HOTPOINT ULTIMA WT741 – ALL LIGHTS SOMETIMES FLASHING

[CHRISX]

Hello,

When I switched on my Hotpoint Ultima WT741 today every light on the machine started flashing and I had to turn off the power to the machine at the socket outlet because I could not turn it off using the On/Off button.

I turned the power to the machine back on – no flashing lights – and then set a program as usual and started the machine – all seemed normal although obviously I wondered what had previously happened.

During the program all of the lights started flashing again – the Display digits were flashing `88:88` as You might see when you reset a digital timer and all of the options lights were flashing rapidly.

I could not turn off the machine using the On/Off button so I had to switch off at the socket outlet again.

Because I had clothes in the machine I wanted to see if I could turn the program to `Empty Machine` / pump out so I switched the power back on at the socket outlet – this put the machine back on to where it was previously in the program [I was surprised at this] – the time display was showing something like 38 minutes and the washing cycle continued.

I was very surprised that turning off the power to the machine at the socket outlet did not cancel the previously set program.

During the Rinse & Spin cycle when the machine was spinning all of the lights on the machine including the `88:88` on the time display started flashing again – once again I had to turn off the power at the socket outlet to stop this and when I turned it back on the machine started back where it had been at the time in minutes and on the Rinse & Spin cycle.

Later in the program while the status indicator lights were all on the time [minutes] display went to: – : – no minutes were displayed.

I turned off the power at the socket outlet again and back on again – the time / minutes display was now showing 1 minute and the machine started spinning again – BUT this did not stop it was spinning On/Off for over 10 minutes when I then had to turn off the power at the socket outlet again.

After leaving the machine for a short while I turned the program selector to `Pump Out` and I turned the power back on again – luckily I was then able to start the 2 minute Pump Out program and the machine then Ended the program and unlocked the door.

I have no intention of trying to fix whatever has malfunctioned on my Washing Machine but I would like some expert opinions on what is causing the problem that I described so that I might be able to get some idea of the cost of the repair.

Although the machine is 6 Years old it has only been used about 10 times per Year because I have been working abroad for most of that time – it has never been used without Calgon – although I know that the problem is obviously Electrical / Electronics based.

I would really appreciate some help with this – I did try to speak to a Hotpoint Technical department – `We do not have one` – or a Hotpoint Service Engineer – `We do not have Engineers who speak to Customers`.

“Thanks”,

CHRISX

[iadom]

Re: HOTPOINT ULTIMA WT741 – ALL LIGHTS SOMETIMES FLASHING

A well known fault on the main pcb ( circuit board ).

Cured in at least 75{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} of cases with a simple repair to the pcb.

If you do not intend to attempt this repair then try the link at the top of the home page to find a local engineer and ask him/her if they are conversant with the Hotpoint/Indesit ‘all lights flashing’ problem, and are aware of the cure.

It should not need a new pcb.

[CHRISX]

Re: HOTPOINT ULTIMA WT741 – ALL LIGHTS SOMETIMES FLASHING

Hello iadom,

Thank You very much for your reply.

Could You tell me a bit more about the PCB fault – regarding why it would not require replacing ?
Does it perhaps become loose from its connections ?

I stated that I would not be repairing the machine myself – but You have hinted that what needs to be done might not be particularly difficult ?

I am a Heating Engineer / Gas Engineer / Plumber qualified in all of these trades so I am well used to repairing Boilers and other Gas appliances which have PCB`s – I am able to work safely on Electrical components / appliances because I also have Electrical qualifications related to my trades – Defined Scope Part P Electrical Installation for Heating appliances.

Is the PCB fault something that I could resolve ?

If so could You please describe where the PCB is located within the machine and briefly how I would access it – Thanks.

Thanks very much for your help with this – I really appreciate it.

CHRISX

[iadom]

Re: HOTPOINT ULTIMA WT741 – ALL LIGHTS SOMETIMES FLASHING

The pcb is down at the back, bottom left looking from rear. Check out the largest of the three capacitors that are close together, it will almost certainly looked ‘domed’ and will need changing.

[CHRISX]

Re: HOTPOINT ULTIMA WT741 – ALL LIGHTS SOMETIMES FLASHING

“Hello again iadom”,

Thank You very much for your help with this.

I did some online research while waiting to see if I got a reply from You which found exactly what you stated about a Capacitor needing changing.

I don`t have the Finger dexterity to carry out Electronics soldering on a PCB – for one thing my Hands Fingers are too big.

If as I expect I find exactly what You describe regarding the Capacitor I don`t know whether I can buy a new PCB – I would obviously need the exact part and a stockist.

Or find an Electronics buff who could remove and replace the Capacitor – I don`t know anyone like that – again I would need to know the exact part / specification and perhaps get it from Maplin.

I read on another Forum / Posts about this same problem that these Capacitors can be purchased at Maplin for about 50 pence – although I am a regular Customer of theirs I have never bought any Electronic components.

I read where someone`s Washing machine had the same `All lights flashing` fault and He investigated to find that the connections to the PCB and Display were loose – He pushed them all together firmly and this solved His problem – I hope for such Luck !

Thanks again iadom I really appreciate your help.

Regards,

Chris

[iadom]

Re: HOTPOINT ULTIMA WT741 – ALL LIGHTS SOMETIMES FLASHING

You can buy a new pcb, cost around £100 but it will need programming, for that you will need a £20 smart card and a £103 card reader. 🙁

I would suggest a 50p capacitor is your best option.

THIS is the capcitor, Maplins should have them as well.

[Martin]

Re: HOTPOINT ULTIMA WT741 – ALL LIGHTS SOMETIMES FLASHING

……or send the module to EMW for them to do it. 💡

[iadom]

Re: HOTPOINT ULTIMA WT741 – ALL LIGHTS SOMETIMES FLASHING

TBH changing this particular capacitor does not require tiny hands, it is fairly easy to do.

[CHRISX]

Re: HOTPOINT ULTIMA WT741 – ALL LIGHTS SOMETIMES FLASHING

iadom wrote:You can buy a new pcb, cost around £100 but it will need programming, for that you will need a £20 smart card and a £103 card reader. 🙁

I would suggest a 50p capacitor is your best option.

THIS is the capcitor, Maplins should have them as well.

Thanks very much for these details iadom.

You are correct it would be ridiculous to buy and have to program a new PCB because of the cost of the PCB – Card reader and smart card !

I am going to try and find out from our fellow Forum member Martin where I can send the PCB to have a new Capacitor soldered in.

Thanks also for the Capacitor details.

Regards,

CHRISX

[CHRISX]

Re: HOTPOINT ULTIMA WT741 – ALL LIGHTS SOMETIMES FLASHING

Martin wrote:……or send the module to EMW for them to do it. 💡

“Hello Martin”,

Can You please let Me know the details about EMW.

Can I take it that this is a Company that refurbish / repair items like PCB`s ?

I would really appreciate your help on this Please.

Thank You very much.

Regards,

Chris

[iadom]

Re: HOTPOINT ULTIMA WT741 – ALL LIGHTS SOMETIMES FLASHING

THIS is EMW, but do you really want to pay someone £50 plus for soldering in a 50p capacitor?
Also worth noting that the pcb shown in that link may not be correct, that one is for a 3 phase motor but some WT741’s actually have a single phase, brush gear motor.

If you give us the full details including all the numbers from the rating label we could tell you which type you have.

[Martin]

Re: HOTPOINT ULTIMA WT741 – ALL LIGHTS SOMETIMES FLASHING

CHRISX wrote:I am going to try and find out from our other Forum member where I can send the PCB to have a new Capacitor soldered in

Errrrrr? did I not mention EMW to you earlier? (Just Google EMW electronics)

[CHRISX]

Re: HOTPOINT ULTIMA WT741 – ALL LIGHTS SOMETIMES FLASHING

Martin wrote:

CHRISX wrote:
I am going to try and find out from our other Forum member where I can send the PCB to have a new Capacitor soldered in

Errrrrr? did I not mention EMW to you earlier? (Just Google EMW electronics)

“Hello Martin”,

When did You reply to Me earlier ?

Did You not notice that the times of our messages being posted could have meant that I was writing mine as You posted yours ?

Thanks again

CHRISX

[Martin]

Re: HOTPOINT ULTIMA WT741 – ALL LIGHTS SOMETIMES FLASHING

No worries……..:D

[CHRISX]

Re: HOTPOINT ULTIMA WT741 – ALL LIGHTS SOMETIMES FLASHING

iadom wrote:THIS is EMW, but do you really want to pay someone £50 plus for soldering in a 50p capacitor?
Also worth noting that the pcb shown in that link may not be correct, that one is for a 3 phase motor but some WT741’s actually have a single phase, brush gear motor.

If you give us the full details including all the numbers from the rating label we could tell you which type you have.

“Hello again iadom”,

Thank You very much for the kind offer of checking which motor my machine has.

As I am not at Home right now I would have to try and find the Data plate / label tomorrow and post the details in the afternoon – I hope that will be O.K. with you regarding coming back to this thread then ?

Will the Data label be at the back of the Machine as it might be awkward for Me to get the machine out from between units without help ?

I do know that the only model No. on the front of the machine shows Hotpoint Ultima Digit WT741 – there is no letter after WT741 like I have seen on some lists of the Ultima model such as P or G.

I will definitely post the Data plate details as I will definitely be getting a new PCB from EMW – they state that the correct PCB will be programmed for your Washing machine.

I just want to be able to take out the faulty PCB and then fit the reconditioned one without having to obtain the Capacitor – a small soldering iron – electrical solder – flux [?] etc. [I don`t use any of this in my trades] and I have never removed an electronic component from a PCB and soldered one back in place – I might mess it up then the PCB is finished anyway.

Thanks again.

Regards,

Chris

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