machine is taking upto 5 hours to do a cycle?

Might be more able to answer your question if you tell us what make & model your machine is.

Lincoln Appliance NZ
March 2009

Check the pressure switch -the system that determines correct water level in the drum. If its giving an incorrect indication to the program timer machine will either overfill, refuse to fill or refuse to spin. Its an air operated diaphragm switch triggered by rising air pressure induced by the entry of water into an airtight vessel attached to the base of the drum. It tells the program timer that the water has reached the correct level, allowing it to proceed to the next stage in the wash cycle. Power off, drag machine out onto the floor, remove back cover and top cover. The pressure switch is a round item about 3 inches across with several wires and a thin rubber pipe attached. It generally sits just under the top cover. Disconnect the thin rubber pipe from the switch and blow down through it to clear any blockage. Switch itself may be faulty but its more likely the pressure pipe or the vessel attached to the other end of the pipe is blocked. Remove the pressure vessel, put a small nut or screw in it, fill it with water and shake vigorously till any crud or residue is removed. Some machines have the pressure vessel integrated as part of the filter unit, with a pressure chamber moulded into the top of the filter body. Refit all parts, check that joints and connections are water tight.
Also check the filter itself - generally located behind a panel at the foot of the machine.Some are obvious like little square hatches and some are hidden behind the trim panel at the foot of the machine. Once panel is removed the filter should be visible. Its generally a circular plastic fitting which unscrews in an anticlockwise direction. Some hotpoint, indesit and ariston filters are located in the big black sump hose (the one that leaves the bottom of the outer drum and connects to the pump). Power off, drag machine out onto the floor, remove back cover or tip machine up at an angle. Locate sump hose, remove the tensioner clip by squeezing the tabs together with a large pair of pliers or vise grips, remove the hose, take out filter and clean. Be prepared for spillage of water. May help if the machine is tilted backwards at an angle.
The machine may have stopped in heat pause, and is waiting for the water to reach the correct temperature before advancing on. Check the heater, heater connections, thermostat connections and the connections on the timer, (looking for a burnt out terminal or wire).Check for wear of the wiring insulation allowing the bare wire to short out on the machine frame. Heater is located at bottom of drum. If testing with a multimeter, disconnect the wiring and take a resistance reading across the terminals - should be around 20 ohms. If heater is blown (broken internal heater wire) it will give an infinite resistance. There should be no continuity between the either terminal and the metal sheath of the heater - if there is, there's an internal short circuit. When removing heater, disconnect wiring, undo central mounting nut and prise it out of its rubber seal - may require some effort. Replace heater, use sealant when refitting rubber seal and ensure it is fully pushed into the recess in the backplate. Make sure the element locates into mounting bracket inside the drum.(look inside the element with a torch and you will see mounting bracket). This bracket ensures that the moving inner drum doesnt strike the element and damage it.

Repair and service your own washing machine. Go to www.2ndwave.co.uk/manual.html

dannyboy
March 2009