconds as advised on a previous post). Obviously not all of the water is cleared from the filter hose and pump outlet hose, but I guess that this is to be expected. The total volume of water remaining in the system therefore equates to about 200ml, or there abouts.
Does this still sound as though the pump is at fault? Or could it be something else? Has it been known for the rubber non return valve of the pump outlet to fail? Would this also cause the problems I am experiencing? (Guessing now).