Why does the washing machine wash without stopping?

When the washing machine has been washing without stopping for 2-3 hours, instead of the 60 minutes provided by the program, this is a clear sign of a malfunction. What to do in this case? How to stop the machine from working, where to start diagnostics, what internal components can cause a problem? Let's look into the nuances.

What happened to the machine?

An automatic washing machine is a complex device consisting of many mechanisms. Over time, components wear out, so the normal operation of the equipment is disrupted. The time factor does not always lead to failure. In some cases, rapid failure of equipment is due to improper connection of the washing machine or user violation of operating rules.

If an automatic machine takes longer to wash than it should, the following problems may occur:

• problems with the water supply to the tank (the filter mesh, inlet hose, dispenser pipes become clogged, the pressure in the water pipe decreases, etc.);
• the drain hose is not connected correctly;
• there is a blockage in the drain system;
• the water level sensor has failed;
• the pump burned out;
• the heating element or temperature sensor is not functioning correctly;
• The main control module has failed.

Most problems can be fixed on your own, without the help of a technician. The main task is to identify the cause of irregularities in the operation of the washing machine. Once you've finished diagnosing, start fixing the problem.

Slow water intake

Very often, the machine washes longer than usual due to the fact that water is poured into the tank too slowly. This may extend your cycle by several hours.In this situation, you will have to check the pressure in the water supply system, whether the filter mesh, powder receiver, inlet hose and pipes are clogged, and whether the inlet valve is working properly.

You can check the water pressure by opening the tap in the bathroom. If the stream is strong, inspect the shut-off valve. It may not be open all the way, so the tank of the machine fills slowly.

Clogged or incorrectly positioned drain hose

The next group of reasons are problems in the drainage system. If you connect the drain hose incorrectly, the water will leave the machine by gravity, then be drawn back into the tank - this will lengthen the cycle. You should connect the corrugation according to the rules, then you will be able to cope with the constant circulation of liquid in the washer.

In this case, it is easy to do the repair yourself. All you need to do is connect the drain hose according to the instructions. The hose must be located at a certain bend; the point of inclusion in the sewer must be arranged at a height of 40-80 cm above the floor level.

If your washing machine freezes during rinsing or spinning, it is likely that the drainage of water from the system is obstructed. In this situation, you will have to check the garbage filter, the pipe connecting the tank and the pump, the drainage hose, and the pump volute for blockages. It is likely that the common house riser is clogged - then you will need the help of a plumber.

An automatic machine may also freeze due to a faulty drain pump. If the pump is truly burnt out, it will need to be replaced. Repairing this part is not practical.

Level sensor or heating element

The washing machine will constantly fill and drain water if the pressure switch is not working correctly. A faulty sensor does not notify the control module that the tank is filled to the required level.Too much liquid is collected, the protection is triggered, some volume is drained, and the washing machine is refilled. This creates a continuous “water cycle”.

The level sensor is located under the top panel of the washing machine. It’s easy to check the element - unhook the pressure switch tube and blow into it. If there are clicks, the device is working properly. Otherwise, the part will need to be replaced.

The washing cycle can take several hours due to a faulty heating element.

It is clear why the washing time increases when the heating element fails. The heating element takes a very long time to bring the water to the desired temperature. And if the program involves heating to 90 °C, then you can wait the entire day for the cycle to complete.

Water heating may not occur due to the following:

• The heating element has burned out (in this case, the device will freeze at the very beginning of the cycle, without even starting to spin the drum);
• the surface of the element is covered with a thick layer of scale.

Limescale is a separate “problem” of washing machines. Tap water contains many impurities - these particles settle on the internal parts of the washing machine. If you do not periodically clean your equipment with special products, a layer of limescale will “grow.” Because of this, the thermal conductivity of the heating element will be disrupted and the device will not be able to “bring” the water in the tank to the specified degree.

A faulty temperature sensor can also lengthen the washing cycle. It will send incorrect information to the electronic module about the degree of water heating. Therefore, program execution may take several hours until the self-diagnosis system detects an error.

Do-it-yourself repairs will consist of replacing the heating element or thermistor. The parts are located behind the rear wall of the housing, under the tank.Before starting disassembly, be sure to turn off the power to the machine.

Electronic board

This problem is considered the most serious; it will be difficult to fix it yourself. In this case, it is better to invite a service center specialist to repair the “home assistant”. If the electronic control module breaks down, the washing machine can continue washing indefinitely. The device will automatically switch programs, freeze and resume operation again.

The problem can be fixed either by flashing the electronic module or by replacing the semiconductors on the board. Microprocessor diagnostics are performed using special devices and tools. Without having the necessary knowledge and experience, you shouldn’t get into the “brain” of the washing machine; you can only aggravate the situation.

Self-diagnosis system

Today, the process of diagnosing washing machines has been greatly simplified. Most modern automatic machines are able to independently identify errors that have occurred in the system. The user will only have to decipher the fault code displayed on the display and take measures to correct the problem.

You can see what kind of failure this or that error code indicates in the instructions for the equipment.

For example, if there is a problem with the drain system, Indesit models will display code F-05. Error F-04 will notify you that the pressure switch has failed. LG machines with the PE designation will inform you that the rate of filling the tank with water differs from the standard - either the required volume of liquid was filled too quickly, or, conversely, slowly.

Error markings will be different for each automatic machine model. A complete list of fault codes is provided in the user manual. The instructions will help narrow down the range of possible problems and quickly identify the problem.

Is it worth calling a specialist?

What should you do if you find a machine that is not going to complete the program? It is necessary to pause the cycle and drain the water from the tank by selecting the appropriate mode with the programmer. After this, you can remove things from the drum and begin troubleshooting.

You can deal with most problems yourself. For example, clear blockages in the drain system, replace the heating element or thermistor, install a new level sensor or inlet solenoid valve. The work is carried out at home, the main thing is to follow safety rules.

It's another matter if the control module fails. In this situation, diagnostics and repairs should be entrusted to specialists. Without experience working with electronics, you can damage the washing machine even more, then you will have to change the entire unit, and this is very expensive.

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