Hoover SE160E Washing Machine Fault Code

[MrPig]

Hi there,

This machine has occasionally been running longer programs than requested for a while. However it has now stopped working all together. After switch on it clicks for a few seconds then falls silent. The only sign of life is the START and CREASE GUARD lights flashing in unison, one flash about every fifteen seconds.

Any advice on what this means would be great. Thank you in advance for any help you can offer.

[Penguin45]

Re: Hoover SE160E Washing Machine Fault Code

It sounds like the door lock error – is the door actually locking?

Penguin45.

[MrPig]

Re: Hoover SE160E Washing Machine Fault Code

Hi Penguin,

The door interlock is broken, the latch does not operate the switch, so I’ve bypassed the switch. The door locks shut and it’s wired to tell the ECU it’s always shut. Could this be causing the code?

[kwatt]

Ehm, hang on a minute…

You’ve basically bridged out components that are there for SAFETY reasons on an electronically controlled machine and you expect not to get a fault being reported? Of course it’s going to report a problem!

The door lock is usually the first thing any of the control boards check so, if you get an error there, it ain’t ever gonna work.

My advice is to put it back the way you found it and replace the faulty component/s.

K.

[MrPig]

Re: Hoover SE160E Washing Machine Fault Code

Yes, I’ve bridged the door switch. The lever in the interlock that operated the switch is snapped off so there is no way to get the machine to operate without bypassing the switch. I am going to replace the interlock but want the machine to work in the mean time.

The machine was misbehaving before the lock broke, that only happened yesterday. It has been running the wrong programs for months, but it was running.

I figured the interlock failure was what was stopping it but I can’t understand why it still won’t work with the switch bridged. As far as the ECU is concerned the switch is closed, the door is closed, so why won’t it run? It’s a very simple circuit and I can’t see how it could still be seeing a problem.

I work in the print industry and have done servicing/repairs on machines for decades so I’m aware of the safety/operational implications. The door interlock I can live with for a short time. My wife is the only person who uses the machine and I’ve explained the implications and procedures she should follow whilst the lock is out to lunch. If I could just get the machine to work! ;0)

So how can the ECU see the difference between a closed switch and a bridged switch? I’ve never seen a machine that can do that.

[kwatt]

Re: Hoover SE160E Washing Machine Fault Code

Very simple logic…

Door lock starts in an open state.

(If appropriate it will check conditions such as machine empty)

Controller sends signal to lock.

Door locks successfully.

Machine goes.

Any of the above doesn’t happen and it will abort assuming that there’s a fault. Which is why you can’t bridge out door locks on modern machines. 😉

K.

[MrPig]

Re: Hoover SE160E Washing Machine Fault Code

That makes sense, but what if the door is not open at start?

Say the machine has been filled and door closed before the machine is switched on? The door will be closed for the whole start-up sequence, yet he machine will still run. Riddle me that one Kwattman? ;0)

[kwatt]

Re: Hoover SE160E Washing Machine Fault Code

Dead easy.

Think about it. 😉

If the door is unlocked.. then locked…

I’ll let you work it out.

K.

[MrPig]

Re: Hoover SE160E Washing Machine Fault Code

Thank you Mr Kwatt,

Unsurprisingly you were quite correct :0) Fitted a new door interlock and bingo, machine runs. Good stuff.

Just the running of the wrong programs to look at now…

Thank you again for your help people, much appreciated.

Colin/Mr Pig

[Author]

Posts