[davearn]

Re: Zanussi FJS1597W wiring damage from short

I had already repaired the track, of course, (how else would I have run a test).

A new switch has now been installed.

I agree basically with the safety statement – I should have made it clear I took great care and only ran a minimal test with an empty machine and just trying briefly a couple of actions eg fill, empty, spin.

In no way would I encourage anyone to run the machine for normal use with the door interlock switch disabled.

[davearn]

Re: Zanussi FJS1597W wiring damage from short – SOLVED

I have now tested the door switch and found that none of the three contacts are made when it is operated. To confirm this and to find out which contacts are meant to be made and when, I carefully cut off one side of the switch to reveal the inner workings. Three wires connect to the switch: two pink and one black.

It appears that the two pink wire contacts are made to allow the washing machine to operate. Power to the outer pink connection first flows through a heating block inside the switch to the black connection. When the heat inside the switch is high enough the internal mechanism ‘buckles’ to make the other contact (between the pink wire connections) to be made and at the same time the interlock for the door is engaged.

When the washing cycle stops I believe the heating block is disconnected (externally in the timer?) and the switch starts to cool. It takes a short while for the cooling to be sufficient for the mechanical ‘buckle’ to return to the original position, disconnecting the power and undoing the interlock so that the door can be opened. This temperature dependent mechanism may also prevent the door opening while the machine is full of very hot water (whether the power is on or off) – can anyone confirm this?

There fine cooling slots in the switch body – in my case these were partially blocked with dust/fluff etc. Maybe that caused the switch to overheat and fail?

Having established the proper working of the switch I temporarily linked the two pink wires together and the machine worked! Now waiting for a spare door switch to do a proper repair.

Here is a picture of the inside of the opened up switch:

http://newberry-it-ltd.co.uk/publicdocs/switch.jpg

Hope this is of use to others.

[davearn]

Re: Zanussi FJS1597W wiring damage from short

I have now taken some pictures of the controller and circuit board:

controller: http://newberry-it-ltd.co.uk/publicdocs/controller_indentifier.jpg

blown track: http://newberry-it-ltd.co.uk/publicdocs/blown_track.jpg

full circuit board: http://newberry-it-ltd.co.uk/publicdocs/full_circuit_board.jpg

I have looked at the door switch but cannot see anything visually wrong.

[davearn]

Re: Zanussi FJS1597W wiring damage from short

Many thanks for responding Seamy.

The p.c.b. (which in this case just consists of tracks, wire links and edge connector strips) is not marked with J1 etc.

I would use a multimeter to do checks but without a circuit diagram it is almost impossible without taking out/accessing all the components, so I am hoping someone will be able to identify which components are connected to those specific p.c.b. connections.

I will attempt to test the door catch switch tomorrow.

I will also take a picture of the p.c.b. and post that tomorrow.

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