Washing Machine Trips Electric
Hello,
I have a Bosch WFF 1401 machine, must be at least 8 years old but lightly used.
It has started to trip the electric when it's going through the wash cycle. However it works fine on the rinse and spin cycles.
Any ideas what could be wrong with it?
I'm trying to work out whether it's worth getting it fixed or buying a new one.
Many thanks in advance.
Paul
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.
Bosch WFF 1401 trips electrics during wash cycle only
- The problem
- A Bosch WFF 1401 washing machine, around 8 years old and lightly used, was reported to trip the household electrics as soon as the wash programme starts after filling. Rinse and spin cycles worked normally. The door was also noted to stay locked until the power was switched off.
- Likely cause
- The most strongly supported diagnosis was a faulty heating element, because the fault occurred at the point the wash cycle would normally begin heating. However, the accepted reply stated that many different insulation faults can also trip the electrics, so the heater was not conclusively proven.
- What fixed it
- The accepted advice was that this type of fault often needs tracing with a specialist insulation test meter. A crude check by disconnecting the heater was discussed as a possible indicator only, but it was specifically noted as not being foolproof. The exact repair was not confirmed in the thread.
- Checks to try
- Machine fills then trips when the wash programme starts
- Rinse and spin cycles operate normally
- Door only opens once power is switched off
- Heater disconnection was discussed as a rough test only
- Parts or tools mentioned
- heating element
- insulation test meter
Safety: Further diagnosis should be carried out by a suitably qualified appliance engineer.
4 Answers
It could be the heating element Paul, especially if it only trips where you say, but tripping the electrics can be caused by dozens of different things, most needing a special insulation test meter to trace. I have a very comprehensive help article here - http://www.whitegoodshelp.co.uk/washing-machine-fusing-electrics/
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Could it be the heating element?
It fills and as soon as the program starts, that's when it turns off. Like I said, it rinses and spins fine.
Edit. I've just noticed that the door will not open unless the power is switched off.
Thanks for the reply Andy.
Was thinking about testing the machine with the heating element disconnected from the mains. (Taping up the wiring) Is this a good way to test it?
If it's properly insulated and kept away from moving parts it's a crude but potentially effective method but not foolproof. If the short was on the neutral return wiring for example then disconnecting the heater would take it out of the circuit and stop it tripping but it wouldn't be because the heater was faulty. Chances are though that if you disconnected the heater and it stopped it is most likely because of the heater.
Need Professional Help or Spare Parts?
Your Answer
Sign in to share your expertise and post an answer.
Related Questions
Disconnecting washing machine
0 answers • 2 replies
Power button not turning on washing machine
0 answers • 2 replies
Can this washer be repaired?
1 answer • 1 reply
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