Washing machine problem - advice needed

El Weirdo

Our Samsung washing machine (approx 4 yrs old) has been playing up recently - a couple of times over the past few weeks, it has flooded the utility room in the middle of a cycle. At first I thought it was a blockage or kink in the drainage pipe as it worked fine when I had it pulled out from under the counter and away from the wall.

Today though, when herself put a load on, it kept filling for ages and threw out an error code (error code 4E). So, I opened her up to see what I could see and this is what I found when I got to the pressure switch:


The switch has lost the clip that keeps it attached to the frame and is only supported by the pressure hose and wires.


I assume that the switch has blown?

I have no multimeter to test if it's definitely gone though, and as money's a bit tight at the moment, I really don't fancy springing €40+ on a new switch if it's not actually needed.

If any of you guys in here could give me your expert opinion and let me know if I'm right in my assumption that the switch has blown or not, it would be very much appreciated.

Also, if I am correct, does anyone know where I might be able to source the part at a better price?

Cheers in advance.

washman3

I see that the the little black pipe that's attached to the switch has been rubbing against the machine side. Remove this pipe from the switch (just use small pliers or fingers for the clip). Check for and hole or severe wear at the point where it was rubbing.
Now blow sharply through the pipe and you should know if there is a blockage at the other end. Blowing through should free the blockage, which is usually gunge from washing powder or fluff from clothes that has lodged in the pressure chamber at the base of the drum.
Doubt if the pressure switch is blown, but it may be.
Send me the model number anyway (written inside the door)

REMEMBER... POWER OFF ALWAYS BEFORE ANY CHECKS..!!!!!

El Weirdo

washman3 wrote: »

I see that the the little black pipe that's attached to the switch has been rubbing against the machine side. Remove this pipe from the switch (just use small pliers or fingers for the clip). Check for and hole or severe wear at the point where it was rubbing.
Now blow sharply through the pipe and you should know if there is a blockage at the other end. Blowing through should free the blockage, which is usually gunge from washing powder or fluff from clothes that has lodged in the pressure chamber at the base of the drum.
Doubt if the pressure switch is blown, but it may be.
Send me the model number anyway (written inside the door)

REMEMBER... POWER OFF ALWAYS BEFORE ANY CHECKS..!!!!!

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah, I've checked the pipe and it's clear, should've said in the OP.

The model no. is WF8704RSW/XEU 01.

The Red Ace

if you haven't it sorted yet take off the hose at the drum end and gently blow through it, you should hear the switch trip over if it isn't faulty, if you hear it trip over kink the hose and listen to see if it clicks back again, if it does you have either a leaking hose or switch, the switch may also be gone out of calibration if it has been knocked about which will cause it to overfill.

El Weirdo

Ah ha! I think I've found the problem.

It appears that the pipe has been rubbing against the counterweight and there's a tiny hole in it.

Any idea where one might source a replacement, or could it even be repaired with a puncture repair kit or the like?

washman3

washman3 wrote: »

I see that the the little black pipe that's attached to the switch has been rubbing against the machine side. Remove this pipe from the switch (just use small pliers or fingers for the clip). Check for a hole or severe wear at the point where it was rubbing.!!
Now blow sharply through the pipe and you should know if there is a blockage at the other end. Blowing through should free the blockage, which is usually gunge from washing powder or fluff from clothes that has lodged in the pressure chamber at the base of the drum.
Doubt if the pressure switch is blown, but it may be.
Send me the model number anyway (written inside the door)

REMEMBER... POWER OFF ALWAYS BEFORE ANY CHECKS..!!!!!

Mystery solved..:D
Its actually very rare for a pressure switch to pack in on a fairly good quality machine like this. Have been looking at the espares.uk website and they don't even stock them.!!
Motor factors may have pipe like this, its almost identical to the pipe that takes the water to your windscreen washer jets.
Or take a trip to your recycling centre. One of the chaps there will whip one off any old machine. Just keep the length the same.

El Weirdo

Well I've temporarily fixed it with some blu-tak and insulation tape for the time being and it seems to have done the trick.

I'll get a replacement ASAP though.

Thanks for your help, guys.