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Hi All,
Our Zanussi ZWT71401WA flashed up the E21 error code yesterday,after 4 year of reliable service. A quick google confirmed a drainage issue and suggested the filter could be clogged. I clean this periodically anyway, but hadn’t done it for a month or two.
Filter removed and a couple of bits of lint and some soap sludge removed. Pump prop blades (x4) all ok. Ran a quick wash though it and it stopped again with the same error code. It seems to stop about 3/4 of the way through the cycle, just before the final spin.
I then removed drain pipe between the machine and the connector on the kitchen sink. This was pretty clogged up, but water does flow through it. Regardless, cleaned that, the connector on the sink and outlet on the back of the machine.
Ran a generic cleaner through the machine on a 60’C cycle with the same error code around the 3/4 mark in the cycle. Through the cycle the outlet pipe had warm water flowing through it, which implies to me the pump is working. Same result on different programs but the pump can be heard running periodically.
Once the error code has flashed up and the machine turned off, selecting the drain option on the dial pumps the remaining water out of the system as expected.Any suggestions on where to go from here? Is there a water level sensor somewhere in the system that could be faulty / clogged up and causing the fault code?
Thanks,
Ben
yes is a sort of answer to your last question
first off , if you fill the machine for a rinse, then drain the water out how long does it take to empty ?
you should see the water physically dropping
you can have a blockage in then sump hose especially if you use colour catchers. don’t forget you not looking for a complete blockage just enough to slow the discharge rate down
if all this is ok the unit has a pressure switch which will have a pressure bell at the bottom of the machine. this bell traps air so the switch can detect water height. if its gunged up then it wont read correctly
PS don’t what ever you do blow into the switch
Dave
Thanks Dave.
Will do a rinse fill and drain test tomorrow to see how long it takes.
We don’t use colour catchers (although should have on occasion!), but it could be a sock or something I guess.
The sump hose looks like it could be difficult to get out to clean out / check.
Will report back.
Thanks,
Ben
Had another look at the machine today.
Vac / pressure line from the bell to the pressure switch is clear.
Removed the pump outlet hard pipe that runs to the back of the machine and cleaned that out. Already knew it was clear enough to flow water, but thought it couldn’t hurt.
Also removed the black rubber (sump?) hose that goes from the drum to the pump inlet and cleaned that out. Found some sludge and a couple of the wife’s hairbands, but otherwise clear.
I can’t get to the bell without taking the front off, which looks like a difficult job for someone who has no experience with washing machines!Ran a rinse cycle and as previously it stopped about 3/4 of the way through with the same error.
At this point there was about 3″ of water in the bottom of the drum. Restarting it on a drain cycle took over 5 minutes to empty to the point no water was visible.
It then took a further 10+ minutes to finish the cycle, most of which it was just sat idle. Whole cycle should apparently take 2 minutes according to the digital display.Thanks,
Ben
then it must be a blockage
how does your outlet hose connect to the drain ?
how well does it drain if you use a bucket with the outlet hose in it ?
Dave
Hi Dave,
The outlet hose connects under the sink just before the U bend. There is a Y shaped piece where the main sink drain flows through middle (12 o’clock and 6 o’clock) and the washing machine outlet connects in to one of the Y arms. The dishwasher connects to the other. Hopefully that makes sense?
Sink and dishwasher both fine.I ran the outlet into a bucket yesterday, before today’s works and it runs out at a reasonable speed, but low volume. It’s certainly not pouring out as if you had just turned a top on. Not sure how much water the pump should move having never tested it before.
Unfortunately I think it might be time to call in some professional help!
Thanks,
Ben
as a rough guide it has to empty a complete drum in under 2 mins. Its also a low pressure high volume flow so it wont push things out of the way
most of the problems like this either come down to a worn pump or a button or coin stuck in a hose partially blocking it
Dave
electrofix wrote:as a rough guide it has to empty a complete drum in under 2 mins. Its also a low pressure high volume flow so it wont push things out of the way
most of the problems like this either come down to a worn pump or a button or coin stuck in a hose partially blocking it
Dave
Thanks Dave. Definitely taking a lot longer than 2 minutes to empty, and in my non technical view I wouldn’t say it was running at a high volume rate either.
Will find a local engineer to take it from here and hopefully fix the issue.
Really appreciate your help over the last 24 hours, thank you.
Ben
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