Noisy Hotpoint Motor Brushes
Hi Andy. I have just put new brushes in a Hotpoint motor, its the newer FHP motor type (I think that's what its called - its not the normal GEC type motor fitted anyway)
I have got the clicking noise coming from them when on wash and a few sparks where the brush hits the armature and I am assuming that its because they are new and they will quieten when they have bedded in to the armature. I have checked twice to make sure they are seated correctly and I have checked the armature and it is absolutely perfect. Given that they are bedding in how long normally (approximately) would it take for the brushes to bed in and get quieter?
It is "shrilling" quite loudly on spinning at the moment. Unusually sometimes the motor brushes are quieter when its revolving on one direction than when its going in the other direction.
On another subject, I have had 2 WMA Hotpoint Aquarius Machines (Used) and the instructions for both of them say that if the clothes are uneven there will be a no-spin situation but these two washers still do spin even though the clothes are not even and on a couple of instances have agressively spun and the drum banged from side to side and had to be turned off and rearrange the clothes I thought the machines had protection against spining unless the loads were even. What could be the problem do you know?
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.
Hotpoint FHP motor noisy after fitting new brushes
- The problem
- After new brushes were fitted to a Hotpoint washing machine motor of the newer FHP type, the motor made a clicking noise on wash, showed slight sparking at the brush to armature contact, and produced a loud high-pitched shrill on spin. The noise could differ depending on motor direction. A separate concern was that Hotpoint Aquarius WMA machines were still spinning with uneven loads and could bang violently.
- Likely cause
- Most strongly supported causes were either a slightly raised or loose commutator bar on the armature, causing a click each revolution, or one brush not bedding in correctly. The accepted reply also stated that similar-looking FHP brushes can be set at different angles or fitted the wrong way round, which would leave only the tip contacting the armature and cause shrilling and loss of power. For the banging on spin, poor spin inhibition on unbalanced loads is noted, with suspension or dampers needing checking if severe movement happens on most washes.
- What fixed it
- Check the armature commutator bars by slowly turning the armature and feeling for any raised or loose bar. If a raised commutator bar is found, a new armature is required. Otherwise, remove and inspect the brush faces to confirm they are contacting on the full curved face and are correctly fitted for the FHP motor. If correctly fitted, the brushes should bed in after several washes. If the machine bangs excessively on good loads, check that the tub sits centrally and that the suspension and dampers are not excessively springy or overly stiff.
- Checks to try
- Checked the brushes were seated correctly
- Checked the armature and it appeared perfect
- Feel the copper commutator bars while turning the armature slowly to detect any raised or loose bar
- Remove the brushes and inspect the running face for full contact rather than just the tip
- Check whether the tub is held centrally in the cabinet and not twisted
- Check the suspension and dampers if the machine bangs badly on most washes
- Parts or tools mentioned
- Motor brushes
- Armature
- Suspension dampers
Safety: Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
1 Answer
This fault can be caused if one of the commutator bars on the armature is slightly raised or loose. This causes a click every revolution and can be detected by placing a finger on the copper comm bars and turning the armature slowly round. If there is a loose (raised) comm bar you should be able to detect it this way. A new armature would be required if one was found. Other than that, one of the brushes isn't bedding in properly. They should bed in after several washes.
The Hotpoint FHP motor brushes are very similar to many other washing machine manufacturers carbon brushes but although they look similar they can be set at different angles. It may also be possible to fit them the wrong way round. Either of these scenarios would mean that only the tip of a brush would contact the armature instead of the whole curved face. This would produce a high pitched sound on spin and result in a loss of power. It can be checked for by removing the brush and observing the face that runs against the armature for signs that it's actually running on the face and not just the tip.
The Hotpoint washing machines are supposed to inhibit spin if a load is unbalanced but they don't do it very well at all.
If the washing machine bangs about a lot, on virtually every wash and the loads are good loads, then the suspension should be checked. The tub should be held centrally in the casing and not be twisted. Sometimes, the suspension dampers are extremely springy and don't absorb the movement very well. If they are very stiff, then up and down movement will be restricted and the force would tend to go from side to side instead.
Related: How do I avoid out of balanced loads in my washing machine? | Buy Hotpoint carbon brushes | Hotpoint & Creda carbon brushes FAQ (diagnostics and fitting advice)
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