Hotpoint Dishwasher - Am I being Scammed ?

[Stuart Waterman]

I have a Hotpoint dishwasher Model FDLET 31020 K

Error code: Power light is flashing (continuously) Salt and Rinse lights flashing (continuously - no sequence). Washing, Drying and End light are on but not flashing.

I wasn't sure how to read this code as the manual for me wasn't clear about flashing or static lights. So I took the panels off and started to check things myself I seemed like the error code was pointing to drainage. I checked the inlet was taking water and the drain was pumping water out. Both working fine no issues there. That's pretty much the limit of my knowledge of dishwashers.

So I called in an engineer who turned it on got a multimeter out. Checked one thing and said that the main pump is not getting creating enough pressure or the circuit board is not sending it a signal. Apparently it's a 2 stage pump. So he says they will need to order a new pump and if it's still an issue it will also need a circuit board.

I'm thinking that a pump and a board is going to cost about the same as just buying a new dishwasher.

The thing that gets me is that he asked me what the error code was and had I looked it up in the manual to see what it meant. This was a bit strange for me as he is the specialist not me.

Is there a way he can get the pressure or whether it's overheating with just a multimeter ?

 

[Old Salt]

Buy a bosch less hassle in the long run.

 

[jj4091]

He should be able to tell you which component is the problem, either the pump is getting a supply but is not working or the pcb is not supplying the correct voltage to it. I'm not an expert on dishwashers but if as you say it is pumping water out then my thoughts would be that the error code is not indicating that you have a problem in that area, unfortunately I cannot say what it is. The only thing I know about dishwashers is that if the control panel is on a pull down front door then you get strange faults with broken wires in the harness at the hinge point of the door.

 

[johnny2007]

So he's going to change parts and see if it works.
If not, he'll change more parts until it gets it right, all at your expense.
Tell him to do one.
Try this: take the filter out and clean in thoroughly, even if it looks clean.
The filter is inside the machine, nothing to dismantle.
Inspect the drain pipe and trap.
Use a hose to send water down the trap so to be sure it's clear.
If the waste is connected to the sink trap, clean that.
Refit the filter and put salt and vinegar in the machine instead of the tablet.
Let it run and put the waste pipe in a bucket, water should come out freely with a good pressure.
Repeat a few times if the error reappears.
If all fails, call another technician.
If it works, once a month do a cleaning cycle with a good detergent, I use the indesit and I find it good.

 

[Stuart Waterman]

Thanks for the suggestions Johnny2007

Try this: take the filter out and clean in thoroughly, even if it looks clean.
The filter is inside the machine, nothing to dismantle.

Done

Inspect the drain pipe and trap.
Use a hose to send water down the trap so to be sure it's clear.

Used a jug of water and connected the drain hose to fill up and check the drain.

If the waste is connected to the sink trap, clean that.

Done that.

Refit the filter and put salt and vinegar in the machine instead of the tablet.
Let it run and put the waste pipe in a bucket, water should come out freely with a good pressure.
Repeat a few times if the error reappears.

Will try this today.

If all fails, call another technician.

The problem there is that it will cost me another call out charge to get someone in and then we are rapidly approaching the cost of a new machine.

If it works, once a month do a cleaning cycle with a good detergent, I use the indesit and I find it good.

 

[Stuart Waterman]

Here is an update.

I have stripped out all of the drainage and checked for blockages. None found.
Checked the drain pump to ensure nothing is clogging it and that it spins freely (feels like it's controlled by a magnet but rotates well).
I then disconnected the drain pipe from the pipework and routed it to the kitchen sink.

I set the dishwasher to express 30 and ran a cycle. The machine drained, filled, washed and drained again, then rinsed, at what I feel was the end of the cycle the dishwasher tried to drain again but there was no water left to drain out. It then appeared to time out and flashed up the error mentioned previously. The drain pump would then continue to attempt to pump out whilst flashing even when I opened the door. I poured a jug of water into the machine and it pumped it all out to the sink but then continued to try and pump out.

So I assume that it's something to do with a water sensor or a float sensor somewhere which is either faulty or dirty.

Does this sound about right ?.
Based on the above would you say that the technician who said it was the main pump and PCB is talking rubbish ?

 

[johnny2007]

So I assume that it's something to do with a water sensor or a float sensor somewhere which is either faulty or dirty.

Bingo!
Mine is at the bottom of the machine, before the drain pump.

 

[Mottie]

I had a similar problem on our Miele washing machine. It was filling and pumping out at the same time. Turned out to be a tiny rubber hose that was blocked making the machine think it was full (or empty) cant remember what he said but a clear out cured it. Do dishwashers have a similar set up?

 

[Stuart Waterman]

I had a similar problem on our Miele washing machine. It was filling and pumping out at the same time. Turned out to be a tiny rubber hose that was blocked making the machine think it was full (or empty) cant remember what he said but a clear out cured it. Do dishwashers have a similar set up?

I believe dishwashers have an overflow pipe which leads down to a float which when activated will shut the machine off. But min is not overflowing.

 

[Stuart Waterman]

I'm still discussing this with the repair company at the moment.