Error E18 in a Bosch washing machine
The appearance of an error code on a washing machine during the washing process or at the very end can cause the user unpleasant feelings and a lack of understanding of what happened. However, do not worry, because any problem can be solved. Sometimes a few minutes are enough to fix everything. This can happen, for example, when error E18 appears on a Bosch washing machine. What kind of error is this and what to do about it, let's figure it out together.
Explanation and reasons
The description of this error in any instructions for equipment of this brand sounds quite short and clear. Error E18 means no waste water is drained. And the user himself sees that there is water in the tank, no matter how the machine tries to start draining.
On different models of washing machines of a given brand, this error is indicated by different codes. The codes F18 and d02 are identical.
As for non-display machines, the user is notified via indicators on the control panel. If there is no drainage, the spin speed indicators at 1000 and 600 light up. What reasons can affect the fact that water does not drain from the tank? We list the main ones:
- violation of the rules for connecting the drain hose;
- kinking or clamping of the water drain hose;
- clogged drain system (filter, pipes, pump);
- pump failure;
- malfunction of the sensor measuring the water level in the tank;
- “brain glitches” of the washing machine – module malfunction.
We carry out cleaning
When such an error occurs, the first thing they do is turn off the water supply and turn off the machine, first with the button, and then with the button. To carry out repairs and find the cause, you also need to drain the water from the tank. This can be done through a small drain hose located at the bottom of the machine, next to the drain filter behind a small plastic door.
The second way to drain the water is to pull out the drainage filter, but in this case you will have to put a lot of rags or place a low container under the machine. By unscrewing the filter, you will also check whether it has caused a blockage in the drain system. If dirt, foreign small objects and hair have accumulated in it, then clean and rinse the part. Also inspect the drain hose to see if it is kinked; of course, this happens extremely rarely, but it’s still worth checking.
After emptying the tank of water and inspecting the filter for blockages, you can begin to look for another cause. To do this, move the machine to a place convenient for you and prepare the tools (screwdriver and pliers), then:
- remove the bottom plastic panel and unscrew the bolts under it;
- remove the clamp holding it from the rubber cuff using a screwdriver;
- unscrew the lock device;
- disconnect the chip with wires from the lock;
- pull out the powder cuvette and unscrew the bolts under it;
- carefully remove the control panel without pulling the wires;
- move the front part of the case to the side;
- at the bottom right, find the drain pump and the pipes connected to it;
- loosen the clamps on the pipes and remove them;
- if there is no debris in the pipes, then the reason for this error is not blockages, but more serious ones, but more on that later.
Pump and pressure switch repair
So, the washing machine is disassembled, the drain pump is practically in your hands. It needs to be pulled out and disconnected from the cochlea by releasing the latches. When you remove the snail, you will see the rotating part of the pump - the impeller.There may be lint or hair wrapped around it, which prevents free rotation, resulting in the pump not working and draining being difficult.
In addition, the impeller may be damaged, or the electrical part of the pump may be burned out. In both cases you will have to change the part. Installing a new spare part should not be difficult. It is necessary to proceed in reverse order:
- connect the pump to the snail;
- connect the pipes to it using new clamps;
- connect the chip with wires;
- fix the pump on the housing;
- assemble the washing machine and check operation.
If the drainage system of the machine is in order, then the reason for the lack of drainage is related to other components of the equipment. In addition to the pump, the draining process depends on the proper operation of the sensor that measures the water level. If it is broken, then the machine may “freeze” with a full tank, so have a multimeter ready.
The pressure switch in a Bosch machine is located in the upper right part of the case; to access it, just remove the top cover. Before removing the part itself, check the integrity of the tube coming from the sensor, as well as the contacts of the wires connected to the pressure switch. Only after this can you check the sensor itself and, if necessary, replace it.
Module failure
A breakdown of this part of the washing machine can cause absolutely any error to appear, because it is responsible for the operation of the equipment as a whole.
The control module contains many different radio elements, damage to which causes the machine to stop. As an example, let's take a universal module on Bosch washing machines of the MAXX4/5/6 series.
This module is assessed by specialists as repairable, and therefore if you do not know the nuances of the work, entrust it to a specialist.Otherwise, you will have to replace the part completely, which will cost about a third of the cost of the washing machine. So, in the case of this error, first of all, you need to check the contacts for connecting the pressure switch and the triac of the pump. In the diagrams below they are indicated in red. If any of the elements malfunction, they are replaced by soldering them to a new one.
So if Bosch washing machine stopped with water, don’t rush to panic. It is quite possible that you will solve the problem yourself. We hope the information in this article helps you.
Interesting:
6 reader comments
Thank you for having such a resource; in two hours I took everything apart and assembled it myself. And it worked.
The problem lay in the pump itself. I looked at it as shown in the video, and the picture was the same. With the difference that in my case the impeller did not live its own separate life.
I cleaned everything, assembled it, and it works!
In general, Bosch is complete crap, not a washing machine. I can definitely talk about my Bosch Maxx 5. Before that I had a Daewoo, for 8 years there was not a single breakdown. I've already repaired the new one twice.
I agree completely, Bosch is complete crap! In 3 years, I repaired it twice.
You have to take the original, Vasya!
Where can I get the original, Petya? And how will the price differ?
My Bosch has been running for eight years now, it has never broken down, only the filter has become clogged a couple of times.
A good model Bosch classic 6, 12 years served faithfully (my swallow).