LG Washing Machine “LE” Error Code

[aurora56]

Hello,

My apologies for posting if this has been covered before but I did attempt to do quite a rigourous search and could not find anything.

My LG WM1220FD suddenly stopped working last week. On certain cycles the the drum rotates after pressing start to “detect” the laundry, and calculates the wash time based on the amount of laundry I assume. On this occasion the drum rotated an inch or so in either direction, making a horrendous scraping noise, which sounded like the motor somehow was still moving. Upon removing the laundry and attempting other cycles and spin only, the drum still failed to rotate. Several days later after unplugging the machine and leaving it all appeared to be working fine, then eventually displayed the “LE” error code. In the manual this is noted as “overload in motor” with the only advice being to unplug the machine and call for service.

Luckily the machine still does come under LG’s 5 year Parts Guarantee, but we will have to pay the cost for labour. These things never ever come at a convenient time, but with the disappointment of a rather expensive machine breaking down so unexpectedly both labour costs or purchasing a new machine are financially out of the question at this moment in time.

A quick google of this error code turned up several American forums with similar front-loading Direct Drive models displaying this code. Interestingly these all pointed to a small sensor on the motor called a “Hall Sensor” which apparently monitors the speed of the drum and imbalances during spin. This I guess would link to a few times months ago when the washer simply didn’t spin at all or showed the UE “unbalanced error” code despite having a load no different to any other we’ve ever washed in it. More ridiculously, this sensor apparently can be affected by turning the drum too vigourously by hand, loading too many clothes on a delicate cycle or a clog in the re-circulating washing system??!!

So, apologies for the long winded description, has anyone had experience of such a problem and can it be fixed? According to these American forums it really is as simple as replacing this Hall Sensor behind the motor stator. I have had a look at the back of the machine and can see where this sensor sits.

I have also attempted to search every UK spares site I can for a new Hall Sensor but it looks like the whole motor stator will have to be purchased. Is there anywhere I can just purchase this sensor?

Any advice at all will be gratefully received, I’m running out of coins for the laundrette.

Aurora56.

Lucky Goldstar

[Penguin45]

Re: LG Washing Machine “LE” Error Code

You’ve got a 50/50 shot here…… The HES is part of the motor stator assembly and the fault can equally well be the power board. My (limited) experience veers towards the power board. Either way, each is horrendously expensive, so go with company service and replace the machine as soon as it goes wrong after the warranty expires.

Penguin45.

[aurora56]

Thanks Penguin45. So either way a pretty bad situation to be in really, so disappointed this has happened but I guess they can’t last forever.

Just to confirm, the power board I assume is termed the “control module” on spares sites?

[helo_75]

given the noise uve been getting, id be more inclined to think its the stator.. its not common, but it does happen

[aurora56]

Helo_75,
Thanks for that info. Yes it was a scraping, rough sound and I believe the machine jolted a bit on its feet when this first occurred?!

I have made some enquiries today with regards to purchase of the Hall Sensor only, which I have now removed. But it looks like the whole stator needs to be purchased as the hall sensor cannot be purchased on its own. Given your advice perhaps its worthwhile then just to replace the entire stator unit complete with new hall sensor and pray this fixes the problem!

[helo_75]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LG-WASHING-MACHIN … 7C294{e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d}3A50

is what your looking for

[aurora56]

Thanks for that info helo_75, thats the best price I’ve seen for that part so far!

[helo_75]

dead easy change as well, 6 bolts and its off!!

[aurora56]

Hi all,
Thought I’d give a little insight as the problem appears to now have been resolved…

As the machine was still under parts warrantee LG would not give us the parts directly, we had to go through an approved service specialist, which is fair enough I guess.

As had been deciphered on here, it appears to have been the motor stator which was replaced and all seems to be running smoothly now (fingers crossed).

This has now given way to another leaking issue rather irritatingly. But at least the drum is turning now..

[Author]

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