Bosch WVT1260GB Drum Not Rotating

[yucca]

Hi everybody

My latest problem with this machine happened yesterday.

During the early stages of a wash cycle, the drum stopped rotating (it was washing as opposed to spinning). In doing so the ring main RCD was tripped at the consumer unit.

I switched the power back on and expected the washing machine to carry on through the washing cycle. The drum failed to rotate however I could still hear the usual relays clicking as I guess the machine attempted to rotate it one way and then the next.

The pump still worked and so I was able to empty the drum. The drum still rotates by hand and when I set it on a spin cycle I can hear a relay click but the drum still does not spin. There is no error code on the digital display.

I’ve looked though the forums and the favourite culprit appears to be the brushes having worn out. If brushes fail could they also result in a power spike tripping the circuit breaker at the consumer unit?

How can I confirm that it’s the brushes and not the motor windings?

Thanks

[Specialist01269]

Re: Bosch WVT1260GB Drum Not Rotating

Hi: Quickest & most positive way is to remove the Brushes from the motor & check them.

[yucca]

Re: Bosch WVT1260GB Drum Not Rotating

Hi there

I had a look at the brushes and sure enough the first one was worn down to about half a centimetre in length!!! (i didn’t bother looking at the second on the basis the first was so worn). I could even see the copper braiding through the bottom side of the brush which is in contact with the motor!!! Plenty of carbon dust everywhere and I’ve still got it on my hand even though I have washed them a number of times.

Should I replace them with a genuine Bosch part (http://www.bosch-home.co.uk/store/produ … ush/154740) which by the time I add postage is probably £40 or go for what appear to be far cheaper options from the likes of eBay etc? is there a difference? Would using an OEM part cause me problems in the long run?
I do happen to have a motor from another washing machine which my father in law gave me when we used to own a Zanussi. Is there any reason why I could not use the brushes from that motor in the Bosch if they fit?

As an aside, I could not get the motor off because it was held in by 2 very long bolts. The first I could remove easily, they second I could not because handily just behind the ‘head’ of the bold there’s the rubber gasket which connects the drum to the pump leaving very little clearance to remove the bolt. Talk about poor design. I’ve found a number of things with the design of this machine which have just made me think “why-oh-why-have-they-done-that”. I thought German engineering was meant to be good.

Thanks

[Martin]

Re: Bosch WVT1260GB Drum Not Rotating

yucca wrote: I thought German engineering was meant to be good.

Then you perhaps won’t be too surprised to learn that it is a Spanish designed machine made in Bosch’s factory in Spain (formerly Balay)

The genuine brushes are far better quality though the pattern equivalents are available everywhere for a fraction of the price….your choice!

[yucca]

Re: Bosch WVT1260GB Drum Not Rotating

Spanish?

Marketing – that’s what it’s all about. We bought the machine for two reasons:

1) size – it had to go into a small space
2) make – Bosch as a brand has a good reputation (well at least I thought it did)

I guess you only know how good things are when they break down and you need to fix them.

You say the genuine brushes are a better quality – what sets them apart from the after-market products? When looking through the forums I have heard reference to “laminated” brushes being better (no idea why) as well as some after-market brushes causing overheating.

I don’t mind paying for the genuine article – if it will offer a genuine benefit.

Thanks

[Specialist01269]

Re: Bosch WVT1260GB Drum Not Rotating

Hi Yucca: What Martin says is right, with Bosch especially the only safe way to go is with the Genuine part. Just think about after market brushes for a moment & why they’re so much cheaper than the genuine ? I use Pattern parts for many repairs at customers request, but never motor brushes. I’ve had them overheat, chip & arc for example & this can cause further problems.

[yucca]

Re: Bosch WVT1260GB Drum Not Rotating

Hiya

I was going to err on the side of caution and you’ve convinced me.

I’ll get them ordered tomorrow.

Thanks for everybodys help.

[Specialist01269]

Re: Bosch WVT1260GB Drum Not Rotating

Your more than welcome, we’re here to help. Please come back & let us know how you get on.

[yucca]

Re: Bosch WVT1260GB Drum Not Rotating

Hi everybody,

Not good news I’m afraid.

I replaced the brushes with genuine Bosch ones and the drum still does not rotate.

Any way of me testing whether the motor is at fault versus the speed controller/board etc? I want to avoid systematically replacing one part after another (very costly seeing that the next part along the chain is the motor priced at £165!)

There’s going to come a point where I decide to throw in the towel and I’d rather cut my losses early ….

Thanks

[Martin]

Re: Bosch WVT1260GB Drum Not Rotating

yucca wrote:Any way of me testing whether the motor is at fault versus the speed controller/board etc?

First thing to do is check for full electrical continuity between all the motor terminals. If the brushes had worn down to the copper core they may have caused the internal thermal fuse to blow? A continuity test will quickly establish whether or not that has occurred?

[yucca]

Re: Bosch WVT1260GB Drum Not Rotating

Ok, I’ll do that now. I’ll also check that the brushes are in contact with the commutator (I didn’t have one of the “commutator cleaning sticks” – can I improvise?)

The motor terminal has (I think) 6 pins and presumably, I’ll check continuity between pairs of adjacent pins?

If there is open circuit between some of the pairs, does that mean that the windings have burnt out?

[State of old brushes: The old brushes had worn down to say between 6mm and 10mm – through the base of one I could just about make out the copper braiding. One brush was slightly longer than the other.]

[yucca]

Re: Bosch WVT1260GB Drum Not Rotating

Hiya

There are 6 terminals on the motor and I have checked continuity between adjacent pairs of pins. So if the pins are numbered 1 to 6 sequentially, then I found the following:

Pins 1 & 2: continuity ok
Pins 3 & 4: no continuity
Pins 5 & 6: continuity ok

Does this mean I have a burnt out motor :eeek: or that the internal thermal fuse has blown :D?

The parts diagram (http://www.bosch-home.co.uk/store/spareparts/Washerdryer/WVT1260GB/01#explodeTab3) doesn’t show the fuse as a spare part …

[Martin]

Re: Bosch WVT1260GB Drum Not Rotating

It is the internal fuse then that has blown and no it is not a replaceable part. 🙁

[yucca]

Re: Bosch WVT1260GB Drum Not Rotating

Drat.

Should I have continuity between pins 3 & 4? And theres nothing else it could be?
Does that mean that my only option is a new motor? That’s a sizeable contribution to a new machine …

Is there anywhere I can get a reconditioned motor for less?

Thanks

[Muv]

Re: Bosch WVT1260GB Drum Not Rotating

Seller on eaby doing them for £60 with free postage!

Item no 170819096268

Martin

[Author]

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