One day, I put some clothes in the washing machine and set it to start washing. After several minutes I could still hear the sound of water running. This indicated that it was still in the filling phase, but when I opened the washer, I realized that it was almost overflowing. I turned off the washer, and when I turned it on again the water kept coming out of the internal hatches. Everything indicated that it had gone out!
My husband told me to unplug the washer so that it would reset its functions, and when I turned it on again, it would take into account the water level that I had marked on its board. This suggestion worked a couple of times, but the uncontrolled water filling occurred again and this time unplugging it did not work.
I thought it was time to call a technician to check the status of my washer. It is important to note that all current appliances rely on a digital board. Damage to any of its circuits can be fatal. Some parts may be repairable, but others are not. If so, when burns out, the washer becomes unusable. Sometimes the technician suggests buying a replacement control panel, but the price is as expensive as buying a washing machine.
However, my husband decided to open the panel and do a "digital reset". This is a procedure that is applied to computers when there is a conflict between hardware and software. It involves disconnecting some contacts from the motherboard so that when they are reconnected the washing machine will perform the function we marked on the outside of the board.
He carefully unscrewed the washer board and pulled out a myriad of wires. However, we could see that the solenoid valves were rusted, which would explain why the washer did not fill the hot, warm, and cold water correctly. Otherwise, everything seemed to be in order. However, to detect the fault, we also had to check the "pressure switch"
The pressure switch is a curious part. In my washing machine, it has the shape of a disk from which a hose comes out. When it is opened it has several pins, if these are carbonized the part does not work. And why is the pressure switch so important? In simple terms, it is a part that generates air pressure that arrives through the hose as the washer fills with water. It is a pressure that enters through a very minimal hole. This pressure falls into a rubber chamber that covers the sinkers, and depending on the intensity of the pressure will activate the sinkers so that the low, medium or high water filling occurs. In this way, if on the digital board you press the medium filling function, once the pressure level is reached, the pressure switch stops the filling and activates the next function which would be "washing". This pressure switch is a mechanical type. There are other more modern ones.
When I opened the pressure switch on my washing machine, it was in very good condition, but the pieces of platinum did not activate with the pressure it was receiving. The hose was disconnected to check if the orifice was clogged, but it was fine. So the part was resealed, and all the contacts were put back in place. It was cleaned off the dust that was inside the board.
That day we did not test if the washer worked, but the next day as if by magic my washer had returned to wash perfectly. I was so relieved! The digital reset was a success.
It now remains to change the solenoid valves to ensure that the washer continues to work. How much time will my washer have left? Hopefully a long time, but I've already started saving for when it's time to replace it.
Thanks for reading. See you in a future post!
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