How to repair a Bosch washing machine
Household appliances from Bosch have earned the love of customers for their quality. German-assembled washing machines evoke admiration, starting from the quality of the materials used in the production of the machines and ending with their ergonomics. However, even among this equipment there are some machines that fail. That is why we decided to write an article about how to repair Bosch washing machines yourself, and whether it is possible to do it.
Troubleshooting
Modern models of machines from Bosch are equipped with a special program that allows you to identify equipment malfunctions without contacting a technician. The instruction manual will probably tell you how to correctly perform such diagnostics. If not, then we offer a detailed algorithm for testing machines in the case when the drum stops rotating:
- Close the machine drum hatch door.
- Set the program selection knob to the “Off” position.
- We wait 2-3 seconds.
- Now turn the knob to spin mode.
- We wait until the “Start” button on the control panel of the machine flashes.
- Hold down the “Spin speed” button.
- We wait until the “Start” button flashes again.
- Turn the knob to the “Drain” mode.
Important! You need to rotate the handle clockwise. - Release the “Spin speed” button.
- By Bosch machine error code Determine the last fault.
For your information! If the washing machine diagnostics do not start at all, it means there is a fault in the system board.
In addition, the program provides for deleting the last error from memory and starting diagnostics of faulty elements. To start the engine check, you need to set the mode selection knob to position 3. When the knob is set to position 4, the drain pump will begin to be checked, and to position 5, the heating element will begin to be checked. Positions 6 and 7 are provided for diagnosing the hot or cold water inlet valves; in position 8, testing of the water inlet valve will begin during the main wash, 9 - in the preliminary wash.
The most common breakdowns
Bosch service center technicians found that of all the possible breakdowns of washing machines, the following malfunctions most often occur with Bosch machines:
- The water does not heat up during washing.
- Water does not drain.
- The drum does not rotate.
- Noise inside the drum.
- Water does not fill up.
- The engine does not start.
Based on this list, we can conclude that In washing machines from this company, the heating element most often burns out. If the heating element burns out, and the electronic system remains intact, then the repair will be carried out quickly and safely. Otherwise, you will have to change expensive electronic modules, giving the equipment to a specialist.
Causes of malfunctions
It’s all clear what malfunctions can occur in a washing machine. What could cause the breakdown needs to be clarified. Let's deal with everything in order.
If after a wash cycle the machine does not drain the water, then the reasons for this may be:
- breakdown of the drain pump (pump);
- clogged drain filter or pump;
- the contacts between the pump and the power supply are faulty;
- The water level sensor has failed.
In the case of the drum stopping, the most important reasons are:
- drive belt wear;
- malfunction of the electronics or control board;
- It is very rare for the engine to break down in such washing machines.
Noise inside the drum can be caused by:
- faulty bearings;
- a small object stuck in the drum;
- damage to shock absorbers;
- detached counterweight.
When water does not fill into the washing machine tank, the following reasons are identified:
- lack of running water;
- clogged pump or Aqua Stop system;
- The drain hose has become clogged.
The Bosch washing machine engine may not start due to electronic failure or the drum door not being closed.. Having found out the cause of the breakdown and its severity, you can begin to repair it yourself.
If the breakdown is still not determined, contact the technician.
Repair of pump, drain filter and pressure switch
Now we will describe in detail what malfunctions you can fix with your own hands and how to repair the washing machine. Let's start with the simplest thing - a clogged drain filter. It is located at the bottom, under the panel or cover. To rinse it from accumulated debris, you need to open the lid by carefully turning it counterclockwise. Don't forget to place a large rag to prevent any remaining water from spilling on the floor. Rinse the filter under running water and replace it. 
Cleaning or replacing the drain pump cannot be done without removing the front cover of the machine body. This process is simple, but labor-intensive. This work is described in detail in the article about how to repair a pump in a washing machine.
You can fix the problem with your own hands when water is not filling. First, we check whether the water supply is turned off and whether the water supply valve is open. Then the drain hose is inspected for kinks and only after that can the Aqua Stop filter be checked. If it is not working properly, then it is necessary to replace it with a similar one.
If the water level sensor is broken, it needs to be replaced. The sensor is located under the top cover in the right corner. To remove the cover, just unscrew two screws from the back.The sensor itself is pulled out by pressing the latch. Then the hose is removed and the contacts are disconnected. A new one is installed in place of the faulty water level sensor.
Changing the heating element
How to change the heating element if it breaks? You can also fix this type of problem yourself. Opening the back cover of the washing machine, below, under the tank, you can see Ten. To replace it you need:
- Unscrew the bolt holding the heating element to the tank.
- Disconnect all wires.
- We take out the heating element.
- We take a working heating element.
- We put everything back together in reverse order.
Replacing bearings and drive belt
More difficult is the job of replacing bearings in a Bosch washing machine. After all, you will have to almost completely disassemble the washing machine to get to them. In addition, you will need tools and skill. A detailed video has been made about this. All work in it is done by real masters.
One of the common reasons for engine stalling can be wear on the drive belt. You can replace it yourself with patience and skill. This is done as follows:
- open the back cover;
- we take a photo of the drive belt and its correct fastening on the grooves of the pulley to make it easier to put on a new belt;
- We take hold of the belt with our right hand slightly below the pulley and pull it towards us;
- With your left hand, slowly turn the pulley counterclockwise; with this movement, the belt can be easily removed from the pulley;
- we take it out of the machine body;
- Now we take a new belt and first put it on the engine;
- We pull it with our left hand, and with our right we try to put the belt on the pulley;
- Continuing to tighten the belt, turn the pulley counterclockwise, at the same time trying to put the belt on completely;
- close the housing cover.
Eliminating noise in the drum
As we have already noted, noise and hum in the drum can be caused by worn bearings, shock absorbers and a torn counterweight. We've sorted out replacing the bearings, let's look at how to fix other problems.
Before changing the shock absorbers, carefully inspect the drum of the machine by shining a flashlight inside; perhaps a foreign object is stuck in it, which can be pulled out without disassembling the body of the machine and the tank. Perhaps this is the object that rattles when the drum rotates.
As for the shock absorbers, like in many other washing machines, they change according to the same algorithm. There is a detailed article on this topic, how to change springs, shock absorbers and dampers.
If the cause of the noise is a counterweight that is loose on the mount, then it is necessary to tighten these mounts. Counterweights are located under the top cover of the housing and at the bottom.
If it is not possible to secure the counterweight, then you need to replace it with a similar one. This failure is quite rare.
What to do with electrical, electronics and engine?
German electric motors for washing machines are an example of quality that break down very rarely, but nevertheless they do happen.
There are two ways to solve the problem. The first involves dismantling the engine and handing it over to specialists for overhaul and repair. There is a chance that they will be able to repair this expensive unit. If repair is impossible, then you will have to make a replacement, and in some cases this is almost 1/3 of the cost of the washing machine.
Getting to the engine is easy. You just need to dismantle the back wall of the machine, and then look under the tank, where the engine with the drive mechanism is located. To remove it, you need to disconnect the power wires and sensor from it, and also unscrew the three fasteners that hold the engine. Before removing the engine, experts recommend checking the sensor capacitor for functionality. To do this, arm yourself with a multimeter and connect its probes to the contacts. The value on the device display should be from 20 to 50 Ohms.
A multimeter will also be needed to check the electrical system of the washing machine. If you suspect a faulty electrical wiring, methodically check all contacts, terminals, and plugs. During long-term use of the machine, the wire could, for example, fray and create a problem - check everything, don’t be lazy and you will be rewarded.
If you suspect that the control unit of your washing machine is faulty, the only thing you can do is either call a specialist who will come and solve the problem, or dismantle the control unit and send it to a service center. Experts strongly do not recommend messing with the electronics of German technology: changing programs, reflashing, connecting to a computer and testing. To do this, you need to know many nuances - entrust this work to professionals.
Why do washing machines from the German company Bosch begin to break down more often?
What happened, why did Bosch washing machines that have proven themselves on the market begin to break down more often, because this is one of the most reliable companies? And all because some of the enterprises from Germany were moved to Turkey and Russia, where they began to use cheaper parts.
For example, the metal tank was replaced with a plastic one, and some parts began to be purchased in China. Cheaper products led to a decrease in quality.
The German quality standard remains only in those washing machines that are assembled in Germany.
Therefore, when purchasing such a machine, you need to pay attention to where it was assembled. And if a breakdown occurs, then specialists will be able to repair the Bosch machine without any problems. Although partially, it is still Bosch.
So, repairing a Bosch automatic machine with your own hands may be overwhelming; in some cases, you cannot do without the help of a specialist. However, serious breakdowns in such equipment are quite rare; after all, Bosch washing machines are of high quality. And in each individual case of a malfunction, you need to approach repairs creatively.
Interesting:
26 reader comments
What to do if there is a knock in the drum?
Change shock absorbers
There are strange sounds when the BOSCH machine is working (shooting. Everything works, what could it be?
What should I do if the machine does not switch from one mode to another when washing and a strange noise appears when washing and draining the water?
When switching from washing mode to rinsing mode, the middle indicator starts flashing. Is this an electronic failure?
What to do if the manhole cover where the clothes are located does not open and the drain does not work?
Good day! Tell me what to do, when washing it does not go into rinse mode, it washes endlessly. Time runs out, doesn't stop and doesn't turn off.
What should I do if the wash starts and does not start rinsing? It erases all the time and does not turn off. I turn on another mode, for example, rinse or spin separately. They work…
What should I do if, whenever I turn on washing or rinsing, the machine goes into spin mode and locks in this position?
What should I do if the door seal (cuff) rubs against the drum (before heating during the spin cycle)?
What to do if the key is flashing on the display. The temperature and spin speed are not set?
What to do if the fastener to the drum breaks off on the back wall of the drum?
What should I do if CL is written on the screen and the machine does not wash?
I was changing the bearings, when I pulled out the drum, a metal flat thin bracket about 15 centimeters long flew out from somewhere, but I couldn’t figure out where. Please tell me!
How to remove drum springs?
Help, who has encountered this problem - the Bosch WLX 24463 OE machine does not blink after the end of the wash, the buzzer does not work and the door does not open. The scoreboard always shows 1 minute.
The heating element burned out.
There was a power surge in the apartment and the washing machine started smoking. Can you please tell me if the fuse has blown? Or is he not there?
Good evening, if the drum does not spin, it fills and drains water, but does not wash. What to do? Thank you in advance.
The door does not open after the wash cycle. Tell me, maybe it’s not complicated? The new cycle erases normally. But it won't open again.
It starts working for any function, but then suddenly turns off. What could it be?
What should I do if Lenore remains in her compartment after washing clothes?
What to do if the door hatch lock in the Bosch is jammed and there is no way to get the washed clothes out?
What level of insulation of electrical equipment relative to the body in a Bosch washing machine should be? On the washing machine body up to 40 volts. Is it possible to work on such a machine?
When draining, water goes to the floor. I removed the pump and checked it straight - it turns. I checked for blockages, everything is clean too. What am I missing and how can I make sure the pump is receiving the command?
The laundry is not washed and the powder remains on the laundry. What is the reason, tell me?