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Hi all – my first (lengthy) post to this helpful looking forum
This machine has been fine for about 4 years then the machine would consistently stop before spinning – on all programmes – and show “E15 – Check outlet pipes”.
The machine had drained and seemed to be draining fine though clothes were obviously very wet.
I checked the external pipes and ran the drain hose directly into the sink to exclude the house plumbing – no effect. I didn’t worry about the motor/pump as clearly the drum was emptying quickly.
Post viewtopic.php?f=33&t=1698 was encouraging so I checked the heater element – seemed ok at 25ohm, plus a 5k5 sensor?
I put it all back together and ran a couple of urgent washes that ended with wet clothes just to keep me going.
Then it refused to fill.
The machine thinks it is washing – shows “washing” in the info display and spins the drum back and forth but the drum is empty – there seems to be no attempt to fill at all.
Today I gave the drain pump a thorough check and cleaned a few buttons out of the filter – all seems ok.
Thinking that the pressure switch may be at fault I tested that. Found 2 separate switches that make and break ok to various contacts and one contact that only “makes” if I blow extra hard – overfill sensor ? If so that’s ok as well.Now I’m totally stuck – any ideas please, or is it time to order that expensive-looking module
thanks
Mike
Electronic Eng but not White GoodsIt has occurred to me that the heater element could now have blown as it has been working dry – but even if it has it ain’t the source of the problem.
Re: Hotpoint Ultima 1200 WD71 – series of problems
Sounds like the pressure vessel has blocked up with gunk. Therefore making pressure switch stick. Machine will think it has water in it when it hasnt. Therefore no spin or fill. Common if not many boil washes are carried out. Unplug first if you are going to look yourself.
Regards
Simon.Re: Hotpoint Ultima 1200 WD71 – series of problems
thanks for the fast reply simon
That was my reasoning for testing the pressure switch – so I’m glad to see that someone thinks I might be on the right track.
If I blow down the pressure feed pipe there’s a bit more resistance than I would expect from just the pipe – but I can blow through it fairly easily. I don’t know what’s on the other end so I’m not sure if it feels right or not.
Also, I tried starting a programme with the pipe disconnected from the switch – still no fill.
thanks
Mike
Re: Hotpoint Ultima 1200 WD71 – series of problems
Just an opening low into drum. unless there is water in there there should be not much resistance. However disconnecting tube (with machine unplugged) should cause machine to fill/spin.
Re: Hotpoint Ultima 1200 WD71 – series of problems
I would strongly advise against trying “that expensive looking module” there are in fact three modules in this machine, a display module, control module and a power module. The latter two are both very expensive.
Do remember that you have a five year parts g/tee and you will only 😉 have to pay Hotpoint just under £90 😥 regardless of the fault. Either of these modules is not far short of that cost. If you do call out Hotpoint, make sure that your ‘handywork’ is not obvious, they would be within their rights to refuse to honour the parts g/tee if it was clear that you have been having a go.Did you just check the heater for resistance or did you check for any insulation problems with the heater.
Re: Hotpoint Ultima 1200 WD71 – series of problems
thanks Iadom and Simon for the help
so pressure system seems ok . . . .
heater – no I only checked continuity – but I’m not sure why earth leakage would cause the machine to misbehave ? – wouldn’t it just blow a fuse and/or refuse to work at all ?
Anyway – I’ve taken Iadom’s advice and booked Mr Hotpoint – it’s gonna take him 7 days to get here though !!
I will feed back the outcome – it may help someone else.
thanks again
Mike
Re: Hotpoint Ultima 1200 WD71 – series of problems
Yes please. It will be interesting to see. If not pressure switch which board(s) they replace.
S.
Re: Hotpoint Ultima 1200 WD71 – series of problems
mikegggg wrote:thanks Iadom and Simon for the help
so pressure system seems ok . . . .
heater – no I only checked continuity – but I’m not sure why earth leakage would cause the machine to misbehave ? – wouldn’t it just blow a fuse and/or refuse to work at all ?
I have had three similar E15 faults that initially drove me to distraction. I changed pumps, pressure switches, modules, removed the pump flap valve etc. however on the third one the customer had RCD circuit breakers installed. It was when she mentioned that sometimes she got E15 and on other occasions the breaker tripped that I went though the machine with a fine tooth comb. Even though the heater looked perfect, it was leaking a very small amount of residual current, not enough to blow a 13amp fuse but sufficient to trip an RCD, or in this machines case give this exact E15 error message. It is worth checking ( with plug removed ). A heater will cost you around £25, you have time before Hotpoint arrive. This only refers to your original fault, you may have disturbed something that is causing the fill problems.Since I first found this fault I have had one other with a heater damaged by a failed drum support allowing the drum to rub on the heater, customers initial complaint. “It keeps coming up E15”
NB. Should the heater be the cause of the fault, and if you decide to attempt to replace it ( old heater difficult to remove) examine the displaced heater carefully for any sign that the inner drum has been catching the heater.
Re: Hotpoint Ultima 1200 WD71 – series of problems
If the insulation off the heater is low by either a faulty heater or bearing/drumsupport failure slicing through the heater, you will get an E 15 falut the drum will turn with no fill any Hotpoint fse would know this fault it does not happen alot but is not uncommon.
Re: Hotpoint Ultima 1200 WD71 – series of problems
Anonymous wrote:If the insulation off the heater is low by either a faulty heater or bearing/drumsupport failure slicing through the heater, you will get an E 15 falut the drum will turn with no fill any Hotpoint fse would know this fault it does not happen alot but is not uncommon.
Allowing for the fact that it is over 25 years since I was a Hotpoint FSM ( before we became FSE’s) I was quite pleased that I sussed this out on my third attempt. I know of at least two other machines that have been scrapped, when a heater would have cured the problem, neither customer will buy a Hotpoint again, such shortsighted reluctance to inform the private trade is only going to cost Hotperloni dear in the long run. 😥
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