We all know that for high-quality washing, not only chemistry and mechanical action are important, but also temperature. It is almost impossible to remove serious stains in cold water. Therefore, if the washing machine stops heating the water, you can forget about effective washing.
Unfortunately, situations where the washing machine does not heat occur all the time. More than half of the requests for washing machines to the RemBytTech workshop begin with the words that the machine generated a heating error immediately after turning on the program or 10–15 minutes after start. Or the SMA endlessly washes, but does not heat the water (this behavior is typical of old washing machines).
If the washing machine fills and drains water
If the washing machine constantly fills and drains water, the machine naturally does not have time to heat it. As a result, modern washing machines stop with an error in the pressure switch, dialing or heating water, and older models work endlessly until the user interrupts the program.
The reasons for the constant supply and drainage of water may be due to incorrect installation of the washing machine or a breakdown. We talked about this in detail in the article “What to do if the washing machine constantly fills and drains water.”
Let us designate the circle of faults
The heating element is not always to blame for the lack of heating. Other problems also lead to problems with hot water; moreover, most often it is a matter of simple inattention. It is better not to rush into disassembling the machine, but to carry out a pre-repair check.
Many basic programs on Atlant washing machines do not require washing at high temperatures.
The pre-repair check begins with an inspection of the dashboard. You need to remember which mode was selected. Many basic washing programs do not involve heating the water. For example, when you press the “Delicate Wash”, “Sportswear”, “Wool”, “Silk”, “Curtains” buttons, the temperature is automatically set to 20-30 degrees.
If you have selected a “hot” program, then pay attention to the temperature indicators. On modern Atlant machines you can independently adjust the washing conditions by setting certain degrees. However, mechanical regulators periodically do not work, the washing machine does not “read” user settings and does not heat the water. It’s better to play it safe, turn the selector again and restart the equipment. Perhaps the machine has malfunctioned.
Finally, check if the heating is working. It is a mistake to think that cold laundry indicates a lack of hot water. This is not the heating element’s fault - the fact is that the final rinse takes place at 30 degrees, and the clothes cool down. It is much more effective and reliable to conduct a small test:
- turn on the high-temperature mode on the machine (preferably 60 degrees, but 45-90 is allowed);
- wait at least 20 minutes (the main thing is not to miss the machine’s transition to the rinsing stage);
- place your palm on the door glass;
- assess the degree of its heating (the glass should be warm or hot).
Cold glass will confirm the presence of “temperature problems”. You will have to stop the machine and figure out who is to blame for the lack of heating and what to do to correct the situation. Detailed steps and instructions are given below.
Washing machine heating errors by brand
Depending on the brand of washing machine, error codes may be as follows:
- Bosch – F19, F22
- Indesit – F03, F08
- Haier - error 4
- LG -
- Siemens – F06, F07, F19, F22
- Samsung – H1, H2, HE, HE1, HE2, E5, E6, NS, NS1, NS2, tE / Ec / tC
- Ariston and Hotpoint-Ariston – F03, F08
- Candy – E05, E14, E16
- Atlant –
- Electrolux – E03, E61, E62, E66, E68, E69, E3A, E71
- Whirlpool – F08
Why did the machine stop heating water and what should I do? Let's look further.
Let's test the heating element
When there are problems with heating water, the first suspicion always falls on the heating element. This is logical, so it is recommended to start diagnostics with it. To get to the heater, you need to disconnect the washing machine from the power supply and water supply, move it away from the wall and turn the back panel forward. Next, unscrew the screws holding the “back”, remove it and look for the element. It is located in the lower part of the body directly under the drum.
On Atlant washing machines, the heating element is located in the lower part of the body, directly under the tank.
Having removed the panel, it is easy to find the round “chip” of the heating element, as well as the thermistor and the wiring connected to them. However, you will first have to remove the drive belt from the pulley to ensure free access to the heater. Afterwards we photograph the location of all connections and proceed to diagnostics:
- disconnect the connected wiring;
- switch the multimeter to the “Resistance” mode and set it to “200 Ohm”;
- We bring the probes to the terminals of the heating element;
- We evaluate the indicators.
A working heating element displays a value of at least 26 Ohms, maximum - 28 Ohms. If the device outputs “1” instead of the norm, then the heater was damaged due to an internal winding break . A result of “0” will indicate a short circuit has occurred. In the extreme two cases, it will not be possible to repair the element - replacement is necessary.
The next step is to check the housing for breakdown. We switch the tester to buzzer mode and apply the probes. If a squeak is heard upon contact, it means that a current leak has been detected - you will have to change the heating element.
The heating element is easy to change. It is enough to dismantle the old device by loosening the central nut and disconnecting the thermistor. Difficulties arise when the existing rubber gasket becomes deformed, increases in size and “blocks” the heater. In this case it is necessary:
- generously lubricate the cuff with WD-40;
- wait 15-20 minutes;
- collect remaining lubricant;
- swing the heater and pull it out of its seat.
When replacing, it is important to choose the right analogue. The main reference point will be the markings stamped on the heater body. The serial number of your existing Atlanta will also help. It’s even better to bring the dismantled heating element to the store and find a replacement on the spot. Before installing a new heater, it is recommended to thoroughly clean the seat from dirt and scale. The machine is assembled according to the instructions described earlier, only in reverse order.
What to check first
The lack of water heating does not always indicate a breakdown of the heating system in the washing machine. First, check these points.
- Are the mode and temperature selected correctly ? Many modes, such as washing delicate fabrics or woolen items, are carried out without heating in cold water. Perhaps this is the mode you chose. In addition, many older machines allow you to separately adjust the program temperature. Perhaps the regulator is on o. In this case, simply select the desired mode and temperature.
- Is the control board frozen ? Disconnect the SMA from the power supply for 10-15 minutes by unplugging the plug from the outlet. Then turn it on. If the machine started working normally, it was a one-time failure of the control board, and you successfully dealt with it.
Checking the heating temperature
As you know, for high-quality washing, the correct choice of program and the required liquid temperature are important. Modern machines have the function of heating liquid up to 95 degrees (which completely replaces boiling). How can you tell if the machine is heating up or not? Here are some recommendations from experts on how to determine the heating temperature yourself:
- laundry is washed poorly;
- during operation, the window of the machine is always cold;
- an unpleasant smell of mustiness or staleness after finishing work.
Possible faults requiring repair
If you selected the heat wash cycle and resetting the electronics did not help, then most likely your washing machine is faulty. According to the experience of RemBytTech specialists, most often the machines do not heat the water due to the breakdown of the following components.
Burnt out heating element - from 1400 rubles.
A heating element is a heating element, which is a housing with a heating coil inside. Typically, heating elements fail due to scale, which forms on their body from impurities of tap water, litter, dust, lint from clothes, as well as undissolved particles of detergents. When scale builds up on the heater, its performance decreases, and the machine tries to compensate for the lack of heat with more intensive operation of the heating element. As a result, either the spiral or the heater body itself burns out.
Failure of the heating element is the most common reason why a washing machine does not heat water.
SIGNS
The washing machine does not heat the water. Modern machines can interrupt the program immediately when turned on, displaying a heating error on the display. In less technologically advanced models, the error occurs after 10-15 minutes, when heating should begin. Old SMAs can wash endlessly: the drum rotates, but since there is no heating, the machine does not go to the rinsing stage, waiting for the water to heat up. Sometimes when the heating element breaks down, the washing machines “knock out the plugs.”
HOW TO FIX
A faulty heating element cannot be repaired; it must be replaced with a new one.
The control module is faulty - from 2000 rubles.
The control module is an electronic component of the washing machine that “manages” its operation. In fact, it is a microcircuit that is very sensitive to power surges and moisture ingress. Because of this, individual radio elements in the control module fail, and the tracks and contacts of microcircuit elements in the heating element circuit burn out or rust. In particular, the heater relay often burns out, but other elements in the heating element circuit on the microcircuit may also fail.
SIGNS
The washing machine does not heat the water. A heating error may appear on the display.
HOW TO FIX
The wizard calls the module elements responsible for heating control. Based on the test results, faulty radio elements, their contacts and tracks are identified. If the microcircuit processor is intact, then the burnt elements are replaced with new ones, the contacts and tracks are soldered. If the processor is faulty or the control unit is damaged in a large area, it is completely replaced.
Faulty temperature sensor - from 1300 rubles.
The sensor measures the temperature of the water in the tank. Based on the data received from it, the SMA turns the heating element on or off. If the sensor is faulty, the machine does not understand what the temperature of the water is in the tank and does not heat the water.
SIGNS
The heating in the washing machine does not work. The display flashes a heating or temperature sensor error code.
HOW TO FIX
The faulty sensor is replaced with a new one.
Damaged wiring or contacts in the heating circuit - from 1,500 rubles.
Often, due to vibrations when working in washing machines, wires fray, and contacts weaken and burn out or oxidize. Wiring can also be damaged by mice and rats (the problem is more common in the private sector).
SIGNS
The machine does not heat the water. The display shows a heating error.
Self-diagnosis and troubleshooting
Initial diagnostics can be carried out without calling a specialist - to determine what the reason is, check the details that we described above. Both visual and technical inspection are required.
Step-by-step instruction:
- Inspect the sensor that monitors the water level in the tank. The pressure switch, or rather its tube, fills with hair and small debris. You can determine the blockage visually by simply looking inside the tube. To get to the hose, you will need to remove the top or side panel of the machine.
- Checking the wires of parts. Most often, the wiring coming from the heating element breaks, but to be sure, inspect all the wires inside the washing machine. Perhaps some of them are frayed, they need to be soldered and insulated with electrical tape.
- Checking and inspection of the heating element. The heating element is checked with a special device - a multimeter. First, they measure its initial resistance without connecting it to the network, then heat it up, measure and compare the resulting numbers. If the indicators are practically the same, the part is faulty. It also happens that an intact and undamaged heating element is preserved under a layer of scale. Read more in our article:
Instructions for checking and replacing the heating element - water heater of washing machines
- Thermostat diagnostics. If the heating element, pressure switch and wiring are normal, but the water is still heating up, check the temperature sensor with a multimeter (in modern machines, a thermistor). Typically, the sensor looks like a small metal cylinder with wires connected to it.
Why does the washing machine take a long time to heat the water?
Sometimes in the practice of repairing washing machines we encounter a situation where the machine seems to be heating the water, but it does it much longer than the time set according to the program. This is not very annoying for the user, but for the machine this is the first signal that it will soon completely break down.
The machine can heat water for a long time for 2 reasons:
1) A “hat” of calcium , undissolved powder and remnants of clothing (threads) has formed on the shade. Naturally, because of this, heating occurs more slowly, and the heater burns out faster than its intended service life. 2) Low mains voltage. Only a voltage stabilizer will help here. 3) Self-draining of water (siphon effect). Due to improper connection of the drain hose, the water gradually flows by gravity into the sewer without having time to heat up. And new portions of cold water are poured into the tank. And this happens for quite a long time. Proper reconnection of the drain system will help here.
Should I repair it myself or contact a professional?
Owners of an Atlant washing machine who are faced with breakdowns will have to make a decision: fix it on their own or turn to professionals for help. The warranty period of the equipment speaks in favor of the latter option.
The device is under warranty
If the free service period has not expired, then in case of any breakdown you need to contact a workshop . Self-repair will be grounds for refusal to fulfill warranty obligations.
The manufacturer is confident in the quality of its products, so the warranty period for Atlant washing machines is 3 years. To receive qualified assistance, you must contact branded service centers.
Advantages and disadvantages of repairing at home
Repairing equipment at home has a number of advantages, including:
- High speed of work completion. The specialist will be busy only with repairs, without being distracted by external factors.
- No need to buy tools. The master has them in stock.
- The employee travels to the address, so there is no need to pay for the transportation of equipment.
- Payment is made upon completion of work, after verification by the user.
- Affordable repair cost.
Among the disadvantages of home repairs are the risk of meeting with scammers, paying for the repairman’s travel, and the lack of warranty obligations (not all private repairmen provide them).
Pros and cons of repairs at a service center
Advantages of contacting a service center:
- the work will be performed on professional equipment, by specialists with specialized education;
- high-quality parts will be installed on the machine;
- A guarantee is given for the work performed.
Among the disadvantages of repairs at a service center:
- the need to deliver the machine to the addressee,
- long repair times,
- high cost of work.
To reduce these disadvantages to a minimum, you need to contact large workshops that are well known in every locality.
