WF321 – flashing lights

[suzana]

I’m having a problem with my Hotpoint washing machine that I hope someone will be able to help with.
It is WF321P model, 2 years old. It seems to have developed some sort of “artificial inteligence” and it’s having mind of it’s own. 😕
Basically as soon as the On/Off button is pressed you can hear the door gets looked and then machine starts taking water in? This is happening without pressing Start/Cancel button and without selecting any programme. Pressing Start/Cancel button doesn’t do anything at this point as machine doesn’t respond at all. Then after short delay On/Off light together with Rinse Hold and Mini Load indicator lights all start flashing while machine intakes water very rapidly and can not be stopped by pressing any buttons. Rinse Hold and Mini Load are the 3rd and 4th buttons along the detergent drawer side. The only way to stop machine at this point is to disconnect power supply.
The only info about flashing lights (although different ones!!) that I was able to find in user manual indicates blocked pump, so I checked pump filter and that is clean, however problem remains. I can’t let the water out, as “drain” programme does not work either as selecting any programme doesn’t make any difference, machine just repeats the above. What is the problem here and is it worth fixing, or…? 😕
Many thanks

[helo_75]

3rd and 4th is f03

ntc fault

its either the ntc faulty , or, more likely a pcb fault from what your experiencing

[suzana]

Re: WF321 – flashing lights

Thanks for taking time to reply, but I’m affraid I’m still in a dark after your answer 😐
I don’t know what ncp stands for, nor how big a problem that would imply in terms of time and cost of repair 😕 I do know what a pcb is, but if that is a problem is it worth reparing, how cost effective would it be 💡
I’d really appreciate if you could elaborate or point me in the right direction to find more information about this problem.
Many thanks 🙂

[suzana]

Re: WF321 – flashing lights

Hi again!

I did have a look on other posts to find out more about this f03 problem – could someone point out the best way to really establish if the problem lies in ncp or indeed pcb ❓
Is there a way for me to check this myself rather than calling someone in – I’m not adverse to poking around to check things if directed where to look and what to look for 💡

Many thanks 🙂

[Martin]

Re: WF321 – flashing lights

It’s 2 years old, it’s under guarantee. Call out Hotpoint and get it sorted and don’t start poking around with it. :rolls:

[suzana]

Re: WF321 – flashing lights

Thanks for your reply, but… Well I wish it was under guarantee, but it isn’t, it is covered for 12 months only 😥
True, parts are still covered, but labor isn’t and that will cost £99 if done by Hotpoint! That’s why I’m asking for help finding out exactly what is wrong as it might be cheaper to fix by independant repairman if part itself isn’t expensive, no?
By “poking around” I mean trying to figure out what is wrong by checking the part in question, not attempting to fix it myself 😳

Talking guarantee… this might be just me, but isn’t it incredible that most of washing machine faults to do with electronic controls seem to be happening after guaratee has expired. Coincidence?! 😡

Thanks

[iadom]

Re: WF321 – flashing lights

suzana wrote:

Talking guarantee… this might be just me, but isn’t it incredible that most of washing machine faults to do with electronic controls seem to be happening after guaratee has expired. Coincidence?! 😡

Thanks

Not coincidence, Sods Law. 😉

With all the other ‘faults’ you have reported its like helo_75 says, strong possibility of a PCB fault.

The parts alone will cost you £50 to £70 more than the Indesit Company labour charges as you will need a new board, a smart card and a smart card reader to programme the board. Even if a local indie used a refurbed board it would still like as not be more than £99 including labour.

[suzana]

Re: WF321 – flashing lights

Thank you – that’s very helpful.
I better get on, call Hotpoint and dish out ££ 😥 – hopefully it won’t be too long before they fix it.

Just another thing – before all this “flashing light” business started happening we had some decorators in who had to move the machine in order to get to the side wall, and they were not the most patient lot so when they returned machine I don’t think it was balanced well as it was very noisy in following use. As it was used only once following their visit and the next time the “Flashing” problem happened I’m thinking this can’t be just a coincidence ❓
Seeing the fault is electronics based is it possible that something on PCB got disconected while moving it, or in a subsequent rather rumbly wash? :rolls:

Many thanks 🙂

[helo_75]

erm, id be making sure its coupled right

i.e the cold pipe is attatched, not the hot!

[suzana]

helo_75 wrote:erm, id be making sure its coupled right

i.e the cold pipe is attatched, not the hot!

Erm… Everything is attached as it was before. They haven’t detached anything in the first place, they just moved machine from one place to another, but then when it was returned to its original place it seemed to have been positioned diferent. I’m thinking that the machine was unleveled once it was put back and therefore once the wash was started it started moving a lot and being very noisy and then it broke altogether 🙁

That’s why I asked would it be possible that this would have caused something to become detached on PCB and therefore cause the fault
❓

Thanks

[helo_75]

so they didnt remove the fill hoses?

[suzana]

helo_75 wrote:so they didnt remove the fill hoses?

No they didn’t. They were just moving machine around to get to the wall to be painted, but as I said once it was back in it’s original position it became unstable and noisy and started moving a lot, so I suspected that all the moving and vibrations might have cause PCB fault ?

[helo_75]

nothings impossible… maybe someone ( with the plug out ) check for loose connections on the board itself

[suzana]

helo_75 wrote:nothings impossible… maybe someone ( with the plug out ) check for loose connections on the board itself

Well – that someone would have to be me, and I am willing to give it a go, but unfortunately I don’t know how to do it 🙁 Don’t get me wrong, I am not advers to fixing a thing or two around the house and am pretty much hands on person, that’s why I enquired about it on this forum 8) … Only so far I haven’t had clear instructions on how to go about it – Where do I start , openning machine, where to look and what to check for on PCB, so if you can tell me I would very much appreciate that 😀

Many thanks

[Martin]

Re: WF321 – flashing lights

I refer you to my previous post, phone Hotpoint, it has a 5 year parts guarantee. Start messing with it an it’ll end in tears, trust me on this.

Helo_75 and his “check for loose connections on the board itself” is well out of order IMHO. 🙁 Stating “I’m willing to give it a go” may be his incentive but irresponsible is my take. 👿

[Author]

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