Solved

Wm65 - New Brushes Fitted, But Didn't Work For Long

CUCurious
Asked over 20 years ago 5,131 views
0

Andy I hope that you can help again. I fitted new brushes because the old ones were extemely worn and had damage to the plastic housing (caused by arcing?). The washing machine spun once fairly well - with the wash that was unfinished in there.

When I tried to wash those clothes again the drum doesnt spin - not even slowly. It fills, the control dial turns, I can hear clicking (from the motor I think) but it will not empty the water and the drum wont turn.

I read on the forums about armature damage - could this be the problem or does my motor need replacing.

Thanks in advance, once again, for the excellent site and helpfull replies.

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 WM65 drum not turning after brush replacement, then no drain due to blockage

The problem
On a Hotpoint WM65, new motor brushes were fitted after the originals were badly worn and arcing. The machine spun once, then the drum stopped turning. It filled, the programme dial advanced and clicking was heard, but the machine would not spin or empty the water.
Likely cause
The accepted diagnosis was that the replacement brushes were not fitted correctly and had stuck in their holders. The first replacement set also appears to have been the wrong type. After the motor issue was corrected, the remaining drain fault was confirmed as a blockage in the sump/filter area and outlet path: 35p was found in the filter and limescale had blocked the no-return valve/outflow path from the pump.
What fixed it
Remove and inspect both new brushes for sticking or charring, then fit the correct genuine brushes correctly. After refitting the correct brushes, the drum turned normally with no sparking. For the no-drain fault, the sump hose/filter area was cleared, removing the coin and limescale blockage from the outlet/no-return valve path.
Checks to try
  • Observed that the drum turned once after brush replacement, then stopped again
  • Removed the newly fitted brushes and found them stuck in their holders
  • One brush was freed; the other snapped during removal
  • Refitted a replacement set of brushes and confirmed the drum turned with no sparks
  • Investigated the drain fault via the sump hose/filter area
  • Found 35p in the filter
  • Found limescale backing up the outflow pipe and blocking the no-return valve
Parts or tools mentioned
  • Genuine motor carbon brushes
  • Continuity test meter
  • Bath towel
  • Replacement hose tie/clip if needed
Confirmed fixedGenerated 13 Aug 2026 · AI summaries can make mistakes — read the full thread below.
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6 Answers

Accepted Answer
0
WH
WhitegoodshelpVerified Engineer
Answered over 20 years ago

Have you read the information on Hotpoint carbon brushes from the main site? I fitted carbon brushes but the motor still doesn't work

The main suspect in a case where carbon brushes were fitted and then the motor worked OK - but stopped again - is that they weren't fitted 100% correctly and one or both have stck inside their holders. Another possibility is that if the motor was sparking excessively, then the TOC has blown (you'll need a continuity test meter to check this) or maybe the armature is worn.

If you haven't already, read the diagnostic page (paying attention to the fitting instructions) Then take both brushes out again and check for charring (which will show if one of both were sticking.)

If one or both are charred then you may be able to clean it up and re-fit it. If it doesn't take properly and gets the motor working but it's still arcing badly then you will need to fit new ones or maybe you need a new armature. Let me now what you find and we'll take it from there.

Whitegoods Help — appliance repair expert and forum host.
0
CU
Curious
Answered over 20 years ago

Andy once again you were right. I removed the new bushes to find them stuck in their cases - I cant think what I did wrong as I bent the pins back fully on fitting. I managed to release the first one ok - with some wriggling. the second one snapped on me - F"£$%^%G thing - as I tried to release it.

I will purchase a second set and release before fitting. One thing though - mine came in brown casings - not white. Cant thank you enough for your time and assistance.

0
WH
WhitegoodshelpVerified Engineer
Answered over 20 years ago

They should be white, like the second ones in the photo's on this page, not brown.

With Hotpoint carbon brushes (as with other makes) do not fit non-genuine brushes as they can cause excessive wear. Genuine spare parts

I would not release the brushes before fitting. If you release them before fitting, you run the risk of them breaking as you push the holder into the motor, or one of the brushes riding over or under the commutator.

Whitegoods Help — appliance repair expert and forum host.
0
CU
Curious
Answered over 20 years ago

I have placed my order - dont suppose that even 1st class will get them here by xmas eve - but I am willing to wait. I live directly opposite a launderette so shouldnt be too bad.

Many thanks again. I will let you know when they arrive and how I get on.

Brushes arrived here x-mas eve morning - super efficient man. I inserted them - excellent we have a drum that turns with NO sparks. Unfortunately the washing machine will still not empty the water. I can hear a rattling noise (that's maybe not the best description really sounds like a childs "rain stick" or a maraca).

Figure water pump must be blocked or u/s. Sorry, mate, but any advice on how to empty washing machine in order to clean out filter?

The brushes arrived x-mas eve morning - super efficient man. Inserted them - excellent we have a drum that turns with NO sparks. Unfortunately the washing machine will still not empty water. I can hear a rattling noise (that's maybe not the best description really sounds like a childs "rain stick" or a maraca).

Figure water pump must be blocked or u/s. Sorry, mate, but any advice on how to empty machine in order to clean out filter?

0
WH
WhitegoodshelpVerified Engineer
Answered over 20 years ago

Read this - Washing machine won't empty water

Hotpoint don't have a proper filter, at least not one that customers can easiluy access (this is unforgivable). There is a filter inside the sump hose which is attached to the bottom of the tub and leads to the water pump. If it has a hose tie strip on you'll have to carefully cut it off and find something to replace it with - preferably another one. Hopefully it has the thick black plastic clip which you can take off and re-use.

Have a big bath towel ready to mop the water up that will still be inside and pull the sump hose off from the bottom of the tub. Inside it you will see the filter (NOTE: only Hotpoint and Creda washing machines have this filter in the sump hose).

Hopefully you will find it bunged up and can easily sort it. The rattling noise could be a sign of the pump playing up but with Hotpont washing machines, they commonly make a rattling noise when the pump starts up but are fine.

Whitegoods Help — appliance repair expert and forum host.
0
CU
Curious
Answered over 20 years ago

Andy - fixed it. Found 35p in the filter - that will be what the violent rattling every now and again was and a mass of limescale had backed up the outflow pipe and blocked the no return valve leaving the pump. I'm a Scot so even after 15 years on the south coast I still haven't cottoned on to the descaling lark.

Once again your advice was faultless (to the extent that you spotted the error I didn't know I'd made twice - first set of brushes fitted in correctly and wrong ones ordered from yourself) AND you managed to get me a set of brushes in 24hrs arriving on x-mas eve.

You are a top banana.

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