Prima LPR600 puzzling problem.

[V6Jim]

Hi,

Hope you folks can help me.

I have an 18 month old Prima LPR600 dishwasher which has developed an infuriating problem.

There are 4 programmes available. Rinse only. 40 degree quick wash. 50 degree 2 hour wash. 70 degree wash.

We normally use the 50 degree wash, but recently we’ve noticed that the programme has been finishing too quickly, with the result that the dishes aren’t clean, there’s still soap in the machine, but that everything is cold.

This would imply that the heater is jiggered? I’m not getting any error message at all. I’ve read a few forum answers and I’d expect to see a flashing light to help diagnose this fault. Nothing.

I’ve reset it to no avail. I don’t want to call out the engineer unless I have to.

HELP!

Thanks in advance for any help!

Jimmy

[V6Jim]

Re: Prima LPR600 puzzling problem.

I found out that there is a way to do a diagnostic on this machine.

Select a function, turn machine off, turn back on whilst holding down the start button, hold start button until it starts flashing, let it go then press it again, close door, wait 20 mins…

The machine will then tell you whats wrong with it.

Nothing.

But what did happen was that the water did heat up! So it isn’t a faulty heater. I suspect that it may be a faulty pcb.

Any ideas?

Jimmy

[Penguin45]

Re: Prima LPR600 puzzling problem.

It’s a Whirlpool, it will indicate faults by beeping and flashing the start light in a pattern, ie 1-2-3-4-pause-repeat. The one exception is the heater circuit, which may not cause an error. However, the machine would then wash forever.

PCB probable culprit – 12Nc number required if you’d like a part number – there are numerous versions.

Penguin45.

[V6Jim]

Re: Prima LPR600 puzzling problem.

Thanks Penguin45.

The only beeps I get are the 4 beeps to indicate the end of the cycle, which is normal. There are no other beeps or flashing lights to help.

The model number is: 8545 600 15880. I don’t know what the 12Nc number is? On the PCB itself? If so, is it a DIY repair for a competent fiddler?

When I set the machine up to do the diagnostic I’ve noticed two red lights flashing alternately whilst I hold down the start button before starting the program. Any help?

The heater still could be the problem. It does heat the water during the diagnostic, but that’s now the only program that heats the water.

Fascinating pain in the neck.

Jimmy

[Penguin45]

Re: Prima LPR600 puzzling problem.

Mmm – kind of suggests a logic error if it’ll only heat on test.

PCB is p/no 481221470324. It is around £130 + VAT, so be very sure in your mind that this is what you want – it won’t be a returnable part under any circumstances.

There are firms who recondition and repair these boards with varying degrees of success and can offer considerable savings against the manufacturers prices.

Penguin45.

[V6Jim]

Re: Prima LPR600 puzzling problem.

Thanks!

I can’t find that part anywhere. Where’s best to get it? There are a few similar ones on eBay, but nothing that exactly matches.

I did, however, come across Repaircare.co.uk who do a set price repair for any machine. Their quote for this repair is £119 inc VAT, labour etc. Under the circumstances, they may be my best bet. Anybody here had any experience with them?

Thanks again for the help,

Jimmy

[V6Jim]

Re: Prima LPR600 puzzling problem.

I may be able to get a secondhand pcb from an older model. I’ve opened the front of the machine and had a good look at the pcb. It has number stickers all over it with various numbers on.
Is it possible that an older pcb will work?

And….how do you actually get the pcb box out? Any special tools required?

Please help – I’m trying to get this fixed this weekend.

Jimmy

[Steven]

Re: Prima LPR600 puzzling problem.

Just one suggestion you could try before going to the expense of PCB is clean the heater pressure switch.

As you have only been using 50 degree washes I would expect the grill could be sludged up with fatty deposits.

This is located in the sump it is a black circular grid. Buy a washing machine/ dishwasher descaler, remove the the filter assy and tear open the sachet pour it into the sump area, pour in a kettle of hot water leave for 5-10 minutes then put it on a rinse program, may take a few attempts.

If this works I recommend you use the hotter programes more ofton and use a cleaner every few months.

HTH

[V6Jim]

Re: Prima LPR600 puzzling problem.

Thanks for the reply, Steven. Since my last post I tried to fit the older, secondhand module and it threw up an 11 flash fault code. I suspect this is just because it was the wrong module.

I have noticed this heater pressure switch as a potential problem. However, I can’t find it! My machine doesn’t seem to have the black grid! I have attached a couple of pictures of the sump area to illustrate. The heater does work on the test cycle though….

I would love for there to be some solution like this as I reckon the module could still be OK. If you guys can tell me where to find the pressure switch on this model I’d be delighted to clean it!!! It may be that this Prima is a bit different from other models. Its a Prima LPR600/1. Model No: 8545 600 15880. There are no references to this model on the Whirlpool website.

Look forward to further ideas.

Jimmy

[V6Jim]

Re: Prima LPR600 puzzling problem.

BUMP!

I’m sure there must be somebody out there in Whitegoodsland who can suss this one out…..

Jimmy

[Penguin45]

Re: Prima LPR600 puzzling problem.

Done a bit of checking on this – you’ve got an oddity here. The level switch is (obviously) not fitted to your appliance, which would suggest that water level control is purely a function of the flow meter.

However….. Looking at the parts listing for that 12nc code shows that the level switch is listed, under “Kit”. I can only assume that the kit is the sump moulding, level switch, pcb and wiring as some sort of conversion. As usual with Whirlpool, there is no Tech note or guidance to be found.

There are a few Whirlpool engineers who post on the forum – if they pick up on this, they may be able to add some detail. Beyond that, I’m now stuck.

Penguin45.

[V6Jim]

Re: Prima LPR600 puzzling problem.

Thanks again Penguin. Even our local engineer ( I phoned him) hasn’t come across this one! But he knows somebody who knows somebody who’s a Whirlpool guru who might know what to do with this….

Sigh…

Jimmy

[V6Jim]

Re: Prima LPR600 puzzling problem.

Latest theory is a broken wire somewhere which is giving an intermittent connection. This may explain the erratic behaviour and the lack of a fault code?

Jimmy

[V6Jim]

Re: Prima LPR600 puzzling problem.

Just to let you know, the machine is fixed! Turns out to be a bad, or unsuitable, batch of tablets!

They weren’t dissolving properly and left too many bubbles in the machine too late in the program. This particular machine has a sensor that triggers a stop when it detects something in the machine when it’s supposed to be empty. The bubbles tripped this sensor!

So, Finish ‘All in One’ tablets were the culprit!

Jings…..

Jimmy

PS. I’ll be putting a good selection of spares for this machine and other Whirlpool machines will be on eBay soon!

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