The washing machine does not switch from wash to rinse

It’s very unpleasant when an automatic machine washes things and then freezes without starting to rinse. The laundry remains locked in the drum and the tub is filled with soapy water. In such a situation, you have to restart the equipment, activate the drain and rinse things manually.

If this scenario repeats regularly, you need to find out why the washing machine does not go into rinse mode. In fact, the reasons can be very different, from problems in the drainage system to problems with electronics. Let's figure out where to start diagnosing.

The problem is not with the machine

When the machine does not switch from wash to rinse, it freezes in the middle of the cycle, with a full tank of water. It is impossible to ignore such a problem. You will have to diagnose the machine and check its main components for serviceability. Of course, it’s easier to pay and entrust the repair to service center specialists, but you can fix the problem yourself. Let's figure out what to do first.

Before diagnosing, experts recommend making sure that nothing is obstructing the draining of water outside the machine. Therefore, the drainage hose is inspected first. Check to see if the sleeve is kinked. Perhaps it got under the foot of the washer and is now crushed, so the water does not leave the tank. If everything is in order with the corrugation, check the sewer.

Sometimes the reason that liquid is not removed from the washing machine is a blockage in the common house riser or siphon. If the water flows poorly from both the bathtub and the washbasin, then you will have to clean the sewer pipe. It is better to invite a plumber for this work.

The automatic machine will not proceed to rinsing if the drainage system is clogged.

If no external factors prevent the water from draining, then the cause must be looked for inside the washing machine. You will have to perform comprehensive diagnostics of the equipment, checking each component, the failure of which could cause a freeze. We will provide detailed instructions on what to do next.

What is most likely broken with SM?

Don't panic if the automatic machine refuses to rinse and wring out things. This is not always a serious breakdown. It happens that a trivial problem causes the washing machine to freeze. Therefore, it is often possible to determine the nature of the malfunction independently, without resorting to the help of specialists.

What usually causes a problem like this? In most cases, the washing machine does not start rinsing due to a blockage in the drain system, a pump failure, a failure of the pressure switch, or damage to the control module. Let's figure out how this or that node can affect the operation of the machine.

• Blockage. In addition to the drain hose, the garbage filter or the pipe connecting the tank to the pump may become clogged. So, a coin that gets into the washer can disrupt the normal outflow of liquid. The water drainage is blocked, so the machine freezes in the middle of the cycle without starting to rinse. In this case, you will have to clean the named elements.
• Water pump. It is she who is responsible for pumping waste fluid out of the system. If the element fails, the machine will remain standing with a full tank. It happens that the problem is clogged, then it is enough to clean the impeller. If the pump burns out, it will need to be replaced.
• Level sensor. An incorrectly working pressure switch provides the “brain” with erroneous information.For example, it notifies that the tank is empty, while there is soapy water inside the machine. Therefore, the drain does not start, and the washing machine does not start rinsing.
• Electronic module. A broken control board is another possible culprit. When the processor fails, the operation of the machine is disrupted, so it may well freeze.

First of all, the drainage system is checked, then the water level sensor. These breakdowns are the most typical for washing machines. Next, the pump is inspected, and finally, the electronic module.

Filter element or hose

If the machine has not started rinsing and is stuck full of water, you will first have to empty the washer. The liquid is drained through the garbage filter - at the same time this element is checked for blockages. You should proceed like this:

• unplug the machine's power cord from the outlet;
• close the tap on the water pipe;
• unhook the lower false panel or open the technical hatch (depending on the SMA model, the garbage filter is “hidden” behind one of these elements);
• place unnecessary rags around the machine;
• place a container under the bottom of the machine in the “trash bin” area to collect water;
• Unscrew the filter plug half a turn;
• collect the soapy liquid in a basin.

When the tank is empty, the door lock will unlock - then you can remove things from the drum. Next, rinse the garbage filter in warm water and shine a flashlight into the hole where it was inserted. If there is debris inside, remove it.

The garbage filter should be cleaned once every 1-2 months.

It is also necessary to feel the entire length of the drain hose, it is likely that debris has accumulated there. Having found the “lump”, clean the sleeve with a long wire bent at the end. Additionally, the corrugation is washed under the tap.

The pump may be broken

Usually the pump does not break down suddenly; the machine begins to show signs of a problem in advance. If you noticed that previous cycles lasted longer than usual, and the pumping of water was accompanied by a strong hum, then the pump is most likely the culprit for the freezing. If you do not respond to such symptoms, after a while the node will fail.

The drain pump may stop working due to:

• blockage - in this case, the movement of the impeller is blocked by debris;
• breakdowns.

You can solve problems with your pump yourself. To get to the element, you need to lay the automatic machine on its left side. If there is no bottom, good - access to the pump will be immediate. When there is a tray, disconnect it from the body.

Next, you need to unhook the pump from the snail and carefully inspect it. If there is a lot of debris or a foreign object stuck between the impeller blades, clean them. When there are no visual defects, the part is checked with a multimeter. A burnt out drain pump cannot be repaired and will need to be replaced.

Applying ohmmeter probes to the pump contacts, evaluate the readings on the device screen. Zero or one will indicate the need to replace the pump. If the problem is in the control module, the tester will show a three-digit number.

Electronics problems

In rare cases, the automatic machine does not start rinsing due to problems with the electronics. The integrity of the wiring may be compromised or the semiconductor may fail. To revive the washing machine, you will have to ring the entire circuit from the control board to the pump and water level sensor.

You can test the wiring and other parts of the SMA only by first de-energizing the equipment.

If the board is burned out, it is better to seek qualified help.There is no point in delving into the washer’s brain without the necessary knowledge; you can only harm the “home assistant.” It is advisable to entrust electronics repair to service center specialists.

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