Hotpoint AQ113F 497I giving error code F18 – Trying to fix the control board

[drabgail]

My washing machine started giving me this error about a week ago and hasn’t finished a cycle since. I saw that this error relates to the control board and considering that it is an expensive replacement thought I would have a look first. I took out the board and found a fried slug on it! I have cleaned off the slug guts but the board itself looks quite corroded where it previously was.

My questions –

1. If I found a used control board form the same model washing machine would I just be able to drop it in to mine? (I understand they require programming but unsure if that ties it to the specific washing machine or just gives it the correct software for that model).

2. Does anyone have experience with this specific error? It seems to be a problem when trying to initiate a spin. I plan to clean up and solder over the corroded traces (or maybe bridge them with some wire) but I want to know if I am barking up the wrong tree here.

[iadom]

F18 is supposed to be a communications error, commonly due to poor connections between the circuit boards. In this instance it is likely that the fried slug has done some damage to the board. Fitting a second hand board would be taking a gamble. Even when machines have the same model number they can have 5 or 6 different software combinations depending on serial number and commercial code. I would attempt to repair what you can see and keep your fingers crossed.

[murv]

All depends on the components fitted to your machine in production. If the donor machine was fitted with the same motor & type of pressure sensor etc then it will work correctly. However, there have been several versions of this model with differing electronics, motors etc.

The fault F18 is a communication failure between the main processor and the digital signal processor on the main board. This could be the CPU, DSP or other components on the main board.

[Author]

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