Solved

Not sure if I need a new motor - can someone please advise?

SHShari
Asked almost 10 years ago 3,499 views
0

Hi,

A couple of months ago my Hoover DYN 9144DG machine stopped working so I used this site to diagnose and replace worn carbon brushes (thanks!). These brushes lasted only a couple of months, I assumed because they were 'compatible' parts rather than genuine ones, so I bought and fitted the genuine ones. Since then the machine has failed to spin after washing and clothes are coming out soaking. I've followed the diagnostic advice on this website and found a lot of sparking coming from the brushes (clear reflection onto a not too light floor) so I have pulled it all apart and found them to be in contact but worn in such a way to make me suspect the commutator (if that's the right word) is actually what is dodgy. The commutator (?) is quite uneven as I run it around manually. When doing this with a carbon brush in contact there are clear areas where it's causing the brushes to stick or jump. I've tried to take a photo that shows the difference it's too big to post here so I've posted them on Pinterest! http://pin.it/rJmBQ2V

My question is, is it normal for this part to be uneven or will this require a full motor replacement? It is a CESET MCC 61/64-148/CY12. Or did I just get more dud brushes?

Any help greatly appreciated - this is not the time of year to have sodden clothes!!

Thanks

Shari

Solution Summary

AI-generated from this discussion

This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.

Hoover DYN 9144DG not spinning due to worn/raised motor commutator

The problem
Hoover DYN 9144DG stopped spinning after wash, leaving clothes soaking. The owner had recently replaced worn motor carbon brushes, first with compatible brushes and then with genuine ones, but the fault remained and there was heavy sparking from the motor brushes.
Likely cause
Confirmed diagnosis was a faulty motor commutator on the CESET MCC 61/64-148/CY12 motor. The commutator was reported as uneven/raised, with areas causing the brushes to stick or jump, which is consistent with excessive sparking and poor brush contact.
What fixed it
The accepted advice was that the commutator should be very smooth and that raised commutator bars indicate a problem. The owner replaced the complete motor with a new one. Later advice stated there is no routine commutator maintenance; the practical prevention is to replace carbon brushes before they become heavily worn.
Checks to try
  • Observed heavy sparking from the brushes
  • Confirmed brushes were in contact but wearing unevenly
  • Manually turned the motor and found uneven/raised areas on the commutator
  • Noted places where the brushes stuck or jumped on the commutator
  • Compared operation after repair and found zero visible sparking
  • Verified spin restored at 1400rpm
Parts or tools mentioned
  • Genuine carbon brushes
  • Replacement motor
  • Old motor tacho coil and magnet mentioned as possible salvage parts

Safety: Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.

Confirmed fixedGenerated 17 Aug 2026 · AI summaries can make mistakes — read the full thread below.
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7 Answers

Accepted Answer
1
WH
WhitegoodshelpVerified Engineer
Answered almost 10 years ago

The commutator should be very smooth. Check out my article here about sparking problems after fitting new carbon brushes which I've just slightly amended to be more informative about raised comm bars.

Whitegoods Help — appliance repair expert and forum host.
1
SH
Shari
Answered almost 10 years ago

Hi Andy,

Thank you for your quick reply. From the link and information you have provided, I'm definitely convinced now it's the commutator (a bit pleased with myself for getting the word right also...). It is smooth in places then thickens up further in (the point where it is raised); has top to bottom evenness in some places then has a smoother middle section with what looks like areas untouched by the brushes at the top and bottom in other places. Think I need to bite the bullet and buy a new motor until I can afford to upgrade to a much better machine!

Thank you for your help, wish me luck!

Kind Regards

Shari

1
SH
Shari
Answered almost 10 years ago

So the new motor arrived this morning. Took 5 minutes to fit and voila!!! Currently running my 4th wash for today and it is like a brand new machine. Ran the first wash with the back exposed and there was zero sparking that I could see - massive difference to the fireworks display from the other day! It is so quiet, I now remember it being like that when it was fresh out the box but clearly got used to the grating and noise over time! Spinning like a dream at 1400rpm and I genuinely don't think any more water could be extracted from clothes without having a combi-dryer!

So pleased with, and appreciative of the information on your website Andy. Not only has it been really useful in saving me a lot of money, but I have managed to upskill myself a bit (and got to use my new drill set).

Thanks for the help!

Shari

ETA: oh, I meant to ask, is there anything I can do to maintain the surface of the commutator on this motor? Or is it just wear and tear that can't be helped?

1
WH
WhitegoodshelpVerified Engineer
Answered almost 10 years ago

Thanks Shari, and thanks for the update. It's always good to see a happy result. No the motor should just run unattended. The carbon brushes slowly wear over the years but only really damage the commutator when they are quite worn and not making good contact where they will create excessive sparking. The only thing you can do is to replace the brushes when about 70 - 80% worn. How long that will take though is anyone's guess because it depends on how the washing machine is used. Check them after a year to see how much they've worn down for an idea.

Whitegoods Help — appliance repair expert and forum host.
0
SH
Shari
Answered almost 10 years ago

Great Andy, thanks for the advice, I will be sure to do that.

One final question, if I may? Is it worth keeping the old motor for spares and repairs or just take it to the tip?

Regards

Shari

1
WH
WhitegoodshelpVerified Engineer
Answered almost 10 years ago

Many motors are designed to be unrepairable these days and can even be welded together with no way of taking them apart. It sounds like the main bits of yours are no good though any way. You could take off the small tacho coil and magnet at the end though just in case.

Whitegoods Help — appliance repair expert and forum host.
1
SH
Shari
Answered almost 10 years ago

Hi Andy,

Just noticed you had replied. Thanks for the advice, and for all the other help. Consider this a successful case closed!

Regards

Shari

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