If the drum on your Miele tumble dryer is not turning during a cycle or you can hear a low humming noise, it could be down to a faulty motor capacitor. In this article, we will take you through how to replace the motor capacitor on your appliance with an easy-to-follow guide.
Safety first!
Before you begin, make sure your tumble dryer is switched off and unplugged from the mains.
Replacing the motor capacitor on a Miele tumble dryer step by step
For a step by step guide to replacing your tumble dryer capacitor, read on or watch the tutorial video below.
Step 1: Remove the top of the tumble dryer
Firstly, to get to the motor capacitor, you'll need to remove the top of the tumble dryer. To do this, undo the two screws at the back and two screws at the side of your tumble dryer top panel using a Torx head screwdriver.
Top Tip:
There are quite a few screws that will be removed during this fix. A handy way to keep hold of and separate these screws is to use an ice tray. You can even put a piece of paper in each ice cube section with a note saying which screw is which. That way, when it comes to putting your tumble dryer back together, you will know which screws have come from which area.
Step 2: Remove the top
With all the screws removed from the top of your tumble dryer, you can now remove the top panel by sliding it back and carefully lifting it away. Be careful when doing this as underneath the top there are two brackets on the back that may fall into the machine. They are quite big so you should be able to retrieve them if this happens, but it's best to lift the top off carefully to avoid this.
Step 3: Remove the door and hinge
Next, you will need to remove the door and door hinge. To do this, release and open the door then remove the two screws that are holding the hinge and door in place with a Torx head screwdriver. You can then lift the door and hinge away.
Step 4: Remove the front panel
To remove the front panel, you will need to first lift up the control panel from the front of the machine. You can do this by sliding it up then you can just rest it on the top of the machine.
You will then be able to access the two screws at the top. Undo these with your Torx head screwdriver.
Then, remove all the screws around the door opening.
When all the screws are removed you can then lift up the front panel and put it to one side.
Step 5: Remove the side panel
With the front panel removed, you can now access the screws that are holding the side panel in place. There are three at the front, two at the top and three at the back. Remove all of these screws with your Torx head screwdriver.
The two screws at the back are slightly different from the others as they have to go through a metal plate as well. Make sure you keep these two separate and in a different section in your ice tray.
When all the screws are removed you can remove the side panel. When you do so, note that there is a lip underneath the panel that holds it in place. To release this, gently lift the tumble dryer up slightly to release it from the lip and then you can slide it away.
Step 6: Check the capacitor for potential charge
With the side panel removed, you can access the motor capacitor. Tumble dryer capacitors shouldn't hold a charge so you shouldn't get a shock by touching it. But, to be safe, it's worth making sure that there is no charge. To do this, use a pair of insulated pliers and press the metal prongs across the electric terminals like in the image below. This will dispense any charge that may still be in the capacitor.
To check if the capacitor needs replacing, you can test it with a multimeter. To do this, place the red probe on the positive terminal and the black probe on the negative and hold them in place. The voltage should read near 9 volts. If this isn't the case, then it will need to be replaced.
To purchase a replacement you will need to know your appliance model number. On your tumble dryer, you will usually find this on a sticker or data plate located behind the door frame or behind the filter flap at the bottom of the appliance. If you can't find it here, check the back and sides of your appliance too.
Your model number may be a combination of letters and numbers and could also include characters such as a dash (-) or a slash (/).
Step 7: Remove the motor capacitor
If the motor capacitor needs replacing you will first need to remove the old one. To do this, first, remove the electrical connections attached to the capacitor by gently lifting them out.
Next, use a pair of pliers to unscrew the nut underneath the capacitor that holds it in place. Hold on to the top of the capacitor while you do this to make it a little easier. Then, you can lift it out but keep hold of the nut from underneath.
Step 8: Fit the new capacitor
Place the new capacitor in place of the old one and screw it into position with the nut underneath. Use the pliers again to ensure the nut is fully tight and refit the electrical connections.
Step 9: Refit the side panel
Now that your capacitor has been replaced, it's time to put your tumble dryer back together. First, refit the side panel. Remember, there is a lip at the bottom of the side panel and this will need to be fitted underneath the tumble dryer. Again, gently lift up the appliance and slide the side panel on. Then, refit the screws.
Step 10: Refit the front panel
With the side panel in place, you can now refit the front panel. Simply slide this into place and refit the screws. When replacing the door lock screws (pictured below) be sure to tighten these as much as possible. This will help the door to lock safely and securely when using the machine.
Step 11: Refit the control panel
Now that the front panel is back in place, you can refit the control panel by simply slotting it into place.
Step 12: Refit the hinge and door
Next up, is refitting the hinge and door. Place the door back into position and refit the hinge screws. When you have done this, open and close the door to check it is working correctly.
Step 13: Refit the top
Finally, you just need to refit the top of the tumble dryer. Carefully slot this into place and reattach the screws.
And there you have it, how to replace the motor capacitor in your tumble dryer. We hope this has helped you get your tumble dryer back up and running again and the drum is now spinning as it should.
If you find that your tumbler dryer experiences any further faults in the future, be sure to check out our Tumble Dryer Repair Help & Advice Centre where we will help you to diagnose and fix any problems yourself.
Caring for your tumble dryer
In order to keep your tumble dryer safe and in good working condition, there are a few regular checks and cleaning tasks that you need to perform. These include removing the lint, maintaining the vent hose and cleaning the inside and outside of your dryer. For more care and maintenance tips as well as ways to save energy, check out our article on how to clean your tumble dryer.
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