In the modern world, it is difficult to find a family that does not use a washing machine. Often during operation a situation arises when the washing machine does not heat the water. Most modern models have a self-diagnosis function, so they turn off in such cases, and a fault code is displayed on the display. Budget models, as a rule, do not have this opportunity. In this case, the washing process continues, which significantly prevents the timely detection of a specific malfunction.
Most often, the washing machine completely stops heating the water, which may be indicated by poorly washed clothes. You can detect and fix the problem either yourself or by contacting a specific service center for repairing washing machines.
How to determine that the washing machine has stopped heating water
The first sign is cold laundry immediately after washing, since the rinse will take place in cold water. In addition, it is worth paying attention to what program the wash is performed in. Many well-known brands of washing machines, including Indesit and Bosch, are equipped with built-in programs for silk and synthetic items that are washed in cold water. A delicate wash program may also be present.
Some washing machines from brands such as LG, Beko and a number of others have washing mode and temperature controlled by separate switches. If the specified washing parameters and the actual temperature do not match, it means that the washing machine heats the water incorrectly or does not heat it at all.
You can check the temperature compliance using the attached instructions that come with each device.
If it seems to you that the water in the drum is not heating up at all, then the check can be done without a thermometer. To do this, load the laundry into the machine and start the wash, selecting a program with a temperature of more than 60°C. When about half an hour has passed, place your hand on the hatch door and make sure it is warm. If it is cold, then the heating element of the washing machine does not heat the water.
Checking the pressure switch
If the heating element and temperature sensor are working properly, and the washing machine does not heat the water, you need to check the water level sensor in the tank (pressostat).
If the pressure switch tube is clogged with lint and small debris, it may result in the sensor not sending a signal that the washing tank is full of water. As a result, the control module does not turn on the heating element, or does not give a signal to open the intake valve. As a result, the water does not heat up in the washing machine. You can determine the blockage visually by removing the top or side cover of the washing unit and removing the tube.
Causes of malfunction
A washing machine is a complex mechanism that includes a huge number of elements.
If the washing machine does not heat the water, then a malfunction is possible for one of the following reasons:
- the electric water heater broke down;
- The thermostat has deteriorated;
- the electronic control unit has deteriorated;
- It is necessary to install a new water level sensor.
Partial heating occurs due to:
- incorrect connection of the washing machine to the drain system;
- The wrong washing program has been selected.
Wash temperature setting is incorrect
Before moving on to radical measures to disassemble the washing machine, it would not hurt to check the banal reason for washing in cold water. Take the instructions and study them carefully. Some modes, for example, “Delicate wash” or “Silk items”, by definition, do not use heating water.
If the specified program uses heating, check that the settings are correct. Temperature readings may simply not correspond to the program, which is why the water will remain cold. This is especially true for the newest models of washing machines, which, as a rule, are equipped with two separate program setting controls.
The heating element has failed
A water heating element fails, usually due to a voltage surge in the electrical network, a manufacturing defect, a short circuit or natural destruction of the element due to the aging of household appliances. A burnt heating element must be replaced.
Scale on the heating element
The heating element may be working properly, but heat the water to lower temperatures than set by the selected program. This happens due to hard water, which contains large amounts of calcium and magnesium salts. Salts contribute to the formation of scale on the walls of the heating element, as a result of which the heat transfer of the heating element deteriorates. In addition, the heating element begins to overheat and sooner or later will fail.
To get rid of a layer of scale, use one of the cleaning products for water heating elements. The easiest way is to take 100 grams of powdered citric acid, pour it into an empty laundry drum and turn on the wash for an hour and a half at a water temperature of 60 degrees. This time is enough to completely corrode the accumulated scale on the heating element.
Control unit failure
Sometimes the electronic control unit fails. The reason for this may be a software failure or breakdown of any electrical components.
Electrical components may fail due to short-term voltage surges. The control board may be damaged due to frequent vibration loads during the washing process. For these reasons, the normal operation of the module is disrupted, after which the signal to turn on the heating element stops.
Thermal sensor has failed
Temperature sensor location
The temperature sensor (thermostat) is designed to control the temperature inside the tank. Since any washing program has a specific temperature, the electronic control unit constantly compares the thermostat data with the programmed data from the ROM.
If the thermostat breaks down, the washing machine may either not heat the water or bring it to a boil. In the vast majority of washing machines, this sensor is located near the heating element or on the heater panel. Using a multimeter you can check whether it is working or not.
Replacing the temperature sensor with a new one occurs as follows:
- remove the rear cover of the unit;
- disconnect the connector with wires from the thermostat;
- remove the faulty sensor from the socket and install a working one in its place;
- reconnect the connector with wires.
Damage to the water level sensor
In some cases, the pressure switch becomes unusable. This device is necessary to control the water level in the tank. Using a tube connected to the sensor membrane, the pressure switch measures the pressure created by the water. Sometimes the tube becomes clogged with all sorts of small debris, animal hair, or pieces of fabric.
The owner of the device will need to clean the tube by removing the top cover. A pressure sensor will be installed on the right or left side of the housing. Simply remove the clamp and disconnect the tube for cleaning. If this does not correct the situation, then the pressure switch will need to be replaced.
The wiring to the heating element is faulty
Due to increased vibrations during spinning, sometimes a break occurs in one of the conductive circuits. The frayed wires are soldered and carefully insulated. If you have not found the location of the wiring break, you will need to contact a washing machine repair technician.
Self-draining of hot water due to improper connection of the washing machine to the sewer
If you connect the washing machine to the drain hole incorrectly, the water will flow down the drain spontaneously. It will not warm up to the required temperature due to constant draining and auto-topping.
Checking the electronic module
Malfunctions in the operation of the programmer or control unit can be caused by both software failures and failure of the electrical part.
A voltage drop can lead to burnout of electrical components. Vibration loads cause mechanical damage to electrical circuit boards. All these reasons lead to programmer failures, and the signal to turn on the heating element is not given. At home, it will be difficult to identify the cause of the malfunction, and it is better to entrust the elimination of defects in the control unit to the service center technicians.
Attention! When carrying out all work on diagnosing and repairing the internal elements of the washing unit, it is necessary to disconnect it from the electrical circuit.
How to identify a faulty part
During the washing process, as well as during spinning, all components of the washing machine are subject to increased vibration loads. As a result, one of the device nodes may become disconnected. To fix the problem, you will need to visually inspect all the elements and components of the washing machine and connect the fallen wire back into place.
All known models of washing machines are built on the same principle and are equipped with a heating element. They often have a tubular heating element installed, which transforms electricity into heat.
Next, we will consider ways to diagnose the most basic elements of washing machines.
Heating element diagnostics
Most often, it is the heating element that fails, which makes normal heating of the water impossible. With proper operation, the heating element can last at least 5 years. However, many people are forced to use hard water. The problem is aggravated by the use of low-quality detergents. As a result, scale appears on the heating element, its heat transfer deteriorates, and sooner or later it will definitely fail.
Electric heating elements are used in household appliances such as kettles, coffee machines, pressure cookers, boilers, and so on. There are heating elements of wet and dry types. Dry water heaters do not come into direct contact with water. However, most often manufacturers of washing machines, including Samsung, LG, Ariston and Bosch, use wet-type heating elements in their devices. The only way they differ is in shape and power consumption.
Electric water heaters with a power of about 1500-2500 W are installed in household washing machines. These indicators can always be seen on the unit body, as well as in the accompanying technical documentation. To check the functionality of the heating element, you will need a multimeter.
To get accurate results, resistance calculations should be carried out for a specific element using the formula R = U² / P, where:
- R – resistance, Ohm;
- U – mains voltage, V;
- P – water heater power consumption, W.
For example, in our case the heating element will have a power of 1500 W, then:
R = 220² / 1500 = 32.26 Ohm.
The calculated resistance for a 2000 W electric heater is 24.2 ohms.
To check the heating element we will need:
- Disconnect the wires from the heating element.
- Set the multimeter to measure resistance in the mode up to 1 kOhm.
- Place the tester probes against the contacts of the water heater.
If the heater is in working order, the measuring device should show results close to the calculated ones. “Zero” will indicate a short circuit inside the heating element. In what case will it need to be replaced? If the tester shows a “one” or an infinity symbol, then a break has occurred in the water heating element, and it will also need to be replaced.
To find out whether the water heater has penetrated the housing, you will need to switch the multimeter to the “buzzer” dialing mode, and touch the housing of the heating element with one of the probes of the device. If a breakdown appears on the tester display, numbers will appear or a sound signal will sound.
Control module diagnostics
It will be almost impossible to detect and eliminate this defect yourself, so it is best to entrust this work to an experienced technician.
But if you still decide to fix the problem on your own, then remember that all work on troubleshooting and repairing the internal components of the washing machine must be carried out with the obligatory disconnection of the device from the electrical network.
Checking the water level sensor
If the heating element is not damaged, you can then check the pressure switch. If it is clogged, the control unit does not receive a signal from the tank about filling with water. Because of this, the command to turn on the water heater and close the inlet valve is not sent.
To check and correct possible problems with the water level sensor, you will need to do the following:
- disconnect the washing machine from the power supply;
- Based on the device model, remove the back or front panel;
- disconnect the power wires and the electric heater;
- visually inspect the pressure switch;
- remove and clean the water sensor tube, check for leaks.
Checking the temperature sensor
If everything is in order with the heating element and pressure switch, you need to check the temperature sensor. Quite often, the water in the washing tank does not heat up precisely because of it.
Most often it is installed on the body of the water heater. It is made in the form of a small metal cylinder to which power wires fit. Although in some washing machines it may have a different appearance.
To check the temperature sensor you will need to perform the following steps:
- remove the sensor from the tank, having first disconnected the wires from it;
- use a tester to check its resistance;
- lower the temperature sensor into hot water and measure the resistance again;
- compare the results - if they are almost the same, then the sensor must be replaced.
Adviсe
- If your washing machine has been in use for more than 7 years, most likely most of the problems in its operation are related to the heating element. The quality of our tap water leaves much to be desired, so the service life of the heating element is noticeably reduced. Experts advise replacing this element as soon as the first problems appear.
- Modern models of washing machines are equipped with a forced water heating function (read how to start it in your user manual). If the thermostat malfunctions, this function will help you do without replacing the water temperature sensor for some time.
- One of the indicators that the washing machine is not heating the water is the musty smell of the washed items. It does not always appear, but if you notice it, first of all you need to test the heating element for serviceability.
- In order to extend the service life of the tubular heating element (after all, interruptions in water heating are most often associated with it), you need to use only high-quality washing powders and not exceed the dosage of detergents and care products. If you are concerned about the quality of your tap water, install a flow-through filter to reduce the hardness level.
Sources
https://vannayasovety.ru/tekhnika/stiralnaya-mashina-ne-greet-vodu.html https://o-vannoy.ru/stiralnaya-mashina/ne-greet-vodu/
Debugg
A number of problems with the washing machine can be resolved on your own without involving a technician from the service center. To determine the cause of the failure, you will need to conduct diagnostics.
Self-diagnosis can be carried out for the following elements of the unit:
- Water level sensor (cleaning of small debris).
- Water heater (removal of scale and rust).
- Wiring.
Some components of the washing machine can be checked using a multimeter, if necessary, replacing failed elements with new ones. An exception may be a programmer or control unit, the repair of which will need to be entrusted to a specialist.
If you do not find any faults with the above components of the washing machine, check that the device is connected to the drain correctly.
For this:
- Unplug the washing machine.
- Check all hoses.
- Clean the filters.
- Install the ball valve.
- The drain hose should be located at a height of 50-100 cm from the floor.
It is best to drain through a sink or bathtub siphon.
Question answer
Why does water take so long to heat up?
Any part does not break immediately, it does so gradually. Most likely, your heating element is broken - a large amount of scale has formed on it. To descale the heating element, add water softener during washing.
How to determine that there is no heating?
To understand whether the machine heats the water, start the wash at a temperature of 40 degrees. After half an hour, place your palm on the glass of the hatch. If it's cold, there really is a problem.
Dismantling the heating element
Replacing a heater is not as simple as it seems at first glance. But if you have the skill, you can do it yourself.
To do this you will need the following tools:
- socket wrench;
- one or two slotted screwdrivers.
Before you start, you need to reset all contacts:
- two power;
- grounding;
- chip on the sensor.
Taking out the water heater
Then unscrew the screw, but not all the way. It is important! There is only one, so it is impossible to mix them up. Then you need to press the end with force using some kind of device. The screw should go inside and thereby release the heater mount.
After this, use screwdrivers to pry the edges of the heating element, pulling it away from the body. Here you need to use both force and accuracy so as not to damage the tank. Most modern washing machines have plastic. To replace, you need to purchase a heater of appropriate power (1700-2200 Watt) and size.
Video
Let us immediately note that this breakdown is typical for all SMA brands, for example, such as: “Samsung”, “Lji”, “Bosch”, Electrolux, “Zanussi”, Ariston, “Indesit”, “Virpull”, “Kandy”, “ Hans", Gorenje, "Ardo", "Beko", AEG, "Miele", "Siemens", "Kaiser" and "Atlant".
Detection of lack of heating
On front-loading washing machines, determining the presence of water heating is quite simple. This can be done by touching the glass of the hatch. You need to understand certain subtleties.
On fast wash programs (up to 30 minutes), heating starts immediately. Accordingly, after some time it is already possible to determine its presence or absence. In classic modes, voltage is supplied to the heating element 10-15 minutes after drawing water. This must be taken into account when diagnosing.
Are you using citric acid?
Oh yes! No
This approach will not work on top-loading machines. You need to show a little ingenuity and patience. First of all, you need access to the drain hose. Then wait until the water drains before rinsing. If the heating is working, this can be seen by the temperature of the drain hose.
There is another way. We remove one of the side panels and determine the heating by the tank. In this case, you need to be careful not to touch metal parts.
Expert opinion
I work in the household appliance repair industry. Extensive experience in restoring washing machines and dishwashers.
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If there is no grounding, there may be an electric shock!
Prevention
In order not to encounter a problem when the washing machine does not heat the water, preventive measures should be taken:
- Before operation, carefully study the technical instructions;
- for hard water, add softening agents;
- periodically drive away the SM with lemon or vinegar;
- From time to time, check and clean the pressure switch tube.
When these rules are followed, the problem of water not heating is doubtful.
In most cases, you can deal with the reasons why the water in an automatic washing machine does not heat up on your own. But if a problem occurs in the control unit, you should not try to figure it out yourself. It's better to call a service technician.
Wiring
Wires can burn out under increased loads, or burst at bends or in contact groups. If they are damaged, either the module does not receive information about the water temperature, because voltage is not supplied to the heating element.
Using a tester, you need to identify the break and replace the faulty wire.
Wires in the washing machine
