SMEG DWF66 – diagnostics

[Alistair12]

Have a Smeg dishwasher that runs for about 2 seconds then stops. None of the E error codes are displayed. When I run the Smeg test program it runs through stages C1 – C6 then stops. When it is restarted it skips C7 and runs from C8 through to the end.

I have a sneaking suspicion that this is telling me I have a problem with the soap dispenser as described elswhere on this site but wondered if anybody could confirm. If not this then suspect the PCB needs replacing as everthing else seems to work fin (pump/circulation/heater and so on).

[gegsy]

Re: SMEG DWF66 – diagnostics

I think your suspicions are correct 😉

Greg

[Alistair12]

Re: SMEG DWF66 – diagnostics

Suddenly working again now – no doubt will hold up until Christmas day before deciding it definately needs a soap dispenser or such like.

[clivejameson]

Re: SMEG DWF66 – diagnostics

Hi Alistair

You can usually detect an intermittant soap dispenser by checking the coil for continuity whilst gently bending the contacts back and forth a little. If the coil is faulty the circuit will disappear!

Don’t forget, plug out before doing any work :zap:

[timinder]

Re: SMEG DWF66 – diagnostics

I have exactly the same problem with my DWF66 at the moment. I have checked and cleaned the fill chamber and transfer pipe and this has not cured the fault. The drain pump is working fine as I was able to test it by pushing up the foam float on the underside.
My question is: Is there any way to test whether the soap dispenser is causing the problem without fitting a known good one?
I tried unplugging the solenoid, (to remove any possible ‘noise’ form it intermittently working) that didn’t work.
(I also tried giving it some strategic ‘welly’ but that didn’t work either!)

[clivejameson]

Re: SMEG DWF66 – diagnostics

timinder wrote:
My question is: Is there any way to test whether the soap dispenser is causing the problem without fitting a known good one?

Yes….with a multimeter!

Another ‘bodge’ test is to connect the coil from an inlet valve from another machine to see if the dishwasher now functions 😉

[timinder]

Re: SMEG DWF66 – diagnostics

Thanks Clive, I’ll do a continuity check later and report back.
One more thing, and I think I know the answer to this already…. is it possible/likely that this will have knackered the timer board? (or would it just not work at all?)
Ta

[clivejameson]

Re: SMEG DWF66 – diagnostics

It’s quite possible that the board will be damaged though it usually survives. The only practical way is to try it unfortunately 😕

[timinder]

Re: SMEG DWF66 – diagnostics

I’ve just tested the solenoid – no continuity.
I shorted the wires that connect to it and hey presto! everything else now works fine, so it looks like I’m going to have to buy a soap dispenser.
What an odd system design!

Thanks for your help Clive.

[timinder]

Re: SMEG DWF66 – diagnostics

Update:

Bought and fitted a new soap dispenser. Attached wires and it will now start, but the dispenser doesn’t operate and open its door now. I have put a meter across it and the solenoid is OK and there’s 240v across the wires. I then put the meter across the two wires to test current and there’s none at any point in the cycle (I was expecting it to spike as the program reached the point of opening the door)

What now?

[cockney steve]

Re: SMEG DWF66 – diagnostics

I shorted the wires that connect to it and hey presto! everything else now works fine, so it looks like I’m going to have to buy a soap dispenser.

have put a meter across it and the solenoid is OK and there’s 240v across the wires. I then put the meter across the two wires to test current and there’s none at any point in the cycle (I was expecting it to spike as the program reached the point of opening the door)

So! you ignored all the site safety warnings 😯

As you have done so, you probably realise that the coil appears to have a permanent feed…so-saying, it’s operation would entail switching the Neutral….therefore, far from “spiking” you’d expect a voltage DROP across the load (coil)……but, as you shorted the wires, the full voltage would try to go straight to neutral….the circuit-board would not like this at all.

I may be unduly alarmist here, but PLEASE , NEVER test live appliances, -especially if you really don’t know what you’re doing and haven’t thought things through properly!

My guess…you’ve blown the board (but I hope for the sake of your wallet that i’ve guessed wrongly.

[timinder]

Re: SMEG DWF66 – diagnostics

Thanks for the answer, you could well be right 🙁
Luckily though, everything else still works OK, just that I now have to chuck the tablet/powder in with the dishes rather than in the door. (so no pre-wash programs).

I think it may be engineer time now, apart from the board, what is that likely to cost me?

[Penguin45]

Re: SMEG DWF66 – diagnostics

timinder wrote:I’ve just tested the solenoid – no continuity.
I shorted the wires that connect to it and hey presto!

I suspect the actual current problem lies here. Those two wires were a 240v live and neutral – joining them together has almost certainly blown the operating circuit due to the lack of resistance.

Wrong decision, I’m afraid.

Penguin45.

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