Hotpoint Aquarius washer - pre wash light flashing

redser7

Hi, looking for some help please. The programs work fine until they reach the rinse and spin stage, then the prewash light blinks and things come to halt. Have researched this and it should be a water in problem. But the initial prewash and wash stages appear to work fine and water flow into the powder tray.
I dismantled the filter underneath the machine and removed tons of junk, i washed hoses and the powder tray out. Removed the pressure switch, blew down the hose and also into the switch. I can hear the switch click click open and close.
Beyond this I am stumped. Could the switch be faulty and should i chance ordering a new one? Could it be something on the board?
Thanks for any suggestions!

The Red Ace

if the pressure switch was faulty it would overfill, set the wm to drain only with the filter removed and see if the pump impellar is spinning or is it stuck, I would think by your description of problem that there is a blockage, could be either in sump hose or waste hose so check both and see if you have an obstruction.

redser7

Thanks Red Ace. The machine seems to drain just fine. I dismantled the whole sump hose, filter box, pressure chamber area and washed everything out completely. I also pumped out the machine a few times into buckets and the water came out freely and with force. It's very strange. I'll see if I can see the impellar running though.

redser7

Would the fact that water enters during prewash and wash but NOT for the rinse suggest there is a problem with the inlet valve? I'm pretty sure different parts of the cold water valve do different jobs and maybe the 'rinse' bit has gone?
Does it sound like a theory?
Thanks!

The Red Ace

if you have a meter check the solenoid valves for continuity, they can even break down after filling a small amount, but normally the pre wash and rinse fill through the same valve, also make sure the emptying hose is not too low and syphoning.

redser7

Thanks again. I picked up a meter on the way home from work. I've tested the 2 cold water and also the hot valve. They all give 1. Unless I'm doing something wrong that means they're all shot. Could that happen? Cheers

redser7

Ordered a new cold water valve and the problem is fixed, in case it's any use to anyone in the future. Cheap fix, 35 for the part and express delivery from UK.