Meile W1213

[bugleg]

When the washer is powered on there are three dashes on the LED display and it beeps repeatedly until you press the buzzer button.  The pump runs but won't advance to cycle. Is there a diagnostic I can engage to figure out what the issue is?

[pwrtrader]

Hi there, sounds like a problem I had last year.  I have the same model but in stainless steel. Could be the motor bushings (carbon bushings).  A relatively easy fix once you get to the inside of the unit.  

Contact me for more info if needed.

Best,

Did

Eric

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Okay Miele folks, looks like I could have a major issue on my hands that definitely requires some help from the experts. I purchased this w1215 (same as w1213 but in stainless steel) brand new back in 2009 and have had relatively trouble free service from the unit. the only things I've needed to replace over that time has been both cold and hot water inlet valve and the shocks. That's about it. Been washing at least 3 loads daily for the past 9 years (maybe 10,000 cycles?) and was performing just fine up until yesterday.

Here's the issue: Washer starts up normally, fills with water and then when the drum should start to turn and agitate, it doesn't. Then a few seconds later, the water starts to drain, the buzzer starts beeping continuously, and the "Main Wash" LED is blinking continuously as well as three dashes "- - -" in the display panel. the beeping lasts for about 2 minutes and then stops, but the lights and dashes are still there. Turning the machine off and back on resets the panel and I can try to start another wash, but the same thing happens. I've tried all different temperatures of water from "sanitize" to "no heat", same result.

I've opened up the unit and checked the drive belt and it looks fine. I can spin the drum by hand freely in both directions. I've checked pump impeller to ensure nothing is stuck or clogged, everything looks good and the unit will drain water fine. I've also gone into the service mode and tried to select the spin only cycle but that won't work either (was working yesterday before this issue).

I've looked online and have seen references to a faulty heating element, but I don't think that's it.

I'm leaning towards the motor or brushes? I can hear the panel (main motherboard) clicking sending the signal to the motor to start turning but after a couple of tries, the unit locks up and drains as described above.

I know this is an older unit but it is such a wonderful machine, I'd hate to scrap it. So if it's something you folks think is doable, I'd definitely like to fix it myself. Hopefully someone out there has encountered this before and can provide some guidance.

Thanks for your time.

Best,

Eric

[pwrtrader]

Hi there, sounds like a problem I had last year.  I have the same model but in stainless steel. Could be the motor bushings (carbon bushings).  A relatively easy fix once you get to the inside of the unit.  See my solution at the bottom as well.  Good luck!

Contact me for more info if needed.

Best,

Did

Eric

------------

 

Okay Miele folks, looks like I could have a major issue on my hands that definitely requires some help from the experts. I purchased this w1215 (same as w1213 but in stainless steel) brand new back in 2009 and have had relatively trouble free service from the unit. the only things I've needed to replace over that time has been both cold and hot water inlet valve and the shocks. That's about it. Been washing at least 3 loads daily for the past 9 years (maybe 10,000 cycles?) and was performing just fine up until yesterday.

Here's the issue: Washer starts up normally, fills with water and then when the drum should start to turn and agitate, it doesn't. Then a few seconds later, the water starts to drain, the buzzer starts beeping continuously, and the "Main Wash" LED is blinking continuously as well as three dashes "- - -" in the display panel. the beeping lasts for about 2 minutes and then stops, but the lights and dashes are still there. Turning the machine off and back on resets the panel and I can try to start another wash, but the same thing happens. I've tried all different temperatures of water from "sanitize" to "no heat", same result.

I've opened up the unit and checked the drive belt and it looks fine. I can spin the drum by hand freely in both directions. I've checked pump impeller to ensure nothing is stuck or clogged, everything looks good and the unit will drain water fine. I've also gone into the service mode and tried to select the spin only cycle but that won't work either (was working yesterday before this issue).

I've looked online and have seen references to a faulty heating element, but I don't think that's it.

I'm leaning towards the motor or brushes? I can hear the panel (main motherboard) clicking sending the signal to the motor to start turning but after a couple of tries, the unit locks up and drains as described above.

I know this is an older unit but it is such a wonderful machine, I'd hate to scrap it. So if it's something you folks think is doable, I'd definitely like to fix it myself. Hopefully someone out there has encountered this before and can provide some guidance.

Thanks for your time.

Best,

Eric

---------------------------------

So as luck would have it, I was surprised to see a package at my doorstep on Saturday afternoon containing the carbon brushes (Miele part# 4 297 413).

Installing the brushes was fairly straightforward without having to remove the entire motor assembly.

You'll need to remove Front Panel. Start by opening the door, then unplug the unit. I guess you can also unplug first then use the manual door release to open the door. Whatever you do, unplug for sure before working on the unit.

Remove the rubber seal spring/wire that surrounds the seal. Easiest way is to use a small screwdriver to spread the tiny spring on the bottom until you get enough clearance from the seal to remove.Remove the front panel of the washer, (5 screws total), 2 screws behind the bottom kickplate and 2 more on the door latch and one big one dead center under the rubber door seal.

Once screws removed, the door sort of falls on its own so be mindful. You may have to pull the bottom towards you a little and then pull straight down.

With the front panel removed, you'll see the motor assembly sitting under the steel drum. It is covered by a plastic shield which is held by 2 screws. Also there are 3 electrical connectors to remove. Once the connectors are removed along with the 2 screws, the plastic cover can pull out. Be careful here since the connectors are still attached to the plastic cover via a wiring harness.

There's enough play in the wires to just bring the cover outside the washer and set aside next to the washer with wires still connected.

Once the cover is removed, you'll see another plastic piece that holds the carbon brushes. There are 5 screws to remove here. After screw removal, carefully pull the plastic piece straight out.

The old brushes are held in by a plastic tab cover and have a small wire with an electrical connector. Remove the plastic tab, then disconnect the connector. The old brushes now simply pull out and then replace with the new ones.

Hint: The carbon brushes themselves kind of resemble a lipstick. The brushes are engaged by a small spring. Before installation, if the carbon piece is outside of the "lipstick" push it back in. (Note: after installed, you'll need to release the brush from the spring before completing installation, see below)

Once the new brushes are replaced, lock the small plastic tab back over the brushes, connect the small wire and carefully replace back on to the motor housing.

Be aware that there are electrical connectors so be sure to line those up when pushing the plastic housing back on to the motor.

Replace 5 screws, and once in place, you'll need to use a small screwdriver to just push the carbon brush back out of the lipstick holder. this step needs a little dexterity, if you have a small mechanics mirror that helps to see. I didn't, but just used the screwdriver to poke around the side until the brush released. You'll hear a click to confirm the spring and brush has released.

Then replace the larger plastic housing with the wire harness.

Reattach the 3 wire connectors and secure the 2 screws.

Front panel installation is reverse of removal. Don't forget to install the rubber seal wire.

Took me about an hour and a half to complete.

Powered back on, held my breath and Voila....works again! I did notice that the washer has an increased whine/hum while spinning at high speed. I don't remember it being that pronounced before, but it doesn't sound like it's a bad noise. More of a by-product of the motor spinning. I'm not an electrical engineer so I'm not sure if the new brushes help create that noise, but as long as it works, I'm happy.

Hope to get a few more years out of this washer. Hope this helps someone else at some point.

Thanks for all the help.

best,

Eric