Why has my washing machine thrown a hissy fit?
Discussion
I have a hotpoint WMF740 that resides in the garage attached to the house.
It has a cold water feed and a waste out pipe. The cold water comes via a pipe from the kitchen sink.
So today about 8pm I put on a wash, at 9:30pm I'm greeted with water on the garage floor and all lights blinking on the machine and error code F-10. Which is 'Cold water feed obstructed - check it's switched on and not kinked'.
Now the garage is bloody cold and the pipe only has some foam insulation round it. Could it be frozen? If so why is there water in the first place? Could the waster be frozen and backing up? If so why am I getting error code F-10?
It has a cold water feed and a waste out pipe. The cold water comes via a pipe from the kitchen sink.
So today about 8pm I put on a wash, at 9:30pm I'm greeted with water on the garage floor and all lights blinking on the machine and error code F-10. Which is 'Cold water feed obstructed - check it's switched on and not kinked'.
Now the garage is bloody cold and the pipe only has some foam insulation round it. Could it be frozen? If so why is there water in the first place? Could the waster be frozen and backing up? If so why am I getting error code F-10?
the F10 error code is officially "pressure switch not sensing" which means the pcb is not registering any water coming in, which doesnt mean the water is not coming in. Turn the tap off and unscrew the fill hose from the back of the machine and place it in a bucket, turn on the tap just to prove the supply is not froze up. Given the temperature out there it could be weather related. Maybe the inlet pipe is not frozen but the machines internals are or even something has split inside allowing the water to pour out rather than enter the drum. These machines have a tendency to blow their electronics even if you look at them the wrong way so first unplug it from the mains as any leaked water could cause it to blow. Would suggest either heating the garage or waiting for a warm up and at least give it a chance to dry out.
f13ldy said:
I'm reckon the machine was frozen inside, hopefully there is no lasting damage, although it is only 3 months old.
I would imagine if you try to get it fixed under guarantee, the first thing they'll say is that frost damage isn't covered.To be honest, it would be amazing if it didn't freeze up at the moment.
fatboy b said:
f13ldy said:
The wife has just tried to put it on after warming it up and is now getting a H-20 error code.
That'll be the water error code then 
The pipes aren't frozen so it must be a fault within the machine. Got an engineer coming out Wednesday.
Oh the joy...
Have you checked the pressure pipe? 'Tis usually a clear plastic pipe running top to bottom of machine. I think it is common to your machine and, can come unattached at the top end. I think you will find it underneath the soap-draw, or there about. Will have to take the top off to do this and, don't forget to disconnect from power first.
Ours froze up. I thawed it by:
- removing the emergency drain plug at the from bottom-right
- pouring hot water in the drum - catching it at the emergency drain. This unfroze the drain-pump impeller.
- Heater aimed at the back to thaw the mains feed pipe.
- jug of boliing water placed in the drumm with the door shut. This gradually thawed the mains feed in the machine (took about an hour)
All sorted now.
- removing the emergency drain plug at the from bottom-right
- pouring hot water in the drum - catching it at the emergency drain. This unfroze the drain-pump impeller.
- Heater aimed at the back to thaw the mains feed pipe.
- jug of boliing water placed in the drumm with the door shut. This gradually thawed the mains feed in the machine (took about an hour)
All sorted now.
Mine did this the other day, switched it on and water poured out the bottom. Took the filter cover of, pulled the ice out and got the impeller spinning again. Switched it back on and water still poured out the bottom. Took the top off and a little pipe had disconnected from the soap drawer, put that back and is now fine, all I can think is the ice "blew" the pipe off.
If you can it might be worth taking the top off just to have a gander before paying someone to fix it.
Jim
If you can it might be worth taking the top off just to have a gander before paying someone to fix it.
Jim
good point, some of the felxible hoses may be somewhat stiff when frozen and may well pull off as the tub moves up and down. If the the water path inside the dispenser is frozen, then the hoses from the inlet valve to the dispenser may also blow off when mains pressure reaches it after thawing out the fill hose. Beware though, if a hose has blown off and significant water has leaked out then un plug and leave it a few days to dry out, a drop of water in the motor will also take out the module = written off washing machine. Dont forget your outlet drain may also be frozen so when the machine pumps out it may do so all over the floor.
We have also found some of the electronics, in tumble driers especially, are not coping well with the weather. The sensors/NTC are working below their designed temperature range and causing error codes/ flashing lights etc. In the old days of thermostats and mechanical timers this was never a problem.
We have also found some of the electronics, in tumble driers especially, are not coping well with the weather. The sensors/NTC are working below their designed temperature range and causing error codes/ flashing lights etc. In the old days of thermostats and mechanical timers this was never a problem.
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