Is it possible to repair the control board yourself?

washing machine control board Modern automatic washing machines are stuffed with a fair amount of electronics: sensors, modules, electronic units, all this inspires and puts you in a positive mood until it starts to break down.

In this case, the question arises, what to do about it later? If the pump, heating element and even the motor and bearings can be repaired relatively easily, then how to repair the control unit of a washing machine, can it really be repaired too? Let's look at this issue within the framework of this article.

What functions does the control board perform in a washing machine?

The control board, or also called the control module, is the most important element of a modern automatic washing machine, which ensures the functionality of all electrical and electronic elements. To put it simply, this is the brain of the washing machine, which controls all its units, coordinating and synchronizing their work. Any malfunction of the control board will lead to improper operation of the washing machine, and in the worst case, it will stop working altogether.

What main modules does the board control? Here everything will depend on the brand and model of the washing machine, but without going into much detail, we can say that it controls:

power capacitor;
tenom;
drain pump;
hatch locking device sensor;
tachometer;
stator and rotor of the motor;
inlet valve;
temperature sensor;
pressostat;
linear water level sensor.

Note! In washing machines with a built-in Wi-Fi module and a prewash valve, the control module is even more complex. To study all elemental relationships, you will need a diagram.

Signs indicating a breakdown, causes of board breakdown

It is impossible not to notice a breakdown of the control board, because in this case the washing machine either “goes crazy” and stops running programs normally, or simply turns off and does not turn on. You can indirectly determine the failure of the board by the signs and behavior of the washing machine: washing machine control board

if the machine does not activate the spin mode;
if the display shows error code, indicating a breakdown of the control board;
on non-display washing machines, all the lights on the control panel light up and flash alternately;
the machine drains the water before it has collected;
the washing process starts but does not stop;
any washing program either does not start at all or does not work properly;
the drum spins very slowly;
the engine either “oils” at maximum speed, or barely turns;
the water does not heat up properly or is overheated.

For your information! There may be more signs of failure, everything will depend on how technically complex your machine is. To expand the list of features for yourself, you need a diagram of the machine.

As you can see, we did not indicate a single unambiguous sign that would accurately indicate a breakdown of the control board, since they simply do not exist. Even if an error code appears on the display of the washing machine, indicating a malfunction of the control board, this is double information. However, if such a code appears or there are other signs of failure, you must definitely check the control board.

Modern electronic boards (especially those made in Korea) are quite reliable and can work without interruption for decades, so why do they still break? There are several reasons.

A manufacturing defect, which can be expressed in anything, bad traces on the board, damage to the board itself, poorly soldered parts, etc. This may require replacing the board.
A voltage drop that can lead to burnout of individual parts of the board or entire sections of it. The board will also need to be replaced.
Water got on the board. Moisture causes parts and components of the board to burn out.
Sudden break in the power cable. This may cause a power surge and damage the control module.
Switching off the machine by the user during operation. An extremely negative situation that can destroy the control module.

Often the control board of a washing machine burns after it has been improperly transported and connected. The owners move to a new house or apartment with all their belongings and transport the washing machine, forgetting to take out the powder drawer. There is often some water left in the cuvette, and when the machine is turned over when being carried or transported, water pours out of it directly onto the control unit. If the block does not have time to dry and the machine is connected to the network, the control board will be damaged. And this happens often.

How to make sure that the board is broken, what to do with it?

washing machine control board How can you finally understand whether the control board needs to be replaced or whether you can fix it yourself? How to make sure it's broken? In fact, it is almost impossible to do this without opening the control unit and testing its elements. Some modern washing machines have a self-diagnosis mode, sometimes it helps a lot in identifying the problem, but not always. If you need to know 100%, disassemble and test the control module; for this you will need a diagram of such a module.

It would not be amiss to note that only an experienced specialist can professionally test the board for breakdowns and determine whether it needs replacement. Do-it-yourself testing may lead to incorrect conclusions. For our part, we can advise you to do only superficial testing with a multimeter yourself. Its essence is to methodically check all elements of the board and identify faulty parts. And of course, you should not neglect a thorough visual inspection of the board.

Important! Often the problem emerges immediately after disassembling the control unit and inspecting the control board: burnt contacts, burnt areas of the board, and the like.

If you are having problems getting disassemble the washing machine and get to the control unit, this means that you do not have enough skills in handling equipment. In this case, feel free to call a specialist. He has a detailed diagram of your control unit and a diagram of the entire machine, special computer programs that allow computer testing. Only after an in-depth analysis of the breakdown can a final conclusion be made - whether the control board needs to be replaced or repairs can be made.

In conclusion, we note that it is very difficult to repair the control board of a washing machine yourself. You need a diagram of the control unit and not only the diagram, but also the appropriate skills to read it. Next, you will need a multimeter, a computer with special software and much more.It would be wiser and more correct to contact a specialist.