Ariston AWD12 not emptying or spinning

[admin]

Hello,

I have a 3 year old Ariston AWD12 which has been playing up recently. These are the symptoms:-

A few weeks ago I think something got caught in the motor, as it smelt bad and made loud whirring noises.

After that event it continued to operate, but would occasionally give up and spin the main control dial and flash fault codes. Unfortunately these were too fast and irregular for me to count. Upon resetting, it would usually recover and reach the end of the drying cycle.

Now all it does is fill the bottom of the drum with a little dirty water and I can hear what sounds like a relay or motor operate for about 10 seconds. There is no fault indication on the front panel and it never empties the drum of water (I am having to do this by hand!)

I’ve checked that the drive belt is still attached and the drum spins freely manually. There is nothing lodged in the collection tray. I suspect the waste pump may have failed. The impeller spins manually, however not entirely freely. It turns in quarter turns with my finger, similar to a stepper motor. Is this correct?

I am an electrical engineer and would appreciate any suggestions to diagnose and fix the fault, rather than calling Ariston’s expensive repair man in.

Simon

[Penguin45]

Re: Ariston AWD12 not emptying or spinning

With the power off, I’d check whether you have a circuit through the pump motor or not.

Regards,
Penguin45.

[admin]

Re: Ariston AWD12 not emptying or spinning

Ok thanks. It appears to be under the drum on the RHS (when facing the machine). Is it best to tip the machine upside down to get access or is it accessible through the back/top cover?

[Penguin45]

Re: Ariston AWD12 not emptying or spinning

Er, no…… Never, ever turn any washing machine upside down. Unless you wish to adjust the centre of gravity when attaching it to the sling on the trebuchet.

Remove the kick panel, undo the screws and lean the machine back at a good angle and the pump can be lowered for access.

You have checked the filter, BTW? Also accessible behind the kick panel.

Regards,
Penguin45.

[admin]

Re: Ariston AWD12 not emptying or spinning

Hi,

Thanks Penguin45. I got 146 ohms between the terminals.

Not sure what you mean by a filter. There’s just a drain plug to pull out to access the chamber. There’s a circular hole at the back for the impeller. There were a couple of collar stiffeners caught in the inlet pipe to the chamber, that’s it.

simon

[Penguin45]

Re: Ariston AWD12 not emptying or spinning

Ok, resistance reading is reasonably acceptable (most are 200ohms plus). The impellor on the pump, when turned, should be free, progressively resist, then “ping” round 1/4 of a turn. If the impellor feels stiff/gratey/sloppy/loose; there is a problem with the motor unit and you need to get a new pump.

Shortcut the procedure – now that your machine is completely empty, run the pump (briefly) with the filter off, and see if the pump will run. If it doesn’t, a replacement is available through the shop@facility on the site.

Regards,
Penguin45.

[admin]

Re: Ariston AWD12 not emptying or spinning

Thanks, I’ve checked the waste pump motor runs correctly.

I think the fault may lie in the drum motor. With the back cover removed, I can see 4 black wires and 2 red to the motor connector. I presume these are windings for different speeds?

[Penguin45]

Re: Ariston AWD12 not emptying or spinning

scs102 wrote:I presume these are windings for different speeds?

Motor speed is entirely controlled by the electronics – the loom comprises 2 for the coils, 2 for the brushes/armature, 2 for the tacho generator. You should get a circuit through each pair. Check brushes for contact, also turn the motor over by hand – if you hear a clicking noise, it’s had it.

Regards,
Penguin45.

[admin]

Re: Ariston AWD12 not emptying or spinning

Thanks

With the cable loom disconnected, I get 4 ohms between first pair of contacts (black wires), 2 ohms between second black pair and 117 ohms between red pair.

The motor seems to turn fine when I spin the drum via the belt.

[admin]

Re: Ariston AWD12 not emptying or spinning

Traced the fault to the main PCB. The tracks around RL7 near CNF and CNG are burnt. Still buzzes out but I suspect some components are burnt out. Are replacement boards available?

[Penguin45]

Re: Ariston AWD12 not emptying or spinning

Module will be available through spares@ukwhitegoods.co.uk quite quickly. However, Dave’ll need the full model number and the serial number as well – there are early and late versions.

Regards,
Penguin45.

[admin]

Re: Ariston AWD12 not emptying or spinning

Ok thanks. Does it include the EEPROM? I’ve heard that it may not. Mine is soldered onto the board.

It is an AWD12 UK, S/N 301153021 80260960030.

[indespoint]

Re: Ariston AWD12 not emptying or spinning

Going off your serial number the machine was made in 2003 and is still under the 5 year free parts warranty. it will cost you £89.98 to get machine sorted with new board and eeprom.

[admin]

Re: Ariston AWD12 not emptying or spinning

Not sure I understand… the free parts warranty means £89.98? Surely this is covered as a free repair from Ariston/Indesit?

[Simon46]

Re: Ariston AWD12 not emptying or spinning

Free parts. £89.98 to get them to come out and fit them.

Regards
Simon

[Author]

Posts