Zanussi 1397 spin/no spin problems

[dave_h]

Firstly model -Zanussi wjs 1397
Problem is that after wash cycle neither long/short spin work .Out of curiosity tried drier cycle on cold -sounds like motor runsup -drum does not move and program ends .
On a long spin , drum moves back and fro ,with occasional turns -and program ends with what sounds like motor at speed .If persevered with ,doing several spins the machine spins normally in both modes .As soon as any other mode ( eg wash/rinse) is used ut’s back to no spin .
Have tried removing fluff filter to see if any water remains -no water .
Haven’t had a look inside ,AFAIK only way inside is via bottom of machine ,and I’ m trying to limit wet floors .
Noticethat there is a slight bit of gunk on inside of fluff filter( looks like soap).

Any pointers as to direction to take .I’d hate to call someone out for a simple problem as I’m now semi retired but starting to get verbal from mrs .

[TheSpinDoctor]

Re: Zanussi 1397 spin/no spin problems

Hi.

Things to check:

Motor brushes.

Air chamber.

Loading.

[dave_h]

Re: Zanussi 1397 spin/no spin problems

TheSpinDoctor wrote:Hi.

Things to check:

Motor brushes.

Air chamber.

Loading.

As said -haven’t been inside ,but motor ( working on assumption that it’s single motor with different configuration for fast spin) rotates drum on wash ,and after a bit does run every time on fast ( 1250) spin -unless there’s separate brushes for fast spin section .
.
Loading ,presume you mean in drum – still performs the same ,taking several attempts to get to proper spin cycle ,then stays that way on every attempt ,till a wash/rinse cycle is used – from empty to nigh on a full load . .

Having seen mention of air chamber elsewhere -strikes as possibility – as machine does more from a wet condition it performs a fuller spin cycle –
got some Dr beckman -will try that on a hot wash( if the rest of MC has powder sludge like fluff filter it’s a possibility -failing that will have to upend M/C and check brushes and chamber .

Edit ,to add update -mrs tells me that MC has completed cycle on a hot wash,no detergent ,only a bottle of Dr Beckman -spin cycle now back to normal -only now remains to test machine with clothes ,but on surface fault appears to be cured – from items above ( and the bits of soap powder gunk I saw) -strong possibility that it was air chamber gunked up .

Thanks to all for advice -if still giving problems will report back .

[dave_h]

Re: Zanussi 1397 spin/no spin problems

Update -after next wash -back to no spin .Brushes ok ,need some help on location of air chamber -bit more info – on short spin – drum moves a coupleof times ,then program switches to end ,condensor motor kicks in for a few seconds ,and program jumps to drain ,drum rotates once or twice then stops .Spin problem occurs whether full /empty .When it decided to work ,it span an item (IMHO) CLOSE TO MAX LOAD .

Tried a really hot wash to see if it would shift any gunk in places .Seemed strange that drum window did not steam up – so tested water temp – stone cold .Tried shutting off cold supply – with hot tap indicating about just around 40 – programs at 40 ,would not fill , programs over did fill -so it looks like hot control is ok .Switched on cold -it fills ok ,and no back fill to hot inlet .Cold responds to water valve control ,but not it seems to tempperature control .

Suspecting now that spin problem could be related to gunk in air chamber (assuming temperature has been low for some time ) .

Any ideas on the temperature problem would be appreciated – and the location of aur chamber ( to elimunate /prove fault there)

[Penguin45]

Re: Zanussi 1397 spin/no spin problems

There are two air chambers on most of these. One is in the side of the top of the sump hose – split the casing to access. The other is part of the box which the filter fits into. It is retained by snap-in lugs through the floor of the machine and it’s really, really awkward to remove.

Penguin45.

[dave_h]

Re: Zanussi 1397 spin/no spin problems

Thanks ,Penguin – job for tomorrow .Anyone got any ideas on the temperature problem .Haven’t done any testing yet – just looking at what ifs ,to ty and narrow problem down .

What doescome to mind is that some time ago ,we had a problem with kitchen gulley not clearing properly .On investigation I found a lot of white solid in the bottom ( like solidified soap powder , and thought mrs H had been overfeeding Zanussi ) -possibly now not dissolved properly due to low low temperature wash -if so ,it’s a credit to the machine ,that it has never failed to wash properly .

[dave_h]

Re: Zanussi 1397 spin/no spin problems

Penguin45 wrote:There are two air chambers on most of these. One is in the side of the top of the sump hose – split the casing to access. The other is part of the box which the filter fits into. It is retained by snap-in lugs through the floor of the machine and it’s really, really awkward to remove.

Penguin45.

Just to makesure I’ve found them both – one is on the output of the sump , and goes off upwards on a thin hose , the other is from the filter – both parts connected ,andit looks like both have to be removed together – with several smal hoses removed – but the hoses seem almost glued on -any tips for removal with no damage .

BTW blokes -i’m a maintenance eng by trade ,though it’s on comms electronics and comms/radio – so the principles etc ain’t foreign to me – but the “geography” is – I was taught -“know how it works ,then if it goes faulty ,find out whatit’s not doing , and compare to what it should do ,then you can start looking for a solution”

[Penguin45]

Re: Zanussi 1397 spin/no spin problems

Positive Mental Attitude – good…. 😀

OK, understand that the water level switches are operated by rubber diaphragms, which are pushed over by the displacement of air trapped in the pressure chambers. Chambers get choked, weird stuff can start to happen.

The skinny hoses are usually retained by small spring clips, which can be grabed and moved up the hose with pliers, you the need to lever the hose up the spigot with a flat bladed screwdriver in order to break their seal.

Penguin45.

[dave_h]

Re: Zanussi 1397 spin/no spin problems

Update – info a big help -now spotted capillories to pressure switches so I could then spot air chambers-
getting into filter one took a bit of thought – but was a lot easier than I’d have thought .That was the one causing the problems ( I’d say ) -full of fluff ,with no real escape path( hand the jap designer of this a sword ,someone) .Took a bit of blasting outside with hose to get it out .The other air chamber on this machine ,I’d say leave alone ,unless you can see it’s blocked – any muck getting in will come out by gravity( and this machine is almost a teenager) .( and the sump hose is a bit of a pig to refit .
Can confirm that disconnected chambers can also cause really wierd problems -I hadn’t secured the clip over the solid end – result programmer going wild ,programs half working etc .
But this one is determined to try me .Got it up and running again -tried a fill ,but then discovered pump not working – so get a wet floor .Turned out wire had popped off motor .So leaving any further work till tomorrow -then I can check for leaks ( especially the sump hose ) .

[dave_h]

Re: Zanussi 1397 spin/no spin problems

So far so good – tried a partial cold fill -and empty -all ok .Then tried a short spin ,again ok .Then tried a 40wash – looks ok ,and a long spin – again ok.
So that’s the spin problem cured .But , got a leak -possibly from the hose to the drum -that’s the one I thought might be iffy .
Now ,can anyone tell me -on a wash , does water get heated during wash ,or before ,as when drum rotates ,water is cold .There’s no blockage of the hot supply – I’ve run the tap hot and monitored the water in at the soap dispenser -hot .

I’ve taken some photos showing underside and the air chambers if they’re any use to the site – some a bit blurred ,but possibly of some use to someone like me as first timer trying to get to the air chambers . Only bit of advide I’ve got for anyone moving the spring clips is to tie a bit of string to them when removing and refitting -prevents them flying off into the machine if moles are used -there must be a proper tool ,but in all my years of replacing hoses/pumps on elderly twin tubs etc -never found one .

[TheSpinDoctor]

Re: Zanussi 1397 spin/no spin problems

The heater kicks in at the start of the wash after the programmer moves on by one step.

[dave_h]

Re: Zanussi 1397 spin/no spin problems

Thanks Spin Doctor -think I’ll work on the leak , then try something in for a 40 ,taking it out before the machine fills again -that should tell me .Don’t really want to go looking for imaginary faults due to assumptions ( like as water coming in is matched to temperature chosen ,or as close as , befor heater kicks in )

[dave_h]

Re: Zanussi 1397 spin/no spin problems

Yippee – think I’ve sorted leak. Spin Doctor – that was the missing info -I thought that it took in a hot/cold mix -possibly does ,but if hot is at low temp , it needs a bit of help – tried a 40 wash,and let it into cycle -stopped it on a quick wash, with water below door level -it’s hot .

So to all who helped -Mrs H sends a virtual pint .

[TheSpinDoctor]

Re: Zanussi 1397 spin/no spin problems

Guinness please! :tup:

[dave_h]

Re: Zanussi 1397 spin/no spin problems

TheSpinDoctor wrote:Guinness please! :tup:

Only one problem with Guiness – especially if you don’t normally drink it /particularly care for it – it’s all that’s on offer -you may think that the bottom’s fallen out of your world ,and if you drink too much ,then next day – you wonder if world is falling out of …..you know where 😯 😯

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