Error F18 in a Siemens washing machine

While the machine regularly erases and wringes out, the housewives do not realize that with the help of the display it is possible not only to monitor the washing status and monitor the time, but also to timely record the malfunction in the system. A malfunction noticed by the system is immediately displayed on the scoreboard in a alphanumeric combination, decoding which makes it easier to diagnose the source of the problem and eliminate the trouble.

So, error F18 in a Siemens washing machine indicates a non-functioning drain. What led to the malfunction, where to look for the "culprit" and how to repair the "home assistant" on our own in this situation - we will tell in detail and show.

Why did the error appear?

No Siemens malfunction code will tell you exactly which element of the system introduces disharmony into a coordinated mechanism. The indicated error will only help to fix the “sos” signal from the system in time and narrow down the circle of possible problems. F18 doesn't have many:

• Clogged nozzles, filter, pump impeller, hose or sewer.
• Pump failure.
• Kink, displacement of hoses or pipes.
• Faulty control module.

The last reason implies a loss of communication between the pressostat and the corresponding triac. The first is a water level sensor and is a small disk on top and a long tube lowered into the tank for measuring pressure. It registers the amount of water in the machine and transfers the collected information to the control board. If the information does not “reach” due to a faulty triac, the system will not give a drain command and will not allow spinning to start.

In order not to guess, he recommends that you conduct a diagnosis yourself. It is highly likely that the F18 error is the result of a blockage that can be easily eliminated without the involvement of professional repairmen. To begin with, we recommend conducting several tests and identifying the “sore spot” of your home assistant.

Check for blockages in accessible places.

Knowing what to do when the F18 code appears, you can independently check the drain system without any help. Moreover, the repair does not require special knowledge and experience. The main thing is to act consistently and adhere to given instructions.

To begin, we examine the components of the water supply for blockages. We act like this:

1. We disconnect the washer from the power supply.
2. We find a drain hatch in the lower right corner of the case.
3. Open with a flat screwdriver so that the two latches that hold the door work.
4. We prepare dirty rags and a container for collecting water.
5. We take an emergency hose located next to the filter, weaken the clamp and drain the water.

Important! If the emergency hose is empty, then the drain pipe is clogged and water cannot leave the tank (what should be done in this case - at the end of the section).

6. We unscrew the trash filter.
7. Thoroughly clean it of scale and dirt.
8. We examine the impeller of the pump, and in the presence of coiled hair, we ensure its free rotation.
9. We remove the clamps on the drain hose, remove and clean under a strong stream of water.

Rarely, but it happens that garbage has accumulated not in the typewriter itself, but in the general sewage system. It’s easy to check the guess: we turn on the spin mode and lower the end of the drain hose into the toilet bowl, sink, bathtub or basin. Free flowing water removes all suspicions from technology.

Now back to the drain pipe. It connects the pump and the tank, and if there is a lump in the hose, the water blocks and cannot leave the drum. To confirm the assumption, you have to get to the pump snail through the bottom of the machine.

Most often, Siemens units do not have a bottom panel, so it is enough to tilt the case back, reach the tube, disconnect, drain the accumulated liquid and feel for blockages. Rinse under the pressure of water will help to eliminate the breakdown. If there is a pallet, first unscrew the retaining bolts, remembering to carefully unfasten the leakage sensor wire. The latter is provided for an emergency stop of the machine when water enters the basement compartment in order to avoid flooding and short circuit.

Check the pump carefully

If hoses and pipes do not cause suspicion, pay attention to the pump. It may become clogged, burned out, or cracked. In some cases, an amateur master can do the repair himself. But first you need to get to the details.

1. Turn off the power to the machine, turn the tap on the water supply and disconnect the drain hose from the sewer pipe.
2. Open the drain hatch located in front in the lower right corner.
3. We empty the machine through an emergency drain or a trash filter.
4. We provide free access to the unit from all directions.
5. We prepare rags, containers for collecting water.
6. We take out the powder receptacle, sharply pulling it towards ourselves.
7. We turn the washer on the right side.
8. We remove the bottom by prying it by pulling the latches and disconnecting the leakage sensor wire.

Do not rush and check the pump for efficiency with a multimeter. Most often, the problem lies not in the electronics, but in the garbage inside the case. Despite a well-thought-out filtration system with the settling of foreign objects and dirt in the trash filter, some of the hair and wool fall into some parts. Therefore, you will need to disassemble the pump and clean it from obstructing trash. Make it easy:

• fix the location of the wires on the camera or using markings;
• disconnect the failed wiring;
• weaken the clamps with pliers;
• remove the hose and pipe;
• hold the pump firmly by the housing and turn it half a turn counterclockwise.

We insert a screwdriver into the existing hole at the middle junction and remove the top cover. Now carefully inspect the internal mechanism, clean the scum and dirt, check the integrity of the gaskets and clean the contacts. After that, we test with a multimeter. When the pump is working properly, a three-digit number will be displayed on the display, and the appearance of “0” or “1” will indicate the need for a complete replacement.

When the hoses are clean and the pump is running, it is likely that the control board is damaged. Independent attempts to rectify the situation are fraught with additional breakdowns, so we strongly recommend entrusting electronics repair to professionals.