Error E06 Whirlpool washing machine

Error E06 of the Whirlpool washing machine Inexperienced technicians, having discovered error E06 on Whirlpool washing machines, begin diagnosing the tachometer. As practice shows, such actions are a waste of time. On Whirlpool washing machines, the tachogenerator rarely fails. The tachometer may fly off or move slightly, but this problem can be detected after a visual inspection of the element. With special attention, it is better to test other components that cause error E06.

What's broken?

A literal interpretation of the E06 fault code indicates that the tachometer transmits unreliable information about engine speed to the main control module of the washing machine. To be more precise, the intellect commands to accelerate the motor to the desired speed, and the Hall sensor informs that the specified speed cannot be achieved.

The cause of the error is not a broken tachometer (it correctly determines that the drum is not able to rotate at the required speed). To start fixing the machine, you should look for the problem elsewhere. Most often the error E06 signals a stretched drive belt, engine failure or broken drum bearings.

First of all, you can check the tension of the drive belt and tighten it if necessary. If everything is in order with the belt drive, it is reasonable to test the electric motor and bearings. The washing machine motor may operate under increased load due to damage to the bearings.

Let's check the bearings

The main “symptom” of broken bearings is the loud noise made by the automatic machine when washing. You can check the condition of the elements without disassembling the washing machine.Grasp the rib inside the drum, and, pressing lightly on it, begin to rotate the cavity, first clockwise, then in the opposite direction.

The failure of the bearings will be indicated by intermittent, strained rotation of the drum, accompanied by a hum.

If the drum moves freely and the machine “silently” reacts to the manipulations being carried out, everything is fine with the bearings.

Bearing failure can be caused by a damaged seal. The seal plays the role of a seal, it protects them from water ingress. When the integrity of the rubber band is compromised, liquid seeps inside and accelerates wear on the bearings.

You can verify that the bearings are damaged by removing the back wall of the Whirlpool washing machine. If rusty stains are clearly visible on the tank, then it is time to replace the oil seal and bearings. Not only water can “destroy” bearings; they often break due to natural wear and tear. Then, instead of brown streams, oil stains from lubricant will be clearly visible on the tank.

clear signs of bearing wear

It is prohibited to operate the SMA with damaged bearings; this can cause much more serious damage - damage to the bushing or shaft.

You can carry out the repair yourself by replacing the bearings and oil seal. However, such work is very labor-intensive and will require certain knowledge and skills. It is necessary to understand the design of the automatic machine, understand the mounting diagram of the bearings, etc. The scope of work involves complete disassembly of the washing equipment, disconnecting the wiring, removing and disassembling the tank, removing the bearings and oil seal, installing new parts, and reassembling the device. If you do not have any experience in repairing machines, it is better to entrust the overhaul of your washing machine to a professional.

Testing the motor

What to do if bearing diagnostics do not reveal any problems? Error E06 may indicate a failure of the collector motor of the Whirlpool washing machine. You can test the engine yourself, at home. Algorithm of actions when checking an electric motor:

turn off the power to the washing machine;
remove the top housing cover;
unscrew the back wall (on some models – the front panel);
find the engine, it is located under the SMA tank, at the back, secured to a metal frame with screws;
open the terminals, disconnect the wiring, unscrew the mounting bolts and remove the engine from the housing;
Connect the stator and rotor in series and apply 220 V to the ends.

The voltage must be supplied through a ballast, which can be the heating element of a washing machine.

If, after being connected to the mains, the motor starts to rotate, and the autotransformer does not get very hot, we can talk about normal, normal operation of the electric motor. Most often, the SMA engine fails due to:

breakdowns of electric brushes;
winding break;
defective collector lamellas.

Replacing the electric brushes can help eliminate the error. They are small graphite cubes that conduct current through themselves. Brushes rub against the commutator during equipment operation. It would be advisable to replace electric brushes in the following cases: a decrease in the rotation force of the drum or its stop, uncharacteristic noise during operation of the washing machine.

change brushes to SM Whirlpool

Most often, brush breakage is caused by exceeding the permissible weight of laundry for loading into the drum. Also, components wear out faster if you constantly run the spin cycle at maximum speed. Brushes also break due to a short circuit in the motor winding, stretching or damage to the drive belt.

Inspecting the elements will help you understand that it’s time to change the brushes. If they spark during operation of the equipment, or a black coating appears on the surface of the graphite cubes, the electric brushes require replacement. The price of the components is low, and repairs are quite possible to carry out with your own hands. You should buy suitable brushes at a specialized retail outlet or order them from a service center. Ideally, this will be an original set of spare parts from the Whirlpool manufacturer.

Replacement electric brushes purchased must fully match the type of electric motor, model SMA.

Replacing the slats can help resolve the fault code. It is through them that the current is directed through the rotor winding to the electric motor. The lamellas themselves break extremely rarely; the reason may lie in the winding contacts coming loose or the plates peeling off.

If the detachment of the lamellas is insignificant, the malfunction can be eliminated using a special machine by grooving the collector. You can carry out repairs at home with your own hands using fine sandpaper. The principle of operation is the same - the lamellas are sharpened, the free space between the plates is cleared of debris and chips.

You can find out that the problem is in the lamellas by spinning the rotor. When a characteristic sound appears, a defect in the conductive plates is detected. Error E06 may be displayed when the motor is not operating correctly due to a break in the rotor or stator winding. As a result of the disconnection, there is a loss of power of the electric motor, stopping its operation. Winding breakage occurs:

when the engine body overheats due to short circuits in the winding. The optimal engine temperature is up to 80 degrees, when the value increases to 90 °C, the thermostat is activated, blocking the operation of the motor;
if the winding insulation is damaged.It is not recommended to repair the engine yourself in such a situation. Here it is necessary to involve service center specialists. You can completely replace the electric motor of your Whirlpool washing machine with a working one.

What to do to detect a break in the stator or rotor winding? You need to arm yourself with a multimeter and measure the resistance between the lamellas of the engine. The standard value is 0.1-0.4 Ohm. Having diagnosed the malfunction, you should contact a specialist to repair the winding or purchase a new replacement electric motor. A faulty washing machine motor is a fairly serious problem. If you are not sure that you can handle the job, it is better to immediately contact a service center for help.