John Lewis Washing Machine Fills Then Empties JLWM1201

[needyahelp]

Hi all, my 20+ year old jlwm1201 washing machine has recently started going from fill (for maybe 20-50 seconds) to empty and the timer goes to zero with the saftey lock releasing (doir stays closed). This happens on any wash programme but tge machine still works fine on the spin only setting. Anyway im back on here seeking some advice as id prefer to repair than replace the whole thing.
Ive read a few posts and see it may be the heating element or the pcb but i understand there are 2 pcbs on this type of model; one behind the facia and the other at the back of the machine maybe?
Can anyone advise how to tell whether the issue is element or pcb and which pcb at that (or something else)?
Im off on hols tomorrow so this has happened at a perfect time (!!) So i may be a bit slower to reply to any posts but any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[jj4091]

My first thought would be it is not detecting the machine filling. Have you done the basics, cleaned the drain pump filter and checked pump for obstructions, check pipe from pump to pressure switch for blockage, check pressure switch operation.

 

[Mottie]

I had the same problem on our Miele washing machine. In fact it was filling and pumping out at the same time. The engineer came and cleaned out some kind of vacuum pipe that was telling the machine it was full when it wasn’t if that makes any sense.

 

[needyahelp]

Thanks JJ4091 and Mottie. Yes i had cleaned the part/tube that takes water from drum to drain pump a few weeks ago when it had a similar one off problem, there was lots of soap sludge in there and what i assume was calcified coating on so i got all that out and also checked the drain pump for turning and obstructions (fine) but the problem didnt return then but this time it was happening all the time even though tube and pump are fine. I say "was happening" as ive just gotten back from hols (with lots of laundry i was dreading to hand wash) and i thought id try an empty was on the machineand low and behold it is filling normally! So ive paused it, stuck a load of clothes in done a little jig and will see if it gets to the end normally. What i noticed when it has the issue is it fills from the prewash compartment but never switches to fill from the main detergent compartment (which i think is does when its working properly) as thecycle goes to zero.
I have no idea whats wrong here and why it seems to be ok right now but I pretty sure it wont behave for long, as has been the case with other appliances ive fixed in the past. When it does fail again ill try checking the pressure swith as ive never done that so dont know where it is so if anyone knows please let me know but if i find out where it is ill post on here so others dont gave to search. Likewise if it could be more than the pressure switch and anyone gas any further tips please see if you can drop a reply on other stuff to try or keep an eye out for. Thanks!

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Likewise if it could be more than the pressure switch and anyone gas any further tips please see if you can drop a reply on other stuff to try or keep an eye out for. Thanks!

Check the pressure switch, and it's thin pipe, is clear.

It's a narrow, pipe, easily choked up, will probably run in a corner, to a small pan shaped object, which is a pressure sensor switch. Disconnect the pipe at the bottom, and if you blow very gently into the pipe, you should hear the switch click. That pipe, has to be clear for it to work.

 

[needyahelp]

Thanks HB i never knew washing machines had such things! ill have a look for that when it fails again and post an update either way

 

[jj4091]

If you look at the electrical equipment exploded views on here

https://www.ransomspares.co.uk/parts/brands/john-lewis/washing-machines/jlwm1201%20(91451704400)/?_gl=1*55sos0*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..*_ga*MTk5OTUzMDkzNi4xNzU1MzIxMTM1*_ga_8B0DRGHD6G*czE3NTUzMjExMzQkbzEkZzEkdDE3NTUzMjExNDYkajQ4JGwwJGgxNTU2NzgyNjI3JGRaZGktcUdnb3JXUUU4QzVfQlpZc2ZVdzJLRXpPdEZhRG93&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwZqO2ciOjwMVB4tQBh1zBC0SEAAYAyAAEgLp9PD_BwE

the pressure switch and pipe are items 12 and 110

 

[needyahelp]

If you look at the electrical equipment exploded views on here

https://www.ransomspares.co.uk/parts/brands/john-lewis/washing-machines/jlwm1201%20(91451704400)/?_gl=1*55sos0*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..*_ga*MTk5OTUzMDkzNi4xNzU1MzIxMTM1*_ga_8B0DRGHD6G*czE3NTUzMjExMzQkbzEkZzEkdDE3NTUzMjExNDYkajQ4JGwwJGgxNTU2NzgyNjI3JGRaZGktcUdnb3JXUUU4QzVfQlpZc2ZVdzJLRXpPdEZhRG93&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwZqO2ciOjwMVB4tQBh1zBC0SEAAYAyAAEgLp9PD_BwE

the pressure switch and pipe are items 12 and 110

Thanks Jj4091 the diagram is a big help as id have been going in from the bottom. Will try later today.

 

[assuhors]

(What i noticed when it has the issue is it fills from the prewash compartment but never switches to fill from the main detergent compartment (which i think is does when its working properly) as thecycle goes to zero.)
It's possible one of the dual inlet valve coils is open circuit, do you have a test meter.

 

[needyahelp]

Check the pressure switch, and it's thin pipe, is clear.

It's a narrow, pipe, easily choked up, will probably run in a corner, to a small pan shaped object, which is a pressure sensor switch. Disconnect the pipe at the bottom, and if you blow very gently into the pipe, you should hear the switch click. That pipe, has to be clear for it to work.

Hi again HB, ive got the lid off but i see the rubber tube from the switch goes down and out of sight around the drum, checking from the bottom the clip on the bottom of the hose is in a right bugger of a place to get to and the bit of the clip to grab is turned inwards so i cant get to it even if i could get my hand and pliers in there. Is there a reason to disconnect the tube from the bottom rather than the top as the top clip is easily accessible?

 

[needyahelp]

(What i noticed when it has the issue is it fills from the prewash compartment but never switches to fill from the main detergent compartment (which i think is does when its working properly) as thecycle goes to zero.)
It's possible one of the dual inlet valve coils is open circuit, do you have a test meter.

Hi Assuhors, i have a multimeter . I can see this behind the detergent drawer

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Is there a reason to disconnect the tube from the bottom rather than the top as the top clip is easily accessible?

You can disconnect at the top, and give it a good blow down, to check if it's check of obstructions, but you would also need to be able to check the pressure switch works....

Fit a bit of tube, in place of the one you have disconnected, so you can blow gently, and make sure it clicks..

 

[needyahelp]

You can disconnect at the top, and give it a good blow down, to check if it's check of obstructions, but you would also need to be able to check the pressure switch works....

Fit a bit of tube, in place of the one you have disconnected, so you can blow gently, and make sure it clicks..

Just checked and the tube seemed clear, i also flushed a little water through it from the top using a syringe and saw it eventually come out of the little drain hose next to the filter at the bottom. Took off the switch (took a pic beforehand so i knew which way the cables connect) and could hear a soft click when gently blown into it. Ive put everything back together and started a wash, it filled from the prewash compartment only and for a longer time than before but then i heard a click from somewhere and then the house fusebox tripped. The drum doesnt look overfilled so could the switch be faulty? Not sure why it would trip the fuse. Ive not tried it again yet as ive got to go out so ill see if it will drain and then try once more later today.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

The drum doesnt look overfilled so could the switch be faulty?

No, and I think we have run out of ideas, for remote diagnosis.

Not sure why it would trip the fuse. Ive not tried it again yet as ive got to go out so ill see if it will drain and then try once more later today.

Unless you have left a wire dangling somewhere, it seems you have a quite serious fault there.

 

[assuhors]

On the highest scale of my test meter, 2000k ohms the valve coils read approx. 5 ohms. You will need to disconnect the wiring to the valves to access the terminals.