Intermittent connection, Electrolux WH838

[scudo]

Electrolux WH838 (a few years old)
Ok let me explain….

Over the last few years on ocassion this washing machine has failed to empty, I always thought `wife with socks/coins`etc anyhow it always seemed to correct itself, a couple of days ago the same problem where it wouldn`t drain (all other cycles ok) would spin but no drain.
I thought pump broken, on further checking the pump appears to work, and there are no blockages in the pipes, I dismantled the pump and it is ok.
Not really knowing what to do I put the machine on `empty water` and it didnt work so I thought I would tip the machine over and wiggle the connections to see if they are maybe bad, when I tip it over it starts to pump ok, sometimes when I upright it, it continues to pump other times it stops but always pumps when I tip it over. Obviously I wont try this on any other cycle in case the machine spins off.
I am not skilled enough to multi meter check electrics but is there anything else I can check and where?
My thinking is a loose connection somewhere.

thanks

[cockney steve]

Re: Intermittent connection, Electrolux WH838

more likely a broken wire.

unplug the machine first !!!!!

although a wire can look to be OK, the plastic covering can conceal the breakage of the copper core…..you need to check backwards from the pump, look for kinks or knobbly bits then pull either side and if it stretches easily, that’s your break.

I was tempted to think the pump may be burning out, but as the “fix” is repeatable I’ll discount that.

Did you check that the pump-bearings are not excessively worn?…often they wear sufficiently the central rotor jams in the outer casing….tilt the unit so the worn part is in a different orientation…….

[Penguin45]

Re: Intermittent connection, Electrolux WH838

Old-school electro-mechanical timer on this venerable beastie. Run it – wait until it fails, then, without turning the timer, gently wiggle the programme knob from side to side and up and down. If the pump cuts in or even pulses, the problem is the timer itself.

Had one a couple of weeks ago doing exactly the same thing, except it would run the cottons cycle perfectly and refuse to pump out on the easy care programme. Give it a wiggle and it would.

Given the age of the machine a timer replacement was not a cost effective solution.

Penguin45.

[scudo]

Re: Intermittent connection, Electrolux WH838

That does indeed appear to be the problem although running another couple of washes to double check.

Would it be possible (realistically) to repair this DIY.
Are the timers still available.
What cost for part?

thanks

[Penguin45]

Re: Intermittent connection, Electrolux WH838

Timer is p/no 50685345-00/2 – last price I could find was £169 + VAT.

Penguin45.

[scudo]

Re: Intermittent connection, Electrolux WH838

Oh well I wouldn`think worth it for an old machine, probably get new for not much more.
Wife is going away for 4 weeks so might just get the washing up to date and rip the timer out …spray it, hit it, just generally attack the thing as nothing to loose now, if nothing works after that then new machine it is.

Thanks for your input everyone.
regards
scudo

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