Beko Wmb 81421 M not spinning
After 5 good years my machine seems to have stopped spinning. It will fill a little with water, stop for 30-60 seconds, fill a little more, stop, no spin, then drain a little, then stop for a few minutes before the display shows it’s at the end of the cycle. I checked the pump, removed a euro coin and clothes tag from the fan, then verified it was free of other debris and could spin properly. Restarted the machine and had the same issue (although it seems to take on more water and drain more easily)
After reading several forums I took the motor off to check on the carbon brushes. I found a good amount of carbon dust, but the brushes seem ok: look to be at least 80% of original size, no burning on the holder, and the brushes are touching as far as I can tell. The only thing that seems a little off is that the contact area of the brush looks to be at 2 angles and not flat/round (hopefully the picture attached shows what I'm trying to describe).
I ran my finger across the commutator and didn’t find that any of the bars are raised. It’s my first time working on anything like this and I’m out of ideas and haven’t found any other ideas on the forum.
Unfortunately I didn’t check the error codes before taking the motor off, but will reassemble everything tonight and check for the codes (mine doesn’t have a digital display). Before going thru the ‘fun’ of reassembling the motor, does anyone have any other suggestions for what the issue could be? Is it worthwhile to get new carbon brushes to test? Thanks in advance for any help, the kids cloths are piling up and it’s only a matter of time before my wife’s patience runs out and we get a new machine. Cheers!
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.
Beko Wmb 81421 M completes cycle without spinning
- The problem
- The washing machine would take in water in stages, pause, sometimes drain a little, then end the programme without spinning. After reassembly it filled fully, but when spin should start there was only an audible click and an illuminated board component/relay area, with no drum movement.
- Likely cause
- The motor fault was not confirmed. The discussion suggests the carbon brushes and belt were probably serviceable, so the strongest supported diagnosis was an electrical fault requiring meter-based testing, possibly in the motor circuit or control/relay area. The exact failed part was not confirmed.
- What fixed it
- The only supported advice was that the fault could not be properly diagnosed without a test meter unless the brushes were obviously worn or burnt. No documented repair was carried out. The original poster indicated they were likely to replace the machine rather than continue fault-finding.
- Checks to try
- Pump checked and a euro coin and clothes tag removed from the pump fan
- Pump then verified free of further debris and able to spin properly
- Motor removed and carbon brushes inspected
- Carbon dust found around the motor area
- Commutator checked by touch and no raised bars found
- Wiring connections on the board were checked after reassembly
- Observation that a click occurred and a board component/relay area lit when spin was called for
- Parts or tools mentioned
- Carbon brushes
- Pump
- Motor
- Control board/relay area
- Test meter
Safety: Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
3 Answers
It's hard to see the carbon brush properly as the photo is too small and a little blurred. It looks like it might be ok but as you say it doesn't look as if it's been making full contact. The end of the brush that trails on the commutator should be shiny and smooth all over. The fault of the motor not running isn't really possible to diagnose without a test meter unless it's obvious that the brushes are worm or burnt. These articles might help a little -
carbon brushes diagnostics
Washing machine drum not turning
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Update: So I dusted off the carbon brushes, and put everything back together, verified all the wiring connections on the board and not much change. Now the machine will fill fully, but when it's time to spin, I hear a click and the relay switch (?) circled in the attached picture lights up, but the machine doesn't spin at all. After a few minutes I hear the click and the box lights up again, but still no spinning. Almost seems like its going thru the program minus the spinning. Any thoughts? The green wires I circled go down and directly to the motor. Sorry if relay box isn't the right term, I'm a novice at working on things like this. Thanks in advance.
Hi Andy,
Thanks for the help, and sorry for the poor picture quality. The brushes look exactly like the one from your first article in the section 'Hotpoint Carbon brushes OK'.
I had actually read both articles prior to the test and I think both the carbon brushes and belt are OK. Seems like it's something with the circuit board or relay, but both are above my (very) limited knowledge. I'll keep tinkering for a bit, but think a new machine will be ordered soon. Thanks again for your help though, the articles and advice were great and super easy to follow. Cheers!
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