The washing machine does not switch washing modes

A problem with a washing machine can arise at the most inopportune moment, even if it is an expensive machine from a well-known brand. Very often, equipment fails when users violate its operating conditions, or in the event of force majeure. The machine does not switch modes during the washing process - this is one of these problems. What could be the cause and how to eliminate it yourself, let's answer this question.

Causes of malfunction

Before disassembling the washing machine in search of a problem, try to determine its cause. To do this, you need to carefully monitor how the car behaves; perhaps you are missing something. First of all, you need to try to start the machine in different modes; if nothing changes and during the washing process the machine does not switch to rinsing and spinning, then the matter is serious.

Also run the machine separately in rinse and spin mode. If the machine performs this function, then you can safely exclude clogging of the drain system and breakdown of the pump. The reasons that the machine does not switch modes may be:

• Breakdown of the heating element, this can be understood by the cold hatch door during the washing process,
• Failure of the programmer and control module, which led to a program failure.

Checking and replacing the heating element

If the machine stops heating the water and washes clothes for a long time without switching to the next mode, then the heating element is to blame. Since the water does not heat up to the required temperature, the temperature sensor, which transmits a signal to the control module, does not work, and it turns out that the machine either “freezes” at the washing stage or washes for a very long time, for several hours in cold water.

The heating element in washing machines is located in the lower part under the tank, but in some models it is at the back, in others it is at the front. So, for example, in Bosch, LG, Samsung washing machines it is located in the front, and in Whirlpool and Indesit machines it is in the back. Undoubtedly, disassembling the front part of the car is much more difficult than removing the back cover. Anyone who does this for the first time will have to tinker for a long time. If you doubt the location of the heating element in your machine, first unscrew the back wall, make sure it is missing, and only then disassemble the front part.

To get to the heating element located behind the front of the body, you need to:

• Remove the bottom panel;
• Remove the top housing cover;
• Pull out the powder tray;
• Remove the control panel;
• Remove the hatch cuff;
• Remove the front part of the case by unscrewing the screws around the perimeter that hold it in place.

After the back or front cover of the case is removed, you will see the heating element, or rather its back part with the wires. Using an ohmmeter, you can check its functionality. The ohmmeter probes are applied to the terminals and, if the resistance is infinite, then the heating element has burned out, if not, then check the wires separately and clean the terminals. To remove a faulty heating element, you need to:

• Loosen the bolt located in the center of the heating element base,
• Disconnect the wires,
• Using loosening movements, pull the heating element towards you.

Installing the heating element should not cause problems. A temperature sensor is installed in the new heating element, then the heating element is inserted into the seat and secured to a bolt and nut, then the wires are connected. Be careful not to confuse their location. The replacement process is complete, all that remains is to assemble the machine body.

How to replace the programmer and control unit

When the machine washes for a long time, but the water heats up, the cause of the breakdown may be a failure in the control module. Such an error may always appear during the washing cycle, or maybe from time to time. This malfunction must be corrected immediately; there is no need to delay this for a long time, since the “brain” of the washing machine can be repaired, otherwise the part will have to be completely replaced.

In some Indesit models, the programmer may be the cause of this problem. He is responsible for selecting the washing mode. In general, this machine component is considered one of the most reliable, but with prolonged use, the programmer may break. In this case, it needs to be replaced, which is described in detail in the article Programmer Repair.

Replacing the control module will not be particularly difficult; diagnosing the functionality of the module can cause difficulties. It is better to entrust such work to a specialist who can definitely tell whether to repair or better change the module. In most washing machines, the control module is mounted on the inside of the control panel. To replace it, you need:

• Remove the top cover of the washing machine,
• Pull out the powder receptacle,
• Remove the control panel,
• Unscrew the module,
• Disconnect the wires from the control module, having previously photographed their correct connection,
• Connect a new control module.

So, if the Indesit machine washes for a long time and does not switch modes, then now you know that the main reason may be a burnt-out heating element. We hope our article will help you troubleshoot this problem.