Samsung Eco-Bubble combi, needs a new drain pump, but there's 2!
Hi, I've become a home grown expert in the terrible joy of maintaining a Combi machine. Samsung Eco Bubble 8kg model. (WD80J6400AW)
I frequently get the 5c error code, so I drain it and I take it apart and clean all the hoses and it normally works again. This time it didn't work so I guessed that the drain pump had finally given up.
I referred to many videos as i haven't done this in many years. I cannot find any specific info for my model, or good info on combi's at all.
But when I took the unit apart there's 2 pumps (DC31-00181A). I started a spin cycle and I could see that one pump worked. I swapped them over and sure enough neither worked, so that looks to me like one is dead. But then the functioning one doesn't work when plugged into the location of the burnt out pump.
So really what I need help figuring out is, is the second pump supposed to work at the same time as the first or does it operate on a different schedule. I've ordered a replacement pump, but is there another problem that I will have to deal with? Could the wires of been damaged, I cannot see any obvious external damage.
I put a volt meter to the wires, whilst on the spin cycle, !st location reads 1v, the 2nd fluctuates between -0.1 and 0.1. Exactly the same readings come out of the plug that the pump wires plug into.
I would appreciate any expansion to my knowledge as I feel I'm basically a washer/dryer combi technician in training.
Thanks in advance
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.
Samsung WD80J6400AW has two pumps; failed unit identified as recirculation pump
- The problem
- Samsung Eco-Bubble washer-dryer WD80J6400AW was showing 5C and the owner found two identical pumps fitted. One pump operated during spin, the other did not, causing confusion over whether both should run together and whether there was an additional wiring fault.
- Likely cause
- The discussion supports that the non-working pump is the recirculation pump rather than the drain pump. The accepted reply states that where two pumps are fitted, the second is usually a recirculation pump that returns water to the top of the drum and only operates during wash or rinse, not during draining/spin.
- What fixed it
- Identify the pump by its hose routing: the drain pump goes to the external drain hose, while the recirculation pump feeds back into the drum. Check the suspect pump with a continuity meter; if it is open circuit, it has failed electrically and should be replaced. The exact repair completion was not confirmed in the thread.
- Checks to try
- Observed that one pump operated on spin and the other did not
- Swapped the two DC31-00181A pumps to compare behaviour
- Voltage readings were checked at both pump connections
- Accepted advice was to test the suspect pump with a continuity meter
- Identify each pump by following the outlet hose routing
- Parts or tools mentioned
- DC31-00181A pump
- continuity test meter
- volt meter
Safety: Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
3 Answers
Hello there. To test a pump you need a continuity test meter. If one has failed electrically you should find that it is open circuit. If two pumps are fitted inside a washing machine the second one is usually a recirculation pump designed to recirculate water back into the drum and should only operate on wash or rinse. If this is the case then you should be able to see that the output of the pump goes back into the drum at the top whereas the pump designed to pump out the water obviously should have a drain hose that goes to the sink or to an outside drain.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
OK, thank you, that makes sense.
It is the recirculating pump that burnt out then.
Is there any way to figure out which, cycles don't require the recirculating pump? And which do and when? Without me sitting by the machine for hours and running all the programs, that is.
I wish manufacturers made this information easier to obtain.
I would expect all cycles use it. The whole point of it is to shower the laundry with water in order to use less water.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Your Answer
Sign in to share your expertise and post an answer.
Related Questions
Hotpoint F7 E2 Fault
1 answer • 1 reply
My Bosch washing machine is stuck on 33 minutes remaining
1 answer • 1 reply
Bosch washing machine door lock accidentally triggered with the door open – how I reset it
0 answers • 2 replies
Cant identify the correct replacement carbon brushea
0 answers • 2 replies
LG washing machine making intermittent noise — video link included
1 answer • 4 replies
Washing machine beeps then shuts down
1 answer • 1 reply
Candy washing machine below slip
1 answer • 1 reply
No longer starts.
1 answer • 3 replies
Mould keeps building up in my washing machine tray
1 answer • 1 reply
AEG Loud Knocking on Spin
0 answers • 1 reply