Meile washing machine motor fault – flashing rinse light

[24E]

Hello all, I thought I would post my findings and maybe get some help with the spare part needed to solve a fault on a Meile W series washing machine (W2104 in my case) with MRT 37 motor that is common to many models it seems. Symptoms worsened gradually over a few rinse cycles: at the rinse cycle stage the machine at first stopped.
Having removed the load I found the machine would complete a rinse cycle without any load. I then put back half the load. a rinse cycle completed OK. Tried the other half of the load, as the machine was periodicall turning during the fill the rinse light would intermittently flash. After a few turns and just about when the water fill completed I got the same flashing rinse light, drain and stop.
Searching online I noted reference to worn brushes. When I found comments on other posts saying that brushes might need replacing every 4 years or so I realised my machine is 20 years old and has never had any major service work (speaks for Meile’s reliability). So surely it had to be the brushes which must by now be completely worn out. So I order new brushes before getting stuck into dismantaling the machine.
When I do get down to business I skipped any electrical tests on the motor terminals and head straight in to remove the brushes holder from the motor. I find the existing brushes have plenty of life left in them, almost as long as the new replacements. Well I fitted the new brushes anyway, and then ran a test rinse cycle. Same fault (not surprised). So I then test the electrical connections on the motor, and find that across Pin 1 & 2 (rotation sensor connections) I have an open circuit. Removed the sensor coil from the brushes housing for visual inspection and confirmation of resistance test. Yup.. fully open circuit.
Seems a simple fix then, but how can I get hold of this simple component. Seems Meile won’t make spare parts easily available. Only options I’ve found so far is buying a reclamed motor from Ebay just for the sensor coil. Can anyone here help with getting a replacement sensor coil part, or make other suggestions.
Hope this post helps others in future at least with similar fault symptoms.

Many thanks

[24E]

Further to my notes above yesterday. After posting on here I tested the Rotation Sensor coil again to confirm it was open circuit. I would expect a reading of somewhere under 1K ohm. On the resistance test on my tester it measures up to 999 ohms. The reading was above that, so I conclude it’s open circuit. But intrigued to see if it was fully open circuit I did a resistance test at 100V across the windings of the coil (these are very fine windings about the width of a human hair). The lower limit of that test is 10K and the meter indicated it was below that. Testing the resistance on the lower scale again the reading was now 515ohms. Seems putting 100V across the windings had some effect on bridging the open circuit. I decided to put the machine back together and test, but didn’t expect this to be any permenant fix. I ran a wash cycle and all seemed to be fine. However before the final rinse of the cycle the fault came back. I tested across the sensor coil again and it was again open circuit. Repeated the 100V resistance test and low and behold the reading came back down to 515 ohms. Plugged the motor back up and completed the wash cycle with no problem. This confirms to me the dianosis of the faulty coil, and clearly I’m still looking for a permenant replacement. But at least I got my socks washed yesterday in the process of testing this out, which was a bonus because the sock drawer had been emptied !!

[electrofix]

the coil is in the brush holder and there is lots used on ebay normally

not had one go myself but i would not have the ohms range below 100 ohms as some are more

you can put meter on a low AC voltage scale and spin motor and check for output

assume you have checked brushes which is a more common fault

Dave

[24E]

Can anyone see anything on Ebay… because I can’t when seaching for Meile Rotation Sensor

[electrofix]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334724681…Condition=3000

you need to make sure it will fit yours

since he seems to be a trader i would contact him

there should be others but people call them all sorts of things

also its a tachometer and since it comes complete with the brush gear could also be that

on Miele site part depends on serial number as it changed at serial 40 so its either £117 or £92 brand new direct

Dave

[24E]

Very helpful Dave, thank you. As you say the terminology would vary and really useful to know there are varients. The one on that Ebay listing is different to the one I have. Using the term ‘Tacho’ ive found a few now.. one the same as I have. For future reference the part number given is 4229779 7785400. The ebay listings are about the same price as that Meile price for new (extortionate for a small winding if it’s not the whole housing too). Seems best to find a used motor complete as these are listed at half the price. I spotted one not far from here and he replied that I can test it before committing when picking it up.

[electrofix]

from my experience the tacho coils often go at the ends amd i have managed to re solder the wire, sometimes extending with 5 amp fuse wire if length was a problem

Dave

[electrofix]

for part numbers go here

https://www.miele.co.uk/c/spare-part…ssories-24.htm

scroll down to “visit the spare parts catalogue”

after you put in your model all parts can be searched

often miele spares have the part numbers in the mouldings

Dave

[24E]

thanks again Dave. I would have hoped the break was on the flying lead part going up to the tag it is soldered to, but not this occasion. Seems a gradual breakdown within the winding of the coil, so when I force a current through it with a 100V zap it resumes enough conductivity to work for a short while.

[24E]

Just rounding off this thread. Finally managed to get hold of a secondhand motor with a good Rotation Sensor (tacho) on the brushes holder. Swapped that out and now all is fine. For future reference to anyone finding this thread the resistance on the tacho coil (Pins between 1 & 2 ) was 490 ohms. I had considered winding a new coil onto the thing but the wire itself was going to cost me over £20 to get it here and a bought the second-hand motor complete for £39 and that was more or less a guaranteed fix.
Hope others find this helpful in future. So for those searching their fault the way that I was , MEILE FLASHING RINSE LIGHT FAULT was indicating a fault on the motor circuit. Commonly worn brushes, but it could be other issues in the motor circuit, in my case a faulty rotation sensor ( motor speed tacho ) .
That wordage will hopefully be enough for the search engines to find this.
Good luck.

Steve

[Author]

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