Hotpoint dishwasher F5 error

[js6969]

Hi. I have a Hotpoint FDFEX 11011 G dishwasher about 6 years old and never had problems before. The F5 error started a few weeks ago so there's a problem with the drain pump. The cycle starts but stalls after about 5 minutes. Then if you turn it all off and start the cycle again it works OK.

Drainage pipe isn't blocked. I have about an inch of residual water in the filter drain but I gather that's OK because it stops the seals from drying out.

Before I swap out the drain pump for a new one is there anything else to look at given it works OK after a restart?

Oh, my level of expertise is not an expert but competent at fixing quite a few things.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[blup]

I have never had any luck changing pumps and end up getting a new machine with as long a warranty as is available.

You said "Code F5 so there is a problem with drain pump", but it might also be an intermittent level sensor fault which tells the machine it is over full/flooding when the fresh water is pumped in at the start of the washing cycle. It corrects itself when you restart it.

Blup

 

[js6969]

Thanks Blup. Is the level sensor something you can swap out yourself as a competent DIYer or does it need a professional?

 

[blup]

There are plenty of videos of youtube but getting one that matches your make and model is the challenge.

Blup

 

[js6969]

It looks like rain tomorrow. Just perfect for trolling YouTube then! Thanks.

 

[js6969]

Blup you're a genius! Sorry for delayed reply but a £16 level sensor from Hotpoint was just what it needed. I am being philosophical and treating the unneccesary £54 drain pump as a future repair already avoided. Thanks verrrrry much for your advice.

 

[foxhole]

The level sensor can be tricked by grease, sometimes all that is required is some washing liquid and boiling water.

 

[Ckeware]

Where is the level sensor located please?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Where is the level sensor located please?

Generally near the top of the case of the machine, with two wires on it, with a pipe running down to the lowest part of the machine.

The sensor takes the form of a diaphragm, which has a microswitch at the back of it. Water level rises, goes up the pipe, forcing air up the pipe against the diaphragm, diaphragm then operates the switch at a preset pressure - of fill level.

Sometimes the pipe can become choked with debris, the easy fix is to disconnect from the pressure switch, and blow/flush out from the top end.

 

[ovisopa]

Hello guys,

I have an Ariston LDFA+ 12H141 dish washer, and it started to show the F5 error, today I checked the drainage for clogs, all looks good, and started playing with manually filling the machine with water, 2 - 3 liters at a time, it drains the water very fast, the pump is ok 100%.

I have looked for the level sensor as mentioned by @Harry but there is no pipe inside, there is some kind of sensor in the middle-bottom part of the dishwasher, is this a new type of level sensor maybe ?

I noticed that the machine stops after it's starting to fill in the water, it's slowly comming in trough the hole on the left side wall, and after about 2 minutes it stops, the F5 error is shown and than it drains the water while displaying the f5 Error

Any advices ?

 

[ovisopa]

I fixed the F5 error on the Ariston dishwasher by blowing air trough a drinking straw, after I removed the tube that leads to the pressure sensor.
The sensor was functioning correctly. Everything can be fixed just by leaning the machine about 35 degrees on the backside, just enough to be able to remove the bottom plastic cover, than the sensor is on the right side and the flexible tube goes up, than to the front of the dishwasher, I removed the flexible tube from the reservoir, testing the sensor by blowing trough the flexible tube. Everything was fine.

Than with another tube or with a longer drinking straw blow in the reservoir, this did the trick. I just used the machine twice without any problem since I fixed it.

Good luck!