Fisher and Paykel Smartdrive 603 Problem

[leightheman]

Hi All –

Hope you all had a great Christmas break!

I found this forum googling ‘F&P washing machine problem’ and was blown away with the amount of knowledge on here! Congrats to all who made this possible – well done!

I have done some research on the site – but just can’t seem to find an answer to my machines particular problem.

As mentioned, it is a F&P Smartdrive 603. We got it off my sister who said it didn’t work, but when I plugged it in it ran fine for over a month until the problem started. Initially, i took off the top, checked all connections, blew through the water sensor hose, cleaned the top of the bowl from lint, repaired a broken spring from the bowl to the side of the machine, and put it all back together but still no luck.

Here is what it does – on regular wash (or any wash) – settings –
TEMP – cold/warm
WATER LEVEL – Auto
SPIN – Fast.

It will fill properly for about 15 secs with the bowl slightyl turning (the same time each time i timed it) and then the water flow will reduce to a dribble with the drum still turning. Then after a few minutes it will stop completely, and emit 3 rapid beeps, and the hot and cold water lights are flashing. We used to be able to just press advance and it would go onto the next cycle – but not anymore.

It will still agitate – so looks like the motor is ok. There is nothing stuck underneath around the motor or bottom of the drum.

It is not siphoning out while filling either.

I have checked hoses are on the right way and clieaned out the filters you can remove from the rear of the valves themselves. As I say, wehn it starts to fill it fills fine – so I am assumeing the vales are ok.

Diagnostice bring up the following codes –

S/H – nothing
M/H – nothing
M/S – nothing
M/S/H – nothing
F – nothing
F/H – nothing
F/S/H – nothing
F/S – 10110000 (from the right)
F/M – 01101110 (from the right)
F/M/H – nothing
F/M/S – 01010100 (from the right)
F/M/S/H – 01001100 (from the right)

So – any ideas? Please let me know as the washing machine guys want $75 just to turn up – and i reckon with a bit of help i could fix.

Cheers all.

[leightheman]

Re: Fisher and Paykel Smartdrive 603 Problem

Hi All –

Still fiddling with machine – i turnded machine off, then on, advanced to rinse cylce and press start. It drained all the water our, but when it went to fill agian, just a trickle of water came out again.

Just some more info to help.

Thanks all.

[Penguin45]

Re: Fisher and Paykel Smartdrive 603 Problem

Hi Leigh,

Not sure about the shortform for the codings you’ve put up – have a look at the top of the forum and try the diagnostics we’ve posted.

Initial thoughts would be a valve problem…

Penguin45.

[leightheman]

Re: Fisher and Paykel Smartdrive 603 Problem

Sorry Penguin –

F – fast spin speed fast light lit
S – slow spin speed slow light lit
M – medium spin speed light lit
H – hold light lit

with the slow and hold light on as in the sticky post – there were no trouble codes. i then just kept pressing the spin cycle speed button top see if any buttons lit up.

Any other way to test the valves? As I say they seem to work fine for about 15 secs then go to a dribble. Unless they are working poorly under lower voltage i guess.

Alos on the sticky forum – just saw how to get the codes – but no information on what each code is?

[leightheman]

Re: Fisher and Paykel Smartdrive 603 Problem

mmmm…. don’t know why i didnt try this before – but tried hot wash and water comes out fine – tried cold wash and water only dribbles out.

So I think I will try a cold water valve and go from there.

[leightheman]

Re: Fisher and Paykel Smartdrive 603 Problem

have removed cold water valve and can blow through it so it cant be shutting properly anyway so will replace.

Also cleaned a lot of corrosion of the balance swith – tested with multimeter at consle end plug and hane got continuity when switch off and no continuity when switch on (when machine goes out of balance) so all ok. Lot of corrosion there though!!

Will keep you all posted.

[leightheman]

Re: Fisher and Paykel Smartdrive 603 Problem

Fixed.

Replaced the cold water valve with a $25 valve from my local washing machine shop (Sunshine Coast Washers and Fridges).

Installed the valve, started machine – went like new.

Best thing was saved myself $75 callout fee then $22 per 15 mins from washing machine repair people.

Thanks.

[Penguin45]

Re: Fisher and Paykel Smartdrive 603 Problem

Well done. We do keep telling people that error codes are not a magic bullet and that observation and common sense can just as useful.

You should have got 426143 – 12v proportional valve if you wish to ensure continued function of the machine.

The OOB switch assembly is 426457. It’s worth considering replacement at some point soon as the corrosion problem never quite goes away once it starts.

Penguin45.

[leightheman]

Re: Fisher and Paykel Smartdrive 603 Problem

Thanks Penguin.

I like to think the common sense is from being a mechanic for 10 years but then agin some times i wonder!

Cheers,

[Author]

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