Zanussi DES959

[Kentish]

I have an interesting fault that occurs with a Zanussi DES 959, pd no 911886007 d/w whereby the fault code AL3 appears, after the dishwasher has been on for about 50 mins of the 65 degree program (which is indicated at 92 min length). It then stops full of water.
However if it is put onto a rinse-hold program it works fine.

When the fault code appears, the rinse LED is still lit, and detergent flap still closed indicating that the d/w hasnt drained from the pre-rinse part of the 65deg program.

So far I cant see anything obvious, but knowing Zanussi from old there is usually a constant fault related somewhere.
Does anyone have an idea or seen this symptom before?

Cheers guys.

[Dave_Conway]

Re: Zanussi DES959

Kentish, AL3 is a “water heating timeout” error, where the water hasn’t reached the correct temperature within 45 minutes. Here are the possible scenarios from the Zanussi service manual.

a) Heating element interrupted
b) Safety thermostat open
c) Wiring interrupted / disconnected
d) NTC sensor incorrectly positioned / Poor
thermal contact
e) Insufficient water circulation

Hope that helps a bit.

Dave.

[Kentish]

Re: Zanussi DES959

Aaaahhhhhhhhhhh….. but why doesnt it drain and move into the wash section and open the soap flap. Thats is what is really puzzling me.

But thanks for that bit of info.

Kentish

[Martin]

Re: Zanussi DES959

I think it probably the most obvious line to check as Dave suggests (his Item a) Heater????????

After it has proceeded some 50 mins as you say, it should have long ago started to wash and released the detergent flap and be well hot by then. I reckon the reason is in the heater circuit somewhere??

Martin

[eastlmark]

Re: Zanussi DES959

Get a magnifier and look VERY carefully for dry joints on the console module. We have had 2 recently of this family (not ness this model number) where this had been the no heat problem. Try around the LOW voltage terminals of the heater relay.

[Alex]

Re: Zanussi DES959

If the heater is the “in line” type, look at the toc on the barrel. They tend to be sensitive due to connection inside breaking down. Caused by blocked filters which make the thing overwork.

Complete heater assy. is the fix.

[Author]

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