Error F13 in the Atlant washing machine

The Belarusian brand Atlant is well known in the post-Soviet space for the household appliances that it produces. Among other things, automatic washing machines are also produced under this brand, but their quality still leaves much to be desired. In particular, the Atlant washing machine often suffers from error F13. What kind of error this is and how to “cope” with it, we will tell you in this publication.

Designation and explanation

The display in the washing machine exists to provide the user with more information about the work of the “home assistant”. It is especially helpful when the self-diagnosis system needs to display one or another error code, for example code F13. The user, having seen the code, can immediately look purposefully at the technical documents to find out what error he encountered and what malfunction potentially caused it.

It’s another matter if his washing machine does not have a screen on which some information could be displayed. How does the user know that the machine’s self-diagnosis system wants to tell him something? The answer is simple, a washing machine without a display communicates with the user using control panel indicators, lighting them in a certain order. If you pay attention to the bottom row of lights, you will see that error F13 is indicated by the first, second and fourth lights being lit (counting from the left).

The lights should be on, and not blinking or displaying Morse code.

The error code F13 is explained in some detail. The manufacturer speaks of a malfunction of the control module or the wiring suitable to it. In fact, these are dozens of potential breakdowns, since each semiconductor element is capable of creating a problem. But if you start to understand the problem in detail, it turns out that not everything is as terrible as it might seem at first glance, but it is still quite complicated.

Checking the wiring and contacts

On an Atlant brand washing machine, the control module is located on the top in the right front corner of the case next to the pressure switch. Accordingly, the main bundle of wires and the chip that fits the control board are run along the side wall. Experienced craftsmen complain that such an arrangement of the most important electronic part of the machine (its “brains”) leads to frequent damage.

1. The upper part of the body of a front-loading washing machine is more susceptible to the negative effects of vibration. Moreover, the location of “delicate” parts near the side wall is also risky because, vibrating from side to side during the spin cycle, the machine can hit the walls of furniture or some other objects, “shaking off” the electronic module and loosening the chip with wires.
2. Users often place bottles of liquid detergent directly on the top cover of the Atlant washing machine and quite often spill them. The liquid gel flows from the cover onto the front panel, flows along the side wall from the outside and gets inside the case, where the control module and numerous wires and contacts are located. As a result, the contacts oxidize, burn, and the module fails.
3. For most washing machines, the automatic module is located in the lower right corner near the back wall.In other words, it is quite far from the dispenser with the powder, and if the user pours the wrong powder, the resulting abundant foam is unlikely to reach the plastic block with the control board. The Atlant washing machine, in this sense, has an obvious disadvantage, because if foam gets out in all directions, its puffs will definitely end up on the control module, and then it’s a lottery.

Despite the above disadvantages, this arrangement of wiring, main contacts and module has obvious advantages. The main advantage that concerns us is convenient access - I removed the top cover and here is the module. It’s right at hand and all the wiring that goes to it can also be pulled up and checked without any problems. Well, this is where the useful background can end, let’s start checking the wiring and contacts of the control module.

So, we disconnect the chip with the bundle of wires from the control unit. We take out and set up a multimeter. We check each wiring for breaks. If such a wire is found, it must be immediately replaced along with the contact, but if there are several damaged wires (for example, mice have chewed them), you can change the entire bundle at once - less problems. Next, we need to ring each contact on the control unit, and if everything is in order, proceed to checking the control board.

Checking and repairing the electronic module

At this stage of the test, it becomes clear that the wiring and contacts are not to blame for the F13 error, which means that the control board of the electronic module will have to be removed and subjected to thorough testing. If traces of detergent are visible on the control board, you need to wash it with warm water, then dry it very thoroughly with a hairdryer, and then rinse it with ethyl alcohol.

The general procedure for checking and repairing the control module of the Atlant washing machine is shown using the example of the Invensys 5521CC board.

After these procedures, you can pick up and check the board for functionality. If it was not possible to fix error F13 in this way, do the following:

• check the power supply using a multimeter;
• call 21 pin – VDD0, 32 pin – VDD1, 43 pin – VDD2;
• Next, check pin 39 – RESET, and then pin 32;
• at the next stage we connect to the board and remove the firmware.

Find and install new firmware. If this measure does not help solve the problem, you will have to test the processor in more detail. First we check the SDA and SCL buses. Next, we test legs 5 and 6 of the processor; if there is no voltage on one of them, the processor is faulty and you will have to replace the entire board.

The new control board may also require a firmware update.

In conclusion, we note that the error code for Atlant washing machines F13 may indicate serious problems with the electrical or electronics of the “home assistant”. You should carefully weigh everything before you start checking and repairing these parts of the machine, because without the appropriate skills it is almost impossible to do this. To form an additional motivational attitude, read the article Is it worth it to repair electronic modules yourself?, perhaps it will motivate you to take specific actions. Happy renovation!

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