Sanyo model asw33ap fault diagnosis help needed

[twum_au]

Hey Guys 😉
I have a Sanyo toploader with an abnormal agitator action problem.
On the wash cycle the agitator plate on this normally rotates in one direction for about one second then stops and reverses for about one second and so on…….
The fault presents as the agitator plate rotating in one direction for around eight seconds then a long pause then runs in reverse for about eight seconds, a few such cycles and it stops altogether, just sits there humming quietly at which point I turn it off in case something is getting overheated.
Pushing the gentle setting button (two buttons, normal or gentle) results in five second pulses in both directions with a longer pause in between but it still stops after a few of these.
It fills OK, I can turn the timer around to rinse/drain and it will pump out and spin dry as normal.
When its running the motor sounds normal.
Does anyone have any clues?
Cheers and thanks for reading.

[Penguin45]

Re: Sanyo model asw33ap fault diagnosis help needed

Sooner or later, I knew that this would happen…….. 😀 . The honest answer is that I haven’t a clue, although I might make an educated guess at what’s happening.

The machine probably uses an induction motor of some description to power the agitator. This uses a capacitor to (effectively) boot the motor into life – over time, it loses the ability to charge properly. Sluggish and erratic motor action is a typical symptom of capacitor failure, ultimatley the motor will not run. The humming noise you can hear may well be power reaching the motor, but without the “boost” of the capacitor, it will not go.

Power off if investigating – you are looking for a cylinder attached or adjacent to the drive motor, it will be marked with a rating in “uF”, which is the value it should be replaced with.

Slightly conjecture I’m afraid, but a fairly logical deduction. Please let us know how you get on – we love new stuff!

Regards,
Penguin45

[qas]

Re: Sanyo model asw33ap fault diagnosis help needed

I’d agree with penguins assesment, I can’t think of anything else that could cause this behaviour on a timer controlled machine. Most likely the capacitor will be near the motor or behind the control panel.

Let us know how you get on.

Steve

[twum_au]

Re: Sanyo model asw33ap fault diagnosis help needed

Many thanks Penguin and Steve 🙂
These small machines are pretty rare so I didn’t expect to find anyone who had actually worked on one so educated guesses were what I was hoping for. Yes I found the capacitor attached to the cabinet and I’ll look into a replacement part and see how we go, will check back afterwards,
Cheers and thanks again.
Greg

[Author]

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