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Hi,
I hope some one can help.
Our dishwasher stopped yesterday with light 3 Eco flashing. I found on here that this means the sump has flooded and tripped a float switch. Sure enough, there was water in the bottom. I tilted the machine to drain it off and then removed the bottom to see if I could see where the leak was from. I couldn’t see anything obvious so re-assembled it and tried again. Now when I start it after a few seconds I get lights 3 and 5 (eco and prewash) flashing, with the red rinse aid light flashing slower.What does this error mean?
Re: Hotpoint FDW60 Lights 3 and 5 Flashing
Lights 3 & 5 cover several posibilities.Circulation pump not working- pump,connections,capacitor,module, filters blocked-mesh plate,filter or microfilter,pressure sensor faulty.
Re: Hotpoint FDW60 Lights 3 and 5 Flashing
Thanks iadom, that gives me plenty of possibilities to investigate. Are any of these more likely than any other, bearing in mind that I had the sumpl float alarm earlier?
Re: Hotpoint FDW60 Lights 3 and 5 Flashing
a bit more on this…
The machine appears to be filling, the pressure switch operates and the instead of starting to wash it beeps, the lights come on as described and the machine empties. Once empty it just sits there silently with the lights flashing.
All the filters are clean, unless there are internal filters that a normal user can’t get to. Does this point to the problem being the circulation pump or its capacitor. Any tips for testing the capacitor? I have a multi meter.Re: Hotpoint FDW60 Lights 3 and 5 Flashing
Which way did you tip it when you drained out the water ?
Did you remove any wiring or disturb anything when you had the base off.
The circulation pump itself is one of the known leak points on these machines. If there is a rusty stain on the baseplate directly under the main pump then its very likely that the circulation pump has failed. not easy to test a capcitor with a simple multimeter unless it is completely open circuit.
Re: Hotpoint FDW60 Lights 3 and 5 Flashing
Hi iadom,
I tipped it to the right when looking from the front.I removed the base and then disconnected float switch. It was all re-assembled correctly after the initial error.
I have now removed the top, lhs and base of the machine (but kept the float switch connected).
I can operate the machine and see the pressure chamber filling and then the switch operating when it’s full, this is what lead me to thinking that it is working OK.Since my last post I have removed the motor capacitor and run a crude test using the multimeter set at ohms. When put it across the capacitor terminals it shows a reading which slowly goes back to infinity, it does this which ever way round the meter is connected. So I am assuming that the capacitor is working to some extent. In the past when I have seen motor capacitors fail they have shown some discolouration and swelling with a gradual worsening reluctance of the motor to start. None of this has happened here.
The are some stains on based plate, directly below the motor, as though it has been dripping there.
So things are pointing towards it being the motor. If I bear in mind electrical safety, can I just take the motor/pump assembly out and put 240v across to test it and be sure that is the problem?
Re: Hotpoint FDW60 Lights 3 and 5 Flashing
There is no need to live test in any shape or form. 😯 You can test the motor for continuity/resistance/ insulation with a decent meter.
If you do take the motor out it will be obvious if it has failed, it should turn freely, chances are it will have siezed.
Re: Hotpoint FDW60 Lights 3 and 5 Flashing
😀 Good point, no live testing then.
I removed the inlet pipe from the pump and could easily spin the impellor by hand…so nothing is seized.
Re: Hotpoint FDW60 Lights 3 and 5 Flashing
Well, I put all the panels back on and left the machine plugged in but turned off.
Two hours later there was a loud pop and smoke coming from it!
So it looks like there is something seriously wrong…
The only “electrical” things I did were disconnect the capacitor, check its resitance and re-connect it, and disconnect and reconnect the float switch.
I haven’t had another look yet to see any evidence of where the smoke was coming from but it’s hard to see how it would be the motor when the machine was turned off.
Could be time to buy a new machine.
Re: Hotpoint FDW60 Lights 3 and 5 Flashing
Mains suppressor is live as long as the machine is plugged in……….
Penguin45.
Re: Hotpoint FDW60 Lights 3 and 5 Flashing
Would a faulty mains suppressor cause the 3 and 5 lights flashing error?
Re: Hotpoint FDW60 Lights 3 and 5 Flashing
No, but it will go bang and produce smoke………..
Penguin45.
Re: Hotpoint FDW60 Lights 3 and 5 Flashing
well i have the same, lights 3 and 5, been looking on this forum and i have had it in bits and tested both the emptying pump and circulation pump, both working ok and when you turn it on it fills up waits then emptys
so any more ideas ???
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