In cold water, things do not wash well, so if you notice that the heater does not heat up in the washing machine, you need to urgently replace it. How to find a breakdown and return the correct temperature, we will consider in the article. Washing in cold water can take place for several reasons - we list the signs that indicate a heater failure.
Why the heater does not heat, but it works
The reason that water heating does not work may be not only the heater itself. There are quite simple problems:
- Incorrect connection. It happens when the hoses are incorrectly positioned - as a result, water is either collected or drained. Then the heater simply does not have time to heat it.
How to connect the washing machine, read in previous articles. - Check the selected mode. You may have installed a cold water wash program. For example, "Delicate Wash" and "Wool" are held at 30-40 degrees, so it does not heat much.
You need to make sure that the washer does not really heat the water. Put your palm on the hatch after 15 minutes from the start of the cycle - it is too late to do it after washing, as rinsing takes place in cold water. If the glass is cold, there is really no heating.
This is the only external sign by which the absence of heating is determined.
Why the heater does not work in the washing machine
Why did the heater in the washing machine break? There may be several reasons:
- Heater wiring broken. It does not receive a signal from the module to start operation and heating.
- The heater itself burned out, and it urgently needs to be replaced.
- The thermostat of the heating element broke, which measures the temperature of the water.
The main cause of combustion of the heating element is scale. It occurs due to exposure to low-quality powder and untreated water. The filter on the filler valve holds only large particles of debris from the water supply. And heavy salts that are part of the water settle on the heater.
The scum is dangerous because it accumulates, stiffens and does not allow the heating element to transfer heat normally - it does not heat through a thick crust. As a result, more energy is consumed for heating - the heater burns out.
To prevent scaling, it is recommended to carry out prophylaxis with special means or citric acid.
Often the cause of the malfunction is a power surge. A sharp drop provokes the burning of the wiring or the heating element itself.
A situation is dangerous when the heater begins to break through the body. This can be understood by the fact that the RCD knocks out, in advanced cases, touching the body of the machine can respond with a shock.
How to find a breakdown
If you do not know what to do, below we will consider the main methods of self-diagnosis.
Get out and check the heater
To determine whether the heater really burned out and does not heat the water, you need to get it out of the housing. Depending on the model, the heater may be located in different parts of the AGR.
In the Bosch, LG, Siemens washing machines, the heater is located in front. To get it, proceed as follows:
- Having disconnected the machine from power and communications, remove the top cover from it.
- Go to the front panel and remove the dispensing tray by pressing the lock in the center.
- Remove the screws that hold the control panel.
- Unclench its latches and unfasten the wiring.
- Remove the base plate.
- Having opened the hatch door, remove a collar from sealing rubber. Fill the rubber itself inside the tank.
- Remove the two UBL lock bolts.
- Unscrew the screws around the perimeter, remove the front panel from the body.
- Under the tank is a heater.
In the brands of Ariston, Indesit washing machines, the element is located behind, so you only need to remove the back panel.
Detect short circuit or open circuit
Inspect the heater: if there is a lot of scale on it, then the cause of the malfunction is clear. To make sure that the part is burned out, remove it from the case and take a multimeter.
- Take a picture and disconnect the wiring of the element.
- Loosen the center nut of the heater and push the bolt inward.
- Prying the edges with a flat screwdriver, remove the heater from the socket.
Set the multimeter to resistance measurement mode. When applying probes to the contacts of the element, follow the indicators.
TEN working, if the screen shows up to 24 ohms. When it shows the number 1 or infinity, it means that a break has occurred. The number 0 indicates a short circuit.
Check for breakdown on the housing
To check the heater for a breakdown, switch the multimeter to buzzer mode. In this case, the device will emit sound signals.
- Attach one probe to the heater terminal.
- Attach the other probe to the housing.
- The multimeter emitted a signal - there is a breakdown on the case, the heater needs to be replaced.
Buy TEN only for your make and model of the car.
The thermistor, which is located in the housing of the heating element, may also not work due to scale. If the thermistor is working, just rearrange it on a new element and replace it.
Inspect and replace wiring
Voltage does not come to the heater if the wiring is inoperative. Inspect all wires and contacts. If you notice burnt places, the wiring must be replaced.
Now you know that you can do the check and replace the heating element with your own hands. If it does not heat up, first of all, eliminate accidental errors in connecting the machine or choosing programs.