Bosch washing machine does not drain or spin

What to do when the washing machine does not drain or spin? The reasons for this behavior of the “home assistant” may be different. Let's figure out what to do if the washing machine is stuck with a full tank of water and does not want to work further. We'll tell you which parts to check first.

What caused the breakdown?

If a Bosch washing machine has been in use for more than 5 years, then such a “symptom” may indicate a malfunction of almost any component. You will have to check all the elements of the washer one by one to detect any damage. If the SMA is still quite “young”, then the emphasis should be on the drainage system.

Often Bosch washing machines cannot start draining and spinning due to a blockage in the drainage system.

Therefore, if you have been using a Bosch washing machine for only 1-2 years, then first of all inspect the elements of the drain system for blockages. The easiest way is to check the garbage filter. Perhaps a sock or handkerchief is stuck in it, and therefore the “home assistant” cannot start draining and spinning.

First, you will have to drain the water from the “frozen” machine yourself. Prepare a low, roomy basin to collect liquid. Next, tilt the washer back and place a container under it, in the area where the garbage filter is located. It is advisable to cover the floor around the device with dry rags.

After this, unscrew the garbage filter from the machine. But not completely, but half a turn. The water will begin to flow into the basin. Next, remove the entire “trash can” plug, inspect it and the drain hole for blockages. If you find a lost sock or glove, you can consider the problem solved.

If the garbage filter and drain hole are clean, then the reason is different. Feel the drain hose of the machine for blockages. It is also better to make sure that there is no blockage in the sewer pipe. When the riser is clogged, water also does not drain well from the bathtub and washbasin.

Next, you will have to inspect the main elements of the Bosch washing machine one by one:

• drive belt;
• pump;
• Hall Sensor;
• electric motor;
• motor brushes;
• control module.

If one of these parts breaks down, the Bosch washing machine may well refuse to drain the water and spin out the clothes. Modern models equipped with a display will display an error code corresponding to the problem. If the washer is silent, then it is recommended to start checking from simple to complex. We'll tell you what to do first.

Drive mechanism

Inexpensive Bosch washing machines have two weak points - the motor and the drive mechanism. Both the device and the quality of these units leave much to be desired. According to statistics, starting from the second year of operation, one of the 14 Bosch SMAs has problems with the motor, Hall sensor or drive belt.

The easiest way to get to the belt. That's why he looks around first. The algorithm of actions will be as follows:

• turn off the power to the automatic machine;
• close the shut-off valve responsible for the water supply;
• move the washing machine away from the wall and furniture to have access to its body from all sides;
• Unscrew the screws securing the back panel of the machine, remove the wall;
• inspect the drive mechanism.

Immediately after removing the back panel of the SMA, you will be able to see the drum and motor pulley, as well as the drive belt stretched between them. If there is no rubber band, it means it has fallen off the “wheels” and is lying under the machine.In this case, it will become clear why the washer stopped working.

If the belt is in place, rotate the drum pulley. It should rotate with force. Also check the elastic tension. A stretched and sagging strap will have to be replaced with a new one.

A poorly tensioned drive belt does not allow the engine to spin the drum to the required speed.

Due to problems with the drive belt, the machine will not be able to start spinning. Intelligence will detect a failure and issue an error. Therefore, the washer will freeze in the middle of the cycle.

On the forums, craftsmen advise not to change a stretched belt, but simply adjust the position of the pulley by tightening the motor mount. As a result of such actions, the “wheel” will move a few millimeters, and the elastic band will tighten. However, this method will solve the problem for a couple of months, then the situation will repeat itself.

The drain pump is at fault

Next in line to check is the drain pump. The pump of Bosch washing machines also has its own service life and may fail over time. This problem is especially relevant for washing machines that have been in use for more than five years.

The SMA Bosch drain pump may burn out. Also, the pump stops functioning normally if debris accumulates in it. The operation of the element is also slowed down by hair wound around the impeller blades.

More often, Bosch washing machine pumps break down when the equipment is placed far from the sewer system, at a distance of more than two meters. In this case, the load on the pump exceeds the maximum permissible values, which leads to rapid damage to the part. Therefore, when installing and connecting the washing machine, pay special attention to the distance of the SMA from communications.

To inspect the SMA drain pump:

• unplug the machine;
• turn off the shut-off valve responsible for supplying water to the washing machine;
• disconnect the device from the water supply and sewerage;
• pull out the drain filter;
• shine a flashlight into the hole formed after removing the filter - there you can see the impeller of the drain pump;
• clean the drain hole from debris and dirt, remove any wound hair from the impeller blades;
• remove the powder receptacle from the washing machine;
• lay the machine on its right side, having first laid a blanket on the floor;
• remove the SMA pan;
• take a photo of how the wires are connected to the pump;
• disconnect all contacts from the pump;
• loosen the clamp securing the drain pipe to the pump;
• disconnect the pipe from the pump;
• remove the pump from the washing machine;
• disassemble the pump housing, dealing with the latches;
• inspect the “insides” of the part, make sure that the mechanism and all rubber bands are intact;
• Clean the pump from any dirt that has accumulated inside.

If the pump is severely clogged, cleaning it may help solve the problem. Therefore, after removing the debris, assemble the pump, install it in place and run the test cycle.

When it visually seems that there are no problems with the pump, do not rush to put the part back. It is also necessary to check the performance of the pump with a multimeter. Perhaps she was burned out.

The multimeter must be switched to voltmeter mode, then apply the probes to the pump contacts. Zero or one displayed on the tester display will indicate the failure of the part. The pump cannot be repaired; you will have to buy and install a new element.

Let's check the motor

The electric motor, Hall sensor and brushes will have to be inspected through the bottom of the Bosch washing machine. Since the drain pump was checked before, the “home assistant” is lying in the right position, on its side.For further diagnosis you will need:

• take a picture of the wiring diagram for the engine;
• disconnect the power supply from the motor;
• Unscrew the screws securing the part;
• remove the engine from the SMA housing.

To remove the electric motor from the machine, press on it, slide it back, gently pull it down and pull it towards you.

First check the Hall sensor. It is a small ring. The part is tested with a multimeter. If a breakdown is detected, the tachogenerator will have to be replaced.

Then remove the motor brushes and inspect them. If the graphite rods are worn off, install new ones. Electric brushes must be replaced in pairs, even if one of them is not worn out.

The next stage of diagnostics is to check the resistance of the motor winding with a multimeter. If you find a defect, do not try to repair the motor. It is more expedient to buy and install a new engine.

The control unit “cunning”

The control module of Bosch washing machines rarely fails. Usually the problem is a clogged drain system, problems with the drive mechanism, motor or pump. But if all possible causes have been ruled out, you will have to check the main control unit. Probably, it is the controller that is to blame for the fact that the machine “freezes” in the middle of the cycle.

Working with Bosch CMA electronics requires certain knowledge and experience. It is not recommended to check and repair the main control module yourself - it is better to invite a specialist. Otherwise, you can damage the washer even more.

A service center specialist will disassemble the machine and inspect the control board for defects. It will also “ring” the module semiconductors and identify the weak point. Sometimes you can get by with repairing the electronic unit; in some cases, you will need to replace the element.

Thus, if a Bosch automatic machine stops in the middle of a cycle and does not start draining and spinning, act immediately. To begin, unplug the appliance and turn off the water supply. Then drain the waste liquid from the tank through a garbage filter.

Then a comprehensive diagnostic is performed: the drive is inspected, the engine and tachogenerator are tested. In most cases, you can fix the problem yourself. The technician will only have to be called if there are problems with the control module.

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