Whirlpool VMW Washer F7E5 drive system error.
Entry posted by applianceman97
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By now most of us have encountered the F7 E5 error on the whirlpool VMW washers. But here's a blog on it anyway.
This is a drive motor error. When the machine is started the sensing part of the load starts and usually when this error is present the machine will shut down after a few seconds and the lid lock light starts flashing. This means the main board is not sensing the rotation of the basket correctly or not sensing basket movement at all.
First step in diagnosing this problem is making sure the basket turns free and is not jammed in any way. Then check for correct voltages at the main board (have yet to change a main board for this issue some techs skip this step and move straight to the shift actuator.) This is issue can also be caused by an optic sensor falure. The optic sensor is inside the shifter assy. You will the replace the whole shifter assy to fix the optic sensor failure. In my experience the optic sensor is usually the cause of this error. There is an optic sensor test you can access and by spinning the basket by hand the lights on the control will dance showing the optic sensor is reading movement. The exact procedure is in the tech manual.
The shifter is not always the cause of this error though. Remember that VMW's just point you close to the problem not leading you directly to the part failure so always check main board connections and wire connections at motor and shifter assy. Also check the red coil of wire on the bottom of the tub for a broken wire.
There has been one case that i have heard (from Kurtiusinterupptus) that the drive block was the cause of this fault. The machine would start to run and just shut down and the lid lock light would flash just like when a shifter fails. After 2 shifter replacements (thought one was bad out of the box) Whirlpool tech line help (didn't help much) and much frustration brother Kurtius got it whipped.
If your battling an F7E5 error make sure you are armed with a shift actuator. This will be your most common replacement. Also be aware of the drive block problem. The drive block failure has not been common in these machines but im sure more will come. So be aware the drive block can cause the error as well as the other listed components in the tech manual.
Also check to make sure the transmission drive pulley is not loose/broken. This problem could also occur when there is a stripped splutch. Capacitor could also cause a motor error.
Here is a list of common VMW parts that are failing. Some cause the drive error, some do not.Common
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