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Hello,
When I switch on my Zanussi DE6965 dishwasher, I hear water flow and then after about 20 seconds, it beeps and AL7 appears on the display.
I have searched this forum and found that Al7 means water is not circulating but I only found a few replies and they did not go into great detail.
I switched off at the wall, removed the lower spray arm and the filters. They were ok and not blocked. I did find a small piece of plastic in the sump and I had hoped that was responsible but when I removed that and reassembled the machine, the same fault happened, so there must be more to it than that.
I switched it off again and removed the filters again. I unscrewed the cover so that I could see the plastic impellor blades. These would not turn if I pushed them. Is this correct or does it indicate that something has seized?
One previous post I found suggested that a plastic drive shaft might break but in the case I would have expected the blades to rotate freely.
My other half says it has been a bit noisier recently. Does that give you any clues?
One post talked about removing the motor from behind the machine but another post talked about pcbs. Which end should I start looking at first?
Thanks.
Re: Zanussi DE6965 error code AL7
It does seem the main motor water seal has worn resulting in the motor seizing so it would require a new motor however this model has the imfamous IWMS water side tank which was a common failure so if you replace the motor Id guess that would be next so I would not bother repairing it
Re: Zanussi DE6965 error code AL7
Hello,
Thanks for the reply. I have had problems with the IWMS a long time (years) ago. I read about them on this web site and the impression I got was that all manufacturers were using them. Was this a cost saving measure: it is cheaper to fit one IWMS than several separate components?
Like I said that was some time ago. Have things changed? Do manufcaturers no longer use IWMS? Or is it that they all have an IWMS but other makes are more robust/reliable?
I had a repairman sort out my IWMS problems twice. The first time it was clogged with a black deposit so he fitted a new IWMS. Some time later the machine failed again and it needed a modification kit fitted to the IWMS.
Does this mean that everything that can go wrong with the IWMS already has? If so, shall I replace the motor?
Is it fairly easy to access the motor? Any hints or tips you can share?
Surely a repair would be cheaper than a replacement? How much would parts and labour be roughly?
If it has to be replaced, what is the recommended model in this parts: a Bosch? Which one?
Thanks,
Re: Zanussi DE6965 error code AL7
Its true that all dishwashers have a side tank but the IWMS was a particular problem due too it complex design even the main motor which also is the drain pump when it reverses was a disaster the model range underwent various modifications too no avail and in the end the electrolux group (who own the zanussi brand) ditched the design altogether and returned to a traditional design which is ten times better .So my advice is really just do what electrolux did and ditch it im surprised it has lasted this long. The latest zanussi I would now recomend and most german brands (AEG dishwashers are zanussi with a higher spec ). Avoid like the plague the cheaper ones for example kenwood and the “managers special buy” at the front of the store ❗
Re: Zanussi DE6965 error code AL7
Thanks for your fast reply. I guess I bought it about 2002, so it has lasted ten years. Is that good for a dishwasher these days?
Last time I had dishwasher problems and read this site, I remember IWMS getting a bad reputation, so it is good to know that the manufacturers have dropped them from newer designs.
I have stripped down the machine this morning. I managed to remove the motor and I was able to turn the yellow impellors by hand but it felt hard. I’ve never had another motor in my hands to compare. Should it really be that hard to turn?
I decided to take the impellor off to see what was behind it and I found some deposit – some sort of corrosion? – on the motor body. I will try to upload some photos so that you can have a look.
With everything removed I cannot turn the spindle. I don’t know whetehr this is normal. I would have expected it to rotate freely. I think you were right and water ingress has seized the bearings?
I also noticed a small split in the spindle, I don’t know whether that is significant?
Looking at the IWMS, it does have black deposits in the bottom again. When this happened years ago, I was told it might be rust from an iron water main, so I fitted a filter to catch any. Either the particles are too fine for the filter or it is not rust but mould. I don’t suppose there is anyway to stop that?
Motors online seem to be anything between 50-100GBP so it might be worth spending 50 now, rather than 500 on a new machine. From what I can see the IWMS is £100+ so I hope it will last a bit longer.
Re: Zanussi DE6965 error code AL7
I have uploaded some photos:
The bottom half of the IWMS:
http://tinypic.com/r/awtdno/6Should I be concerned about the black deposits?
The motor, with sandy substance (what is it – corrosion?) on the front:
http://tinypic.com/r/fnegx2/6And finally a close-up of the spindle, showing a split. Is that of concern?
http://tinypic.com/r/sp9qbb/6
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