A washing machine is a great tool - without one you would have to wash your laundry by hand, which of course would be time and energy consuming.
Washing machines can be ran at low temperatures - in fact it is encouraged to perform you washes at temperatures around 30 - 40°C - these help consume energy and will preserve. Even low temperatures such as these require a heater to ensure the water can be warmed enough to get your clothes clean.
Your arrival upon this page suggests that your washers heater is no longer performing the role it was solely intended for. Therefore allow us to help you step by step in replacing a faulty heater and getting your washing machine backup and running.
This video shows an example on how to remove or replace the part on a typical machine, some models may be different but the procedure should be similar.
What You Will Need:
- Heater
- Screwdriver
- Multimeter (optional)
Step 1 - Safety Advice
Safety First! Please ensure that you have disconnected the appliance from the mains before starting any repair
Step 2 - Opening Up the Machine
To begin - you will need to access the back of the appliance to get to the heater. Using a screwdriver remove the screws which hold the backplate in place. With the back off you should be able to now see the heater.
It is worth checking the electrical connections for damage or wear, If they seem fine move on to the next step .
Step 2.5 - Getting the Readings
using a multimeter the next thing you can do is to check continuity of the heater. On its lowest resistance setting, connect it to the electrical connectors and the you should be getting a reading between 25 and 35 ohms. If your reading is above 35 ohms you're going to need to change the heater.
If you are unsure on what a mutlimeter is or how to use one, you can see how to use a multimeter here.
Step 3 - Removing the Old Heater
Removing the heater and installing the new replacement is very simple. Start by releasing the connectors using a flat headed screwdriver if necessary.
Then there should be a bolt holding the heater in place, unscrew the bolt almost to the end of the shaft - here you can then knock the shaft which will then release the clamp, which releases the heater.
Step 4 - Changing Over the Thermistor
Next you need to carefully ease the heater out. In many cases the new heater is not supplied with the thermistor, so you will have to transfer this from the old heater onto the new one.
Step 5 - Fitting the New Heater
With the thermistor transferred you can refit your heater back into the tub making sure it lines up with the heater bracket, this is important as it fitting it correctly will stop the heater from hitting the drum.
Now the new heater is fitted and secure you are then free to connect it back up. That's the element tightened and replaced.
Food For thought
If you check the electrical connectors and the element and neither of these are faulty there is a high chance it could be the control board.
It is worth noting that the control board is not sold programmed by Indesit or Hotpoint and needs to be purchased in conjunction with the smart card and reader. All of this could cost you well in excess of £200. If this is the case we recommend going to a reputable repair company, such as Repaircare.
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