John Lewis washing machine problem, advice needed please!

[MarkT1967]

Hi all,

We have a John Lewis JLWM1203 washing machine which has been excellent uptil recently, now and again when you start the program it sounds all ok, leave it and then when you return a little later, the time is still on the display and sometimes the powder hasn’t even been washed away, following a tip from the net I have found the error code to be E69 which from the net seems to be as follows: E69: Washing heating element interrupted

Now the Watson in me says its to do with the heating element but I’ve been wrong before lol!
So you experienced people any tips or advice please, I think the machine is around 6/7 years old, yeah getting on but it’s in vgc and it’s been a very good machine!
Cheers in advance
Mark

[Twoten]

Re: John Lewis washing machine problem, advice needed please

E69 does suggest a heating element however I would advise testing the element with a meter before replacing.
The error code should only be used as a guide to the fault.
If you have a meter check for continuity between the element terminals with it disconnected. I would advise against removing the element until it has been tested as they can prove extremely difficult (if not impossible) to refit if not faulty.
Make sure the machine is unplugged before doing anything.

[1totalshambles]

Re: John Lewis washing machine problem, advice needed please

An ordinary multimeter will tell you that the element has continuity as pointed out-a circuit between each heater terminal tag, as pointed out with the machine heater wires pulled off the tags ) if set on 1k setting or lesser setting (x10 )you get the resistance of the element if set on a continuity buzzer reading you`ll get nothing-be careful! If the element has gone to earth ( which does not always mean the trip, far from it- let alone a 13amp fuse will go ) the meter is of limited use depending upon how bad is bad in other words just because one of the meter to heater terminals and the other is to the heater`s earth tag and the needle or digits do nothing does not mean that the element is ok, however if you do get a reading of some sort, which does/can happen in reality, you`ll know that the element is at least suspect and this is easier to judge with an anologue meter. To do a proper test you`ll need a 500v mega tester to show up an earth fault properly if you can borrow one borrow one otherwise take the gamble and get the correct pattern element and see what happens. Elements going to earth is increasingly common due to the low energy saving water levels on the wash programme-it might save you a bit of electricity usage ( actually it is peanuts ) but zaps the elements prematurely which taking the cost of the element V pitiful energy saving is pointless but then most EU/brit gov`t directives are pretty pointless /useless.

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