Fisher and Paykel SMART DRIVE ELECTRONIC WASHING MACHINE PHASE 1 to 5 – 230v problems and solutions
SMARTDRIVE PROBLEMSIf Smartdrive Appears To Have No Power
If the module appears to be dead / no power then check the following:-
* Is the external mains plug switched on and live?
* Are all plugs connected into the Motor Controller?
* Phase 4 Only. Check that the product is not "asleep". There is a mode in the motor controller where it can shut down in the event of a transient on the mains. This can be caused by the thermal trip on the pump, i.e. pump block. If this occurs the module will not restart unless the power is turned off at the wall for at least 90 seconds. The module is not damaged and there is no need to replace the motor controller.
* Phase 5 Only. The pump is used as part of the power supply if it is not connected Smartdrive will appear dead. Check the pump resistance is 33 ohms. If the pump is open circuit, has the thermal cut out tripped? This should reset within 15 minutes after tripping once the pump has cooled down. If the thermal cut out has tripped, check for a blocked pump.
* Check the resistance from Phase & Neutral to Earth. This will identify if either the motor wiring harness or the lid switch harness is shorting to the wrapper.
* Check that the resistance of each of the water valves is 15 ohms (phase 1-4), 64 ohms (Phase 5).
Phase 2-4 Only. Check the 15v supply is 11v min, 17v max.
Phase 1 Only. If fitted with an original Phase 1 Motor Controller with a fuse, see WM51
Replace
the Motor Controller, if none of the above faults are found.
NB. Ensure product is empty of water when pressure tube is reconnected. If the product is phase 1 to 4, ensure that the console area is dried out before fitting replacement motor controller. Always check the pump resistance before fitting a new Motor Controller.
NB. Ensure product is empty of water when pressure tube is reconnected. If the product is phase 1 to 4, ensure that the console area is dried out before fitting replacement motor controller. Always check the pump resistance before fitting a new Motor Controller.
If Smartdrive Powers Off mid cycle
* If there is a power interruption while Smartdrive is performing a wash cycle, Smartdrive will continue when power returns. There are two exceptions.
* Phase 4 Only. Check that the product is not "asleep". There is a mode in the motor controller where it can shut down in the event of a transient on the mains. This can be caused by the thermal trip on the pump, i.e. pump block. If this occurs the module will not restart unless the power is turned off at the wall for at least 90 seconds. The module is not damaged and there is no need to replace the motor controller.
* Phase 5 Only. The pump is used as part of the power supply, if the thermal trip goes on the pump the product will power off and the cycle will not restart. The thermal cut-out will normally only trip on the pump if there is a pump block.
Flooding
* Check inlet hoses are not leaking.
* Check drain hose is inserted correctly, and that the drain is not blocked.
* Check water valves are not jammed on, or dripping when off.
* Has the pressure pipe been connected when the bowl contained water? The pressure pipe must be connected when the bowl is empty, otherwise flooding may occur on the next cycle. Alternatively Smartdrive may get Fault Code 11.
* Often caused by Smartdrive leaking or over sudsing. See section 6.4.
* The pressure transducer in the Motor Controller is faulty, but only if showing a fault code.
Leaking
* Check for obvious signs of leaks from taps, inlet hoses, inlet washers, water valves and mixing chamber. There should be no signs of water within the topdeck area.
* Check for obvious signs of leaks in the standpipe, drain hose, pump, and air bell. The pump can leak if the pump bracket is not secured properly.
* Check size setting of Smartdrive is correct.
* Check that the high water level is acceptable. Acceptable limits are 10-110mm from the top of the agitator to the water. If it is less than 10mm, then splashing may be a
problem. Empty bowl, remove then refit pressure pipe to Motor Controller, then retest. If water level is outside these limits, replace Motor Controller.
* If all these fail the best way to check leaks is to fill the bowl with water and detergent and identify the leak point. If there is no service hatch, the feet may be fully extended.
* Otherwise it could be that Smartdrive was overloaded or in a humid environment. Too much detergent could have been used.
* Phase 1-3. A new neck ring for the outer bowl will reduce ‘phantom’ suds leaks. Changing the impellor on the pump should also reduce the incidence of these leaks.
* Phase 1. See WM65 in the Appendix B. Water can leak onto the floor during spin.
Noisy
If the user is complaining about noise it may be in a number of different areas. Is the noise during spin? Is it a banging sound, this would typically be the drain hose, inlet hoses, mains lead or harness. If it is an out of balance noise check level, bias spring and balance rings. If it is a ‘clunk’ that occurs up to 3 times per cycle, this would be a bowl check. It occurs when Smartdrive is draining and ¾ empty. This is a ‘feature’ and a noise that cannot be reduced.
* Is Smartdrive level and on all four feet equally.
* Check the mains lead, inlet hoses and drain hose outside the wrapper, behind Smartdrive.
* Check the harness and drain hose inside is not banging on the wrapper during spin.
* Check bias spring is fitted correctly.
If the user is complaining about noise it may be in a number of different areas. Is the noise during spin? Is it a banging sound, this would typically be the drain hose, inlet hoses, mains lead or harness. If it is an out of balance noise check level, bias spring and balance rings. If it is a ‘clunk’ that occurs up to 3 times per cycle, this would be a bowl check. It occurs when Smartdrive is draining and ¾ empty. This is a ‘feature’ and a noise that cannot be reduced.
* Is Smartdrive level and on all four feet equally.
* Check the mains lead, inlet hoses and drain hose outside the wrapper, behind Smartdrive.
* Check the harness and drain hose inside is not banging on the wrapper during spin.
* Check bias spring is fitted correctly.
* Check
the 2 balance rings in the inner bowl contain water. Check weights.
* Check for noisy suspension rods. Phase 1 was noisy during Stir.
* If the inner bowl or agitator is noisy check for obstruction. Check the spline drive is clean. If there is a grating sound check the single stainless steel washer beneath the spline drive.
* If the motor is abnormally noisy. Some early phase 5 rotors were noisy and replacement may rectify this. Chipped or cracked rotor magnets are unlikely to affect the noise.
* If the pump is noisy. Check for obstruction. Change parts as necessary. The Motor Controller or Display will not be faulty.
* Check for noisy suspension rods. Phase 1 was noisy during Stir.
* If the inner bowl or agitator is noisy check for obstruction. Check the spline drive is clean. If there is a grating sound check the single stainless steel washer beneath the spline drive.
* If the motor is abnormally noisy. Some early phase 5 rotors were noisy and replacement may rectify this. Chipped or cracked rotor magnets are unlikely to affect the noise.
* If the pump is noisy. Check for obstruction. Change parts as necessary. The Motor Controller or Display will not be faulty.
Continuous Spinning or Slow Spinning
There have been some reports of ‘continuous spinning’. This statement is a bit misleading as Smartdrive will always ensure that the motor will not spin continuously. However, it could be one of the following:-
The most likely cause of slow or continuous spinning is ‘Out of Balance’. To correct this see section 10.5.
Normally the Out of Balance correction is to slow down or stop and retry to spin. Smartdrive will typically retry this 3 times before giving an out of balance user warning. If the out of balance recovery is set to enabled, see section 7.6 (Phase 3-5). Smartdrive will refill the bowl with water to redistribute the load. Smartdrive will only try this once before sounding a user warning.
Intermittent Lid switch. Check resistance and operation of the lid switch.
Spray Spin & suds. Too much detergent can cause final spin to stop and respin 4 times. This is due to suds build up between the bowls. Normally get a suds user warning. A less likely cause of slow spinning is the ‘hot bowl flag’. Smartdrive activates this flag after a Hot or Warm Hot fill. Smartdrive will only spin to 700RPM. The outer bowl plastic will not withstand a 1000RPM spin if it is hot. This flag may be cleared in Diagnostic mode. Phase 1 can inadvertently set the ‘hot bowl flag’, if the warm or hot fill cycle is interrupted. This will restrict the maximum spin speed to 700 RPM. The Motor Controller or Display will not be faulty.
There have been some reports of ‘continuous spinning’. This statement is a bit misleading as Smartdrive will always ensure that the motor will not spin continuously. However, it could be one of the following:-
The most likely cause of slow or continuous spinning is ‘Out of Balance’. To correct this see section 10.5.
Normally the Out of Balance correction is to slow down or stop and retry to spin. Smartdrive will typically retry this 3 times before giving an out of balance user warning. If the out of balance recovery is set to enabled, see section 7.6 (Phase 3-5). Smartdrive will refill the bowl with water to redistribute the load. Smartdrive will only try this once before sounding a user warning.
Intermittent Lid switch. Check resistance and operation of the lid switch.
Spray Spin & suds. Too much detergent can cause final spin to stop and respin 4 times. This is due to suds build up between the bowls. Normally get a suds user warning. A less likely cause of slow spinning is the ‘hot bowl flag’. Smartdrive activates this flag after a Hot or Warm Hot fill. Smartdrive will only spin to 700RPM. The outer bowl plastic will not withstand a 1000RPM spin if it is hot. This flag may be cleared in Diagnostic mode. Phase 1 can inadvertently set the ‘hot bowl flag’, if the warm or hot fill cycle is interrupted. This will restrict the maximum spin speed to 700 RPM. The Motor Controller or Display will not be faulty.
Poor Wash Performance
Linting. There are no serviceable parts or filters associated with linting.
Wash Performance. Check the following: -
* Ensure the user selects the correct water level for the wash load.
* Check the size is set correctly, see section 9.0.
* Check the High Water level is within limits as defined in section 6.4. If the water level is outside these limits then replace the motor controller.
* If auto water level is being used and not selecting the correct water level, this may be modified.
* If fabric softener is used this can build up within the outer bowl. This can result in black flakes present in the wash load. If this is a problem it is recommended that Smartdrive is periodically filled with hot water, plus one to two cups of dishwashing powder and left to soak.
> If the water levels are correct the Motor Controller or Display will not be faulty.
Siphoning
Typically this occurs when the Standpipe height is too low. The minimum is 850mm from the floor, this is 90mm ABOVE the drain hose outlet on Smartdrive. With a very low standpipe and a very high water level this could result in water pouring down the standpipe prior to Smartdrive completing fill and resulting in no water in bowl during agitate. This could result in fault code.
* If the drain hose is pushed too far into the standpipe or drain, Smartdrive will siphon during rinse, which could result in a ‘No Taps’ user warning.
* Siphoning can result from a restricted drain hose or partial pump block. The Motor Controller or Display will not be faulty.
Typically this occurs when the Standpipe height is too low. The minimum is 850mm from the floor, this is 90mm ABOVE the drain hose outlet on Smartdrive. With a very low standpipe and a very high water level this could result in water pouring down the standpipe prior to Smartdrive completing fill and resulting in no water in bowl during agitate. This could result in fault code.
* If the drain hose is pushed too far into the standpipe or drain, Smartdrive will siphon during rinse, which could result in a ‘No Taps’ user warning.
* Siphoning can result from a restricted drain hose or partial pump block. The Motor Controller or Display will not be faulty.
Radio Frequency Interference (RFI)
Smartdrive complies with international standard CISPR 14.2. Check the earthing of the wrapper.
Otherwise if the user is having poor TV reception it is most likely to be that the TV aerial or reception is inadequate. Recommend an improved aerial or an amplifier for TV aerial.
Earth
Leakage
* If the resistance from earth to Phase/Neutral is low, below 1M ohm, check the following:-
* Is the main motor harness shorting to earth?
* Phase 3 to 5. Is the lid switch harness shorting to the wrapper?
* Are there any other connections to earth?
* If the earth leakage resistance is OK and the earth leakage breaker trips check that this breaker is not of an older type. Earth leakage protection devices are designed to trip when the earth leakage current is 15-30mA. The older designs tripped in less than 30ms, while more modern designs are up to 100ms. Consequently older devices are more susceptible to false tripping than modern ones. Smartdrive complies with all the international requirements regarding earth leakage.
* If the resistance from earth to Phase/Neutral is low, below 1M ohm, check the following:-
* Is the main motor harness shorting to earth?
* Phase 3 to 5. Is the lid switch harness shorting to the wrapper?
* Are there any other connections to earth?
* If the earth leakage resistance is OK and the earth leakage breaker trips check that this breaker is not of an older type. Earth leakage protection devices are designed to trip when the earth leakage current is 15-30mA. The older designs tripped in less than 30ms, while more modern designs are up to 100ms. Consequently older devices are more susceptible to false tripping than modern ones. Smartdrive complies with all the international requirements regarding earth leakage.
It Appears Smartdrive is doing nothing
The user may have stopped Smartdrive before detecting a user warning or fault.
* Check that the lid switch is working.
* Check that the water is connected and taps on.
* If Delay start is ON then the ‘Start/Pause’ button will do nothing.
* If Smartdrive is bowl checking continuously: Check for oversudsing or a foreign object preventing the clutch from re-engaging.
* If Auto Water Level is being used: NB. Smartdrive resenses Auto Water Level every time the lid is opened.
* If the water valves are pulsing: This is an indication that Smartdrive is attempting to restart but is identifying a fault condition. Go to next step.
* Turn Restart OFF and let Smartdrive diagnose the fault.
RESTART
If a problem occurs in Smartdrive, it will try to correct the problem and retry. Smartdrive will rectify any problems of a temporary nature. If there is a continuous problem Smartdrive will retry several times. This process may take up to 10 minutes depending on the type of problem. If Smartdrive still cannot resolve the problem, the fault code is displayed and Smartdrive will beep continuously. RESTART ON is the default state. This forces Smartdrive to retry when a problem occurs. While servicing Smartdrive turn
RESTART OFF. This will allow any fault in the system to show up immediately.
If a problem occurs in Smartdrive, it will try to correct the problem and retry. Smartdrive will rectify any problems of a temporary nature. If there is a continuous problem Smartdrive will retry several times. This process may take up to 10 minutes depending on the type of problem. If Smartdrive still cannot resolve the problem, the fault code is displayed and Smartdrive will beep continuously. RESTART ON is the default state. This forces Smartdrive to retry when a problem occurs. While servicing Smartdrive turn
RESTART OFF. This will allow any fault in the system to show up immediately.
To
enter Diagnostic Mode turn the power on at the power point and off at the
console. Press and hold the WASH TEMPERATURE DOWN button then press the POWERbutton. Smartdrive will give 2 short beeps. Phase 3 Only press ADVANCE button
once. From Diagnostic mode use the WATER LEVEL DOWN button to turn the RESTART
on or off.
LOW WATER LEVEL LED OFF = RESTART OFF.
LOW WATER LEVEL LED ON = RESTART ON. (Default)
RESTART status can be easily identified when Smartdrive is first turned on -
* If none of the 5 leftmost green wash progress LEDs are on, the RESTART is on.
* If the 5 leftmost green wash progress LEDs are flashing, the RESTART is off.
NB: RESTART is a service aid only and should be left ON in the customer’s home. To return to normal operation, and to reset the RESTART feature to the default setting, power off Smartdrive.
RECYCLE
After servicing, Smartdrive may require an extended test where Smartdrive can be left to complete a number of wash cycles. By turning on RECYCLE Smartdrive will continuously repeat the selected wash cycle until RECYCLE is turned off.
Enter Diagnostic mode as described above (RESTART). Use the WATER LEVEL UP button to turn RECYCLE on or off.
MEDIUM WATER LEVEL LED ON = RE-CYCLE ON.
MEDIUM WATER LEVEL LED OFF = RE-CYCLE OFF. (Default setting).
RECYCLE status can be easily identified when Smartdrive is first turned on: -
* If the 3 rightmost rinse and spin progress LEDs are on, recycle is off.
* If the 3 rightmost rinse and spin LED’s flash, recycle is on.
NB. Recycle is designed as a service aid only and should be OFF in the customer’s home. To return to normal operation, and to return recycle to the default setting, power off Smartdrive.
