Hotpoint Aquarius FDD914G.R drain pump running

[Phoenix126]

The drain pump constantly runs ending in an A:3 error which I believe is a drain time out.
I’ve seen many people with the same fault and I’ve already replaced the float switch in the base.
I’ve taken off the left side panel but the layout is nothing like any troubleshooting videos I’ve been able to find.
Before I fork over £35 for a replacement fill hose, is there anything else I can check?

[electrofix]

why are replacing a fill hose when it seems to be a pump problem ?

an error 3 is the pressure switch has failed to reach empty in over 8 mins

May just be a faulty pressure switch or a blocked hose to it

Dave

[Phoenix126]

Could you advise where the pressure switch is located? Is it reasonable easy to replace?

[electrofix]

ot sure where it is but it should not be hard to find. there will be a thin plastic tube coming out of the sump of the machine which goes to it. the tube sends air pressure generated by the amount of water in the machine up to the switch
check the tube going from it for blockages, you can blow down the tube into the sump but unless your switch looks like the example below dont blow into the switch. Later switches are a different design and can be damaged by blowing into them

Dave

[Phoenix126]

Thanks. I’ll check.

[Phoenix126]

Ok. Found that pulled the pipe off and poked a cable tie up it. Reconnected it and now the machine starts a cycle, fills but comes up with A:5 as soon as it starts draining.

[electrofix]

that another pressure switch error code

try
turn off power
take off the tube to the pressure switch from the pressure switch end or disconnect from the sump end and find another peice of tube to connect

add about a litre of water then suck and blow tube to clean it out

mop out water before reconnecting tube

Dave

[Phoenix126]

Ok. I removed the right side panel so I could access the pipe, removed it and flushed it then replaced it. Cycle starts, machine fills and drains but gives the A:5 error again.

[electrofix]

check the switch wiring back to the board, make sure no wires have broken

after that its down to
air leak in the pressure circuit which incluses the pipe and the switch diaphram
the switch its self contacts dirty or sticking
or the board not recognising the instruction

Does you switch look like above ? if yes it can be tested with a meter

Dave

[Phoenix126]

Not exactly but very similar.

[electrofix]

the later one normally have very small cables going to them in a multiplug so if it has the same large terminals it should be ok

the early ones you can blow into them and the contacts will click. then you can check continuity with a multimeter to see if the contacts are making

it also means with the machine turned off you can add water to the machine till the contacts click to make sure its operating. proving the pressure circuit and the switch

Dave

[Phoenix126]

Problem solved. I’m an idiot as I was testing with the drain hose at floor level because I didn’t realise it had to be raised above the sump.
There had been a genuine problem because the error originally occurred while the machine was plumbed in, so I guess the replacement float switch or clearing the pipe to the pressure switch did the trick.
Thanks for your help, it’s much appreciated.

[electrofix]

” Machine ok Owner Faulty” lol

Dave

[Phoenix126]

A classic case of operator error.

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