Blowing Fuse
My Hotpoint is over 15 years old, (and even then was slightly 2nd hand) but it has given valuable service without problem. It has only had the use of a single, though clean, person! Yesterday, afer starting service, it initially had two plug fuse cut outs. After replacing the fuse both times I moved the service indicator to a point where, rather than going through the whole service, the machine was set to a point which enabled it to rinse/spin so that I could at least remove dry(ish) clothes. However, the drum is banging too loudly for hearing safety - or neighbours sanity! It feels loose/wobbly to the touch. Does this sound like a problem that can be solved at a reasonable price, or, considering the machine's age, would it be more sensible for me to buy a new one?
Solution Summary
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This thread was marked as solved. Here's a summary of the problem and the fix, generated from the discussion below.
Hotpoint washing machine blowing plug fuses and drum banging
- The problem
- An over-15-year-old Hotpoint washing machine blew the plug fuse twice shortly after starting a wash. When switched to a rinse/spin position, it did not immediately fuse, but the drum was then very loud, loose and wobbly, with heavy banging.
- Likely cause
- The accepted reply suggested two possible faults based on the symptoms: a heater insulation fault because it did not fuse on rinse/spin, and/or a broken top tub spring causing the tub to drop backwards and possibly damage wiring. The exact fault was not confirmed.
- What fixed it
- No confirmed repair was reported. The strongest supported diagnosis was to investigate the heater circuit and the tub suspension, particularly a possible broken top tub spring and any damaged wiring. Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
- Checks to try
- Machine blew the plug fuse twice at the start of a wash
- Machine did not fuse when moved to rinse/spin
- Drum felt loose/wobbly
- Drum was banging loudly during spin
- Parts or tools mentioned
- heater
- top tub spring
- wiring
- insulation meter
Safety: Do not continue using the machine while it is blowing fuses or banging heavily. Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
1 Answer
I have some general advice about washing machines fusing or tripping the electrics although it's of limited use without an insulation meter and listing the main causes of a fusing washing machine. If yours didn't fuse when you moved it onto rinses and spin it would suggest the heater is a possible cause. However, if the drum feels very different and is banging it's possible one of the top tub springs (usually the front one) has broken allowing the tub to drop backwards, which in turn could have damaged a wire.
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