DIY washing machine programmer repair

The programmer is one of the most important control parts in a washing machine, which is responsible for selecting the required washing mode, including spinning, soaking, and in new models of machines, drying. The programmer is also called a command device or timer; it is used in most automatic washing machines and looks like a protruding round knob on the control panel.

Only machines with a microprocessor and the presence of fuzzy logic functions, control in such units is carried out via a touch or push-button panel. And if the programmer fails, then washing in such a machine is impossible. But how to understand and check that the malfunction of the machine is precisely in this part, whether it is possible to repair it yourself, we suggest you figure it out together.

Programmer device

The programmer is an important component of the control unit in a washing machine, which consists of a large number of parts.

These parts can break down over time, which means they may need to be repaired. But in order to carry out such repairs, you need to understand the device of the programmer. The electromechanical control device of an automatic machine includes the following main elements:

• synchromotor;
• gearbox;
• contacts;
• gears;
• cams (protrusions and recesses) driving the synchromotor.

There are two types of programmers:

• hybrid;
• electronic.

The hybrid command apparatus is considered the most reliable, but its functionality is limited. The electronic units of the control unit of an automatic machine are more advanced, have a large number of functions and fine tuning.But they are subject to more frequent breakdowns, they can react to power surges, malfunction, and randomly turn off.

Signs of failure and its causes

Programmer failure can be determined by several signs:

• the machine stops turning on and everything is fine with the electrical network, then the cause of the malfunction may be caused by one of the elements of the control unit and the command device as well;
  

  Before disassembling the machine, be sure to check the power cord and socket for breakdowns.

• during washing, the program is lost, the time does not correspond to the selected mode;
• In some models of washing machines, an external sign may be the blinking of all indicators on the control panel.

Despite the fact that the command device is a fairly reliable part of the washing machine, it can break down after 10 years. The main reason noted by experts is careless handling of the unit by users. So, for example, if a child approached the machine while washing and began to turn the handle, then this may be enough to cause the programmer to fail.

Another cause of breakdowns is power surges in the electrical network. In addition, moisture getting inside the programmer may also cause malfunction. Well, we don’t rule out defects in the production of parts.

We disassemble the programmer

We begin repairing the programmer with its proper disassembly. The problem is that there are quite a few types of programmers, and there is nothing to say about the models; each model has its own disassembly features. Let's talk about the features of disassembling the programmer using the example of a device from an Ariston automatic washing machine. The procedure is as follows:

• We take the programmer removed from the machine and carefully inspect it. We find the latches on the side that hold the plastic cover, pry them off with a screwdriver and remove the cover.

Important! When removing the cover, be extremely careful; under it there are several small springs that tend to fly apart when disassembling the programmer; do not lose them.

• After we remove the cover, underneath we will see an upside down board. Carefully remove it and set it aside.
• We take out the central gear and inspect the small gears. Often they become clogged with debris, which interferes with the normal operation of the mechanism.
• Now let's carefully examine the board. You can often see burnt elements or paths on it. They will have to be soldered again.
• If there are no burnt tracks, then we take a multimeter and measure the resistance at the contacts of the control board, something will be found.
• We continue to disassemble the programmer. Now our task is to remove all the gears one by one, and then the core of the programmer motor.
• Next, you need to visually check the integrity of all elements, wipe the contacts with alcohol and reassemble the device in the reverse order. The repair of this control has been completed.

Note! When disassembling the programmer engine, do not forget to inspect the winding, because it can also burn out, which will disrupt the operation of the control device. If you find burnt wire, you will have to remove it and wind a new one in its place.

Experts categorically do not advise attempting to repair programmers for German washing machines like Miele or Siemens. Their devices have a complex structure, represented by several plates compressed in pairs.When you start to disassemble such programmers, the plates fly apart in different directions and it is extremely difficult to reassemble them later, since when the plates fly apart they damage the fragile plastic grooves. For our part, we advise you to entrust the repair of programmers from German washing machines to specialists.

It should be noted that German programmers are not the most difficult thing. In washing machines Gorenie, programmers with a soldered control board are installed. To repair them, you need to master a soldering iron, and not an ordinary one, but a special one with a thin tip. Even most craftsmen do not undertake to repair such programmers, so we, for our part, will advise you not to waste your energy, but simply replace the broken programmer from the Gorenie washing machine with a new one.

In conclusion, we note that repairing the command apparatus of an automatic machine with your own hands is not always a rewarding task. There are devices with the simplest design, in which it’s not a sin to tinker, you may not be able to do it, but it won’t be any worse. But some command apparatus is so complex that repairing it is simply not practical, or it can only be done by a good master.

16 reader comments

1. 06/08/2016 at 23:03

   Vladimir:

   I found out what interested me. THANK YOU.

   Answer
2. 10/23/2016 at 20:39

   Irina:

   My program does not turn off, it works and works. What to do?

   Answer
3. 01/23/2017 at 22:27

   Artem:

   Thanks for the warnings.

   Answer
4. 02/06/2017 at 16:15

   Andrey:

   Hello! The washing machine does not heat the water.The heating element and sensor are working. What else could it be?

   Answer
   • 02/23/2017 at 08:03

     Alexander:

     Pressostat, control module (heater relay).

     Answer
5. 03/16/2017 at 21:02

   Alexander:

   Hello! The Kandy machine, in the short washing mode, does everything as expected, but in other modes it may not turn on the heating element or some other fault will pop up. It draws in water, drains as expected, and the spin cycle works again. I'm blaming the programmer.

   Answer
   • 04/24/2017 at 09:13

     marina:

     The Indesit machine does not switch from rinse to spin, it spins all the time until you turn it off.

     Answer
6. 04/11/2017 at 16:19

   Svetlana:

   The programmer knob scrolls freely, as if it had come off. What to do?

   Answer
7. 07/17/2017 at 08:51

   Vitaly:

   I have an Ariston AVD 109 washing machine, the programmator button has fallen out. Tell me how to put it back?

   Answer
8. 08/04/2017 at 19:09

   Mark:

   Could anyone send me photos of the connection of the wires of the Bosch wfb 2005 washing machine?

   Answer
9. 08/28/2017 at 23:49

   Glory:

   Could anyone send photos of the connection of the wires of the control unit of the Bosch WFB1070 BY/07FD 7510 washing machine? Thank you.

   Answer
10. 10/28/2017 at 15:07

    Valery:

    Hello, the Indesit 4085 washing machine does not switch to rinse mode after washing, it starts drawing water endlessly until you switch it manually. What to do, who knows?

    Answer
11. 01/17/2018 at 02:38

    Sergey:

    Can you make a programmer on an Ardo a1000x machine yourself? The child turned it back. Now when you turn it on the indicator lights up and nothing else works. Even the doors don't lock.

    Answer
12. 06/05/2018 at 13:43

    Olga:

    I have an Ariston machine. Turns on and draws water. After two revolutions, the indicators turn on, drain, super wash and knock down the water. I'm blaming the programmer.

    Answer
13. 07/03/2018 at 16:10

    Natalia:

    Hello, my Indesit machine washed, rinsed and drained the water. For the second rinse, turn the water on and off. And so three times. Then error H 20 appears. I checked everything, water is flowing. I was able to switch the mode only when I unplugged the plug. Now I put it on spin, the drum does not turn. As a result, only the drain works and that’s it. What with her?

    Answer
14. 01/09/2023 at 14:42

    Oleg:

    When assembling the programmer, do the slow cams need to be pointed in a certain direction?

    Answer