Miele WM Problem – screech, spins then faults

[Ambienz]

Hello all,

I have an issue with a Miele Washing Machine. W5800 Model.

Only happened when returned from holidays. Worked flawlessly up until that point.

Initially when loaded it would start the fill cycle then stop after 30s. Complete power cut off that required device unplug, reset and restart. No fuse tripping etc.

Water inlet and outlet seem to be fine – no blockages.

Cleaned out filters and found black sediment in there. Some quite firmly attached to the plastic filter housing. This suggested possible bearings, but they seem ok. After the screech it spins fine. When lose there is no play in the drum to suggest bearing problem.

Now the issue has evolved. When machine switched on with door closed (unloaded), it makes a screeching sound, starts spinning and the displays TECHNICAL FAULT message.

I think these are direct drive so no loose belts.

Switching on machine with door open, it starts up as usual and displays cycle options in LED screen. However once door is closed, the spin cycle and fault routine starts again.

Door lock seems to be OK as it is the trigger to start the spin cycle.

Does anyone know why the machine is triggering a spin cycle on start, or what the likely cause of this initial short noise is?

The initial cut off problem suggested possible PCB component issue, but as this quickly changed to the spinning and fault message, perhaps otherwise.

Thanks

David

[electrofix]

sounds like the motor is spinning out of control

could be board or motor problem

there is a small generator on the back of the motor. this feeds motor speed to the board. Either thats broken. the wires to the board are broken or the motor control triac is faulty

Dave

[Ambienz]

Thanks for your reply Dave,

OK a few things to investigate. Be nice it if was as simple as the wires.

As this is not an area i am familiar with, I assume that on startup the PCB runs various component tests, and in this case the test for the motor is causing it to start spinning which feeds back an error?

The fact that there is a screeching sound, only when the motor starts spinning suggests that there is a friction between the drum spinning and something else. The drum spins freely, but could it still be a bearing issue?

If not – what else are possible causes. Are these carbon brush motors and could they need replacing?

Cheers

David

[electrofix]

imagine you in your car with medium engine revs and take you foot off the clutch too fast, same problem here

the motor is accelerating too fast, does sound like a board fault. If it was me i would remove the board and check a component called a Triac. these are used in lots of things to control power. If you call miele they just fit a complete board and you will not like the price

you can seach testing triac for some clues

the tacho on the motor can be checked with a multimeter. first you have to find the correct connections then you can set the meter on a low ac volt scale and spin the motor and look for an output

Dave

[Ambienz]

Thanks again Dave,

All makes perfect sense.

The only thing that I am confused with is why the motor starts spinning when the unit is turned on with the door shut, as opposed to starting a cycle when I expect the motor to turn.

Cheers

[electrofix]

that then makes it certain its a board fault as with tacho failure that cant happen

Dave

[Ambienz]

That is a great help.

Thank you Dave

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