SIEMENS XL1400 fault

[JNP]

We’ve got the following fault with our 5 year old Siemens XL 1400 washing machine, model no WXL146AGB.

Until now the LED display timed down each operation from the start – for example for spin it started by showing 12 minutes then counted down to 0 as the spin came to an end. Now it shows 12 then the display goes blank (never done this before) and nothing happens. Power is on and both water-in and waste-out are clear. Door is locked. No fault code is showing.

An engineer over the phone has suggested that it’s a faulty control module. I notice that you’re wary about making this diagnosis. Any thoughts what else it could be? Thanks.

[Penguin45]

Re: SIEMENS XL1400 fault

I would start by checking the carbon brushes in the drive motor.

Penguin45.

[JNP]

Re: SIEMENS XL1400 fault

Thanks for the suggestion. I’ve looked at it more closely and run another cycle with the machine empty.
What seems to be happening is that it is functioning normally up as far as “Rinse”. So when it is set to wash it fills with water, rotates the drum and pumps out the water in the normal way after the correct time period, whilst counting down correctly on the LED.
It all goes pear-shaped at the “Rinse” phase when the LED display goes blank and nothing further happens – although you can hear the sound of something turning over inside. This also happens when “Rinse”, “Spin” or “Empty” are selected as separate actions with the function knob.
Seeing as the drum is rotating normally during washing, would this rule out the brushes?

[odom]

Re: SIEMENS XL1400 fault

No, probably still brushes. Would fail when tries to turn at higher speeds during rinse/spin.

[JNP]

Re: SIEMENS XL1400 fault

OK – I’ve checked the brushes and there is plenty left on them and the ends are shiny. Any thoughts if it’s not the brushes?

[JNP]

Re: SIEMENS XL1400 fault

This looks like the answer. We have found a small slit in the bottom of the door seal. During “Wash” water drips through the slit on to the base panel of the washing machine and triggers the anti-flood detector. The machine then closes down and refuses to go on to “Rinse”.
After the water has evaporated the machine will run again. For example, we tried the machine straight on to “Rinse” yesterday and it started up and counted down normally for 2-3 minutes then stopped. By that time enough water had dripped on to the base plate to trigger the detector. We are fitting a new door seal. If it doesn’t work I’ll let you know!

[Author]

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