Hotpoint WMA63 tripping RCD on fast spin

[Stephen99]

Hello,

My Hotpoint WMA63 trips the RCD in the house fuse box. This does not happen all the time but when it does happen, it always seems to be on the fast spin at the end of the cotton cycle.

I have heard that heater elements can suffer earth leakage. Would replacing the element cure the problem? If it is the element, why doesn’t the problem occur on heating, rather than spinning?

I do 95 degree maintenance washes once a month (if I remember) as recommended here, and the element must be used for those but it is only the fast spin that causes the trips. Perhaps it is shaking something about?

Thanks.

[iadom]

Re: Hotpoint WMA63 tripping RCD on fast spin

Heaters on these not much of a problem.

It could be a wiring harness fault, it is prone to chafing in several places, near the motor and also near the large concrete balance weight at the front.

Could also be a sign of motor/brush wear as well.

Be sure to pull the plug if you are going to have a look inside.

[Stephen99]

Re: Hotpoint WMA63 tripping RCD on fast spin

Thank you. I will take off the cover and have a look (with the power off and plug out) later in the week. If it is chafed, is it simply a matter of unplugging the old one and fitting a new one or isn’t it quite as easy as that?

[iadom]

Re: Hotpoint WMA63 tripping RCD on fast spin

TBH to fully inspect the wiring harness you need to remove the whole of the front panel.

If it is damaged it is often possible to repair or insulate the breaks and re route to avoid catching the front weight.

It can also chafe were it is attached to the front of the outer drum underneath the plastic cable ties.

[DDSDDS]

Re: Hotpoint WMA63 tripping RCD on fast spin

would advise you not to use it till you have checked the brushes as on some of these models when the brushes finally give in they take the pcb with it so check them before you use it again

[Stephen99]

Re: Hotpoint WMA63 tripping RCD on fast spin

iadom wrote:TBH to fully inspect the wiring harness you need to remove the whole of the front panel.

If it is damaged it is often possible to repair or insulate the breaks and re route to avoid catching the front weight.

It can also chafe were it is attached to the front of the outer drum underneath the plastic cable ties.

Hello,

I have just inspected the machine. As far as I can see, there are two torx screws that have to be removed to remove the lid. This lets me look down into the machine. Then there is a panel around where the waste pipe exits the machine, which is held on with standard pozi screws. This lets me look into the bottom half of the machine. And I can see that the “floor” of the machine is open, so lying it down, allows me to see in through there. The rest of the case seems to be welded, so am I right to think, this is as much as I can remove and look into?

The wires are pristine across the top of the machine and around the motor at the back. However when looking through the back I can see a grey witre hanging down, going nowhere.

I lay the machine on its back (hope it’s ok to do that!) so that I could look through the hole in the base. There is a 7-way connector and it looks as though this wire has come out of connector number 1. I guess when the machine vibrates on fast spin, this touches the chassis and blows the RCD. The connector doesn’t look as though I can reinsert the cable. Can I buy a new one? What does cable 1 do, as the machine seems to have been working without it!

Thanks.

[Stephen99]

Re: Hotpoint WMA63 tripping RCD on fast spin

iadom wrote:TBH to fully inspect the wiring harness you need to remove the whole of the front panel.

If it is damaged it is often possible to repair or insulate the breaks and re route to avoid catching the front weight.

It can also chafe were it is attached to the front of the outer drum underneath the plastic cable ties.

Sorry to post again.

I re-read your reply and see that you said to remove the whole of the front panel. How do I do this?

I have had a look through the store and I believe the part I need is:
C00198830

I did post a while ago about the door spring needing changing, so is this the right part for that: C00202401

Another reply (from the old thread) said to change the lock at the same time. Do you agree? Is it this one: C00085194

re. the brushes, provided I can see carbon, is this ok?

Thanks (sorry for all the questions)

[Stephen99]

Re: Hotpoint WMA63 tripping RCD on fast spin

DDSDDS wrote:would advise you not to use it till you have checked the brushes as on some of these models when the brushes finally give in they take the pcb with it so check them before you use it again

Sorry, absolutely the last post I make before waiting for your replies!

I can only see the one brush (grey wire). The other one (with blue wire) is obscured from view. There is carbon protruding from it. How do you know when to change them? Should I remove them and see what length of carbon is left? What length do I change them at?

I think you were right, that the cable has rubbed against the bottom concrete block because the one earth cable looks as though its insulation has been rubbed and there is a broken cable tie on the floor. If I replace the tie, hopefully it will keep the cables away from the block again.

Other than that, there seems to be some scale (?) around the join on the soap tray. Is this anything to worry about? I’m guessing it is just cosmetic. Other than that, it looks quite clean in there.

I see the drum is two plastic halves bolted together, which is reassuring as I understand newer models have sealed drums that cannot be dismantled.

Are hoses always a standard metre length? They really don’t need to be that long and just get coiled up behind the machine. Can you get shorter ones?

Has anyone ever retrofitted fuses to protect the PCB?

Thanks (again)

[iadom]

Re: Hotpoint WMA63 tripping RCD on fast spin

There are screws top and bottom of the front panel, you need to remove the soap drawer and console first.

The motor to main PCB wiring harness is part number C00201719.

C00085194 is the correct door lock.

Lying it on its back is not the best thing to do when removing the front panel gives you complete access.

You have to remove the motor complete to check the brushes but carbon dust all over the place is quite normal.

[Stephen99]

Re: Hotpoint WMA63 tripping RCD on fast spin

iadom wrote:There are screws top and bottom of the front panel, you need to remove the soap drawer and console first.

The motor to main PCB wiring harness is part number C00201719.

C00085194 is the correct door lock.

Lying it on its back is not the best thing to do when removing the front panel gives you complete access.

You have to remove the motor complete to check the brushes but carbon dust all over the place is quite normal.

Thank you. The uk white goods shop does not seem to list C00201719 but it does list the connector block, which I guess is all I need. Though I suppose swapping the wires might have been quicker if they were available.

Sorry I didn’t make myself clear about the brushes. What I meant was I can see the carbon protruding from the unit, not carbon dust. The only thing is I don’t know how much more carbon is inside the body. I could have several months left on the other hand there could be just a couple of mm. How do I check this? I’m guessing I remove the brushes and see how much is inside. If it is short (how short?) I change them?

I know you shouldn’t lie dishwashers on their side. I only laid this one over briefly and only because I didn’t know the front came off. In future I will remove the front. Removing the soap tray will be easy enough; how do I remove the console?

Thanks again.

[iadom]

Re: Hotpoint WMA63 tripping RCD on fast spin

We can’t really go into to blow by blow, step by step instructions, we assume some level of competence. 😉

Once you have removed the soap drawer it should be clear to see how you remove the console. 🙂

If there is less than 1cm on the brushes then you should change them.

I would advise changing the complete motor to PCB wiring harness TBH, you usually need a special tool to insert the cables into the motor plug and that will also eliminate any possible fraying near the weights etc, also the motor plug shown in the shop here is not for WMA models.

[Stephen99]

Re: Hotpoint WMA63 tripping RCD on fast spin

Thanks I have done that now.

For the benefit of anyone searching the archives: after removing the three screws around the soap drawer, you can see a ribbon cable going to the console (the switches and LED display) and this just pulls off, allowing you to remove the panel completely.

[Stephen99]

Re: Hotpoint WMA63 tripping RCD on fast spin

Hello.

I’m just waiting for the cable to arrive in the post.

I will check the brushes at the same time. How long do they normally last? I’m tryign to remember how old the machine is. It could have been bought about 2001/2. Do they go without warning?

I’m just wondering, how easy is it to remove the motor and the belt and then put them all back together again afterwards? Any hints or tips?

[iadom]

Re: Hotpoint WMA63 tripping RCD on fast spin

How long do brushes last, how long do car tyres, brakes, clutches last…. 😉

Its a wear and tear component, your grandma will get 10 to 15 years out of the brushes that a family of six will wear out in 2 years.

Its quite easy to remove the belt and the motor, getting the belt back on is something else, lash the belt to the drum pulley with a large plastic bag tie and use the inner drum to wind the belt back on. 😉

[Stephen99]

Re: Hotpoint WMA63 tripping RCD on fast spin

Thanks. Will let you know how I get on.

[Author]

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