Zanussi ZDF14021WA Dishwasher Completely DEAD

[Old_Tafr]

As above Zanussi ZDF14021WA completely dead.

This model has the on/off switch concealed on the top of the door so that you must press it before closing the door and selecting the program you want.

The machine is not long out of warranty, we use it on the timer overnight. A couple of times we have woken to find it has not run at all, but the “auto-off” has activated as no lights on, which is normal if it runs ok. At first we thought it was simply that we had forgotten to switch it on, (it had worked ok after this had happened) but this time I’m sure it was on, but in the morning it was completely dead and pressing the on-off switch does nothing.

Have checked the fuse, and the supply, both are good.

The machine failed twice when still on warranty, from memory it stopped as there was a leak and the tray inside filled with water, the first Zanussi engineer fixed this but it failed again in the same way, Zanussi visited again and since then until now has been ok.

I have some experience in electrics/electronics so happy to open things and use a meter to troubleshoot.

[captaincaveman1]

Re: Zanussi ZDF14021WA Dishwasher Completely DEAD

Presuming you have tried plugging it directly into a wall socket minus the timer then it could be the on/off switch not engaging properly so try pressing it and holding it down to see it the display lights. I’ve had a few display boards fail on this range so that’s possible or it could be the power supply part of the main pcb located rear bottom . I personally never recommend running any dishwasher on a timer overnight for safety reasons though. Hope this helps!

[Old_Tafr]

Re: Zanussi ZDF14021WA Dishwasher Completely DEAD

Apologies for any confusion. The “timer” is the built in one, not an external one.

I did try holding the switch down …… e.g. it could be a contactor type that holds the power on ……. but this didn’t make any difference.

I’m thinking it must be something fairly fundamental, like a power supply failure which would result in it being completely dead. I have read there is some for of input filter, looks like a capacitor with more leads, I will look for something like this.

Is it possible to get some for of workshop manual for this specific model?

[Old_Tafr]

Re: Zanussi ZDF14021WA Dishwasher Completely DEAD

I removed the back panel of the door, having seen the service engineer do the same when applying the replacement part when it failed the first and second time. Nothing to do with the present problem… it was to do with pipes and valves and water leaks.

The power switch didn’t feel very positive when operated so checked this by removing it and removing the two connectors (one large one small, both with two wires)

Each connector on the switch has two contacts, so I assume it has two separate single pole switches. If so then I would expect each switch to be open and close when the button is pressed, or vice-versa.

Not so. If we call the pins on one connector A & B and on the other X & Y then when I press the button I would expect

A to connect to X (or Y)
and
B to connect to Y (or X)
(or to be connected and open when the button is pressed)

No…….

A does not connect to X or Y

B does not connect to X or Y either.

So taking a different approach…

WITHOUT the button pressed I get ….
… between A and B a few ohms (i.e. on the SAME connector)
…between X and Y I get a short. (again on the same connector)

when I release the button I still get a short between X and Y “sometimes” sometimes its open circuit.

So I strongly suspect the switch is broke, and as I’m sure it is just a switch and has no other function…….. and as there is no power applied in any way ………… unless there is something like a diode or other component in the switch?

A circuit diagram of the whole machine would be really helpful, especially if it had a diagram of the switch………. are maintenance manuals available?

[Old_Tafr]

Re: Zanussi ZDF14021WA Dishwasher Completely DEAD

I had thought the switch may be some form of “contactor” but this would seem far too complex.

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